"COMBAT OVER CORREGIDOR"
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Charles H. Bradford M.D. 

If the adage "Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan" has any truth in it, this project will surely be a success.

This manuscript was written by Doctor Charles H. Bradford, Captain, Second Battalion Surgeon, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment.  Dr. Bradford wrote his manuscript six months after the parachute assault on Corregidor. This time was during July and August 1945, and the attitudes and language used accurately reflect the era and are published here as they were written. Doctor Bradford was stationed at this time at Valley Forge Army Hospital. He published "The Battle Road," a book on his other love, 18th Century US History, in 1975. 

Dr. Bradford initially wrote the manuscript and, on the advice of Chaplain  Captain John J. Powers,  did not record names.  Bill Calhoun and John Lindgren,  as part of compiling a more extensive history of the 2nd Battalion 503d PRCT called "Bless 'Em All,"  have restored the names. In this web version, we will not publish the names. The printed version will publish the text together with the identities of the individuals involved, so far as is known to Bill and John.

Dr. Bradford passed away 17 May 2000 in Marshfield, MA, at the age of 95, and though his manuscript has been privately copied and distributed within the membership of the 503rd PRCT, this is the first public publication beyond our relatively small and diminishing group.  He cherished his years in the 503rd, and though a private person,  the reason he did not talk much about the war was expressed best in his comment to John Lindgren in November 1993 - "I never get to talk to people about the 503rd. Unless they were there, who could I tell all this to?". 

Copyright is claimed and all rights are reserved to  The Charles H. Bradford Estate.  

Paul F. Whitman

EDITOR'S NOTE

 In reading the following narrative it will not take the reader long to realize that Doctor Bradford is truly a remarkable historian. On occasion Doc has expressed regret that he was not a historian. We are poorer in that respect, i.e., that he did not pursue that field. However, we would have been denied the services of a great surgeon. Many in the 503rd have arms and legs today solely due to Doc's great skill. Undoubtedly over the long years of his practice countless others have benefited just as much.  So, Doc, we are happy that you saw fit to serve your fellow man as a physician and surgeon to heal their bodies, but we are also happy that you squeezed some time out of your busy schedule to record some history, especially as one of "The men who act" for you certainly are one of "the true historians."

John Lindgren, William T. Calhoun