Renaud J. Lebonville

“My dad, Renaud Lebonville, is now 94 years ‘young’ and still in pretty good shape mentally and physically. He still has a lot of pictures (including the Bush rescue from 1944), letters from George Bush and other mementos. Dad served in the U.S. Navy Reserve until retiring after 38 years. He is still lives in Charlotte.”

– Dianne Lebonville ’88

Renaud Lebonville, remembered by his daughter, Dianne Lebonville

Renaud Lebonville served in the Pacific Theater in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Renaud J. Lebonville served in the Pacific Theater in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served on the USS Finback, a diesel submarine. He took part in the Battle of Midway and his submarine was able to rescue the aircraft flown by future President George H.W. Bush and his crew after it was shot down.

After WWII, he also served on the Balao-class submarine the USS Clamagore, which is currently on display at Patriot’s Point in Charleston, South Carolina.

(In the photo to the left, George H.W. Bush is in the flotation device in the water.)