HA1 Robert E. Bush
U.S. Navy, Corpsman
Background
Robert Eugene Bush born October 4, 1926 to parents Carl and Estelle Bush in Tacoma, Washington State. His parents divorced at age four, he was raised by his mother who was a nurse and lived in Raymond, Washington State. He attended high school and worked at a sawmill.
Wartime History
During 1943 at age 17, he dropped out and joined the U.S. Navy Reserve (USNR) at Navy Recruiting Station, Seattle with the rank of as an apprentice seaman, Class V-6. He attended recruit training at the Farragut Naval Training Station in Farragut, Idaho. Then went to e Naval Hospital Corps School in Farragu then was assigned to Naval Hospital, Seattle and underwent more training at Field Medical Service School, Fleet Marine Force Training Center at Camp Pendleton, California. During training, promoted to the rank of Seaman Second Class (S2C) then to Hospital Apprentice Second Class (HA2).
On February 10, 1945, he was assigned as a corpsman to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Next, assigned as a corpsman to G Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines during the Battle of Okinawa.
Wartime History
 On May 2, 1945 Hospital Apprentice Second Class Robert E. Bush, serving as a corpsman with a rifle company with the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines on Okinawa during a Japanese attack and dodged enemy artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire to care for casualties. While administering blood plasma to a wounded Marine Lieutenant with chest and shoulder injuries when the Japanese launch a fierce counterattack. Bush drew his pistol with the other hand and fired at the enemy until his ammunition was expended. Next, he used the wounded Marine's carbine and killed six Japanese. Bush was wounded by shrapnel from three Japanese hand grenades hit by fragments in an eye and in his arm and shoulder. Afterwards, he refused medical attention until the Marine he had protected was evacuated. Bush then collapsed walking to an aid station but later recovered from his wounds.
Postwar, Bush told a reporter "The first grenade took my eye out, and I put my arm up to hold it off, and got some fragments in the other eye. Got a lot in my eye and shoulders. They hit me with three hand grenades in a matter of seconds. I was firing on them with [the wounded Lieutenant's] carbine. Every time I saw a Japanese head pop up, I could see the star on their helmet, I'd fire one round a foot below where I saw that head come up, because I knew I couldn't miss, I'd get 'em on the way down."
On July 26, 1945 he was honorably discharged and returned home and completed high school. On September 30, 1945 he married Wanda Spooner of South Bend, Washington. Postwar, the couple had three children.
Medal of Honor
For his selfless heroism, Bush earned the Medal of Honor and was the youngest member of the U.S. Navy in World War II to earn the Medal of Honor. On October 5, 1945 he was bestowed the Medal of Honor by U.S. President Harry S. Truman at The White House.
Medal of Honor (May 2, 1945)
 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 one 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 lying 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 one 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 six of the enemy despite his own serious wounds and the loss of one 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." |
Postwar
He studied business administration at the University of Washington. In 1951, he founded the Bayview Lumber Company in South Bend and Bayview Redi-Mix in Elma and built a multimillion-dollar business. During 1971-1973 he served as the President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Memorials
On November 8, 2005 died of kidney cancer at age 79 in Olympia, Washington State. He is buried at Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo, WA at 6th Edition, Block 1, Lot 24.
In 1998, a monument depicting Bush on Okinawa was erected in a park named for him in South Bend, Washington. A street in South Bend was also named in his honor.
The Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms, California is named in his honor.
The Bush Health Care Clinic in Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan is named in his honor.
A Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Bush for Veterans Day in 1999, recognizing him as one of five Medal of Honor recipients from the Southern California desert area.
In 2001 Bush received the Freedom medal.
Relatives
Wanda Bush (wife died 1999)
Larry Bush (son born 1957 died 1986)
References
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Hospital Apprentice First Class, USNR, (1926-2005)
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Robert Eugene Bush (Medal of Honor citation)
Washingotn Post "Robert E. Bush, 79, Dies; Medal of Honor Recipient" November 10, 2005
The Greatest Generation (1998) includes a chapter about Bush
FindAGrave - Robert Eugene Bush (photos, grave photo)
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