Tory Cook, age 15, of Monroe, La., for his question:

HOW OLD WAS VICE PRESIDENT BUSH?

George Herbert Walter Bush, Vice President of the United States, WAS 61 years old. He was born in Milton, Mass. on June 12, 1924, and grew up in Greenwich, Conn.

Bush was elected to his office in 1980 when President Ronald Reagan was elected President. Both won re election in 1984.

Bush had served as a carrier pilot in the Pacific during World War II and was discharged in 1945 with a Distinguished Flying Cross. Three years later he was graduated from Yale University with a degree in economics He then moved to Houston, Texas, where he became successful in the oil business.

Bush ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 1964 but won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1966. He was re elected two years later. In 1970 he again ran unsuccessfully for the Senate.

Bush then served as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. (1971 72); national chairman of the Republican party (1973 74); chief U.S. liaison officer in Peking (1974 75); and director of the U.S. Central Intelligency Agency (1976 77).