Bradford W. Chaffin Jr. 78, Evansville, died at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, 1999 in Jasper Manor, Jasper, Indiana.
He was born March 22, 1921, in Defiance, the son of Bradford and Luella (Smith) Chaffin Sr. In 1947, he married Jeanne Kendall, who died in 1987. He was a graduate of DePauw University and obtained a master's degree from Indiana University. He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. He was a high school vocal music teacher in Evansville for 25 years, retiring in 1972. He then became active in the cause for multiple sclerosis, first serving as a volunteer and later serving on the Indian M.S. Chapter board of trustees. He received the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Hope Chest Award and wrote a book entitled "Creative Living With M.S." He also was the editor of "Joyful Noise" , a publication of poems and short stories written by MS patients.
Also preceding him in death was a sister, Anne Palmer.
Surviving are a niece and nephew.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Ames Cemetery, Abydell, Indiana.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Bradford W. Chaffin, Jr. (MCSN: 0-18048), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Marianas Islands, 2 July 1944. When his Company was subjected to intense mortar and small-arms fire just prior to the time designated for its attack, First Lieutenant Chaffin proceeded up and down the lines, encouraging his men to start the attack on schedule. Then, leading the attack behind a group of friendly tanks despite powerful Japanese flanking fire, he contributed in large measure to the securing of his company's objective with a minimum of casualties although the friendly unit on his right was pinned down by hostile fire and unable to advance. Subsequently, acting on his own initiative, he proceeded to clear the woods on his right flank of enemy forces to enable the other unit to advance and carry out its mission. By his courage, leadership and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, First Lieutenant Chaffin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
He was born March 22, 1921, in Defiance, the son of Bradford and Luella (Smith) Chaffin Sr. In 1947, he married Jeanne Kendall, who died in 1987. He was a graduate of DePauw University and obtained a master's degree from Indiana University. He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. He was a high school vocal music teacher in Evansville for 25 years, retiring in 1972. He then became active in the cause for multiple sclerosis, first serving as a volunteer and later serving on the Indian M.S. Chapter board of trustees. He received the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Hope Chest Award and wrote a book entitled "Creative Living With M.S." He also was the editor of "Joyful Noise" , a publication of poems and short stories written by MS patients.
Also preceding him in death was a sister, Anne Palmer.
Surviving are a niece and nephew.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Ames Cemetery, Abydell, Indiana.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Bradford W. Chaffin, Jr. (MCSN: 0-18048), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Marianas Islands, 2 July 1944. When his Company was subjected to intense mortar and small-arms fire just prior to the time designated for its attack, First Lieutenant Chaffin proceeded up and down the lines, encouraging his men to start the attack on schedule. Then, leading the attack behind a group of friendly tanks despite powerful Japanese flanking fire, he contributed in large measure to the securing of his company's objective with a minimum of casualties although the friendly unit on his right was pinned down by hostile fire and unable to advance. Subsequently, acting on his own initiative, he proceeded to clear the woods on his right flank of enemy forces to enable the other unit to advance and carry out its mission. By his courage, leadership and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, First Lieutenant Chaffin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Bradford W. Chaffin Jr. 78, Evansville, died at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, 1999 in Jasper Manor, Jasper, Indiana.
He was born March 22, 1921, in Defiance, the son of Bradford and Luella (Smith) Chaffin Sr. In 1947, he married Jeanne Kendall, who died in 1987. He was a graduate of DePauw University and obtained a master's degree from Indiana University. He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. He was a high school vocal music teacher in Evansville for 25 years, retiring in 1972. He then became active in the cause for multiple sclerosis, first serving as a volunteer and later serving on the Indian M.S. Chapter board of trustees. He received the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Hope Chest Award and wrote a book entitled "Creative Living With M.S." He also was the editor of "Joyful Noise" , a publication of poems and short stories written by MS patients.
Also preceding him in death was a sister, Anne Palmer.
Surviving are a niece and nephew.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Ames Cemetery, Abydell, Indiana.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Bradford W. Chaffin, Jr. (MCSN: 0-18048), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Marianas Islands, 2 July 1944. When his Company was subjected to intense mortar and small-arms fire just prior to the time designated for its attack, First Lieutenant Chaffin proceeded up and down the lines, encouraging his men to start the attack on schedule. Then, leading the attack behind a group of friendly tanks despite powerful Japanese flanking fire, he contributed in large measure to the securing of his company's objective with a minimum of casualties although the friendly unit on his right was pinned down by hostile fire and unable to advance. Subsequently, acting on his own initiative, he proceeded to clear the woods on his right flank of enemy forces to enable the other unit to advance and carry out its mission. By his courage, leadership and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, First Lieutenant Chaffin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
He was born March 22, 1921, in Defiance, the son of Bradford and Luella (Smith) Chaffin Sr. In 1947, he married Jeanne Kendall, who died in 1987. He was a graduate of DePauw University and obtained a master's degree from Indiana University. He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. He was a high school vocal music teacher in Evansville for 25 years, retiring in 1972. He then became active in the cause for multiple sclerosis, first serving as a volunteer and later serving on the Indian M.S. Chapter board of trustees. He received the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Hope Chest Award and wrote a book entitled "Creative Living With M.S." He also was the editor of "Joyful Noise" , a publication of poems and short stories written by MS patients.
Also preceding him in death was a sister, Anne Palmer.
Surviving are a niece and nephew.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Ames Cemetery, Abydell, Indiana.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Bradford W. Chaffin, Jr. (MCSN: 0-18048), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Marianas Islands, 2 July 1944. When his Company was subjected to intense mortar and small-arms fire just prior to the time designated for its attack, First Lieutenant Chaffin proceeded up and down the lines, encouraging his men to start the attack on schedule. Then, leading the attack behind a group of friendly tanks despite powerful Japanese flanking fire, he contributed in large measure to the securing of his company's objective with a minimum of casualties although the friendly unit on his right was pinned down by hostile fire and unable to advance. Subsequently, acting on his own initiative, he proceeded to clear the woods on his right flank of enemy forces to enable the other unit to advance and carry out its mission. By his courage, leadership and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, First Lieutenant Chaffin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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