Missing Man Is Reported Dead
Donald James Bradley, fireman first class, who was reported missing in action on June 30, 1943, has been officially listed as dead by the navy department, according to notification received by his mother, Mrs. Edith Cors Thomas, 2609 Avenue C.
According to the official announcement, Bradley had participated in the landing operations at Rendova island on this date. He was attached to the U. S. S. McCawley and had departed for another island in the Solomon group when a torpedo struck on the port side and caused immediate flooding of certain sections of the ship.
“Several hours later the personnel with the exception of the salvage crew were transferred to an American vessel. The ship was taken in tow, but as the water continued to rise the salvage crew had to be taken aboard another vessel. In the early evening of th same day three torpedoes struck the McCawley as she sank stern first.”
Bradley had been in the navy about a year at the time he was listed missing in action. He received specialized training at the University of Kansas and had been at sea approximately six months.
A graduate of Abraham Lincoln high school in 1931, he was employed at the Paxter and Mitchell machine shop prior to entering the service.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Tuesday, July 11, 1944, Page 5
Receives Medal for Dead Son
Mrs. Edith Thomas has received the purple heart posthumously awarded to her son, Firemen 1/c Donald James Bradley of the navy.
Fireman Bradley was reported missing in action on June 30, 1943, and later was officially listed as dead by the navy department.
According to navy announcement received by his mother, Fireman Bradley had participated in landing operations at Rendova island, June 30. He was attached to the U. S. S. McCawley and had departed for another island in the Solomon group when a torpedo struck on port side causing immediate flooding of certain sections of the ship.
Later, the personnel with the exception of a salvage crew were transferred to an American vessel.
The McCawley was taken in tow but water continued to rise in the ship, the crew was taken aboard the other vessel. In the early evening of the same day, three torpedoes struck the McCawley as she sank stern first.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Wednesday, September 13, 1944, Page 2
