3 days before the war ended he spotted a German sub headed for Block Island

Fifteen years ago, retired naval aviator and World War II veteran John Bradley told me, “I’m afraid to slow down for fear the engine might quit.” Last month, John celebrated his 100th birthday.

He joined the Navy in 1942 through the V-5 Aviation Cadet program. In October 1944, he earned his wings and was assigned to anti-submarine duty. On May 5, 1945, only three days before the war officially ended in Europe, he and his radioman were flying a training flight out of Quonset. Much to their surprise, they spotted a German sub, just off Montauk Point and headed for Block Island.

Bradley told me, “Hitler had committed suicide a few days before and Admiral Doenitz had sent a worldwide message telling all subs to surface and proceed to the nearest port. We did not know that …”

Apparently, neither did the CO of the German sub, later identified as U-853.

“What were we to do?” Bradley asked later. “We were unarmed, so we continued heading back to Quonset, flying just above the waves hoping the sub did not see us.” They reported to a skeptical air combat information officer, who grilled them for three hours about their sighting. “They finally told us our info was passed on to the Cruiser/Destroyer Force headquarters in Newport.”

Sadly, the report was not acted upon promptly, if at all.

Bradley went home to Hartford and attended a dance at the Knights of Columbus Hall. “At intermission, I went outside for a breath of fresh air when newsboys came out of the Hartford Times building yelling “Extra! Extra! German Submarine Sinks Coal Vessel Black Point off Point Judith, RI.”

Bradley was stunned. He had reported the location of the sub seven hours before the sinking. Twelve lives were lost, and U853 was sunk a short time later.

Bradley stayed in the Navy after the war, eventually retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1963 with 21 years of service. He spends the summers in Narragansett and lives in Florida during the rest of the year.

Links to free meals, discounts and offers

Veterans Day: The VA website has published a list of nationally available Veterans Day discounts, meals or other ways businesses and organizations want to honor veterans. Access the list at: https://news.va.gov/109711/veterans-day-discounts-free-meals/

Another useful link is: www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-are-the-best-2023-veterans-day-discounts

Free breakfast, coffee at VA Medical Center on Veterans Day: Veterans can get free breakfast and coffee at most VA medical centers on Nov. 9 thanks to the Veterans Canteen Service. Check out the deals and offers at https://news.va.gov/125509/canteen-service-free-breakfast-veterans-day

Announcements

Public forum series at Wakefield WWII Museum begins Nov. 14: The World War II Foundation of Wakefield has announced The War and Peace Project, a series of five free public forums created in collaboration with the local writer and storyteller Marc Levitt. The first program, “Oppenheimer’s Bomb,” takes place Tuesday, Nov. 14. The following Tuesday, Nov. 21, the topic will be “Women at War.”

Three more programs, including one aimed at high school students, are scheduled for January. All events take place at the International Museum of World War II, 344 Main St., Wakefield. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the forum starts at 6.30. Guests are invited to tour the museum, and light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Sheila Gray at (401) 862-3030 or email sheila@wwiifoundation.org. There is no charge to attend but registration is required at wwiifoundation.org/events.

Calendar

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 4-7:30 p.m.: Warwick Library hosts reception for art exhibit by veterans, 600 Sandy Lane. Admission is free. The ongoing exhibit runs through Nov. 27. Hours: Sunday 1-5 p.m.; Monday to Wednesday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The phone number for the library is (401) 739-5440.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.: Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 21, meeting, Knights of Columbus Dillon Council, 1675 Douglas Ave., North Providence. Please contact Commander Jim Pascetta (401) 447-7286 with any questions.

Friday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m.: URI Veterans Day Ceremony, Hope Room of the Robert J. Higgins Welcome Center, 45 Upper College Road, Kingston. URI’s Center for Military and Veteran Education (CMVE) and the Student Veterans Organization invite all to participate. Refreshments will follow a brief speaking program. Parking is available in the lot directly behind the welcome center.

According to center director Bob Flynn, more than 300 members of the faculty and staff at URI are affiliated with the military, and nearly 200 children of veterans are URI students. The Student Veterans Organization will be collecting nonperishable food items on behalf of Operation Stand Down Rhode Island. For information reach out to The Center for Military and Veteran Education at (401) 874-5213 or https://web.uri.edu/veterans/contact/

Saturday, Nov. 11: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m., Free haircuts for veterans at Amy’s Barbershop, 1086 Willett Ave., Riverside. Susan Pereira Buckley writes, “I have been cutting hair for 26 years, and I will be giving free haircuts to all who served …  I feel this is a very important day and deserves recognition ... my husband, his father and son all served in the Army.” No appointments will be taken. First come, first served, but Susan promises to stay as late as necessary so everyone gets a haircut. Her number is (401) 678-8215 or (401) 527-1730.

9:30 a.m., 10th Annual Park View Middle School 5K Run/Walk. Start at the school, 25 Park View Blvd., Cranston. The course is around Roger Williams Park. Contact Garrett McWeeney at gmcweeney@cpsed.net.

10 a.m. breakfast, 11 a.m. shotgun start, Veterans Day golf tournament. The Gloucester Country Club event is free for veterans and serving military, and is co-sponsored by the Marine Corps League. The nine-hole scramble will feature a brief ceremony honoring all veterans prior to the start. Veterans and active duty military will receive complimentary carts, continental breakfast, dinner drinks, and a sweatshirt in addition to the waived entry fee.

Proceeds from a raffle will benefit Wreaths Across America 2023 sponsored by Ponagansett High School. The event is limited to 64 veteran and active duty military golfers. To register, or to sponsor a veteran for $50, please reach out to Vincent LaFazia at (401) 233-2564 or email fazigilly54@gmail.com.

9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Rhode Island Model Rocketry Association invites all veterans and serving military to participate in a Rocket Launch at the URI Peckham Farm Field in West Kingston. Rockets are provided for veterans, or you can bring a rocket you built yourself. Just show your veterans or military ID. Veterans will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors). For access to mid-power and high-power pads, veterans will need to be NAR members (www.nar.org/join-nar/). To register, email Lucy DiMase atlucy.dimase@va.gov. The general public may watch the launch at no charge.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Days before the war ended he spotted a German sub headed for Block Island