John Bradley (Navy) - World War II

World War II

When he was 19, his father suggested he enlist in the Navy so he could avoid ground combat; however, the Navy chose him to become a Pharmacist's Mate and he was eventually assigned to the United States Marine Corps. As a Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Marines, he took part in the assault on Iwo Jima, one of the most bitterly fought battles of the Pacific War's island-hopping campaign.

In March 1943, Bradley began his Hospital Corpsman training and was initially stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland. He was then assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, of the 5th Marine Division, which was being formed at Camp Pendleton, California.

Before participating in the famous flag-raising at Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima, John Bradley earned the Navy Cross for rushing to a wounded man's aid under heavy Japanese fire. A few days later, he received several shrapnel wounds in his legs, and was evacuated from the combat zone to Guam.