James Bradley, the author who channeled his curiosity about his father’s naval service during the Battle of Iwo Jima into a celebrated book, passed away on June 5 at the age of 72. His daughter, Alison Cinnamond, confirmed his death without further details.
The book, “Flags of Our Fathers,” co-authored with Pulitzer Prize winner Ron Powers, became a bestseller and spent 46 weeks on the New York Times list, reaching the No. 1 spot. It later inspired a film adaptation directed by Clint Eastwood, featuring Ryan Phillippe as Bradley’s father, John (Doc) Bradley.
“Flags of Our Fathers” recounts the experiences of the six servicemen photographed raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi during the five-week-long Battle of Iwo Jima. This brutal confrontation against Japanese forces resulted in the deaths of approximately 6,800 American servicemen, including three of the flag-raisers.
The narrative follows the surviving flag-raisers – Doc Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes – on their return to the U.S., where they participated in a national war bonds tour. It also delves into their challenging postwar lives.
As a Navy medic, John (Doc) Bradley was recognized for his bravery with the Navy Cross, the second highest commendation for valor. Despite his achievements, he rarely spoke of his wartime experiences to his family.
James Bradley’s book highlighted these stories of valor and sacrifice, shedding light on the personal and often untold experiences of these servicemen long after the historic photograph was taken.
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