SPC Bradley Nolan Shilling

E Co 125th INF Big Rapids MI
US Army

SPC Shilling's Act of Heroism

He was the lead driver of his company. He was hit and killed when an IED directly hit him.

My Hero

At the age of 17 and shortly after 9/11, Bradley wanted to join the Army. Because of his age, he needed to get parental consent. Although we were hesitant, we remember the look in his eyes when he said, “Dad, I now have a little one on the way that I have to protect and make sure she has all the freedoms and rights that we have.” The papers were signed, and he went into basic training the summer before his senior year of high school.

He loved his country and loved the whole meaning of being a soldier. All he wanted to do was follow in his father’s footsteps, and he did until the day he was deployed to heaven. He called his father the morning before he went out on his last mission. He said they were making progress, and he was proud of that.

At the time of his death, he had originally been scheduled to come home for a visit. Instead, he switched his time home with another soldier so that soldier could be present at the birth of his first child. Bradley told the soldier that it was one of life’s most precious gifts and that he had to be there. Switching times would also mean that Bradley would be home for his 1st Anniversary with his wife. Instead, he was buried on his 1st Anniversary.