War and Politics

In January 1942, George McGovern drove to Omaha and joined the United States Army Air Forces. George McGovern showed skill as a pilot with his exceptionally good depth perception. In September 1944, McGovern joined the 741st Squadron of the 455th Bombardment Group of the 15th Air Force stationed in Italy. McGovern flew 35 missions and fulfilled his requirement for combat tour.

In 1956 McGovern ran for the House of Representatives from South Dakota's first congressional district. He staged an upset victory and became the first Democrat elected to Congress from South Dakota in 22 years. He won his second campaign for reelection in 1958. In 1960 McGovern decided to run for the US Senate. He was defeated by Karl Mundt. In 1961 he became the Director of the Food and Feast Program as part of the Kennedy Administration. In 1962 he announced he would run for election for South Dakota's other Senate seat facing Francis H Case. Case died in June of that year and Joseph H Bottum took his place in the election. In November 1962 McGovern was elected to the Senate, making him the first Democratic Senator from the state in 26 years and only the third since statehood in 1889. In 1963 Senator McGovern became the first member to challenge the growing US military involvement in Vietnam. He ran for Senate again and defeated Archie M Gubbrud.

Pause here to view the exhibit on his military career and political career.