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Bush, Richard Earl

Date of birth:
December 23rd, 1923 (Glasgow/Kentucky, United States)
Date of death:
June 7th, 2004 (Waukegan/Illinois, United States)
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Corporal
Unit:
1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division "The Striking Sixth", U.S. Marine Corps
Awarded for:
Operation Iceberg
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a squad leader serving with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces, during the final assault against Mount Yaetake on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 April 1945. Rallying his men forward with indomitable determination, Cpl. Bush boldly defied the slashing fury of concentrated Japanese artillery fire pouring down from the gun-studded mountain fortress to lead his squad up the face of the rocky precipice, sweep over the ridge, and drive the defending troops from their deeply entrenched position. With his unit, the first to break through to the inner defense of Mount Yaetake, he fought relentlessly in the forefront of the action until seriously wounded and evacuated with others under protecting rocks. Although prostrate under medical treatment when a Japanese hand grenade landed in the midst of the group, Cpl. Bush, alert and courageous in extremity as in battle, unhesitatingly pulled the deadly missile to himself and absorbed the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his body, thereby saving his fellow marines from severe injury or death despite the certain peril to his own life. By his valiant leadership and aggressive tactics in the face of savage opposition, Cpl. Bush contributed materially to the success of the sustained drive toward the conquest of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His constant concern for the welfare of his men, his resolute spirit of self-sacrifice, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."

Date of citation unknown.
Medal of Honor - Navy/Marine Corps (MoH)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Gold Star in lieu
Purple Heart

Sources

  • Photo 1: U.S. Army Photo
  • Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Photo
  • - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes – 433 men of World War II awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996
    - Clark, G.B., The Six Marine Divisions in the Pacific – Every Campaign of World War II, McFarland & Company, Jefferson, North Carolina, USA, 2006

Photo