[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 143 (Wednesday, November 2, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H9487-H9489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    JOHN H. BRADLEY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC

  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill

[[Page H9488]]

(H.R. 1691) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient 
clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of 
Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1691

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT 
                   CLINIC, APPLETON, WISCONSIN.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in 
     Appleton, Wisconsin, shall after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act be known and designated as the ``John H. Bradley 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''. Any 
     reference to such medical center in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, record, or other paper of the United States shall 
     be considered to be a reference to the John H. Bradley 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Buyer) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  John ``Doc'' Bradley was a Navy Corpsman during World War II and one 
of six men who took part in the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima. John 
Bradley survived the war; and he passed away on January 11, 1994. 
Before his death, his family was asked not to answer calls from the 
media; and his war history was boxed away to be forgotten. However, 
after his death, in 1994, his family found the box of letters and 
mementos from John Bradley's time serving his Nation during World War 
II. John Bradley once told his children that the real heroes on Iwo 
Jima were ``the guys who didn't come back''.
  After he participated in the now-celebrated flag raising on Mt. 
Suribachi, John Bradley received the Navy Cross for rushing to a 
wounded man's aid in heavy Japanese fire. He received several shrapnel 
wounds to his legs a few days later and was evacuated from the combat 
zone to a hospital in Hawaii.
  This legislation is cosponsored and supported by the entire Wisconsin 
delegation and also has the support of the State's major veterans 
service organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I particularly would like to thank my colleague (Mr. 
Green) who represents the Eighth Congressional District of Wisconsin 
for introducing this most appropriate legislation. He is a strong 
supporter of the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces and was 
chosen by the Speaker of the House delegation to lead a delegation to 
Afghanistan to report on the progress of the war there.
  I also might note that he was instrumental in placing the new 
veterans outpatient clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is a strong 
supporter of the men and women we now call veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Green).
  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time and for his leadership in bringing this 
legislation forward.
  Mr. Speaker, in all of America's rich history there are perhaps a few 
dozen images that seem to summarize and symbolize the American 
experience, our struggles, our challenges and, yes, our triumphs. One 
of those unforgettable photographs is of six U.S. servicemen raising 
the stars and stripes over Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
  As you know, that scene has been immortalized by Hollywood and in 
countless publications. It makes up the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial in 
Arlington National Cemetery.
  One of the brave men in that breathtaking photograph is Pharmacist's 
Mate Second Class John H. Bradley. The purpose of this legislation is, 
as the chairman indicated, to rename the wonderful veterans outpatient 
clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, for that man, John Bradley.
  As I hope my remarks will make clear, there are many reasons why this 
title is appropriate, reasons that go well beyond a famous photograph.
  John Bradley was born on July 10, 1923, in Antigo, Wisconsin, to 
parents James and Kathryn. He was the second of five children and spent 
his boyhood years growing up in Appleton, Wisconsin, in my 
congressional district.
  In March of 1943, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee, but 
strong protest from his father led him to receive training as a Navy 
Corpsman instead. He was known as Doc Bradley and was assigned to a 
United States Marine Corps infantry battalion formed at Camp Pendleton. 
He was then shipped off to the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific 
Theater of World War II.
  One of the most deadly, and most important, parts of that campaign 
came at Iwo Jima, where, over some 36 days, 70,000 American troops 
fought. That battle claimed over 25,000 U.S. casualties, including 
nearly 7,000 killed. The famous flag-raising moment may be how many 
people will remember Doc Bradley, but, of course, there is so much more 
to the story of Doc and his comrades.
  After he raised the flag on Mount Suribachi, Doc Bradley rushed to 
the aid of a wounded Marine under heavy Japanese fire, and he did win 
the Navy Cross for this selfless and heroic act. Later, he received 
several shrapnel wounds to his leg and was evacuated to a hospital in 
Hawaii.
  Upon completion of his service in World War II, John moved back to 
Wisconsin and settled in Antigo, where he and his wife Betty raised 
eight children. In the years after the war and until his death in 1994, 
he maintained a lifelong commitment to veterans and to veterans health 
care. Interestingly enough, Doc Bradley's family never knew he received 
the Navy Cross for service until after he died.
  Of the six men in that famous photo, three were killed in the battle 
itself. The survivors were proclaimed almost overnight heroes and 
symbols, something they were all uncomfortable with. Doc Bradley told 
his children, ``the real heroes of Iwo Jima were the guys who didn't 
come back.'' He never displayed a copy of the famous flag-raising photo 
in his home.
  Mr. Speaker, Doc Bradley would be a little embarrassed by having a 
clinic named after him. After all, he did not want glare and he did not 
want acclaim. However, his wife Betty has said that this is a fitting 
tribute to Jack because the clinic is involved in health care for 
veterans and because it is located in the community where he was 
raised.
  Through his courage, his humility and his commitment to his comrades 
during and after the war, whether he wanted to acknowledge it or not, 
John ``Doc'' Bradley does symbolize the American serviceman and the 
American experience. I cannot think of a better name for the Appleton 
clinic than the John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs 
Outpatient Clinic. Dedicated professionals work hard there, and they do 
great things for our veterans who deserve so much.
  I am proud to honor one of Wisconsin's greatest veterans with this 
legislation, and I strongly encourage the support of my colleagues and 
again thank the chairman for bringing this legislation forward.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, John H. Bradley, a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, who 
enlisted in the United States Navy in January, 1943, was one of the six 
men who raised an American flag at Mount Suribachi during the battle of 
Iwo Jima, an action that we all know now has been immortalized in the 
Pulitzer prize photo by Joe Rosenthal and the subject of the statue at 
the Marine Corps Memorial. He was a key part of an event that recorded 
the soul of a Nation in a time of great crisis.
  Bradley was born in Antigo, Wisconsin, as we have heard, and his 
family moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he grew up as a boy. He was 
assigned to the 28th Marine Corps Regiment of the 5th Marine Division 
during the assault on Iwo Jima. Two days after landing with his 
regiment, he earned the Navy Cross.
  The citation accompanying his Navy Cross cited extraordinary heroism 
in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima on February 21, 1945. It cited 
that during a furious assault by his company on the strongly defended 
enemy position at the base of Mount Suribachi, Bradley observed that a 
Marine infantryman had fallen wounded in an open area under a pounding 
mortar barrage interlaced with merciless crossfire from machine guns 
and small arms.

