Willis W. Bradley
Encyclopedia
Willis Winter Bradley Jr. (June 28, 1884 – August 27, 1954) was a Naval officer, a recipient of the Medal of Honor
and a U.S. Representative
from California
.
, Bradley moved with his parents to Milnor, North Dakota
, in July 1884 and to Forman, North Dakota
, in 1891. He attended the public schools, and Hamline University
, St. Paul, Minnesota. He served as the deputy registrant of deeds of Sargent County, North Dakota
in 1902 and 1903.
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
on September 12, 1906 and went to sea in . After two years at sea as a passed midshipman, he received his commission as an ensign on September 13, 1908. Successively, Bradley served in from the fall of 1908 to October 1910, helped to fit out and commission (Torpedo Boat Destroyer No. 26), and served in her until March 1911. From then until September 1912, he saw duty, first in the transport and then in . Next, he commanded (Torpedo Boat No. 26) and the Reserve Torpedo Group at Annapolis, Md.
Beginning in September 1913, Bradley studied ordnance and explosives at the Naval Postgraduate School
in Annapolis, Maryland
, and then at George Washington University
in Washington, D.C. He continued his studies at the Naval Proving Ground in Indian Head, Maryland
, at Bausch & Lomb
, and at the Midvale Steel Co. in Pittsburgh, Pa. In July 1915, Bradley returned to sea in command of . That December, he was transferred to command of and of the Reserve Torpedo Division, Pacific Fleet.
After service in between September 1916 and February 1917, Bradley became gunnery officer on the . In that capacity, he received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 23, 1917 during a powder explosion in one of the ship's casemates. Though temporarily stunned, he entered the compartment, saved a man's life, and then reentered the casemate to extinguish burning gunpowder.
Bradley moved ashore again in January 1918 to head the Explosives, Fuses, and Primers Section of the Bureau of Ordnance. From there, he went to the Naval Torpedo Station in Keyport, Washington, in August 1919 to serve as a naval inspector. Returning to sea in June 1920, Bradley served as gunnery officer in until May 1921. At that time, he reported to the Mare Island Navy Yard to assist in fitting out and commissioning . After the battleship went into commission on August 10, he served as her gunnery officer.
Bradley returned to Keyport in May 1922 for two years of duty at the Naval Torpedo Station as the Naval Inspector in Charge. From July 1924 to November 1926, he commanded , the station ship at Guam
in the Mariana Islands
. Between late 1926 and the middle of 1929, Bradley served in the Naval Reserve Section in the Bureau of Navigation. Following that tour of duty, he became Governor of Guam in June 1929. As Governor, he issued Guam's first Bill of Rights, sought United States citizenship for the Chamorros and proclaimed them to be citizens of Guam, and reorganized the Guam Congress. He also made possible the first free elections of village commissioners. He was considered a Progressive Republican and civil libertarian.
On April 8, 1930 he created the only official government run local post called "Guam Guard Mail". It used overprinted Philippine stamps for the 1st, 3rd, and 4th issues and a locally printed one for the 2nd. It was needed since the U.S. Post Office did not deliver the mail to individual homes or businesses. "Guam Guard Mail" lasted one year forcing the Post Office to take over it operations on the northern half of Guam on January 1, 1931 and the southern half on April 9, 1931.
Bradley resumed sea duty in July 1931 in command of . Two years later, he became Captain of the Yard at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. After six months, however, he was transferred to command of .
That assignment lasted until June 1937 at which time he was reassigned to the Naval War College
as a student. After a year of duty with the Pacific coast section of the Board of Inspection and Survey beginning in May 1938, Capt. Bradley commanded Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 31, Battle Force, based in San Diego for a year. At the conclusion of that assignment, he resumed duty with the Board of Inspection and Survey on the west coast. He continued in that billet through the end of World War II and until his retirement on August 1, 1946.
Bradley was elected as a Republican
to the Eightieth
Congress (January 3, 1947-January 3, 1949). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1948 to the Eighty-first
Congress. He served as assistant to the president of the Pacific Coast Steamship Co. from 1949 to 1952. He served as member of the California State Assembly
from 1952 until his death.
Bradley died in Santa Barbara, California
, August 27, 1954. He was interred in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
, San Diego, California
.
Citation:
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...
and a U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Biography
Born in Ransomville, New YorkRansomville, New York
Ransomville is a hamlet located in the Town of Porter in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 1,488 at the 2000 census. Portions of the hamlet of Ransomville are also in Town of Wilson and Town of Cambria...
, Bradley moved with his parents to Milnor, North Dakota
Milnor, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 711 people, 301 households, and 195 families residing in the city. The population density was 761.5 people per square mile . There were 338 housing units at an average density of 362.0 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 97.61% White, 1.41%...
, in July 1884 and to Forman, North Dakota
Forman, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 506 people, 221 households, and 129 families residing in the city. The population density was 719.2 people per square mile . There were 256 housing units at an average density of 363.8 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 97.63% White, 0.20%...
, in 1891. He attended the public schools, and Hamline University
Hamline University
-Red Wing location :Hamline was named in honor of Leonidas Lent Hamline, a bishop of the Methodist Church whose interest in the frontier led him to donate $25,000 toward the building of an institution of higher learning in what was then the territory of Minnesota. Today, a statue of Bishop Hamline...
