Americans will not foisicl soon Omar Nelson Iiiziilley. the ”GI’s Gen-‘r:i1″ of World War II lnnic and last of the fivestar gona-r:ils. who died at nge ml of a cardiac arrest. Ilinille-y’s career was Imw and impressive. but his- place in military hi- tory was assured if for no other accomplishment than his World War II comiiininl of American forces in the .1uue 6. 1944 “D- ‘ 11:iy” invasion of Noriiwiulv. . “iuh-r Gon. Dwight D. Iii 1:-iilmiver. supreme alliio 1-nmmander, Bradley 1-:111 iv'(T1Ill command of nviio llirin 1.3 million U.S. lr-tops iu four armies for thi- liieeloi-ic invasion. Normandy was the prelude to the Allied sweep across France and Germany that crushed Adolf Hitler’s powerful Third Reich force. Born into humble circumstances in Missouri. Bradley was graduated from West Point, served in World War I and rose to prominence-in World War II, first as commander of the Znd Corps. He demonstrated strong leadershipl in the’ North African and Sicilian campaigns. And after Normandy, he commanded the U. S. 12th Army Group in the battle for Germany. It was Bradley’s men who linked with Soviet troops on the banks of the Elbe River April 25. 1945. a meeting that symbolized the end of German power. In the post-war era. he was veterans affairs administrator. 1945-47 and was appointed U. S. Army Chief of Staff in 1948. He served from 1949 to 1953 as first permanent chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Promoted to general of the Army in 1950. he retired in 1953 to become a business executive. Bradley took his place on the select list of five-star generals that included Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur. Henry Harley Arnold, George Marshall and George Washington before them. John J. Pershing was named general of the armies in 1949 but declined a fifth star. ‘ Perhaps Bradley’s proudest memory was the informal title of the ”GI’s General” bestowed by the soldiers themselves. His common touch” inspired many a unit to greater effort. His final major public appearances came in January when he attended the Ronald Reagan inauguration spectacular and rode in the parade. In the annals of American heroes and patriots, Omar Bradley soldier, military leader and strategist. and citizen dedicated to peace and freedom – deserves an honored place.