Francis Joseph Bush

Francis Bush Obituary

COLUMBIA - Col. Francis J. 'Joe' Bush, U.S. Army (Ret.), 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at his home in Columbia, SC, surrounded by family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine Street, Columbia, SC, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 21, 2011. Following a reception at the church, burial will be 2:00 p.m. in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.greenlawnmemorialparkandfh.com.

Col. Bush was born in Jersey City, NJ, September 8, 1919, the son of George Bush and Grace Anderson Bush. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Evelyn (Jones) Bush, two daughters Carol Bashant of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, and Ellen Bradford of Aberdeen, NC, two sons, George Bush of Miami Beach, FL, and Paul Bush of New Ipswich, NH. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Dorothy Wangberg of Lake Ariel, PA, four grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Grace, and a brother, George.

In 1937 Col. Bush enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard as a private in the horse-drawn field artillery. During the Second World War, he rose to the rank of first lieutenant, serving in the European Theater with the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. He jumped into southern France with the 460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion on August 15, 1944, and fought in five major campaigns. In the immediate post war years he participated in the occupation of both Germany and Japan. Progressively more challenging assignments took him, and often his family, to postings in the USA, Europe, Asia and South America. In 1965, as the commander of the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 19th Field Artillery, 1st Air Cavalry Division (Airmobile), then Lt. Col. Bush deployed his unit by ship to the Republic of Vietnam where it successfully pioneered radically new helicopter assault techniques. In his final decade of service, Col. Bush's fluent Spanish prompted the Department of the Army to request he specialize in military foreign affairs. He served in the highest level U.S. Army Military Assistance Group command positions in Panama, Venezuela and Spain. In 1977 he retired after 40 years of honorable service. Among his many decorations are the Legion of Merit (four awards), Air Medal (four awards), Purple Heart (two awards), Glider Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge with combat jump star, and the Belgian and French Croix de Guerre.

The family wishes to thank the Rev. Monsignor Harris, Dr. Todd Crump, Sister Andrea Callahan and the congregation of St. Joseph Catholic Church for their unwavering support. Special thanks also to Dr. Bruce Easterling and Dayna Mason, RN, in the Dorn VA Medical Center Home Based Primary Care program.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Free Medical Clinic, 1875 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204 and to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205. www.greenlawnmemorialparkandfh.com

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Published by The State on Jan. 21, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Francis Bush

4 Entries

February 12, 2011

It was an honor to have met Col. Bush, his loving wife and family shortly before his death. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during your time of grief.
Dee Hucks, Social Worker

Joe Holtslag

January 22, 2011

I was greatly saddened by the passing of Col. Bush, my hero and mentor, and offer my heartfelt condolences to his wonderful family.

My first meeting with the Colonel was at Ft. Benning, Ga in late 1964, when he made it a point to personally lead his battalion in PT, followed by a short 7 mile run.

We left Savannah, Ga on an extended 'cruise' in late August 1965. During this period, I was requested (ordered) to regularly appear in his cabin to play Bridge. As a lowly 2nd. Lt., playing with 3 field grade officers, I was battle hardened by the time we arrived in Qui Nho'n, Republic of South Vietnam, in late September.

I served under Col. Bush as an Artillery Forward Observer (FO) attached to an Infantry company in the 8th Cavalry (Airborne). Although I rarely got to see him, he always made it a point to insure our FO party was well treated by our infantry hosts. He truly cared for those in his command and was a great motivator and example to all who served under him. He kept our morale high under very difficult circumstances.

Our country has lost a great leader and patriot, and more importantly, an exceptional human being.

Rest in the Peace that you so deserve Sir.

Perry and Allyson Jeffcoat

January 21, 2011

We are so sorry about the death of Col. Bush. We thank him so much for his service to our contry for our freedom. We hope and pray that the family will find strength and comfort in your faith and memories.

Ben Kinlaw

January 21, 2011

We are eternally grateful for Colonel Bush's 40 years of service to our country.

He is highly respected as a true patriot, rising through the ranks from a Private to a Colonel.

Our prayer is that God will comfort you in your time of sorrow and the family remains in our thoughts and prayers.

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