Heritage of Freedom features former POW

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A former prisoner of war is the scheduled guest speaker during the next Heritage of Freedom event at the Hanscom Conference Center Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m.

Air Force retired Lt. Col. Barry B. Bridger is a highly decorated veteran and survivor of six years in Vietnam's infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison camp.

Bridger was flying a mission over North Vietnam when his F-4 Phantom jet was hit by a surface-to-air missile in January 1967. The plane burst into flames and fell beneath the cloud layers. No parachutes were seen or any beeper signals heard, so he was considered missing in action.

In early 1970, the North Vietnamese acknowledged his presence and his family received their first letter from him in May 1970. Bridger was imprisoned until his release in March 1973.

Following his repatriation, Bridger requalified in jet aircraft and was assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. He served as an instructor pilot in air-to-ground combat and held positions as flight commander and assistant operations officer.

Bridger will speak about his experience in prison camp and about his career in the Air Force.

His personal awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with a Valor 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.

The entire Hanscom community is welcome at this informal event. Free refreshments and beverages will be provided. For further information about Heritage of Freedom, contact Bobby Jacques at 781-225-1333.