Tuesday, April 3, 2007 • Former Standish resident Mike Bradbury awarded medal in Iraq
Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, April 3, 2007 edition of the Lassen County Times.
Second Lt. Mike Bradbury — in his camouflage prior to being deployed to Iraq.For his meritorious service in the United States Army, Second Lt. Michael T. Bradbury, of Standish, received an Army Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Marez in Ninevah Provencem Iraq on Wednesday, March 21.
Bradbury deployed to Iraq with his unit Nov. 2, 2006 where he has been engaged in combat patrols from FOB Marez with Delta Company of the Second Squadron of the Seventh Cavalry, First Cavalry Division.
An Army citation says, “For exceptionally meritorious service while operating in eastern Mosul, Iraq. Bradbury’s leadership, initiative and technical expertise ensured the accomplishment of even the most difficult of missions, strengthening the trust and commitment between the Iraqi and United States armies. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, the Long Knife Brigade, the Garryowen Battalion and the United States Army.”
Second Lt. Mike Bradbury carries his M-4 rifle in Iraq.The medal was also presented with the following official statement: “While leading a detail of six soldiers at the IMN station in Mosul, Iraq, Bradbury observed an improvised explosive device detonation on Route Santa Fe and a subsequent small arms engagement between the Iraqi Army and insurgents and immediately positioned his soldiers to secure the compound in the absence of the Iraqi guards, ensuring through his initiative the safety of the complex.”
The Iraqi Army sustained three casualties during the engagement and were transported to Bradbury’s location by their comrades.
There weren’t any medical personnel available and as a result, Bradbury assessed and treated all three casualties while directing his soldiers to call in local aid from the Mosul JCC.
Second Lt. Mike Bradbury disembarks from a Blackhawk helicopter in Iraq. Bradbury deployed to Iraq with his unit in November 2006 and recently received an Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.As he waited 45 minutes for an Iraqi ambulance, Bradbury stabilized the casualties, treating an Iraqi soldier who had gone into shock, saving his life and another who suffered massive blood loss from a bullet wound to his left tibia.
“During the time Bradbury was treating the casualties and coordinating security for the IMN compound with the Iraqi Army, he was without the benefit of an interpreter. His ability to communicate in spite of the language barrier was instrumental in the accomplishment of both the medical and military tasks at hand,” the statement said.
Bradbury attributed his ability to successfully provide the emergency medical care to training he received as a member of the Susanville Elk’s sponsored Troop 159 of the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Before getting into a tank, Second Lt. Mike Bradbury takes a photo with his New Testament Bible that his father sent him.Bradbury was raised in Standish and is a graduate of Shaffer School and Lassen High School. In addition, he is a 2005 graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara.
He is the son of Stephen and Karen Bradbury of Standish.
