Who was the only President to attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis?

Answer 1

The United States Naval Academy is a four-year educational federal service academy situated in Annapolis, Maryland. Jimmy Carter is the only US President to have graduated from Annapolis, who finished school in June of 1946.

Answer 2

Former President James Earl Carter, Annapolis Class of 1947 and former submariner, is the only Naval Academy graduate to ever serve as President.

The reason it's unusual there aren't more is that Navy officers typically go to Annapolis for Engineering and Science degrees, not Law or Political Science. In Carter's case, he originally entered the Academy and wanted to become a Submarine Commander; however, what is not very well known outside of Navy circles is that the reason he left the Navy is that he failed his Engineer Officer interview with then-Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, "Father of the Nuclear Navy". Rickover conducted every interview of Engineer Officer candidates, and if you didn't pass, your career was essentially over.

In Carter's case, Rickover asked him where he placed in his class at Annapolis. Carter responded with pride (somewhere in the top 100) to Rickover, to which he reflected and asked, "Did you do your Best?".

Now every submariner worth his salt (myself included) knows the proper answer to that question. Carter didn't - he responded "No, Sir, I didn't". To which Rickover replied, "Why Not?".

The proper answer should've been "Yes, Sir, I Did". All Rickover ever wanted was that everyone who served under him give the best that they could give. If you don't reach the top, that's fine, as not everyone can. But it's the effort that counts, and Carter failed on that key point. It's too bad we don't have a similar screening process for the White House.

Answer 3

Jimmy Carter (39th US President) was the only President who graduated from the US Naval Academy at Annapolis.

Answer 4

Jimmy Carter