Robert Eugene Bush
Rank and organization: Hospital Apprentice
First Class, U.S. Naval Reserve, serving as Medical Corpsman with a
rifle company, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
Place and date: Okinawa Jima, Ryukyu Islands, 2 May 1945.
Entered service at: Washington. Born: 4 October
1926, Tacoma, Wash. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
while serving as Medical Corpsman with a rifle company, in action
against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Jima, Ryukyu Islands, 2 May
1945. Fearlessly braving the fury of artillery, mortar, and machinegun
fire from strongly entrenched hostile positions, Bush constantly and
unhesitatingly moved from 1 casualty to another to attend the wounded
falling under the enemy's murderous barrages. As the attack passed
over a ridge top, Bush was advancing to administer blood plasma to a
marine officer Iying wounded on the skyline when the Japanese launched
a savage counterattack. In this perilously exposed position, he
resolutely maintained the flow of life-giving plasma. With the bottle
held high in 1 hand, Bush drew his pistol with the other and fired
into the enemy's ranks until his ammunition was expended. Quickly
seizing a discarded carbine, he trained his fire on the Japanese
charging pointblank over the hill, accounting for 6 of the enemy
despite his own serious wounds and the loss of 1 eye suffered during
his desperate battle in defense of the helpless man. With the hostile
force finally routed, he calmly disregarded his own critical condition
to complete his mission, valiantly refusing medical treatment for
himself until his officer patient had been evacuated, and collapsing
only after attempting to walk to the battle aid station. His daring
initiative, great personal valor, and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice
in service of others reflect great credit upon Bush and enhance the
finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Congressional Medal of Honor Citations, U.S. Army
Center of Military History
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh1.htm |