https://www.miller-funeralhome.com/obituaries/1st-LT-George-Bradbury?obId=45065384 )
George Fowler Bradbury was born on February 9, 1922 on the family farm near Ranburne, in northern Alabama. He later entered Athens College, now Athens University, where he had hoped to become a doctor but there was simply not enough money. Instead, he took part in the Industrial Unit to study chemistry and mathematics. His hope was to do further study at Duke University in order to specialize in textiles. Then, in 1941, he left Athens to enlist in the Air Force, still part of the Army. His hope now was to qualify as a pilot but instead Lieutenant Bradbury emerged as a Navigator. In January 1944 he married his sweetheart Martha McCracken from Athens.
Later that year his unit was transferred to England as part of the Eighth Army Air Force. His task was to join the Royal Air Force in the massive and dangerous bombing campaign over Germany. Then, in the late summer, his plane, part of the 492nd/801st BG and nicknamed ‘L for Love’, was ordered to supply the French Resistance near the German border. The secret operation was code-named ‘Carpet-baggers’, a most inappropriate name for an Alabama boy.
This operation was dangerous because it meant flying low at night in order to drop materiel and men at improvised drop zones. In addition, to avoid enemy artillery, planes could not use the IFF, the signals unique to every plane which told US and British guns to stay silent. The weather on September 16 was very bad but worse was to come. What was meant to be the last flight of the Carpet-bagger Operation, and George’s last flight before returning home, proved fatal.
Someone had failed to notify the American artillery and George’s plane was shot down by American guns. It crashed in a field near the German border and burst in flames.
As no remains were found, George was listed as Missing in Action. The discovery of DNA changed everything and a nephew in Texas sent in his own DNA. The extraordinary dedication of the Army’s Past Conflicts’ Repatriation office meant that a re-examination of the site of the crash in 2013 resulted, six years later, in his remains being identified, eighty years after his death. What seems like a miracle was actually the result of hard work and dedication.
On October 4, 2025 George Fowler Bradbury will be buried beside his parents in the cemetery attached to the family’s Baptist Church in Ranburne, Alabama. He will be given full military honors by the United States Army and his great and great-great nephews will serve as pallbearers. The eulogy will be given by his last surviving nephew who was five months old when he flew his last flight. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him. This son of Alabama is back home at last.
The staff of Miller Funeral Home is deeply honored to assist with the repatriation and funeral services of 1st LT Bradbury, in solemn tribute to the life he gave.
