Bradford Dwayne Wright
Era: Vietnam
Military Branch: Army
Mr. Wright served in the Vietnam War.
He served in the U.S. Army. He was Fire Team Leader with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.
Mr. Wright was born on May 9, 1949, the son of Eugene and Beatrice Peacock. His hometown was Duluth, Minnesota.
Mr. Wright was killed in action in Quang Duc province, Vietnam,, on September 27, 1968. In a letter to Mr. Wright's mother, a friend, Steve Tully, wrote: "[O]ur platoon and 2nd platoon went to rescue the 5 man team that was surrounded. Maybe this isn't what you wanted to know, but Brad low-crawled where he did not have to, but in doing this with 4 or 5 other guys . . . he saved many lives."
Mr. Wright was posthumously decorated with the Purple Heart and the Award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism.
Source: Information from veteran's family; letter from U.S. Army (see below); Duluth News-Tribune, October 6, 1968
The U.S. Army account of Mr. Wright’s bravery that accompanied the posthumous awarding of the Award of the Bronze Star for Heroism stated:
“Sergeant Wright distinguished himself while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 25th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.
“On 27 September 1968, Sergeant Wright’s company was on a mission that involved the rescue of a five man patrol, which was in contact with an enemy force in a well-camouflaged bunker complex. As his company reached the patrol, they came under heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire. Immediately Sergeant Wright moved his fire team, as part of the heavily hit point element, toward the enemy machine gun bunker. He quickly and effectively organized his men and directed their accurate fire on the enemy emplacement. Sergeant Wright maintained the morale and alertness of his men by continually moving from man to man giving instructions. While laying down a base of fire for his men with grenades and his rifle, Sergeant Wright was mortally wounded by enemy fire as his squad overcame the first enemy bunker. Sergeant Wright’s exceptional courage, outstanding performance and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.”
Posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device on 21 November 1968.
