Jack T. Bradley

Jack Tarleton Bradley (June 6, 1918 – July 4, 2000) was a United States Army Air Forces flying ace who was credited with shooting down 15 aircraft during World War II, being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions. He served as commanding officer of the 353rd Fighter Squadron.[1][2][3]

Jack Tarleton Bradley
Jack Tarleton Bradley in the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang
Bradley in the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang
Born(1918-06-06)June 6, 1918
Brownwood, Texas
DiedJuly 4, 2000(2000-07-04) (aged 82)
Brown County, Texas
Buried
Early, Texas
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army Air Forces
Years of service1941–1962
RankColonel
Service numberO-36537
Unit354th Fighter Group
Commands held353rd Fighter Squadron
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsAir Force Longevity Service
Air Medal
American Campaign Medal
American Defense Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre (French)
Distinguished Flying Cross (British)
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Bradley's combat experiences during World War II were notably documented through film, and he recorded several minutes of footage produced by his P-51 Mustang's gun camera.[4]

Early life

Bradley was born in Brownwood, Texas on June 6, 1918. He attended Howard Payne College in Brownwood and joined its pilot training program.[4][5]

Military career

In 1941, Bradley joined the United States Army Air Corps Flying Cadet Program in Dallas, and was commissioned with the rank of Second Lieutenant.[5] Following the start of American involvement in World War II, Bradley was assigned to 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, part of the USAAF's Ninth Air Force.[5]

Bradley's experiences during the war were recorded on film, mostly through the gun camera of his P-51 Mustang, which recorded silent films of his strafes and dogfights while serving in the European theatre.[4] He is also believed to have recorded footage of a destroyed German airfield captured by the Allies.[4]

On May 28, 1944, then-Major Bradley was leading the 353rd Fighter Squadron during an escort of a large bomber formation, which was conducting an attack deep within Germany. Observing a large group of Luftwaffe fighters about to attack the bombers, Bradley directed his squadron to protect the bombers and led them to combat. Bradley shot down two fighters, while his squadron accounted for ten downed enemy fighters. The bombers were unscathed. For his actions, Bradley was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest medal given to members of the United States Army, of which the USAAF was a branch.[5][6]

Following the war, Bradley remained in the United States Air Force.[5] He acted as a technical advisor for the 1950 Humphrey Bogart film Chain Lightning.[7] He retired from the Air Force in 1962 at the rank of colonel.[5]

Distinguished Flying Cross citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) Jack T. Bradley, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 28 May 1944, during an air mission over Germany. On this date while leading his squadron of fighter airplanes in escort of a large bomber formation attacking a highly important and exceedingly well defended target deep within Germany, Major Bradley observed a large group of enemy fighters about to attack the bombers. Without hesitation he directed his forces to give maximum protection to the bombers and, although under repeated attack himself, dived fearlessly into the midst of the enemy formation and personally destroyed two enemy airplanes while his squadron accounted for ten. The enemy attack was so completely disorganized, that not a single enemy airplane reached the bombers. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by Major Bradley on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.[6]

Later life and death

Bradley died on July 4, 2000 in his birthplace of Brown County, Texas. He was buried in Early, Texas.

See also

References
  1. William N Hess (20 December 2012). 354th Fighter Group. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 66–. ISBN 978-1-78200-894-1.
  2. Bonnier Corporation (August 1944). Popular Science. Bonnier Corporation. pp. 114–. ISSN 01617370.
  3. Martin Bowman (27 October 2010). US 9th Air Force Bases In Essex 1943-44. Pen and Sword. pp. 72–. ISBN 978-1-84884-332-5.
  4. "The Lt. Col. Jack Bradley Collection". texasarchive.org. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  5. "Col Jack Tarleton Bradley". www.militaryhallofhonor.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  6. "Jack Tarleton Bradley | American Air Museum in Britain". www.americanairmuseum.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  7. "Colonel Jack T. Bradley of the US Army Air Corps working as a..." Getty Images. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
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