General omar n bradley biography of rory

Early Life and Military Career

Omar Nelson Bradley was born near Clark, Missouri, on February 12, 1893. His father was a schoolteacher who died of pneumonia when Bradley was 14; his mother worked as a seamstress and took in boarders to support herself and her son.

General omar n bradley biography of rory

After graduating from high school, Bradley was working for the Wabash Railroad to earn money to attend college. Though he planned to attend the University of Missouri, his Sunday school teacher urged him to apply to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

A talented athlete, Bradley played football and basketball at West Point. He graduated 44th out of a class of 164, which included Dwight D. Eisenhower and many other future generals. Bradley was commissioned as a second lieutenant and posted to the 14th Infantry on the Mexican border, where he supported the U.S.

expedition commanded by General John J. Pershing into Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa. In 1916, he was promoted to first lieutenant and married his