Jack Tarleton Bradley
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

Jack Tarleton Bradley was born on 6 June 1918 in Brownwood, TX, the son of Hardy Basil and Margaret Maddox Bradley. He attended Howard Payne College and joined the Civilian Pilot training program. In 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Cadet Program at Dallas, TX. After graduation from flight training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps with the rating of Pilot.

Bradley was assigned to the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, in the European Theater of Operations in the Fall of 1942 and served with that unit until May 1945.

On 28 May 1944, then-Major Bradley was Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane in aerial combat against German forces during an air mission over Germany. While leading his squadron of fighter airplanes in escort of a large bomber formation attacking a highly important and exceedingly well-defended target deep within Germany, MAJ Bradley observed a large group of enemy fighters about to attack the bombers. Without hesitation he directed his planes to give maximum protection to the bombers and, although under repeated attack himself, dived into the midst of the enemy formation and personally destroyed 2 enemy airplanes while his squadron accounted for 10. The enemy attack was so completely disrupted, that not a single enemy airplane reached the bombers. MAJ Bradley's flying skills, courageous actions, and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Bradley's 353rd Fighter Squadron was ranked first in World War II with 701 confirmed enemy planes destroyed in aerial combat, 15 of which were attributed to Bradley, who ranked only 3rd in his squadron.

After the war, Bradley remained in the new U.S. Air Force and retired in 1962 as a Colonel. He then went back to Brownwood, TX.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Command Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) Jack T. Bradley, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 28 May 1944, during an air mission over Germany. On this date while leading his squadron of fighter airplanes in escort of a large bomber formation attacking a highly important and exceedingly well defended target deep within Germany, Major Bradley observed a large group of enemy fighters about to attack the bombers. Without hesitation he directed his forces to give maximum protection to the bombers and, although under repeated attack himself, dived fearlessly into the midst of the enemy formation and personally destroyed two enemy airplanes while his squadron accounted for ten. The enemy attack was so completely disorganized, that not a single enemy airplane reached the bombers. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by Major Bradley on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 73 (1944)

Honors

In 1999, Colonel Jack Tarleton Bradley was inducted into the American Combat Airman's Hall of Fame.

Remarks from Peers

Chuck Yeager allegedly said that Jack T. Bradley was the finest fighter pilot he had ever known. Yeager described him as the only man he could never beat in mock aerial combat.

Congressional Gold Medal

The Congressional Gold Medal, created by the U.S. Mint, is the highest civilian honor Congress can give on behalf of the American people. On 20 May 2015, leaders from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the American Fighter Aces Association at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Emancipation Hall.

More than 60,000 American fighter pilots engaged in aerial combat during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Of those pilots, only 1,447 earned the title of fighter “Ace” by downing at least five enemy aircraft. Colonel Jack Tarleton Bradley was one of them, having been credited with 15 aircraft shot down in aerial combat, making him a Triple Ace. At the time of the presentation of the Medal, only 75 of those Aces remained alive.

Death and Burial

Colonel Jack Tarleton Bradley died on 4 July 2000. He is buried at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early, Brown County, TX, in Lot 2 Garden of Memories.

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