Sanford was born on the 8th of April 1840, in Newton, New Jersey. He enlisted in the Army on the 1st of November 1866, in Washington DC, and he was the First Sergeant of Company L, 8th US Cavalry when he displayed actions near Hell Canyon, Arizona Territory, that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

Conspicuous gallantry in action.

Sanford received the Medal of Honor on the 3rd of March 1870, and he ended his enlistment in November of 1871, at Fort Union, New Mexico. He was married to Bertha and the couple had three children. Sanford Bradbury died on the 7th of December 1911, at the age of 71, and he is buried with his wife in Arlington National Cemetery: Section 3, Grave 2162.