Omar Bradley
Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 - April 8, 1981) was a prominent US general in North Africa and Europe during World War II.
Bradley was born in Clark, Missouri the son of a schoolteacher. He was educated at local schools and intended to enter the University of Missouri. Instead he was advised to try for West Point. He placed first in his district exams for a place and entered the academy in 1911. Graduating from West Point in 1915 he was part of a class that contained many future generals. He joined the 14th Infantry Regiment but did not see action in Europe — serving on the Mexican border in 1915 and when war was declared he was promoted to captain but was posted to Montana. He did not receive a frontline command, his joining of the 19th Infantry Division in August 1918 was intended to lead to Europe but the influenza pandemic and then the armistice prevented him leaving the US.