Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from the City of Rye. Learn more about how you can help research and write biographies of those that have served.
Bradley Alden Spencer was born on December 4, 1923, in Greenwich, Connecticut, to Hazel Mildred Kelley and Archibald Bradley Spencer. His family later moved to 47 Oakland Gardens in Rye. Spencer was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1942.
Date of Birth: December 4, 1923
Date of Death: February 24, 2010
Street Address: 47 Oakland Gardens
Branch of Service: U.S. Marines
Spencer enlisted and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and served with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. The 9th Marines fought as part of the 3rd Marine Division on the islands of Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima during WW2.
By the time of Iwo Jima in February 1945, Spencer had been promoted to Corporal. His 3rd Marine Division was initially in reserve for the battle. However, the division was committed one regiment at a time when the initial regiments that landed there needed to be relieved. The 21st Marines came ashore on 21 February followed by Bradley’s 9th Marines, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Tank Battalion, on 24 February.
The Marines of these two infantry regiments, supported by the artillery of the 12th Marine Regiment and tanks of the 3rd Tank Battalion, fought on Iwo Jima until the end of organized resistance on 16 March and the subsequent mopping up operations for the next month. The Battle of Iwo Jima was the costliest battle in Marine Corps history. It was also costly for the small town of Rye, NY, who lost four boys: Thomas M Black, James “Sky” Larkin, John F. Samler and Charles W. Barth.
Spencer returned to Rye at age 21 and married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth Jane Reilly in Huntington, New York, on June 19, 1945 They had four sons and one daughter together.
Spencer continued his service with the Marines. He served in Korea and was in the country starting in September of 1952. He also served in Vietnam and retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant on July 16, 1967.
He retired to Fallbrook, California, where he spent the next 43 years watching his family grow. Bradley Alden Spencer died on February 24, 2010, in Fallbrook, California, at the age of 86, and was buried in Riverside, California. A Celebration of Life service was held on March 6th, 2010 at Grace Presbyterian. Hawaiian dress was encouraged. More on Spencer.
