Cpl. Richard E. Bush Memorial
Born December 23, 1923
United States Marine Corps
1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 16, 1945.
Location. 42° 21.561′ N, 87° 50.145′ W. Marker is in Waukegan, Illinois, in Lake County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of Washington Street and South West Street. Located in the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Washington Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waukegan IL 60085, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Orion Perseus Howe (a few steps from this marker); Waukegan Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Waukegan Doughboy Statue (a few steps from this marker); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Ray Bradbury Park
this page online
• Rank and organization: Corporal, U .S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division
• Place and date: Mount Yaetake on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 April 1945
• Entered service at: Kentucky
Citation: 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2018, by Michael Ryzy of Palatine, Illinois. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 9, 2018, by Michael Ryzy of Palatine, Illinois. 2. submitted on April 11, 2018, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