, St. Paul, Minnesota. He served as the deputy registrant of deeds of Sargent County, North Dakota
Sargent County, North Dakota
-National protected areas:*Storm Lake National Wildlife Refuge*Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge*Wild Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:...
in 1902 and 1903.
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
on September 12, 1906 and went to sea in . After two years at sea as a passed midshipman, he received his commission as an ensign on September 13, 1908. Successively, Bradley served in from the fall of 1908 to October 1910, helped to fit out and commission (Torpedo Boat Destroyer No. 26), and served in her until March 1911. From then until September 1912, he saw duty, first in the transport and then in . Next, he commanded (Torpedo Boat No. 26) and the Reserve Torpedo Group at Annapolis, Md.
Beginning in September 1913, Bradley studied ordnance and explosives at the Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, and then at George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in Washington, D.C. He continued his studies at the Naval Proving Ground in Indian Head, Maryland
Indian Head, Maryland
Indian Head is a town in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,422 at the 2000 census. It has been the site of a naval base specializing in gun and rocket propellants since 1890. Production of nitrocellulose and smokeless powder began at the Indian Head Powder Factory in 1900...
, at Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb, an American company based in Rochester, New York, is one of the world's leading suppliers of eye health products, such as contact lenses and lens care products today. In addition to this main activity, in recent years the area of medical technology has been developed...
, and at the Midvale Steel Co. in Pittsburgh, Pa. In July 1915, Bradley returned to sea in command of . That December, he was transferred to command of and of the Reserve Torpedo Division, Pacific Fleet.
After service in between September 1916 and February 1917, Bradley became gunnery officer on the . In that capacity, he received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 23, 1917 during a powder explosion in one of the ship's casemates. Though temporarily stunned, he entered the compartment, saved a man's life, and then reentered the casemate to extinguish burning gunpowder.
Bradley moved ashore again in January 1918 to head the Explosives, Fuses, and Primers Section of the Bureau of Ordnance. From there, he went to the Naval Torpedo Station in Keyport, Washington, in August 1919 to serve as a naval inspector. Returning to sea in June 1920, Bradley served as gunnery officer in until May 1921. At that time, he reported to the Mare Island Navy Yard to assist in fitting out and commissioning . After the battleship went into commission on August 10, he served as her gunnery officer.
Bradley returned to Keyport in May 1922 for two years of duty at the Naval Torpedo Station as the Naval Inspector in Charge. From July 1924 to November 1926, he commanded , the station ship at Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
in the Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
. Between late 1926 and the middle of 1929, Bradley served in the Naval Reserve Section in the Bureau of Navigation. Following that tour of duty, he became Governor of Guam in June 1929. As Governor, he issued Guam's first Bill of Rights, sought United States citizenship for the Chamorros and proclaimed them to be citizens of Guam, and reorganized the Guam Congress. He also made possible the first free elections of village commissioners. He was considered a Progressive Republican and civil libertarian.
On April 8, 1930 he created the only official government run local post called "Guam Guard Mail". It used overprinted Philippine stamps for the 1st, 3rd, and 4th issues and a locally printed one for the 2nd. It was needed since the U.S. Post Office did not deliver the mail to individual homes or businesses. "Guam Guard Mail" lasted one year forcing the Post Office to take over it operations on the northern half of Guam on January 1, 1931 and the southern half on April 9, 1931.
Bradley resumed sea duty in July 1931 in command of . Two years later, he became Captain of the Yard at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. After six months, however, he was transferred to command of .
That assignment lasted until June 1937 at which time he was reassigned to the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
as a student. After a year of duty with the Pacific coast section of the Board of Inspection and Survey beginning in May 1938, Capt. Bradley commanded Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 31, Battle Force, based in San Diego for a year. At the conclusion of that assignment, he resumed duty with the Board of Inspection and Survey on the west coast. He continued in that billet through the end of World War II and until his retirement on August 1, 1946.
Bradley was elected as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the Eightieth
80th United States Congress
The Eightieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1947 to January 3, 1949, during the third and fourth...
Congress (January 3, 1947-January 3, 1949). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1948 to the Eighty-first
81st United States Congress
The Eighty-first United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives...
Congress. He served as assistant to the president of the Pacific Coast Steamship Co. from 1949 to 1952. He served as member of the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
from 1952 until his death.
Bradley died in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
, August 27, 1954. He was interred in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is situated in the city of San Diego, California, on the Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation. The cemetery is located approximately 10 miles west of downtown San Diego, overlooking the bay and the city...
, San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Born: 28 June 1884, Ransomville, N.Y. Appointed from: North Dakota.Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. Pittsburgh, at the time of an accidental explosion of ammunition on that vessel. On 23 July 1917, some saluting cartridge cases were being reloaded in the after casemate: through an accident an explosion occurred. Comdr. Bradley (then Lieutenant), who was about to enter the casemate, was blown back by the explosion and rendered momentarily unconscious, but while still dazed, crawled into the casemate to extinguish burning materials in dangerous proximity to a considerable amount of powder, thus preventing further explosions.