George Herbert Walker Bush was the youngest pilot in the history of the U.S. Navy. He flew combat aircraft at the age of 17 during World War 2. While he was training at an airfield in Maryland near Washington, D.C., Bush liked to swoop down in his plane and look at women sunbathing on a beach along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. One day, a circus set up next to the beach. When Bush buzzed the beach the next day with his airplane, an elephant went berserk and ran away, stomping through nearby residential neighborhoods. After the elephant was recaptured, Bush was reprimanded by his commander. George H.W. Bush often tells people that he holds the honor of being the only pilot in the history of the U.S. Navy to be grounded for starting an elephant stampede. George H.W. Bush flew 58 combat missions during World War 2, was shot down by the Japanese, and received numerous medals and citations for bravery.