How Many of the 44 US Presidents Have Been Veterans?
Overview
When it comes to the history of the United States, the President’s role is a unique one. They are both a symbol of the nation’s unity and a symbol of its strength. And no aspect of their presidency can be more telling than their military service. A presidential candidate’s military background has played a significant role in US politics for centuries, giving them an added credibility among voters.
Definition of a Veteran
For the purpose of this article, a veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces, either as a commissioned officer or enlisted member. This includes those who served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, or any other conflict, or those who are still actively serving.
Which US Presidents Were Veterans?
Out of the 44 US Presidents, 23 have been veterans, and 21 have not.
Breakdown of Presidential Veterans by War Era:
- War of 1812:
- James Madison (#4)
- Andrew Jackson (#7)
- Martin Van Buren (#8)
- William Henry Harrison (#9)
- Civil War:
- Ulysses S. Grant (#18): Served in the Union Army
- Rutherford B. Hayes (#19): Served in the Union Army
- James A. Garfield (#20)
- Andrew Johnson (#17): Initially served as a lieutenant and later became a spy in the Union Army
- World War I:
- Woodrow Wilson (#28): Attended the funeral of Pershing’s soldiers without serving himself
- Warren G. Harding (#29)
- James K. Polk (#11)
- World War II:
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (#34): General and Supreme Allied Commander of Allied Forces
- Harry S. Truman (#33): Lieutenant colonel in the Army
- John F. Kennedy (#35): Naval intelligence officer
- Ronald Reagan (#40)
- Lyndon B. Johnson (#36): Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserve
- Vietnam War:
- Richard Nixon (#37): Honored for his service, never deployed to Vietnam
- Gulf War/Post-9/11:
- George W. Bush (#43): Guard pilot (didn’t serve overseas) in the Texas Air National Guard
- Jimmy Carter (#39): Attended the United States Naval Academy, served in the Naval Reserve, and honorably discharged
- Gerald Ford (#38)
- Other Wars/Medic Corps:
- Abraham Lincoln (#16): Honorably discharged from the Kentucky Volunteer Infantry during the Mexican-American War
- Benjamin Harrison (#23)
- Franklin Pierce (#14)
- Martin Van Buren (#8) (honorably discharged from the New York Army)
Non-Veteran Presidents
Only 21 US Presidents did not serve in the armed forces:
- Zachary Taylor (#12): Killed in battle
- Thomas Jefferson (#3) & James Monroe (#5)
- James Buchanan (#15)
- Andrew Johnson (#17) (did serve in the military as mentioned earlier)
- Donald Trump (#45)
- Thomas Woodrow Wilson (#28) (as discussed, attended the funeral of Pershing’s soldiers)
Key Findings:
• 63.6% of all US Presidents have served in the military
• Most presidential veterans have served during World War II or in the Korean War (43.5%)
• Post-World War II (1945-2023), 65.7% of US Presidents have been veterans
In Conclus
While this survey shows that the number of veteran Presidents has consistently represented a significant proportion, even the 21 non-veteran Presidents brought exceptional leadership qualities and values acquired through other life experiences and endeavors. The number is a testament to the role of the military as the backbone of the US democracy, while also providing historical context and insights on those who have held the nation’s highest office.
