Downed pilot Pickups by Navy subs were routine in the Pacific Theater in 1944 when there the entire Pacific Ocean was dominated by American Navy Subs on patrol destroying Japanese convoys everyday.
I also doubt very much that the young “baby boy” eighteen year old, Navy Pilot, Bush was centered on a future political career. His main concern, rightfully so, was keeping his butt alive for another day. Case closed!!!
Bush 41 volunteered to serve after Pearl Harbor, just like my father and his four brothers. This was the rule, not the exception. It would have been noteworthy if he had not volunteered and waited for the draft.