June 13, 2004

George Bush and Caterpillar Club


COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 80th birthday Sunday with a parachute jump from 13,000 feet over his presidential library.

He made a tandem jump -- harnessed to a member of an Army's Golden Knights parachute team -- after officials decided the wind conditions and low clouds made it too dangerous for the 41st president to jump alone, which he did when he turned 75. (NYTimes)

Interesting accomplishment for octogenarian, even in tandem. But not qualifying for (once) world-famous "Caterpillar Club."

In 1919, Leslie Irvin developed a practical parachute for the US Army Air Corps. Three years later, Lt. Harold R. Harris, chief of the McCook Field Flying Station jumped from a disabled monoplane. Airmen realized that many more would follow and started an exclusive club, composed of people who had jumped from a disabled aircraft with a parachute. In 1922 Leslie Irvin made a pledge to donate a gold pin to every person whose life was saved from one of his parachutes. By the 1950's the number of members in the club had grown to over 80,000 members. (more at site)

Since Bush's jump was controlled, and not from disabled airplane, this jump would not qualify him. Perhaps if certain members of DU had their way, it would have.

But he already qualified for Caterpillar Club in WWII, with his first jump from his crippled Avenger.


Posted by Commissar at June 13, 2004 05:59 PM
Confessions

Amazing, this man continues to Kick Ass on his 80th birthday...just like he did in 1999, and just like he Kick (Geraldine Ferraro's) Ass 20 years ago.

I saw him back then, not too long after the VP debate, and nearly 3/4 of the signs in Miller Auditorium (at Western Michigan University) either read 'George Kicks Ass' or Kick-Ass George'. All from a quote he remarked after the debate!

Extracted from: Macker at June 13, 2004 08:41 PM

psssht. nekulturniy publicity stunt.

The Commissar would have jumped solo from 100, 000 feet over arctic ocean with NO parachute AND then swum to Rechlag, WITHOUT wetsuit.

Extracted from: emigre at June 14, 2004 01:51 AM

Interesting item in the story:

The crowd included his wife, Barbara, his son Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev - whom the former president had invited to jump with him.

"Afraid," Gorbachev said through an interpreter, explaining why he didn't accept the offer. "Maybe on his 90th birthday. ... For me, it would be a first. At my age, that may kill me."

Maybe Gorby just needs a few vodkas to get his nerve up.

Extracted from: Alan K. Henderson at June 14, 2004 03:48 AM