See Images of 20 US Presidents Who Served in the Military—in Uniform

The nation’s first president, George Washington, served as general and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Washington wore a suit rather than his army uniform to his inauguration to help ease fears that the fledgling democracy might be taken over by a military coup.

Andrew Jackson, as a major general of the Army, led U.S. forces to victory in the battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.

Zachary Taylor commanded troops in the War of 1812 and became a full-fledged war hero through his service in the Mexican War, which broke out in 1846.

Pierce served as a brigadier general in the New Hampshire Militia (1846-1848).

As commanding general, Grant led the Union army to victory over the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

Hayes served in the in the Union Army in the American Civil War from 1861 until 1865. He started as a major in the 23rd Ohio Regiment and, by the end of the war, had been promoted to the rank of major general.

Garfield served during the American Civil War as a major general, fighting in the battles of Shiloh, Middle Creek and Chickamauga.

Harrison served during the American Civil War as a brigadier general, reaching the front lines of General Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign in 1864.

McKinley served in the 23rd Ohio Infantry of the United States Army from 1861, until 1865. During the American Civil War, he served on the staff of fellow future president, and Ohioan, Rutherford B. Hayes, forming a lifelong friendship that eventually helped McKinley rise through Ohio’s political ranks.

Roosevelt resigned his post as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1898 and volunteered to head a cavalry unit, known as the Rough Riders, to fight as a colonel in the Spanish-American War.

Kennedy served as a Navy lieutenant in World War II. He received the Purple Heart and the Navy Marine Corps Medal for his heroics when his PT 109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer in 1943. He’s the only president to receive either medal.

Johnson became the first member of Congress to volunteer for active duty in the military when the United States entered World War II. Serving in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant commander, Johnson took part in a bombing raid on a Japanese Island on the northeast coast of New Guinea, where his life was spared by a fortunately-timed bathroom break.

Nixon served as a Navy lieutenant and saw action in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

As lieutenant commander, Ford served in the Navy during World War II. After his honorable discharge in 1946, he remained in the inactive Naval Reserve until 1963.

Jimmy Carter served as Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (1946-1953). Jimmy Carter was a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, although he did not see combat during World War II.

Reagan served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army but remained stateside during World War II because of poor eyesight. He starred in the First Motion Picture Unit, producing films to support the war effort.

George Bush served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy (1942-1945). On September 2, 1944, while on a bombing run of the island of Chi Chi Jima, his plane was shot down. After floating on a raft for several hours, he was rescued by the submarine, the U.S.S. Finback. Overall, he flew in 58 combat missions and received several medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

George W. Bush served as a first lieutenant in the Texas Air National Guard (1968-1973).