Former ‘Hanoi Hilton’ POW to speak during Heritage of Freedom

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Retired Lt. Col. Barry Bridger, a survivor of Vietnam's "Hanoi Hilton" prison camp, will be the guest speaker during the next Heritage of Freedom event at the Minuteman Commons Sept. 9 at 4 p.m.

Colonel Bridger will speak about the torture he endured for six years as a prisoner of war.

On Jan. 23, 1967, then-Lieutenant Bridger was shot down over Son Tay, North Vietnam, by a surface-to-air missile. He was subsequently captured by the North Vietnamese and imprisoned.

In March of 1973, the colonel was repatriated. He went on to be an instructor pilot, flight commander and assistant operations officer. He earned his master's degree and served as a faculty member and instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Colonel Bridger retired in October 1984 after 22 years of service in the Air Force. His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with V device, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and Prisoner of War Medal.

The Heritage of Freedom speaker series is a free event that features speakers who discuss their experiences serving in combat or while deployed. Their presentations are followed by short question and answer periods. Everyone is welcome at this informal event.