John Barry Bradbury is one of the last surviving members of Fleet Radio Unit Pacific (FRUPAC), also known as Station HYPO, the premier Radio Intelligence Unit that supported the U.S. Navy during World War II. John turns 95 today!

John Barry Bradbury was born on December 12, 1926 in North Adams, Massachusetts. Following graduation from Drury High School in North Adams in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Springfield, Massachusetts on October 3, 1944. John completed boot camp at USNTC, Sampson, New York and received orders to COM Fourteen serving with FRUPAC, from February 7, 1945 to March 13, 1946, receiving promotions to S1c, Sp (Q) CR 3c and Sp (Q) CR 2c.

John Bradbury 18th birthday celebration .   This picture is believed to have been taken at the Aeia Barracks where the FRUPAC enlisted men stayed.

John was honorably discharged on March 31, 1946 in Boston, Massachusetts. John received his bachelor’s degree under the G.I. Bill at Siena College, Loudonville, New York in 1946. He joined the inactive reserves in 1948 (CSA). The Korean War resulted in John being recalled to active duty in November 1950. He reported to the Naval Security Station on Nebraska Avenue, Washington, D.C. and was reassigned to the Armed Forces Security Agency, (AFSA), Arlington, Virginia (forerunner of the National Security Agency) and released from active duty on June 17, 1952.  While serving at AFSA, John would see Captain Thomas Dyer almost daily.

He was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve as CT2, on March 19, 1953. John’s awards include: World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal (Korea), Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon Bar awarded the Naval Communications Intelligence Organization.

John joined the General Electric Company in June 1952. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s General Management Program sponsored by G.E. and was a member of the Board of Directors for the G.E., Industrial Sector. He retired from G.E.’s Corporate Offices, Fairfield, Connecticut as a senior corporate executive, after over 30 years of service.

John and his wife Marjorie were married in 1947 in North Adams, Massachusetts. They have 3 children, 2 grandsons and 1 granddaughter (deceased). John has maintained a highly selective, management consulting practice. They make their home in Dorset, Vermont.

John Bradbury
This photo was taken at the Chief’s quarters.  After the war was over many of the Chief’s went home and the enlisted were re-assigned to live there including John.

Photo is of Pearl Harbor.  One of the carriers is believed to be the USS Franklin.  John was a witness when they hauled the Franklin causalities up to the Aeia Naval Hospital in a long caravan of ambulances.
Most of John’s photos of Aeia Barracks and CINCPAC were taken shortly at or near the wars end.  He sent them home and they did not see the light of day until about 10 years ago when John sent them to Jim Schlueter.
John Bradbury

Happy Birthday shipmate and thank you for your service!

A special thanks to Jim Schlueter for providing the photos.