'DOC' BRADFORD
_________________
Larry Browne*

 

 

  *Larry Browne

1st Lt. 503d Prcht. Inf.

Ex. Off. 2nd Bn.

 

I thought a great deal of the great doctor. He lived a full life. The good doctor and I shared a tent on several occasions. We were loading our battalion aboard "USS Custer' (APA-40). We were leaving Noemfoor Is. going to Leyte, as I led the group up the loading ramp, the ship's Captain came walking down the ramp -- to meet me -- I thought. Captain Terry and his surgeon passed by me and greeted Doctor Bradford. 

At Hollandia Doc Bradford, Father Powers and I shared a tent near the CO's. One night the three of us 'liberated' some beer from the CO's tent. We were never caught. When I told the good warden this story he did not believe me! I kept one bottle of good Aussie Beer. Doc and Father Powers didn't touch it. All went to the Sgt Maj' who distributed it to his men. 

The Doc was skilled in a number of fields: toured the USA on a motorcycle, active in sports, not a bad 'bone doc' and also wrestled. The two of us spent many hours wrestling. 

In the early fifties I was a guest of the good doctor. Had the pleasure of meeting his mother and from the roof top of their home saw much of Boston. Visited the Greek, Italian and Irish sections of Boston. Everyone knew Doctor Bradford and were lavish in their esteem. Visited a tree alongside the Charles River. His great-grandfather had carved his initials on the trunk. 

On Corregidor Doc was his usual self. Brave, compassionate and always ready to help. The night Al Turinsky's CP was hit, Doc was ready to go to their aid. Was talking to Turinsky when the attack hit. Jones called and while briefing the CO a grenade was tossed into the Bn. CP. Was almost daylight, had organized some Arty support and a few men to escort the Doc to Turinsky's position. The Doc was giving first aid when I arrived. Some of the casualties had lost so much blood the Doc was using his jump knife to find a vein. I learned a lot from the Doc. 

After Corregidor we returned to Mindoro. Bradford, myself and several EM were selected to return to the USA on R&R for a week or so. We did not know at the time that this time that plans had been made to drop the "A" bomb. Col. Britten came to our tent and informed us we had a few minutes to pack and depart.  Col Britten suggested that since I was single and he was married with children that perhaps I might let him go in my place. We cut cards. Doc and I returned to CONUS. The "A" Bomb was dropped, the war ended. We both left the Army. 

Without a doubt the Doc was an unusual person. I was fortunate to have the good fortune of sharing thoughts with him. 

 

 

BOOZE AND BOOTY | THE TRUCK | THE CORREGIDOR BRASS TURKEY SHOOT | FT MILLS PLAQUE | BOB HOPE AT NOEMFOOR | NO SUICIDE CLIFF | 'DOC' BRADFORD | MYSTERIOUS WAYS | MY FIRST COMBAT PATROL | THE DEATH OF BENNY SLOWE | MIRACLE AT NOEMFOOR | THE DEATH OF KARSTEN HALL | SONGS & SLOGANS |WATER, WATER NOWHERE | NO SMOKING! | BRONZE STAR AT BANZAI POINT | ON THE BEACH AT CORREGIDOR | REUNION GOSSIP 1949  |  CORREGIDOR WHISKEY

 

 

 

         

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