Omar Bradley

Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 – April 8, 1981) was one of the main U.S. Army field commanders in North Africa and Europe during the World War II and a General of the Army of the United States Army.

Early life and career

Bradley was born to a poor family near Clark, Missouri, the son of a schoolteacher. He was educated at local schools and intended to enter the University of Missouri. Instead, he was advised to try for West Point. He placed first in his district placement exams and entered the academy in 1911. He graduated from West Point in 1915 as part of a class that contained many future generals, which military historians have called, "The class the stars fell upon."

Related Topics:
Clark, Missouri - Schoolteacher - School - University of Missouri - West Point - 1911 - 1915

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He joined the 14th Infantry Regiment but, like many of his peers, did not see action in Europe, but held a variety of stateside assignments. He served on the U.S.-Mexico border in 1915. When war was declared, he was promoted to captain, but was posted to Montana. Bradley joined the 19th Infantry Division in August 1918, which was intended for European deployment, but the influenza pandemic and the armistice prevented him from leaving the US.

Related Topics:
Europe - U.S.-Mexico border - Captain - Montana - 1918 - Influenza - Pandemic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Between the wars he taught and studied. From 1920-24 he taught mathematics at West Point. He was promoted to a major in 1924 and took the advanced infantry course at Fort Benning, Georgia. After a brief service in Hawaii he then studied at the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth in 1928-29. From 1929 he taught at West Point again, taking a break to study at the Army War College in 1934. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1936 and worked at the War Department from 1938. In February 1941 he was promoted to brigadier general and sent to command Fort Benning. In February 1942 he took command of the 82nd Infantry Division before being switched to the 28th Infantry Division in June.

Related Topics:
1920 - 24 - Mathematics - Major - Fort Benning, Georgia - Hawaii - Fort Leavenworth - 1928 - 29 - 1934 - Lieutenant colonel - 1936 - War Department - 1938 - 1941 - Brigadier general - 1942 - 82nd Infantry Division - 28th Infantry Division

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~