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George Bradley (Medal of Honor recipient)
Encyclopedia
George Bradley was a United States Navy
officer and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor
.
, New York
. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from Rhode Island
in the early 1900s and served as a Chief Gunner's Mate on the during the intervention at Veracruz
, Mexico
in April 1914. When U.S. Naval Forces landed there and came under fire, Bradley led the ammunition party and special details. For his "meritorious service under fire," he was later awarded the Medal of Honor.
Bradley was promoted to the warrant officer
rank of Gunner in February 1915. During the next two years he served in the armored cruiser , which conducted training exercises along the East Coast
during the first months of World War I
. In the summer of 1917, after reporting to the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport
, Rhode Island
, Bradley was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant. He reverted to Chief Gunner in August 1920 and was assigned to Destroyer
Division 18, part of the Pacific Fleet
. In 1922, he transferred to the Washington Navy Yard
in Washington, D.C.
. During his tour of duty there, Bradley was presented with the Medal of Honor by President
Calvin Coolidge
on October 4, 1923. In February 1928, he reported for sea duty on the destroyer and later served on the . Upon his retirement in October 1932, Bradley was again promoted to Lieutenant. George Bradley died on June 9, 1942 and is buried at St. Columbia's Cemetery, Middletown
, Rhode Island
.
Citation:
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Biography
George Bradley was born on December 5, 1881 in New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
in the early 1900s and served as a Chief Gunner's Mate on the during the intervention at Veracruz
United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914
The United States occupation of Veracruz, which began with the Battle of Veracruz, lasted for six months and was a response to the Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in April 1914. When U.S. Naval Forces landed there and came under fire, Bradley led the ammunition party and special details. For his "meritorious service under fire," he was later awarded the Medal of Honor.
Warrant Officer (United States)
In the United States military, the rank of warrant officer is rated as an officer above the senior-most enlisted ranks, as well as officer cadets and candidates, but below the officer grade of O-1...
rank of Gunner in February 1915. During the next two years he served in the armored cruiser , which conducted training exercises along the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
during the first months of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In the summer of 1917, after reporting to the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, Bradley was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant. He reverted to Chief Gunner in August 1920 and was assigned to Destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
Division 18, part of the Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
. In 1922, he transferred to the Washington Navy Yard
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. During his tour of duty there, Bradley was presented with the Medal of Honor by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
on October 4, 1923. In February 1928, he reported for sea duty on the destroyer and later served on the . Upon his retirement in October 1932, Bradley was again promoted to Lieutenant. George Bradley died on June 9, 1942 and is buried at St. Columbia's Cemetery, Middletown
Middletown, Rhode Island
Middletown is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 16,150 at the 2010 census. It lies to the south of Portsmouth and to the north of Newport on Aquidneck Island, hence the name "Middletown."-Geography:...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Chief Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: S December 1881, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: Rhode Island. G.O. No.: 117, September 13, 1923.Citation:
For meritorious service under fire on the occasion of the landing of the American naval forces at Vera Cruz in 1914. C.G. Bradley was then attached to the U.S.S. Utah, as a chief gunner's mate, and was in charge of the ammunition party and special details at Vera Cruz. (Medal presented by President Coolidge at the White House on 4 October 1923.)
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)