Remarkable is the only word that accurately describes John Gordon Bradley, Jr.

He is one of the finest members of the “Greatest Generation” that you may not have heard of.

Like me, you probably didn’t know that he was the pilot who spotted a German submarine off the coast of Rhode Island on May 5^th, 1945, three days before the surrender of Germany on May 8 and putting an end to the horrors of a world war. 

Then Lieutenant John Bradley, or “Brad” as he is affectionately known, probably saved a lot of lives by his actions that caused, what is reported to be, the final battle of World War II, when a day after he spotted the sub several US warships sank the rogue submarine. 

Rhode Island, we can proudly say, was the first to start the American Revolution when we torched and sank the HMS Gaspee, and the state that was responsible for the last battle of World War II.

Figures, doesn’t it? 

On October 7 of this year dozens of people came to Brad’s daughter Kathy’s house in the Norwood section of Warwick to celebrate his 100^th birthday.  They were joined by Colonel Ron Barnes and the Pawtuxet Rangers. It was a fitting tribute to one of our nation’s heroes.

Commander John Bradley (Ret) of the United States Navy could not have been prouder. 

John Bradley was born in Hartford, Connecticut on October 5, 1923.

He attended Bulkeley High School in Hartford and later, what is now called, the University of Hartford. He decided to leave his studies and at the age of 19 and joined the United States Navy. He was later commissioned a Navy officer and pilot in the summer of 1943, and received his “wings” in October 1944.

In 1945, he was assigned to a torpedo squadron and that May sent to Quonset Point Naval Air Station. It was during those following training sessions that he honed his craft — training to spot our own subs in simulations. 

He told the story of that fateful day. The weather clear was with a few spotty clouds. He and his two-man crew (a radioman and gunner) were returning from a training exercise near Montauk Point, New York, and were low on fuel.

When he passed by Block Island, flying about 50 feet above the water (near Watch Hill), he noticed the telltale “laundry basket railing around the conning tower design” of a German submarine that had surfaced, sailing at about 10 knots.

He checked with his radioman who immediately replied, “Mr. Bradley, that’s a German sub!” 

So, Brad turned his Grumman Avenger and headed straight to the base and reported to the Admiral’s staff. The crew would spend most of the night and early morning briefing the Admiral’s staff, and learned later that day a commercial coal vessel was sunk by a German sub, and 12 American lives were lost.

According to Rhode Island Historian Laureate Dr. Patrick Conley, “John’s alertness was responsible for saving other local commercial vessels from attack and for sinking the rogue German sub.”

 A day later, US warships sank the German U-853 with all 55 members of the crew perishing. Brad would serve 22 years in the US Navy, retiring on June 30, 1963, but not without a life full of memories.

Memories like the day he reported to 120 Broadway in New York City to be interviewed for pre-flight school. He later learned that 12 people were sworn in on that day with one of them, possibly, destined for an even higher office. After all, it is widely believed that our 41^st President, George H.W. Bush signed up on that day.

Brady was eventually assigned to Washington, D.C., to serve on President Harry Truman’s security staff not yet knowing that even after serving admirably for years his future “retirement” was not the end of him giving for his country. He would later be appointed Commanding Officer of 5 “weekend warrior” squadrons at Floyd Bennett field, Naval Air Station, Brooklyn, New York. 

However, one day coming back to Rhode Island and settling in East Greenwich his neighbor would talk him into selling life insurance. When asked how he liked his new vocation he flatly said, “I wasn’t very good at it.”

So instead of continuing in a job he wasn’t good at, the man who flew over 50 types of fixed-wing aircraft for the US Navy took a job at Pilgrim Airlines flying everything from people to refrigerated drugs. Along the way, he met the girl of his dreams, Mary Jeanne Morrison who was a professional singer.

They met at the Pensacola Surf Club in Florida.

According to Brad, “she was a beautiful girl and what a voice! She was the belle of the ball.” Sadly, she passed a few years ago but not without blessing Brad with “nine beautiful children.” 

On the one occasion during our conversation when Brad went silent (he is quite animated and has a terrific memory of people, dates, and places), he spoke about their last time together.

“When she was in her final days, I went to her bedside and held her hand and said, “you gave me 9 beautiful children … what do you think about that?”  “She squeezed my hand and said, “I think God wanted it that way.”

 Now, the young man of 100 plays golf and spends time with family and friends.

He sold his boat. So, he doesn’t sail anymore, even though at one time he was an avid sailor and even placed third in a national sailing championship). However he did have a plug for our great state, “I’ve sailed throughout the country, but the best sailing is right here in Narragansett Bay!”

Pretty soon he’ll be heading back to his home in Deerfield Beach, Florida, where he’ll play some golf and do some swimming. But, not without the fond memories of, not only his birthday party or the special commendation given to him by former Governor Gina Raimondo, but the day he gathered with his fellow military heroes to light the eternal flame in Woonsocket.

Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame President Larry Reid had this to say about Commander Bradley, “He in essence, began the battle of Point Judith in May of 1945 by sighting a German submarine that was patrolling off the Rhode Island coast.

“Like so many of the ‘Greatest Generation’ who served the nation in its time of need, John Bradley considered his role in the final battle of World War II’s war in Europe to be just doing his job.  John, like so many who served, replaced his Navy uniform with civilian clothes and returned to peace and prosperity in post-war Rhode Island.”

Seventy-five years after he flew over Point Judith John once again put on his uniform to appear with other World War II veterans at the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Woonsocket in 2021. Together, they lit the Eternal Flame that is the centerpiece of the Memorial to forever cast a light on their contributions to keep the world free of tyranny.

I was honored to be part of that dedication and witnessed the veterans once again called to duty to honor all who served. As President of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, I am honored to salute John Bradley on the occasion of his 100^th birthday.  God Bless America!” 

Can’t say it any better than that.  I think we will all join to salute this great hero.

Job well done Commander Bradley.

Remarkable, indeed.