Which U.S. presidential candidate flew 35 bomber missions over Nazi occupied Europe, earning a U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery?

In his early 20s, George McGovern flew 35 bomber missions over Nazi-occupied Europe, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery under enemy fire. He experienced first-hand the horrors of combat.

George McGovern, in full George Stanley McGovern was born July 19, 1922 in Avon, South Dakota. He died on October 21, 2012 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was a famous American politician who was an unsuccessful reformist Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency in 1972. He campaigned on a platform advocating an immediate end to the Vietnam War. Also he fought for a broad program of liberal, social, and economic reforms for all the individuals that lived within the United States of America. As an adult, he was always a very devoted U.S. public servant.

The industrious historian and author, Stephen Ambrose, has also focused on writing about McGovern and the young crew of his B-24 bomber. They were all volunteers who participated in the air war in Europe. Ambrose included them (McGovern and his air crew) in a vivid 2001 book that he wrote: The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany 1944-45.