John Bradley (United States Navy)

John Bradley (1923-1994) was a United States Navy hospital corpsman who participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. He is best known for being one of the six U.S. Marines and a Navy corpsman depicted in the iconic photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima taken by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945.

While initially identified as one of the flag raisers, controversy arose after his death when investigations suggested the man in the photograph was actually another Marine, Harold Schultz. This re-identification was based on photographic analysis and testimony from surviving Marines.

Bradley served with the 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division during the battle. He was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism for rescuing a wounded Marine under enemy fire. He participated in numerous combat actions and displayed significant bravery throughout the campaign.

Following his military service, Bradley returned to civilian life and worked as a funeral director in Antigo, Wisconsin. He largely avoided discussing his wartime experiences until later in life.

His son, James Bradley, authored the bestselling book Flags of Our Fathers, which detailed the experiences of the six flag raisers, including his father's. The book and subsequent film adaptation brought renewed attention to the Battle of Iwo Jima and the men who fought there, as well as the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the famous photograph. While John Bradley's role as a flag raiser has been disputed, his heroism and service during the Battle of Iwo Jima remain significant.