Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Willis
Winter
Bradley
, Jr.
June 28, 1884

–

August 27, 1954

Cemetery:

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Willis Bradley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1907. Mr. Bradley was a U.S. Congressman for California’s 18th District from 1947 – 1949 and after loosing his re-election bid in 1948 went on to serve in the California State Assembly from 1953-54. He suffered a heart attack during the noon recess of a legislative hearing and died soon afterward at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. Willis Bradley’s daughter married Medal of Honor recipient Bruce McCandless. He retired as a Captain in the U.S. Navy.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Pittsburgh

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1917

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Commander [then Lieutenant] Willis Winter Bradley, Jr., United States Navy, 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. Commander Bradley, 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.