06/22/2026
Meet Willis Bradley Jr.
Born in 1884, Bradley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1907 and began a career in the Navy that would span nearly four decades, including service in both World Wars.
On July 23, 1917, while serving aboard the USS Pittsburgh en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina, a 3-inch saluting charge exploded, killing one sailor and filling a gun compartment with smoke and fire.
Bradley, who had been entering the compartment at the time of the explosion, was thrown back and knocked unconscious. Still dazed from the blast, he crawled into the smoke-filled compartment and extinguished burning materials, preventing further explosions and helping save the lives of his fellow sailors.
For his actions that day, Willis Bradley received the Medal of Honor.
Bradley continued serving long after World War I. He later became the Naval Governor of Guam, served in the U.S. House of Representatives, and represented California in the State Assembly. His family's legacy of service also continued through his son-in-law, Bruce McCandless, who would receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.
At the National Medal of Honor Museum, we are reminded that character is often revealed in the moments when responsibility outweighs fear.
Read his full citation here➡️ https://bit.ly/4eaKnSL
