Sculptor: Jim Brothers.
County of Memorial: Randolph County.
Location of Memorial: N. Holman Rd. & W. Reed St., Rothwell Park, Moberly.
Date Memorial Dedicated: November 11, 1996.
Marker Text:
OMAR NELSON BRADLEY
1893 ---- 1981
GENERAL OF THE ARMY
The "G.I.'s General", as General of the Army Omar Bradley was called by the troops, was a leader with a special touch and sincere compassion for them and their welfare. Graduating from West Point in 1915 he was destined to become the most successful of the many generals from this "class the stars fell on". Spending the years between World Wars in a series of command and staff assignments, he matured as a leader honing his craft as a tactician. General George C. Marshall listed Bradley as one he would choose to lead the Army in the event of crisis. From Tunisia to Sicily, from the Normandy Invasion to V-E Day, from his postwar duties as Director of the Veterans Administration where he executed the G.I. Bill, to Chief of the Army, to his appointment as the Nation's first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Omar Bradley showed remarkable qualities General Marshall had seen in him many years before. Before the end of World War II General Bradley became the Commander of the Twelfth Army group, the largest Army ever assembled.
As our Nation's first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Bradley led the efforts to institutionalize jointness among the four Military Services efforts that paid great dividends. When he oversaw mobilization of America's military and led our Armed Forces through the Korean War.
General Bradley was sworn in by President Truman as General of the Army on September 22, 1950.
Through all the years of service, what distinguished this remarkable officer was his love of soldiers and soldiering. His masterful direction of the American advance across France and Germany earned General Bradley a place among the great military leaders of all time.
At this time, in the year 1997, the last five star general this nation has had.
OMAR NELSON BRADLEY
RANDOLPH COUNTY ROOTS
General Omar Nelson Bradley was born on a farm three miles west of Clark, Missouri, on February 12, 1893. His father, John Smith Bradley, and his mother, Sarah Elizabeth Bradley, were both from pioneer Randolph County families. Bradley's father was a rural school teacher and Omar received his elementary education attending schools taught by his father. When Omar was twelve, the family moved to Higbee. He attended there for several years.
John Bradley died of pneumonia in Higbee in February, 1908. Bessie Bradley decided to move herself and her son to Moberly after her husband's death and they rented a house on South Fourth Street. Bessie became a seamstress and took in boarders. Omar got a job delivering the Moberly Democrat newspaper. In the Fall of 1908, Omar entered Moberly High School. During his two years at M.H.S. he was a better than average student and was active in sports. During this time he met his future wife, Mary Quayle, a classmate and neighbor. They graduated in the Class of 1910.
Following graduation, Omar worked for a time at the Wabash shops. In 1911 he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. Upon entering West Point Omar left Randolph County more or less for good, returning occasionally during the rest of his life. He always, thought of Moberly as home and frequently mentioned that his character and values had been primarily shaped by his years growing up in Randolph County.
The surviving family of general Bradley resides in the east coast area. Elizabeth Bradley Dorsey, daughter and grandchildren, Henry S. Beukema, Omar Bradley Beukema, Anne Beukema Doggett, Melanie Dorsey Standish, and Benjamin Dorsey III.
MEMORIAL TO
OMAR NELSON BRADLEY
GENERAL OF THE ARMY
In 1991, a group of local citizens formed a committee to establish this memorial. This project was totally funded by contributions locally and from every state in the U.S. Without the interest of veterans, their families, veteran organizations, Moberly City Park, businesses and industry and the City of Moberly this memorial could not have been accomplished.
It is not only meant to honor the "GI's General" but Veterans everywhere.
May this memorial serve as a constant reminder of the superb leadership and great sacrifices General Bradley and the troops made during the years of World War II, to preserve the freedom we cherish so much.
Board of Directors
Carolee Hazlet
President
Dr. J.Will Fleming, jr.
Vice-President
Marsha Bain
Secretary/Treasurer
J.W. Ballinger
Dr. James Byland
Jarry Calvin
Charles Carter
C.O. Clements
Forrest Wayne Cooper
Jack Franklin
Ralph Gerhard
Dr. Norris Preston
Jack Valentine
Jerry Jeffrey
Lyle Hazlet
| Advisory Board
General William C. Westmoreland
Col. Grover W. Asmus
Gen. George Blanchard
Sen. Christopher Bond
Sen. John Danforth
John Eisenhower
Rep. Steve gaw
Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster
Col. C.B. Hansen
Rep. Sam Leake
Rep. Bill Markland
Sen. Joe Moseley
Dr. Larry K. Noel
Don Orscheln
Karl Rice
Rep. Ike Skelton
MO. Commander American Legion
MO. Commander V.F.W.
Congressman Harold Volkmer
LT. Gov. Roger Wilson
|
|
| |