Courtesy Photo | The statue of Robert E. Bush, which stands in front of the Robert E. Bush Naval...... read more read more
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital held a cake-cutting ceremony celebrating the hospital’s 20th anniversary Tuesday. Former and current hospital staff gathered to reminisce on the hospital’s history and enjoy a slice of cake.
“Twentytwo years ago, the base started to grow, so the hospital decided to grow with it,” said Navy Capt. Jay Sourbeer, commanding officer, Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital. “We are always striving to improve our services and availability to Marines and make sure we enhance Marine readiness.”
According to Sourbeer, the ceremony represented the proud tradition of the hospital corpsman.
Marine Base Twentynine Palms Medical Dispensary was the first medical facility established shortly after the Combat Center opened in 1953. It remained a medical dispensary until 1974 when it was redesignated as Branch Hospital of Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. The command was redesignated in July 1988 and became Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms. Soon after, plans were developed to build a more modern building, allowing the hospital to expand. The new hospital was completed in 1993 and the staff was moved in shortly after.
“It was truly amazing to be able to see the differences between the two hospitals,” said retired Navy Commander Robert Gantt. “We used to walk past the new hospital being built and just drool over it because we were so amazed. Moving into the new hospital was like going from being forced to camp in the woods to staying in a Hilton Head Resort.”
In May 2000, the hospital was renamed as the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital for Petty Officer 1st Class Robert E. Bush, Medal of Honor recipient. Fifty-five years to the day of this ceremony, Bush, then an 18-year-old medical corpsman, was on patrol with a Marine rifle company on Okinawa, Japan.
Though seriously wounded in combat, receiving grenade wounds to the back, stomach, arm and losing one eye, he continued to provide medical aide to a Marine patient while simultaneously successfully disabling several charging Japanese soldiers.
Hospital corpsmen are always on their toes and wanting to help in any way they can, according to Sourbeer.
“I can’t help but to feel a lot of pride,” Sourbeer said. “We represent tradition. The passing of traditions is a big part of naval services and we are looking forward to continuing to proudly serve this beautiful hospital.”
An act of valor
Robert Eugene Bush was awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry at the risk of his life while serving as a medical corpsman with a rifle company, in action against enemy forces in the Battle of Okinawa, May 2, 1945.
Braving the fury of artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire from entrenched hostile positions, Bush unhesitatingly moved from one casualty to another to attend the wounded.
As the attack passed over a ridge top, Bush was advancing to administer blood plasma to a Marine officer lying wounded on the skyline when the Japanese launched a savage counterattack. In this exposed position, he resolutely maintained the flow of life-giving plasma.
With the bottle held high in one hand, Bush drew his pistol with the other and fired into the enemy's ranks. He then trained his fire on the Japanese charging over the hill, accounting for six of the enemy despite the loss of one eye and of injuries suffered during his desperate battle in defense of the helpless man. With the hostile force finally routed, he calmly disregarded his own critical condition to complete his mission.
| Date Taken: | 07.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.12.2013 16:50 |
| Story ID: | 110132 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 344 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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