![]() ![]() Bush contributed materially to the success of the sustained drive toward the conquest of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. By his valiant leadership and aggressive tactics in the face of savage opposition, 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. Although prostrate under medical treatment when a Japanese hand grenade landed in the midst of the group, Cpl. 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. 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. Rallying his men forward with indomitable determination, Cpl. Medal of Honor 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. Unit: 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division ![]() Anderson’s intrepid conduct in the face of overwhelming odds accounted for 25 enemy killed and several machineguns and knee mortars destroyed, thus single-handedly removing a serious threat to the company’s flank. Despite the protests of his comrades, and bleeding profusely from a severe shrapnel wound, he made his way to his company commander to report the action. Securing a box of mortar shells, he extracted the safety pins, banged the bases upon a rock to arm them and proceeded alternately to hurl shells and fire his piece among the fanatical foe, finally forcing them to withdraw. After emptying 1 magazine at pointblank range into the screaming attackers, he seized an enemy mortar dud and threw it back among the charging Japs, killing several as it burst. When a powerfully conducted predawn Japanese counterattack struck his unit’s flank, he ordered his men to take cover in an old tomb, and then, armed only with a carbine, faced the onslaught alone. Medal of Honor Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. Unit: 1st Battalion, 381st Infantry, 96th Infantry Division Rank at Time of Action: Technical Sergeant Conquering Okinawa caused more than 49,000 American casualties, including about 12,000 deaths. The Imperial Japanese forces fought tenaciously, and over 110,000 Japanese soldiers lost their lives before the American victory. These attacks cost 26 ships were sunk and another 164 damaged during the battle. On Apa wave of 355 Imperial Japanese army and navy kamikaze aircraft attacked the Allied ships aiding the invasion. The castle did not fall until May 29, the structure had been reduced to ruins before capture. ![]() The Japanese centered their defensive line on Shuri Castle, a formidable structure which was surrounded by defensible ridges. ![]() US Marines triumphed over Imperial Japanese forces by April 18 in the north of Okinawa, but fighting continued in the south. The next 82 days were a land, sea, and air battle of terrible cost. As the Tenth Army pushed inland fierce fighting began on Okinawa’s southern end. Unlike previous landings, US forces effected a quiet landing with no initial resistance. The landing forces were told to expect an 80% casualty rate. The attack on Okinawa involved 1,500 ships and over 500,000 men. On April 1, 1945, more than 60,000 soldiers and US Marines of the US Tenth Army mounted the largest amphibious assault ever performed in the Pacific Theater of World War II. This “typhoon of steel” was the final island battle before an anticipated invasion of mainland Japan. 23 Americans were awarded the Medal of Honor for their courageous conduct during the 82 days of fighting in The Battle of Okinawa starting on April 1, 1945. ![]()
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