Minot in Ward County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Commander Willis Winter Bradley, Jr.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2023

1. Commander Willis Winter Bradley, Jr. Marker

Inscription. Forman, North Dakota
1884-1954
U.S. Navy
An accidental explosion of ammunition occurred on the USS Pittsburgh on July 23, 1917. Commander (then Lieutenant) Bradley, who was about to enter the ammunition storage area, was blown back by the explosion and rendered momentarily unconscious. While still dazed, he crawled into the storage area to extinguish burning materials in dangerous proximity to large amounts of powder, thus preventing further explosions that could have endangered the ship.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 23, 1917.

Location. 48° 14.017′ N, 101° 16.623′ W. Marker is in Minot, North Dakota, in Ward County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Burdick Expressway (Business U.S. 2) and 13th Street Southeast, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at the North Dakota Medal of Honor Memorial, in Roosevelt Park, on the west side of the Roosevelt Park Zoo. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1219 East Burdick Expressway, Minot ND 58701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. ☆ Lieutenant Colonel Fred E. Smith (here, next

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to this marker); Private Frank F. Ross (here, next to this marker); ☆ Private Nels Wold (here, next to this marker); Private Richard M. Longfellow (here, next to this marker); First Lieutenant Orville Emil Bloch (here, next to this marker); Private John B. Kinne (here, next to this marker); ☆ Private First Class Henry Gurke (here, next to this marker); Private Charles P. Davis (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minot.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. North Dakota Medal of Honor Memorial

Also see . . .
1. Willis Winter Bradley, Jr. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society). Excerpt:

Citation: 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. Comdr. Bradley (then lieutenant),
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 27, 2023

2. Commander Willis Winter Bradley, Jr. Memorial
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.

(Submitted on February 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Willis Winter Bradley Jr. (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

Naval officer, a recipient of the Medal of Honor, Naval Governor of Guam, and a U.S. Representative from California. Bradley graduated from the United States Naval Academy on September 12, 1906. After service in USS San Diego between September 1916 and February 1917, Bradley became gunnery officer on the USS Pittsburgh. In that capacity, he received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 23, 1917, during a powder explosion in one of the ship's casemates. Though temporarily stunned, he entered the compartment, saved a man's life, and then reentered the casemate to extinguish burning gunpowder.

(Submitted on February 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Willis Winter Bradley (Find A Grave). Excerpt:

(Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, San Diego
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County, California) From 1906 until 1913 he served tours on the battleship USS Virginia, the supply ship USS Culgoa, the destroyer USS Perkins, the transport USS Hancock, the battleship USS South Carolina, and the destroyer USS Biddle. He returned stateside to study ordinance at several schools and in July 1915 he returned to sea duty in command of the destroyer USS Stewart, followed by the USS Hull. In 1917, during World War I, he served as a gunnery officer on the cruiser USS Pittsburgh, on which his heroism won him the Medal of Honor. Other sea and stateside assignments followed and in 1929 he was appointed the Naval Governor of Guam. He remained in the US Navy throughout World War II and retired on August 1, 1946 at the rank of Captain. He then ran as a Republican for California's 18th congressional district and was elected, serving only one term from January 1947 until January 1949.

(Submitted on February 8, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 58 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.