                              {time}  1545

  With complete disregard for his own safety, he ran through this 
intense fire to the side of the fallen Marine and determined that an 
immediate administration of plasma was necessary in

[[Page H9489]]

order to save that Marine's life. He heroically shielded the injured 
man with his own body and tied a plasma unit to a rifle that he had 
planted upright in the sand. After stabilizing the patient and his 
injuries, Bradley pulled the man some 30 yards through that intense 
fire to safety.
  His heroism did not end on that day. A few weeks later, he was 
wounded in both legs in a mortar attack. He refused evacuation until he 
had finished rendering aid to two other wounded Marines. He was 
subsequently awarded a Purple Heart for this action.
  Bradley was a star attraction during the Seventh War Bond Drive, 
where he spoke in over 33 cities. This war bond drive collected over 
$24 billion, which is the largest borrowing from the American people in 
the history of our country.
  Bradley was the last surviving member, as we have heard, of the six 
flag-raisers. He died in 1994 at the age of 70. His son, James Bradley, 
is the author of the book ``Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima.''
  As has already been mentioned by Chairman Buyer, this bill has the 
support of the Wisconsin delegation. It has my full support. And today, 
where a couple of hours ago we celebrated the Marine Corps birthday, it 
is a fitting tribute.
  I urge all my colleagues to vote for this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I thank the gentleman from Texas for his support of this legislation 
and once again for his fine work on the Veterans' Committee.
  This bill before us will name the VA outpatient clinic in Appleton, 
Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs 
Outpatient Clinic.''
  In the State of Wisconsin, they have a council; and this council is 
made up of many veterans organizations. They met on October 21 of 2005 
to discuss H.R. 1691. The council had a discussion, a motion was made 
and was seconded and carried a unanimous vote, no objections, to 
support the bill that is before us today.
  The veterans organizations that were in support of this legislation 
in the State of Wisconsin and offer this under the American people are 
the American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, the Navy Club of the USA, the 
Army Navy Union, the Catholic War Veterans, Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans, 
American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the U.S. 
Submarine Veterans of World War II, the United Women Veterans, Polish 
Legion of American Veterans, Wisconsin Association of Concerned 
Veterans Organizations, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, 
Paralyzed Veterans of America, the County Veterans Service Officers 
Association, AMVETS, the Jewish War Veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans 
Against the War. These are 24 of the veterans organizations that 
supported the gentleman from Wisconsin's legislation.
  In closing, I believe we can tell a lot about a nation by the 
individuals whom we choose to honor, and this is a very appropriate 
means and manner to honor one of America's true heroes. With that, I 
ask that all Members support H.R. 1691.
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1691, legislation that would designate the Department of Veterans 
Affairs outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the John H. 
Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.
  John ``Doc'' Bradley was a small town boy from Antigo, Wisconsin, who 
answered the call to duty to serve during World War II. As a Corpsman 
in the Navy, Doc Bradley participated in one of the defining events of 
our nation's history, the raising of the flag at Mount Suribachi on Iwo 
Jima Island. The importance of the capture of Mount Suribachi extends 
well beyond its symbolic meaning and the inspiration it provided to our 
nation's military. The victory at Iwo Jima also served an important 
strategic role by allowing the U.S. Army's B-29 bombers to make 
emergency landings on the island, and helped lead to our triumph in the 
battle for the Pacific.
  Despite Doc Bradley's numerous accomplishments as a soldier during 
