The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Eugene A. Bushe (MCSN: 0-10050), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander of a Rocket Section of the Third Provisional Rocket Detachment, Fifth Service Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 19 February 1945. Landing with his rocket vehicles in the assault, Second Lieutenant Bushe coolly directed their movement through a heavy surf up the soft sandy terraces of the beach to a firing position which he had previously reconnoitered under heavy enemy mortar and machine-gun fire. Although both the rocket position and his observation post were continually subjected to hostile fire, he moved fro weapon to weapon and to his observation post while bringing enemy targets under fire. After three of his vehicles had been destroyed, Second Lieutenant Bushe maintained the fourth in constant operation despite the intense enemy barrage and continued to fire on hostile positions at the base of Mount Suribachi, thereby providing supporting fire during the critical phase in the establishment of a beachhead. By his professional skill, cool courage and devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Bushe aided materially in the advance of the assault infantry, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.