Spencer in Roane County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Col. Ruby G. Bradley

U.S. Army Nurse Corps, 30 Years

By J. J. Prats, July 14, 2008

1. Col. Ruby G. Bradley Monument

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In honor of
Col. Ruby G. Bradley
U.S. Army Nurse Corps, 30 years.
W.W. II, 1941–1945. Prisoner of war 37 months in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign in the Philippine Islands.
Korean War, 1950–1953.Chief Nurse of the emergency hospitals in Tague, Seoul and Pyongyang. Appointed Chief Nurse of the United States 8th Army in Korea.
1991. Most decorated woman in the history of the United States Army to date.

Erected by (donated by) Ruby’s lifelong friend Mardell DePue Cottle, R.N.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, World II.

Location. 38° 48.108′ N, 81° 21.033′ W. Marker is in Spencer, West Virginia, in Roane County. Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 33) east of Market Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spencer WV 25276, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Col. Ruby G. Bradley image. Click for full size.

July 14, 2008

2. Col. Ruby G. Bradley

Her portrait is eteched onto the monument.

are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Spencer (a few steps from this marker); Capture of Spencer (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Spencer (within shouting distance of this marker); U. S. Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Spencer (within shouting distance of this marker); Roane County / Jackson County (approx. 9.3 miles away); Pocatalico River (approx. 11.6 miles away); Rathbone Well (approx. 13.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spencer.

Also see . . . Ruby Grace Bradley, Colonel, U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Essay by Col. Bradley, reflecting on her experiences as a prisoner of war. “The Army nurse collected the remaining drugs and placed them in doctor’s pockets. Packages of surgical supplies, a bundle of surgical instruments, which had been wrapped for transporting prior to evacuation of the hospital, and even a box of soap was found and smuggled into the truck. The surgical instruments consisted of nine Kelly hemostats, six mosquito hemostats, two pairs of surgical scissors, two abdominal retractors (not matched), two knife handles, four packages of blades, two handling forceps and one uterine forceps.

Col. Ruby G. Bradley Memorial at the Roane County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

By J. J. Prats, July 14, 2008

3. Col. Ruby G. Bradley Memorial at the Roane County Courthouse

It was fortunate that these instruments were wrapped in such a manner as to prevent any noise in handling. The truck was loaded to capacity and not one more item could be concealed. The Army nurse was invited to sit between the driver and the guard and the instruments were carried on her lap. She also had every pocket full and it was doubtful at the time if she could even be seated in the cab.” (Submitted on September 8, 2008.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,213 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.