Interesting TLS, one page, 6 x 9, House of Representatives letterhead, July 24, 1967. Bush writes to Richard A. Ames of Ames Oil and Gas in Houston. In part: “I appreciate your thoughtfulness in writing. In the same mail I received the attached letter from the Department of the Air Force. Be assured I was only too glad to make every effort on your behalf and sincerely regret that a more favorable reply was not received…. My best regards to you and the family.” Accompanied by the Air Force letter Bush mentions, signed by USAF Colonel John E. Lingo, which reads, in part: “The complete file pertaining to the involuntary 45-day active duty for training tour of Airman Second Class Richard C. Ames, Air Force Reserve, has been carefully reviewed in Air Force Headquarters and the prior decisions upheld. Individuals who choose to compete for selection and enlistment in the Air Force Reserve, as an alternative to induction or serving with the Regular forces, must perform the required training to retain draft deferment…. To relieve [Airman Ames] of this requirement would constitute preferential treatment and be manifestly unfair to other members of the Nonprior Service Program who have been denied relief in similar and equally deserving circumstances….” The recipient of Bush’s letter, Richard C. Ames, was a Houston oilman for whose son (the subject of the Air Force letter) Bush had evidently tried to pull some quasi-legal strings to obtain favorable treatment. Such actions had evidently become routine during this stage of Bush’s political career; less than a year later, his own son, George W. Bush, was inexplicably admitted into the Texas Air National Guard despite a national waiting list of more than 100,000 and having scored only the minimum passing grade (25%) on the pilot’s aptitude test. In good to very good condition, with staple holes and light staining to Bush letter and a few tears, wrinkles, and handling wear to Air Force letter. R&R COA.
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