Omar N. Bradley
Omar N. Bradley: A Legendary Military Leader
=====================================================
Full Name and Common Aliases
--------------------------------
General Omar Nelson Bradley, commonly known as O.N.B., was an American army officer who played a pivotal role in the Allied victory in World War II.
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Born: February 12, 1893, Monroe, Clarke County, Missouri
Died: April 8, 1981, Washington, D.C.
Nationality and Profession(s)
--------------------------------
American | Military Officer (General), Soldier
Early Life and Background
-----------------------------
Omar Bradley was born in a small town in rural Missouri to Owen and Mary Elizabeth Bradley. His family moved several times during his childhood due to his father's occupation as a farmer and schoolteacher. Bradley attended West Point, graduating in 1915 with the rank of Second Lieutenant. He served in World War I but saw no combat, instead serving as an instructor at Fort Benning.
Major Accomplishments
---------------------------
Led the U.S. First Army during the Allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day)
Commanded the U.S. 12th Army Group and later the U.S. Forces in Europe
Played a key role in planning the Allied victory in North Africa and Italy
Advocated for a unified command structure among the Allies
Notable Works or Actions
-----------------------------
Bradley's military career spanned over four decades, with significant contributions to both World War I and II. He rose through the ranks, becoming one of the most influential generals of his time. His leadership during D-Day was instrumental in securing a crucial foothold for the Allies on European soil.
Impact and Legacy
-----------------------
Bradley's strategic thinking and tactical prowess earned him respect from his peers and superiors alike. His advocacy for greater Allied cooperation and coordination paved the way for future international military collaboration. Bradley also played a key role in shaping the U.S. military, serving as Chief of Staff of the Army (1948-1949).
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
--------------------------------------------
Omar Bradley's legacy extends far beyond his wartime achievements. He was an advocate for racial equality and desegregation within the military, helping to pave the way for future social progress. His leadership during World War II and subsequent career as a senior military officer have made him one of the most remembered figures in American military history.
Bradley's commitment to unity among the Allied forces and his unwavering dedication to duty have cemented his place in history as a true hero of the 20th century.
Quotes by Omar N. Bradley
Omar N. Bradley's insights on:
Airpower has become predominant, both as a deterrent to war, and-in the eventuality of war-as the devastating force to destroy an enemy’s potential and fatally undermine his will to wage war.
We’ve learned how to destroy, but not to create; how to waste, but not to build; how to kill men, but not how to save them; how to die, but seldom how to live.
The nation needs men who think in terms of service to their country and not in terms of their country’s debt to them.
The greatness of a leader is measured by the achievements of the led. This is the ultimate test of his effectiveness.
We live in a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants, in a world that has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. We have solved the mystery of the atom and forgotten the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about dying than we know about living.
Leadership means firmness, not harshness or bullying; understanding, not weakness; justice, not irresponsible freedom; humaneness, not intolerance; generosity, not selfishness; pride, not egotism.
America today is running on the momentum of a godly ancestry, and when that momentum runs down, God help America.
The smell of death overwhelmed us even before we passed through the stockade. More than 3200 naked, emaciated bodies had been flung into shallow graves. Others lay in the streets where they had fallen. ... Eisenhower's face whitened into a mask. Patton walked over to a corner and sickened. I was too revolted to speak. For here death had been so fouled by degradation that it both stunned and numbed us. ...
I learned that good judgment comes from experience and that experience grows out of mistakes.