William Sharp Bush

Who was William Sharp Bush?

William Sharp Bush was an officer in the United States Marine Corps during the War of 1812. He was also the first Marine Corps officer to be killed in combat.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Bush was appointed as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 3 July 1809 and was promoted to First Lieutenant on 4 March 1811. He lost his life while serving aboard USS Constitution, when he fell mortally wounded while attempting to board the frigate HMS Guerriere on 19 August 1812.

He was posthumously awarded a silver medal by the United States Congress. His silver medal was presented to his nearest male relative, Lewis Bush Jackson, in early 1835.