MOH

Medal of Honor: Richard Earl Bush - World War II - April 16, 1945

He charged uphill through artillery fire into one of Okinawa’s fiercest strongholds. Then, wounded and lying among casualties, he saved others one final time.

April 29, 2026

Name: Richard Earl Bush
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
War: World War II
Unit: 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division
Date of Action: April 16, 1945
Location: Mount Yaetake, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands

Summary of Action

On 16 April 1945, Corporal Richard Earl Bush distinguished himself during the final assault on Mount Yaetake, Okinawa.

Mount Yaetake was a heavily defended Japanese mountain fortress, protected by entrenched troops and concentrated artillery fire.

Serving as a squad leader with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Bush rallied his men and drove them forward despite the savage barrage.

He personally led his squad up the face of a rocky precipice, swept over the ridge, and forced the defenders from their deeply dug positions.

His unit became the first to break through into the inner defenses of Mount Yaetake.

Bush remained at the forefront of the fight until he was seriously wounded and evacuated with other casualties beneath protective rocks.

While lying prostrate and receiving treatment, a Japanese hand grenade landed among the wounded group.

Though already badly injured, Bush reacted instantly.

Without hesitation, he pulled the grenade toward himself and absorbed the blast with his own body.

His action saved fellow Marines from severe injury or death.

Through fearless leadership in battle and complete self-sacrifice while wounded, Corporal Bush embodied the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

BUSH, RICHARD EARL

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.
Born: 23 December 1923, Glasgow, Ky.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Squad Leader serving with the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, Sixth Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces during the final assault against Mt. Yaetake on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, April 16, 1945. Rallying his men forward with indomitable determination, Corporal 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 Mt. 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, Corporal 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 own 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, Corporal Bush contributed materially to the success of the sustained drive toward the conquest of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire and 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 United States Naval Service.