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I knew Ed Bradley as a very tough competitor and as a compassionate human being. He arrived in Vietnam for CBS about a year after I joined the staff of NBC News in Saigon. If you were up against Ed on a story, you were on your toes because you knew he was always looking for ways to hammer the opposition. When Saigon was about to fall to the communist North Vietnamese in April 1975, both Ed Bradley and I had volunteered to go back to cover the end of the Vietnam war for our respective networks.
On April 29, as the word came that Americans were being evacuated from Saigon, Ed tried to tie up all the outgoing long-distance phone circuits from the besieged capital so that the other networks would have problems filing live reports by telephone. One of my NBC News colleagues almost got in a fist fight with Bradley, who protested his innocence.
Bradley was also capable of acts of great kindness. There were plenty of stories about how he came to the aid of people wounded in battle. The most famous example of Bradley's compassion occurred in 1978 when he and his camera crew were photographing the "boat people" escaping from Vietnam. Many of the boats, overloaded with men, women and small children, were foundering in the South China sea. At one point, Bradley waded out into waist-deep water and hauled the boat to safety on shore.
Some fellow journalists criticized Bradley for getting personally involved in the story. But as a journalist, Ed Bradley was also a human being who could not stand by while fellow humans drowned.
Today, as I was sharing memories of Ed with others, one thing emerged: He was a giant in this business and a helluva class act.
Read more from George Lewis
Navigating the memories of a veteran
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I concur with Mr. Lewis and all who've posted Ed Bradley tributes. Mr. Bradley was indeed one of the best correspondents on the "60 Minutes" broadcasts. His interviews were excellent and always a delight to watch. I specifically remember good conversations with former Congressman/Representative John Kasich(R) of Ohio(he was from nearby McKees Rocks, PA originally)and comic Robin Williams. Ed brought out great words and dialogue from both of those gentlemen. We saw them making us laugh and think, all at the same time.
His top-notch, first-class preparation plus ability to bring out humanity and realism in all his interviewees will be sadly missed. I wish God's richest blessings plus condolences to his family during this trying time.
Richard M. Hays, Jr. (Sent Nov 11, 2006 10:29:54 AM)
What a Man. We'll miss him.
(Sent Nov 11, 2006 10:15:45 AM)
I think Ed Bradley was one of the most sophisticated, intelligent, most handsome men in journalism. He was greatly respected and will be greatly missed.
Richardson, Tampa, Florida (Sent Nov 11, 2006 10:00:49 AM)
I loved the VERY Handsome, intelligent Ed Bradley,I enjoyed tuning in 60 mins. just knowning I would see Ed Bradley and that trademark earring & salt/pepper hair
The 60 mins. journalist are good, but
Ed Bradley was the MAN who made 60 mins. He will be missed.
Peace & Blessings to his family.
LaShare Edwards, Southern CA (Sent Nov 11, 2006 12:30:43 AM)
From an early age i was fascinated with 60 minutes...the guy with the earring especially caught my eye. Over the years I have come to admire Ed Bradley (the guy with the earring) a lot, his rapport, mannerism and overall zeal for reporting the news. 60 minutes will never be the same without him. A tremendous void, I'll always watch the show half expecting to see his face. Gone but not forgotten... I'm sure Ed is now covering some very important stories in heaven. RIP
Netana Thomas, Mayreau, W.I (Sent Nov 10, 2006 11:31:24 PM)
New Orleans mourns the passing of one of her true friends.
Jolie (Sent Nov 10, 2006 7:26:02 PM)
INTO THIS WORLD...CAME MR. ED BRADLEY.....AND HE LEFT THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE......WE SHOULD ALL HAVE THAT LEGACY...JUST FOR THE VERY THOUGHT THAT ALL OF US HERE ON EARTH HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WATCH HIM ALL THESE YEARS...AND I RESPECTED THAT MAN.;.AND I NEVER REALLY GOT TO MEET HIM....NOBODY I KNOW WILL BE ABLE TO SAY THAT ABOUT ME
GUISEPPE ANZALONE (Sent Nov 10, 2006 6:45:13 PM)
I am lucky to have met Max Robinson, another class act. He even spoke at my high school graduation. I never met Ed Bradley, but I was there transfixed every night he was on with a story. He did his homework, and he reported with honesty and integrity. There are so many people in the media who are just out to make a name for themselves. Mr. Bradley just wanted to bring us the news with integrity, dignity and a sense of humanity. Here's hoping he inspires journalists young and old to take a look at their own style and maybe take a little from Mr. Bradley.
(Sent Nov 10, 2006 6:38:32 PM)
Ed Bradley was second to none as far as professional journalism goes. A real GIANT is gone. My family will miss this charismatic man on Sunday nights. A tremendous lost to CBS; and 60 Minutes in particular. He was affable to the people he interviewed but queried them for every detailed truth. Very respectful - I am further impressed by all of the accolades that are being shared at his death in the media by the people who worked with, and knew him in person. We will miss you, Ed. I tearfully watched with joy all of the good things that were said about him last night on Larry King’s Show (CNN) by Ed's colleagues at 60 Minutes. Ed Bradley would be missed - a vacuum has been left at CBS. Rest in Peace, Ed.
Nash, New Jersey (Sent Nov 10, 2006 6:05:43 PM)
What a truly outstanding journalist. I hope that when he got to the Pearly Gates, his "spot" with Lena had already been seen, and he was ushered right in. My condolences to his family, and to all of us, because we have lost a caring, compassionate, fair man.
