Hero of the week 99

 Welcome back viewers

This week's hero is...

John Bradley

John Bradley was born on July 10, 1923, in Antigo, Wisconsin. He grew up as a city boy hoping to eventually work in the funeral business. However, when the time came, he decided to answer a call to duty. Bradley joined the US Navy when he was 19 and qualified to serve as a hospital corpsman. Upon his graduation, Bradley was assigned to an infantry unit in the US Marine Corps in 1945. By now, World War II was in it's final year. Bradley would only see combat in one battle. However, it was a battle that would become the most famous and vicious of all engagements for the war in the Pacific. It would be on the barren volcanic island of Iwo Jima.

Since the island fortress contained an airfield, Iwo Jima was selected to be used as a base for American bombers and fighters to land and refuel after bombing mainland Japan. However, taking this island would not be easy. Iwo Jima was defended by more than 23,000 Japanese soldiers who were ready to give the last full measure in defense of their country. While under the command of an intelligent general named, Tadamichi Kuribayashi, the Japanese garrison had turned the island into an underground fortress. Instead of fighting in the open, the Japanese would fight from tunnels and hidden caves. 

When the American fleet arrived, they proceeded to bombard Iwo Jima for 10 days. On February 19, 1945, the assault officially began. As the first wave of American marines and sailors came ashore, the Japanese held their fire. But as soon as the marines had cleared the beach, the Japanese unleashed a vicious amount of fire that literally mowed them down. Bradley had been assigned to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. This unit came ashore in the ninth wave and received heavy casualties. 

On February 21, Bradley was part of the group that launched an attack against the island's high point. It was a dormant volcano named, Mount Surabachi. During the assault, he noticed a marine get shot down at the base of the mountain. In a complete disregard for his own safety, Bradley sprinted across thirty yards of open terrain to reach the marine. After treating the marine's wounds, Bradley lifted him up and ran back through a gauntlet of enemy fire until he reached American lines.

Two days later, Bradley was with a group of marines that ascended Mount Surabachi and raised a small American flag at it's crest. He and his comrades were photographed several times by marine photographer, Louis Lowery. Once it was clear the Mount Surabachi was secure, Bradley returned to the front. On March 4, a Japanese soldier charged Bradley while he was treating a wounded marine. He quickly pulled the marine's gun and shot the soldier when he was only feet from them. Eight days later, Bradley was severely wounded by a mortar round while trying to aid more of the wounded. He would see no further combat for the rest of the battle.

For his courage and valor during the battle of Iwo Jima, Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class John Bradley received the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart. While he was recovering he and two marines (Ira Hayes and Rene Gagnon) were transferred back to the United States. The three had been identified as the ones who raised the flag above Mount Surabachi. They were taken on war bonding tours and successfully raised billions of dollars for the American war effort. However, Bradley hated being called a hero (as did Hayes and Gagnon) and adamantly refused all media requests. In November of 1945, he received a medical discharge from the US Navy.

After being discharged, Bradley returned to Antigo and raised a family. He became a funeral parlor and often donated to charities. According to his family, John Bradley suffered severe PTSD from his war experiences. One day, one of his sons found him crying on the stairs of his home, "Where is he? Where is he?". Near the end of his life, Bradley revealed to his son the man he was referring to was his best friend, Private Ralph "Iggy" Ignantowski. Iggy was a marine who disappeared during a Japanese attack on Bradley's position on March 4. Three days later, Bradley discovered his severely mutilated body in an enemy cave. Bradley had seen much carnage over the last few weeks, but the discovery of his best friend's horrifically violent killing was by far his worst memory. John Bradley passed away on January 11, 1994, at the age of 70.

For more than seven decades, John Bradley was thought to be one the six servicemen who were depicted in the famous flag-raising photograph by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press. In 2016 however, it was discovered that although Bradley had raised the first flag above Mount Surabachi, he was not depicted in the more famous image that would come to symbolize the battle. Despite this revelation, John Bradley is still remembered as one of America's greatest heroes of World War II. His courage and valor were among the very best that our country had to offer. His story is one that should always be remembered.

https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/2016/06/23/photo-mix-up-wont-tarnish-bradleys-legacy/86290252/

https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/mhugl/2015/10/11/john-bradley/

https://fampeople.com/cat-john-bradley-united-states-navy