World War II, which include receiving the Navy Cross for heroism, this 
brave American remained humble throughout his life and did not brag 
about his many accomplishments. In fact, much of Doc Bradley's family 
did not know that he had received a Navy Cross, one of the Navy's 
highest honors, until after his death.
  I am pleased that this great honor is being bestowed upon Doc Bradley 
today and would like to close with his account of his participation in 
the flag-raising, which exemplifies the grace and humility of this 
great American: ``People refer to us as heroes--I personally don't look 
at it that way. I just think that I happened to be at a certain place 
at a certain time and anybody on that island could have been in there--
and we certainly weren't heroes--and I speak for the rest of them as 
well. That's the way they thought of themselves also.''
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1691, a bill to 
designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in 
Appleton, Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans 
Affairs Outpatient Clinic.'' While Americans may not recognize Mr. 
Bradley's name, we have all been inspired by his image.
  John ``Doc'' Bradley was born in Antigo, Wisconsin, on July 10, 1923. 
During World War II, he was assigned to the 28th Marines of the 5th 
Marine Division, where he took part in the Pacific campaign at Iwo 
Jima, Japan. In 1945 Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Bradley, along with 
five U.S. Marines, raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi 
displaying victory over the Japanese during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
  This act became a lasting symbol of the great bravery and courage of 
our troops, and a never-ending display of the enduring American spirit. 
It is appropriately depicted in the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial near 
Arlington National Cemetery. Mr. Bradley was awarded the Navy Cross, 
Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with one star, American 
Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star, and the 
World War II Victory Medal for ``extraordinary heroism as a Hospital 
Corpsman in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima.''
  Upon Mr. Bradley's return to Antigo after his service, he owned a 
small business and gave generously of his time to his community. He 
passed away on January 11, 1994, after 47 years of marriage which was 
blessed with eight children. He was the longest surviving member of the 
six who ``raised the flag on Iwo Jima''. He rests in the peace that he 
deserves as a national hero, in his hometown today.
  It is truly appropriate to honor Mr. Bradley, who gave so much to his 
country, as our brave men and women of the armed services continue to 
do today. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1691.
  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
1691, a bill that would name the VA outpatient clinic in Appleton 
Wisconsin the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs 
Outpatient Clinic''.
  John ``Doc'' Bradley died at the age of 70 on January 11, 1994. After 
his appearances at the last bond tour, John married his childhood 
sweetheart, Betty Van Gorp, and raised eight children with her.
  John served as a Navy Corpsman during World War II and was the 
longest surviving member of the six who raised the second flag on Iwo 
Jima.
  Two days after landing with his regiment in Iwo Jima on his first 
campaign, Second Class Bradley earned the Nation's second highest 
award, the Navy Cross, for ``extraordinary heroism.''
  Bradley rushed to the aid of a wounded Marine under heavy Japanese 
fire, bandaged his wounds and then pulled the soldier 30 yards to 
safety.
  A few days later, Bradley received several shrapnel wounds to his 
legs, and was evacuated to a hospital in Hawaii.
  John's family had no knowledge of him receiving a Navy Cross until 
after his death. It is a most appropriate honor that we name the VA 
Community Based Outpatient Clinic located in the town where he grew up, 
after the quiet and unassuming Mr. John Bradley.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Boozman). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1691.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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