(Sent Nov 10, 2006 5:22:16 PM)
The amazing thing about Ed Bradley was that, even if you could care less about the story, because he was doing the interview, you would watch. His flare, his style, his passion, was second to none. It still amazes me that of all the clean-shaven media members past and present, he was the only one to not only wear a beard, but an earring. Can't be more original than that.
(Sent Nov 10, 2006 4:54:12 PM)
I've watched Mr. Bradley with my grandfather when I was eight almost 20 years ago. My grandfather was so proud to see a black man play an influential role in the news. But it was Ed Bradley's passion and professnalism that made me want to go to college to be a journalist. If it wasn't for Mr. Bradley, I'd probably be still in my one-red-light hometown doing odd jobs. Thank you Mr. Bradley.
Rod Richardson, Arlington, TX (Sent Nov 10, 2006 1:33:24 PM)
He was truly an elegant and dignified man; motivated by the truth, elevated to greatness by his integrity. We will truly miss him...
(Sent Nov 10, 2006 11:52:31 AM)
Mr. Bradley to me as an aspiring journalist was an icon among mortals. He's professionalism, demeanor, and humanity will truly be missed. The world has lost a living treasure. May God Bless him and his family.
(Sent Nov 10, 2006 11:32:00 AM)
Without doubt, one of the classiest men in the media. You felt connected somehow, whenever you watched him work. It was so effortless, and entertaining, and true!!! He was a symbol of what could be achieved, through hard work and dedication, while maintinaing your integrity and honesty in a business that makes it difficult, to say the least!
Godspeed! And to his family, sincere and heartfelt condolences...
Lenore Liburd, Queens, NY (Sent Nov 10, 2006 11:08:49 AM)
Without doubt, one of the classiest men in the media. You felt connected somehow, whenever you watched him work. It was so effortless, and entertaining, and true!!! He was a symbol of what could be achieved, through hard work and dedication, while maintinaing your integrity and honesty in a business that makes it difficult, to say the least!
Godspeed! And to his family, sincere and heartfelt condolences...
Lenore Liburd, Queens, NY (Sent Nov 10, 2006 11:07:33 AM)
I think that Ed Bradley was one of the most beloved men of our time. He was a human being first and a reporter second. We as a nation will miss his humor and I for one will miss his reporting. Thank you for going that extra mile to make sure the story was told accurately.
Bernadette Rafferty, Waco, Texas (Sent Nov 10, 2006 10:59:15 AM)
ED BRADLEY WILL BE MISSED FROM UP NORTH IN SASKATCHWAN,CANADA. HIS IDEAS AND NEWS PRESENTATIONS WERE ALWAYS THE BEST OF THE BEST,HE WAS A GOOD MAN. HE CARED. WE WILL SOLEY MISS ED.............
JOANNE /SASK.
J GUTHRIE,PRINCE ALBERT,SASK.CANADA (Sent Nov 10, 2006 10:55:00 AM)
I was so lucky to see Elegant and suave Ed Bradley the man, His last interview. I will miss that wonderful warm intelligent voice of His. My heart and prayers go out to His Wife and family. He is now apart of HEAVENS garden. With love, Wanda IF Maire'
Wanda IF Maire' Waterloo, Iowa (Sent Nov 10, 2006 10:21:20 AM)
Without doubt, one of the classiest men in the media. You felt connected somehow, whenever you watched him work. It was so effortless, and entertaining, and true!!! He was a symbol of what could be achieved, through hard work and dedication, while maintinaing your integrity and honesty in a business that makes it difficult, to say the least!
Godspeed! And to his family, sincere and heartfelt condolences...
Lenore Liburd, Queens, NY (Sent Nov 10, 2006 9:56:39 AM)
I've grown watching Mr.Bradley do countless interviews this gentleman was a class act. I wish his family well during this most diffcult period in there lives. They should know that he will always be an inspiration young journalist in this modern era.
Leonard B. Mitchell West Palm Beach Florida (Sent Nov 10, 2006 8:31:04 AM)
I mourn the death of every gentleman.
Let's hope that whereever he may be, that he is
doing an expose on it.
SRK, Omaha, NE (Sent Nov 10, 2006 7:37:52 AM)
It was always a joy watching an Ed Bradley segment on 60 Minutes. It was obvious in his declining physical appearance recently that Ed was battling a serious medical problem, but his reporting continued at his highest standard of excellence. Sadly, another old school CBS mainstay has passed, and he will be sorely missed by all of us old news junkies.
Larry Goodsite Prague, Czech Republic (Sent Nov 10, 2006 1:11:06 AM)
Mr. Bradley was such a class act, and a dignified man. We will all be diminished by his passing. My words of peace and love to Mr. Bradley and his family.
Thank you for all the wonderful years Mr. Bradley.
(Sent Nov 10, 2006 12:46:15 AM)
Mr. Lewis and Mr. Williams...Thank you so much for the eulogy...I will miss Ed Bradley....My heart goes to his family and his co-workers at CBS...like Mike Wallace and Co....Its just sad...no replacement...He was a beautiful soul....and May God bless his soul and May He Rest In Perfect Peace.....Mann Possou.....
(Sent Nov 10, 2006 12:25:35 AM)
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