While we may not admit it, no matter what one’s walk of life was we all have had Godfathers at times who helped with the ladder of success. Personally, I had many in my career; however, there was one who stood head and shoulders above the rest. He had more to do with my career than anyone else, especially during my early years as an Enlisted Marine. His name was Lee Manuel Bradley, Sr.

We first met in 1962 as DI’s at PISC. He a Sgt, me a Cpl. Lee taught me much during our nearly two years together. While only a  year or so older than me, he taught me much more than how to be a better DI or Marine.

There was a policy in force at the time that two DI’s could not work two platoons together in sequence. How was it then that Lee and I worked three straight platoons together; he as the Senior DI (SDI) and me as the Junior DI (JDI)? Well, during our third platoon, I ask Lee that very question, and he shared with something that I never revealed to anyone. He said when the four seniors had been designated, they met with the Chief DI and picked their juniors. No one wanted me because they thought I beat recruits. I was loud, seemingly overbearing, aggressive acting type DI. The wild JDI that remained the disciplinarian throughout the 13 weeks while the SDI and other JDI backed off some. I was the discipline maintainer of the team.  From my outward actions and  appearances everyone thought I beat on recruits – I did not! Strangely we were allowed to work three straight platoon together and no one said a thing about it except to complain because we came in first in everything e.g., drill competition, 30 and 60 day tests,  inspections, etc. We were the team the beat; we were known as the “Two B’s.”

I will not regale all the other influences Lee had on my career. If you have read “The Book” you know all about them. They were indeed very influential.  In fact after our third platoon together, Lee transferred to Quantico, and I picked up the next platoon as the SDI. While he never admitted it, I am certain he had something to with assignment.

However, the biggest influence of all was getting me assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. where I eventually was commissioned, and Lee was there to serve up my first salute.

It’s all in the book. In fact Lee’s name shows up in the book more than any other Marine with whom I served.

Sadly, Lee passed away on 29 August of this year. The world lost another of its heroes. Someone who made a difference every where he went and with whom he touched. I have personally lost many great Marine brothers this year, it has something to do with our age. As Charlie Tyrian (Col, USMC (Ret), who’s also in the book repeatedly told me when I turned 80, “Welcome to the decade of death.” However, the loss of Lee still tugs at my heart strings

I wept profusely when I received word from Lee’s oldest daughter, Geneva, that he had passed. Our current world is losing its heroes everyday, and this time it lost a huge one. All I could think about was the last we talked on the phone (he in CA and me in FL, 1000’s of miles apart) and how we laughed and joked about our times together. Why did I not call him more often is the question that keeps running through my mind as I think about Lee and his influence on me as a person and a Marine.

I know he is up there in the hands of the Lord and I am sure He has some special missions for Lee. Until The “Two B’s” are together again, save me an assignment Lee. May you be blessed as the godfather to so many souls here on earth. I love you Lee as the brother I never had.

God bless you Sgt Major!

Semper Fi,
The other “B”

Originally posted 2023-10-18 11:58:47.