WASHINGTON D.C. (trfnews.i234.me) – In this week’s Department of Defense “Medal of Honor Monday,” Navy Capt. Willis Winter Bradley Jr., originally from North Dakota, is celebrated for his valor during World War I. Bradley saved his fellow shipmates by preventing further damage after an explosion in the ship’s gun emplacement. For his bravery, he received the Medal of Honor and served for nearly 30 more years.
Bradley was born on June 28, 1884, in Ransomville, New York, to Sarah and Willis Bradley Sr. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Milner, North Dakota, and later to the nearby town of Foran in 1891. He attended Hamlin University in St. Paul, Minnesota, before starting his public service as a deputy registrar of deeds in North Dakota.
Bradley began his Navy career after being appointed to the Naval Academy, graduating at the top of his class in 1906. He married Sue Worthington and served on various ships, eventually commanding the USS Bital and the reserve torpedo group at Annapolis, Maryland. He completed an ordnance course at the Naval Postgraduate School and earned a Master of Science degree from George Washington University.
During World War I, Bradley served on the USS Pittsburgh. On July 23, 1917, an accidental explosion occurred while reloading saluting cartridge cases. Despite being knocked unconscious, Bradley crawled into the casemate to extinguish the fire, preventing further explosions. His heroic actions earned him temporary promotions to lieutenant commander and commander, with the latter becoming permanent in 1922.
Bradley received the Medal of Honor on May 1, 1928, from President Calvin Coolidge. In June 1929, he became the naval governor of Guam, where he advocated for U.S. citizenship for all native residents. After his term, he continued his service in various roles, including as the commander of the Inspection and Survey Board in Long Beach, California, until his retirement in 1946.
Bradley also served in public office, including a term in the U.S. House of Representatives from California. He later worked for the Pacific Coast Steamship Company and served in the California legislature. Bradley passed away on August 27, 1954, after suffering a cardiac arrest.
In his honor, the USS Bradley, a destroyer escort, was commissioned in 1965 and served in the Navy until 1988.
I’m Neil Berg reporting for trfnews.i234.me