Mike McNaull
mikemcnaull@yahoo.com
Fraternity Brother Friend
Marlinton WV 24954
Cleave was a great young man with vast potential. We were in Vietnam at the same time. I was in the Navy flying UH-1B gunships in support of the Brown Water Navy (9/69-9/70). My squadron had a Det that flew in Cleave's area. I was about a hundred miles away. Only after I came home did I learn he was killed. Right after he was killed I participated in the Cambodia operations. I've been to the Wall many times as I lived in the DC for many years. I always go and pay my respects to Cleave and my other Navy friends who didn't make it home. He and they are greatly missed.
May 25, 2012 |
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Bill Foss
billfoss84@hotmail.com
Fraternity Brother
8306 Reef Court Indianapolis IN 46236 United States
Why Cleave?
One has to wonder why we loose such wonderful young people like Cleave. Cleave was a dear friend and has never been forgotten.
Oct 8, 2010 |
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Allan Olson
alrfk@aol.com
Friend
REMEMBERING
I lived in a dorm suite with Cleave for a year in college. I got to know him as a down-to-earth, open, honest guy who cared about other people. I'm sure he served his country well, as his medals and the other posts attest. He is missed by his many friends.
Sep 28, 2010 |
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Chip Evans
CHIBIEVANS@GMAIL.COM
College Friend
Cleaveland Bridgman Award
Cleave was friends with many people at Knox College and I was one of them. At Knox Cleave was an outstanding athlete, class officer, fraternity officer, and all-around great guy. Met his family at graduation. Will never forget the letter his Mom sent to me about Cleave's passing.
To keep Cleave's memory alive, I encourage you to contribute to the scholarship in his honor at Knox College:
Cleaveland Bridgman Award - Awarded to the male student-athlete selected as the 'outstanding performer in an individual sport' in a given year.
Jun 2, 2010 |
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Charles Brown
Friend
A bench for you.
Dear Cleave
Today (3/10/10) a beautiful stone bench was dedicated to you in Darthmouth, Massachusetts. It's at the head of the harbor within sight of your former home. It's got you name and honors inscribed on it. Very beautiful bench and location.
There were probably 80 people present including politicians and serviceman past and present. Quite a few flags from many of the service organizations. A very honorable presentation.
I was honored to represent the men of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division with whom you served as Foward Observer. You served with with honor and the friendships you developed remain to this day.
As soldiers we often refer to our 'Brothers', a band of brothers. I want you to know that no soldier has a better brother than you have in your brother Tim. Tim loves and misses you very much to this day. His speech in your honor today, showed his love, respect and enthusiasm for you. You must have been a special role model and big brother to Tim. Thank you for this.
You may rest in peace knowing you are loved and missed and will never be forgoton by your friends and family and military brothers.
Rest in Peace.
Charles Brown Marion, Ma.
Apr 10, 2010 |
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Jack Morrison
jack.l.morrison@cox.net
Same Unit - Replaced him, on 5, April
Norman, OK., 73072, USA
Award, of the Silver Star
This information is posted, with the concurrance of Tim Bridgman, younger brother, of Cleave. It provides pertinent information about the battle on FSB Illingworth, that took CPT., Cleaveland Bridgman's life. It's the extract of orders, awarding him the Silver Star, for Valorous Action. In addition to the Silver Star, CPT., Bridgman also received, the Purple Heart and Air Medal, as a result of this conflict. Department, of the Army, Headquarters, 1st, Cavalry Division, (Airmobile) APO., San Francisco, 96490. General, Order Number, 6980, dated 1, May 1970, Award, of the Silver Star, 1. TC., 439. The following AWARD, is announced posthumously, BRIDGMAN, CLEAVELAND F. (SSN.) FIRST, LIEUTENANT, FIELD ARTILLERY, United States, Army, Battery, B, 1st, Battalion, (Airmobile) 77th, Artillery Awarded: Silver Star Medal, Date of action: 1, April 1970, Theater: Republic, of Vietnam Authority: By direction, of the President under the provisions, of the Act of Congress, approved, 9, July 