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Photo # 80-G-701139:  Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert E. Bush receives the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman, 5 October 1945

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Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert E. Bush, USNR, (1926-2005)

Robert Eugene Bush was born on 4 October 1926 in Tacoma, Washington. In 1944 he left high school to enlist in the U.S. Navy Reserve and subsequently served as a Hospital Apprentice First Class. On 2 May 1945, during the battle for Okinawa, he was a Rifle Company Medical Corpsman with the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, Fifth Marine Division. While attacking the enemy, a Marine Officer fell wounded in a fire-swept location. Bush, who had been assisting other wounded Marines, went to the officer's exposed postion and administered blood plasma amidst the perilous battle conditions. As the Japanese counterattacked, he courageously remained with the disabled officer, firing back with one hand while holding the plasma bottle in the other. Despite his own serious injuries, Bush continued to provide aid until his patient was evacuated. For his "conspicuous gallantry" on this occasion, he was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on 5 October 1945, during "Nimitz Day" celebrations at the White House in Washington, D.C. He was the youngest World War II Navy man to receive the Medal of Honor.

During the following decades Bush was a successful businessman in Washington State and worked on behalf of military veterans. Though his combat injuries left him with only one eye, he qualified as a private pilot and flew his own airplane. Robert E. Bush died on 8 November 2005 and is buried at Fern Hill Cemetery, Menlo, Washington.

Concerning his Medal of Honor, Bush reportedly commented: "This medal wasn't given to me because I'm the greatest guy who came down the pike. We had thousands who lost their lives who were certainly identifiable as being able ... to receive the Medal of Honor. But perhaps it wasn't properly documented. So, I look at it as though I'm a custodian for those who died." (quoted from his obituary in the "Washington Post", 10 November 2005).

This page features the only images we have concerning Robert E. Bush.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 84953

Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert E. Bush, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 164.
Robert E. Bush was awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry" while serving as a Medical Corpsman with a Rifle Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, Fifth Marine Division in battle at Okinawa Jima, Ryukyu Islands, 2 May 1945. He bravely administered aid to a wounded Marine officer and fired back at the Japanese at the same time. Despite being wounded by the enemy, Bush remained aiding the officer until he was evacuated.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 47KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-701139

Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert E. Bush, USN


Receives the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman during Nimitz Day Ceremonies at the White House on 5 October 1945.
In the background, at right, are Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, USN, and Vice Admiral Ross T. McIntyre, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 57KB; 580 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 



Medal of Honor citation of Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert E. Bush, USNR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 164):

"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, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Jima, Ryukyu Islands, 2 May 1945. Fearlessly braving the fury of artillery, mortar and machine-gun 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 point-blank 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 United States Naval Service."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 29 May 2008