New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) presented the Bronze Star to Roslyn Heights resident Jim Bush at his District Office in Rockville Centre on Friday, February 29.

After 60 years of waiting for his well-deserved medal, Jim Bush was honored for his exemplary service to our Country during the Second World War.

"It is my honor to present this award to a great hero," said Senator Skelos. "It was the selfless actions taken by Jim Bush that led his men to safety, and this commendation is long overdue."

Jim Bush served with the 84th infantry and faced intensive combat at the Battle of the Bulge. After losing one third of his men during the strenuous battle, Jim commandeered a machine gun to continue the fight. At the time, Jim did not realize that he was doing anything extraordinary. He only knew that he had to keep fighting and do his duty to keep his men safe.

Sixty years later Jim received his Bronze Star in the mail. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

It is the fourth highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Jim Bush has been an attorney for most of his life. He is currently semi-retired and lives in Roslyn Heights with his wife Lucille. Jim and Lucille have a son Bobby, of Levittown, and daughter Heidi, who lives in New York City. They also have six grandchildren.