Robert Eugene Bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Eugene Bush
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Robert Eugene Bush
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| Born | October 4, 1926 Tacoma, Washington |
| Died | November 8, 2005 (aged 79) Olympia, Washington |
| Place of burial |
Fern Hill Cemetery, Menlo, Washington
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| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1944 – 1945 |
| Rank | Hospital Apprentice First Class |
| Unit | G Company, 2nd Battalion 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart Four Freedoms Award |
| Spouse(s) |
Wanda Spooner
(m. 1945; died 1999) |
Robert Eugene Bush (born October 4, 1926 – died November 8, 2005) was a brave American hero. At just 18 years old, he became the youngest member of the United States Navy in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor. This is the nation's highest award for incredible bravery. He earned this medal for his heroic actions on May 2, 1945. At that time, he was serving as a Navy medic with a Marine Corps fighting group during the Battle of Okinawa.
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Robert Bush's Early Life
Robert Bush was born in Tacoma, Washington. His father, Carl, worked in a sawmill, and his mother, Estelle, was a nurse. When he was four, his parents divorced. Robert then grew up with his mother in Raymond, Washington. He started working in a sawmill with friends and left school in 1943.
On January 5, 1944, when he was 17, Robert joined the U.S. Naval Reserve. He started as a new sailor in training in Seattle. After finishing his basic training at the Farragut Naval Training Station in Idaho, he went to Navy medic schools there.
He then trained at the Naval Hospital in Seattle. Later, he got special training at Camp Pendleton, California, to help Marines in battle. During his training, he was promoted several times. He became a seaman second class and then a hospital apprentice second class. On March 1, he was temporarily promoted to hospital apprentice first class.
Bravery in the Battle of Okinawa
On February 10, 1945, Robert was assigned to the 1st Marine Division. He later joined G Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. This group took part in the Battle of Okinawa, which began on April 1, 1945.
On May 2, Robert showed amazing courage. He was helping his injured leader when enemy grenades exploded, injuring Robert with metal pieces. Even though he was hurt, he grabbed his leader's rifle. He fired it to protect his leader, himself, and the rest of his group from the enemy attack.
Robert was officially discharged from the Navy with a good record on July 26, 1945. After the war, he finished high school. He also married Wanda Spooner from South Bend, Washington.
On October 5, 1945, President Truman personally gave Robert Bush the Medal of Honor. This special ceremony took place at the White House. Robert was honored for his brave actions on Okinawa. During World War II, seven Navy medics received the Medal of Honor for their service with the Marine Corps.
Life After the War
After his military service, Robert Bush studied business at the University of Washington. In 1951, he started his own company, Bayview Lumber Company, in South Bend. He also built Bayview Redi-Mix in Elma, Washington. Both became very successful businesses.
Famous news anchor Tom Brokaw wrote about Robert Bush in his book The Greatest Generation (1998). Robert was also very active in helping other veterans. He served for two years as the leader of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. He attended the swearing-in ceremonies for every president since Dwight D. Eisenhower, except for Lyndon B. Johnson. Robert Bush was not related to either President Bush.
Robert and Wanda Bush had three sons and one daughter. Wanda passed away in 1999, and their son Larry died in 1986. Robert Bush died from kidney cancer on November 8, 2005, in Olympia, Washington. He was 79 years old. At the time of his death, he was survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was buried in Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo, Washington.
Other Special Honors
Many places and awards have been named after Robert Bush to honor his bravery:
- The Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms, California, is named after him.
- The Bush Health Care Clinic at Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan, also carries his name.
- In 1998, a monument showing his actions on Okinawa was put up in a park named for him in his hometown of South Bend, Washington. A street there was also named after him.
- In 1999, a Golden Palm Star was dedicated to him on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. This honored him as one of five Medal of Honor recipients from that area.
- In 2001, he received the Freedom Medal.
- A waterfront park in South Bend, Washington, was dedicated in 1998. An inscription there thanks him as a "Native Son, Patriot and Distinguished American."
See also
