The Angel of Bataan and Corregidor

Ruby Bradley: The Angel of Bataan and Corregidor

In the annals of history, there are remarkable individuals whose stories transcend time and inspire generations. Ruby Bradley, a dedicated nurse and decorated military officer, is one such extraordinary figure. Her unwavering commitment to caring for wounded soldiers during World War II, especially during the grueling Battle of Bataan and the siege of Corregidor, earned her the nickname "The Angel of Bataan." In this article, we delve into the life and heroic deeds of Ruby Bradley, a woman whose courage and compassion left an indelible mark on the pages of history.

Born on December 19, 1907, in Spencer, West Virginia, Ruby Bradley displayed an early interest in nursing and healthcare. Her passion for helping others led her to pursue nursing as a career. She attended the Spencer Hospital School of Nursing and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Teachers College, Columbia University. This strong educational foundation set the stage for her incredible journey as a healthcare provider.

In 1933, Ruby Bradley joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, embarking on a career that would take her around the world. In 1941, she received her overseas assignment, and along with hundreds of other medical professionals, she was stationed in the Philippines. Little did she know that her mission would soon become one of the most challenging and harrowing experiences of her life.

In December 1941, Japan attacked the Philippines, leading to the Battle of Bataan, a brutal conflict that would last for months. Ruby Bradley, stationed at Bataan, found herself at the epicenter of the chaos. As Japanese forces closed in, she worked tirelessly to provide medical care to the wounded and sick soldiers. The conditions were dire, with limited supplies and a constant threat of enemy attacks, but Ruby's dedication to her patients never wavered.

After the fall of Bataan in April 1942, Ruby Bradley was one of the nurses taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese. Along with her fellow prisoners, she endured the infamous Bataan Death March, a harrowing 65-mile journey marked by brutality and suffering. Despite the hardships, Ruby's resilience and determination to save lives remained undiminished.

In 1943, Bradley was moved to the Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. It was there that she and several other imprisoned nurses earned the title "Angels in Fatigues" from fellow captives. For the next several months, she provided medical help to the prisoners and sought to feed starving children by shoving food into her pockets whenever she could, often going hungry herself. As she lost weight, she used the room in her uniform for smuggling surgical equipment into the prisoner-of-war camp. At the camp she assisted in 230 operations and helped to deliver 13 children.

When United States troops captured the camp on February 3, 1945, Bradley weighed only 86 pounds (39 kg). She was then returned to the United States where she continued her career in the army. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California in 1949.

Bradley served in the Korean War as Chief Nurse for the 171st Evacuation Hospital. In November 1950, during the Chinese counter-offensive, she refused to leave until she had loaded the sick and wounded onto a plane in Pyongyang while surrounded by 100,000 advancing Chinese soldiers. She was able to jump aboard the plane just as her ambulance exploded from an enemy shell. In 1951, she was named Chief Nurse for the Eighth Army, where she supervised over 500 Army nurses throughout Korea. Bradley was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1958 and retired from the army in 1963. After her death in 2002 at the age of 94 she was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Ruby Bradley's extraordinary courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication to her patients have left an indelible mark on history. Her heroic efforts as "The Angel of Bataan" serve as an enduring reminder of the selflessness and sacrifice exhibited by healthcare professionals in times of crisis. Ruby Bradley's legacy continues to inspire generations of nurses and military personnel, underscoring the transformative power of compassion and commitment in the face of adversity.