Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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World War I - U.S. Navy

Willis Winter Bradley Jr.

Details
  • Rank: Commander (Highest Rank: Captain)
  • Conflict/Era: World War I
  • Unit/Command:
    U.S.S. Pittsburgh
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: July 23, 1917
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: U.S.S. Pittsburgh at Sea
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.
Medal of Honor Recipient Willis W. Bradley Jr.
Medal of Honor Recipient Willis W. Bradley Jr.
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: North Dakota
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: May 1, 1928
    The White House, presented by Pres. Calvin Coolidge
  • Born: June 28, 1884, Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, United States
  • Died: August 27, 1954, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
  • Buried: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (MH) (0-2925), San Diego, CA, United States
 

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