[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ROBERT E. BUSH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MARY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2005

  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Robert E. 
Bush, a hero whose selfless contributions to our Nation began with his 
service in the Navy Medical Corps during WWII and continued throughout 
his remarkable life. Sadly, Mr. Bush passed away on November 8, 2005 at 
the age of 79. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me today in 
saluting this outstanding American.
  Mr. Bush was born in Tacoma in 1926. In 1943, he left high school to 
join the Navy Medical Corps. Within a year of enlistment, he 
participated in an assault on Okinawa, one of the longest and bloodiest 
conflicts in the Pacific Theatre.
  While attending to his wounded comrades on the front lines of the 
battlefield, Mr. Bush's division came under attack. He unhesitatingly 
continued to administer aid to those in desperate need as enemy forces 
pressed forward with their counterattack. Despite his own dangerously 
exposed position, Mr. Bush refused to evacuate and remained to provide 
a seriously injured soldier with critical plasma. This heroic act 
resulted in serious wounds and ultimately cost Mr. Bush his own right 
eye as he was struck with multiple enemy hand grenades. When additional 
help finally came, Mr. Bush refused treatment until the wounded soldier 
had been safely evacuated.
  At the age of 18, Robert Bush became the youngest sailor to ever 
receive the military's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. This honor 
was bestowed personally by President Harry S. Truman. With 
characteristic selflessness and humility, Mr. Bush refused to consider 
his own courage apart from those that he served with and considered 
himself a ``custodian [of the Medal of Honor] for those who died.'' As 
his son Robert ``Mick'' Bush put it, ``The Medal of Honor was a symbol 
of Bush's philosophy of putting others first.'' Throughout the 
remainder of his life he remained very active with the Congressional 
Medal of Honor Society where he rose to the rank of president.
  In further recognition of Mr. Bush's courage, a naval hospital in 
Twentynine Palms, California was named in his honor--as was a stretch 
of U.S. 101 that goes through South Bend and a clinic at Camp Courtney 
on Okinawa. I am pleased to recognize these lasting tributes to Mr. 
Bush's self sacrifice in service to others.
  Mr. Bush was preceded in death by his wife and high school 
sweetheart, the former Wanda Spooner, who passed away in 1999 and his 
son, Lawrence Bush. He is survived by three of his children; Susan 
Ehle, Robert M. Bush and Richard Bush, eight grandchildren and two 
great grandchildren. Mr. Bush will be remembered by his dear family and 
friends as not only a national hero, but most importantly a dedicated 
family man who rendered tireless service to those who had the 
opportunity to associate with him.
  Mr. Speaker, I would once again like to pay tribute to this great 
American hero. His life was a testament to patriotism and courage and I 
am honored to speak on his behalf today. I encourage my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing and celebrating the life of Mr. Robert E. Bush.




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