The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General Joseph Sladen Bradley (ASN: 0-12428), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Assistant Division Commander, 2d Infantry Division, from 1 through 5 September 1950. On 1 September 1950, a few hours after the enemy ha broken through the lines of the 9th and 23d Infantry Regiments in what proved to be his last attempt to crush the United Nations forces in Korea, General Bradley was ordered by the Commanding General, 2d Infantry Division, to take command of the scattered units south of the breakthrough and to defend the town of Yongsan and the pass leading back to Miryang at all costs. Hastily gathering disorganized elements of the 1st and 2d Battalions, 9th Infantry, General Bradley reorganized them together with the 2d Engineer Combat Battalion and elements of the 72d Tank Battalion and under continuous and intense hostile fire for three days and nights, beat off repeated enemy attacks. On 2 September, with enemy tanks in the town of Yongsan, General Bradley personally took charge of the disorganized Engineer Battalion and placed Company D in position to beat back and destroy the communists in the town. On the next day, a force of eight hundred enemy infantry with tanks and self propelled guns threatened to come in from the south and overrun the Command Post of the 9th Infantry and the nearby artillery positions from the rear. General Bradley again went forward under heavy fire and directed a task force consisting of tanks and engineers against this threat, and with two batteries of 155-mm. howitzers firing at extreme muzzle elevation, so short was the range, succeeded in driving back the enemy force with heavy casualties. Throughout the period of this desperate, last-ditch defense in which even elements of the Division band and clerks from the Rear Echelon were put into the line, General Bradley was always in front, encouraging individual riflemen to stand fast in spite of enemy penetrations of their flanks and rear. On the 4th and 5th of September, with the enemy stopped but still capable of exploiting their success, General Bradley rallied his decimated force to make a coordinated counterattack with the First Provisional Marine Brigade, and again leading the forward elements, successfully restored the position. By his extraordinary heroism and outstanding example of valor, General Bradley was an inspiration to the entire command and was directly responsible for stopping the enemy attack. His leadership, courage and tactical skill reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
25th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 29, 1951
Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 126 (August 11, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Brigadier General Joseph Sladen Bradley (ASN: 0-12428), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Assistant Division Commander of the 25th Infantry Division, in action near Topyong-ni, Korea, on 29 May 1951. On this date, the 24th Infantry Regiment was engaged in hot pursuit of the Chinese Communist Forces north of the 38th Parallel. Major General Bradley placed himself with the most forward elements of the march; personally supervising the movements by advancing on foot at the head of the column. Most of this advance was through terrain vulnerable to ambush and sniper fire. When the column was forced to deploy at Topyong-ni, Major General Bradley remained with the troops exposing himself to sniper fire until the front was cleared. Brigadier General Bradley’s selfless devotion to duty and personal exposure reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Armed Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
25th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 7, 1951
Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 78 (June 17, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Brigadier General Joseph Sladen Bradley (ASN: 0-12428), United States Army, for gallantry in action while as Assistant Division Commander of the 25th Infantry Division, in Korea. On 7 March 1951, the Division launched an assault crossing of the Han River. At 0540 General Bradley positioned himself on a forward observation post, immediately in rear of the leading elements making the assault crossing. From this forward position he was able to effectively coordinate and direct his units, although under enemy fire, including artillery and mortar fire. General Bradley, although subjected to this intense fire, steadfastly maintained his position continuing to direct and coordinate the operations. As the attack progressed he moved about the assault area, supervising and directing the operation, while under fire. The gallant action of General Bradley was directly responsible for the coordination of the assault elements and the successful lodgment of the United Nations Forces on the north shore of the Han River, permitting the drive into North Korea by the EIGHTH Army. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
March 1944 – November 1945
War Department, General Orders No. 119 (1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Joseph Sladen Bradley (ASN: 0-12428), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of the Training Group, G-3 Division, War Department General Staff, from March 1944 to November 1945. He was in a considerable measure responsible for the high standards of training maintained, particularly in the case of replacements for ground units, despite the urgency of personnel needs, at the time of the Ardennes offensive by the Germans and our subsequent drive across the Rhine. Plans for the training of troops redeployed from Germany to the Pacific, with due consideration for differences of tactics and terrain to be encountered, were effectively drawn up under his supervision. Aware of the prime importance of officer training, he played a large part in revising the curricula of the United States Military Academy and the Command and General Staff School, laying plans for the post-war ROTC, and initiating broad studies of the Army educational system. Based on a thorough knowledge of the principles of military training, his recommendations and decisions contributed in an important degree to standards of training reached at the close of the war, and to plans for training in the post-war military establishment.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (General Staff Corps)Division:
32d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
January 11, 1943
Headquarters, U.S. Forces Buna Area, General Orders No. 10 (January 17, 1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (General Staff Corps) Joseph Sladen Bradley (ASN: 0-12428), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 32d Infantry Division, in action near Tarakena, New Guinea, on 11 January 1943. Colonel Bradley made a thorough reconnaissance of the front line positions of the 127th Infantry Regiment, constantly exposing himself to heavy fire from enemy positions for the purpose of obtaining information with which to plan a crossing of the Konombi River. Colonel Bradley’s courageous and fearless actions and utter disregard for his own personal safety in making these reconnaissances were instrumental in encouraging the men to make the attack. Colonel Bradley also aided materially in perfecting and carrying out the plan which resulted in the establishment of a bridge-head on the opposite side of the Konombi River. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Bradley, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (General Staff Corps)Division:
32d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
December 27, 1942
Headquarters, U.S. Forces Buna Area, General Orders No. 7 (January 14, 1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (General Staff Corps) Joseph Sladen Bradley (ASN: 0-12428), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 32d Infantry Division, in action near Buna Village, New Guinea, on 27 December 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Colonel Bradley led a patrol whose mission was to establish contact with Companies A and F of the 127th Infantry, the two companies having been cut off from other companies, between Buna Mission and Giropa Point, in their efforts to establish a beachhead and sever the enemy lines. Colonel Bradley and this patrol crawled forward in knee-deep mud and through an open field under heavy enemy fire and made contact with these two isolated companies. Colonel Bradley displayed extreme coolness during the entire movement which resulted in the permanent establishment of a line of communications and the reorganization of the two isolated companies. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Bradley, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (General Staff Corps)Division:
32d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
December 28, 1942
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 36 (July 1, 1943)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 Colonel (General Staff Corps) Joseph Sladen Bradley (ASN: 0-12428), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 32d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 28 December 1942, during the Papuan Campaign at Buna, New Guinea. To further an attack by an infantry company against a strongly fortified enemy area, Colonel Bradley left his command post, went to the most forward positions, personally aided the progress of the attack, and contributed materially to its success. While under heavy enemy fire he moved about among the men continually risking his life to encourage and assist the advance in every way possible. Colonel Bradley’s inspiring leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 32d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
25th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 21, 1950 – June 30, 1951
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 73 (August 9, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Joseph Sladen Bradley (ASN: 0-12428), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea, from 21 July 1950 to 30 June 1951. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bradley and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.