Brian N. Bradshaw

Army 1st Lt. Brian N Bradshaw was assigned to the C Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. Brian was leading a convoy with both military and civilian vehicles. When one of the civilian vehicles hit an IED, Brian was rushing to help the wounded when he stepped on another IED which killed him instantly. 

Brian was born at Madigan Army Medical Center to military parents. He graduated from Bellarmine High School in Tacoma, Washington and then graduated from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma in 2007. While in high school, Brian served as a member of Pierce County Search and Rescue becoming a team leader. He was the set designer and manager for Bellarmine's plays, winning the Washington High School Academy Award for Best Set. He was a counselor during summers at Camp Don Bosco and Camp Hamilton where he had spent summers as a camper himself. He planned to join the military, applying for an ROTC scholarship which he was awarded. While in college, he completed Airborne School and the Winter Phase of the Army Mountaineering School. He was commissioned 2nd LT upon graduation with a degree in Political Science. He completed Officer Infantry training before attending and earning his Ranger tab. 

Upon completion of training, he was assigned to Fort Richardson Alaska as a Platoon leader which he truly enjoyed. 8 months after his arrival, he was deployed to Paktika, Afghanistan. After his death he was nominated and inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame. He didn't go to win a war – he went to try and help the people there to have a better life. While on deployment, he would talk with his father about his fear for the safety of all his men – not himself. He would be tired but always upbeat and was especially happy when he received packages from home. In the packages, he had asked for items to give away to the local children. While on patrol, Brian and his men would take crayons, colored pencils, books and toys to give away to the kids. He was considering making the Army a career but he had also talked about teaching history. 

He loved skiing and took back country CAT tours considering possibly becoming a guide for back country skiing. Brian was very athletic and action-oriented. He bicycled, did back country skiing and climbed mountains. But most of all, Brian was a kind, caring person with a great sense of humor. He was an inspiration to his friends, family and the men with whom he served. He is deeply missed!