1918, Reason: For gallantry in action, while engaged in military operations, involving conflict with an armed, hostile force, in the Republic, of Vietnam. First, Lieutenant, Bridgman distinguished himself, by valorous action, on 1, April 1070, while serving as fire, direction officer, in Fire Base, Illingworth, in the Republic, of Vietnam. When the base came, [under] intense rocket and mortar fire, the Tactical, Operations Center, took, a direct hit, knocking out all communications, with the firing elements, of the Battery. First, Lieutenant, Bridgman picked up, a radio and moved through, the impacting area to a position, where he could communicate with the firing, elements and adjust their fires. He continued, to adjust the artillery fires, even, when an enemy round impacted near-by, wounding him. His gallant action, was in keeping with the highest traditions, of the military service and reflects, great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. For the commander: Official: Bruce B. Bingham, 1Lt., AGC., Asst., AG., E.C.Meyer, Colonel, GS., Chief of Staff, First, Lieutenant, Bridgman, was posthumously promoted, to Captain. During the months preceding the attack, on FSB., Illingworth, CPT., Bridgman was assigned to Battery, B, 1st, Battalion, 77th, Artillery Regiment, as a Forward Observer and then as a Fire, Direction Officer, in March of 1970. He supported Charlie, Company, 1st Battalion, 5th, Cavalry Regiment, 1st, Cavalry Division, (Airmobile) until late January, or early February. He then participated in several, artillery 'raids' and Rome, Plow Operations, in the Tay Ninh, Province, attached, to several other Cav., units. Sometime in February, he was attached for support, to Charlie, Company, 2nd, Battalion, 8th, Cavalry Regiment, along, with his Radio, Telephone Operator, Robert Lane. (also killed, during the battle, as Charlie, 2-8, Cav., was the base, perimeter, defense company) Finally, on 4, March, he came in, from the field and was assigned, to the Fire, Direction Center, of B/1-77, Artillery. He made a lot of friends, during his 6, months, in Vietnam, especially, with members, of C/1-5, Cav.. His former, Company Commander noted, that 'Cleave Bridgman, was my friend' and also referred, to him, as a 'smiling giant, of a man... our country has, lost a truly, remarkable man and I, have lost a friend.' He may be gone, but I know he will never be forgotten by his friends and family.
Feb 2, 2009 |
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Allan Penwell
aljankids@aol.com
Fraternity Brother
2408 N. Nottingham Court
Champaign, IL 61821
A Friend
Cleave was a fraternity brother of mine at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. He was a tall, big, good looking Easterner with a shock of blonde hair. No one ever had a bad thing to say about him and he was a leader. Cleave was in ROTC with me, and I graduated in 1966, and he was two years behind me in school. I served as an Artillery Officer in Viet Nam with the Ninth Infantry Division. The war was relatively quiet for me and saw almost no action. I came back, and I just thought everyone else would also. It is hard to believe Cleave did not come back like myself. Both of us served proudly.
Sunday, May 14, 2000 |
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Michael Collins
ranger25@qwest.net
B, 1/5, 1st, Cavalry Division.
Aurora, CO., USA
1st, Battalion, 5th, US., Cavalry, 1st, Cavalry Division.
http://www.ranger25.com
LT., Bridgman served, with C, Company, 1st, Battalion, 5th, US., Cavalry, 1st, Cavalry Division. 1/5, has a Memorial Page, for Charlie, Company, www.ranger25.com.
Sunday, August 12, 2001 |
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Kimberly Kimmel-Ober
kimabmitz@earthlink.net
admirer
Encinitas, California, United States, of America
For 1LT/02, Cleveland Bridgman and all those, who knew him and loved him, I just want, to say thank you, for your dedication and sacrifice! Please know, that you have, not been forgotten and always will hold, a special place, in my heart! It would have been nice, to have known, you, as a person and I greatly, appreciate your service! I just wish, you did not, have to pay so high, a price! You forever will, be a hero, in my eyes!
Tuesday, August 21, 2001 |
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Jackie Taylor
I Will Remember
Well over 2.6, million, served, in Vietnam. Over 58,000, gave their lives. They fought, with honor, for their country and for freedom. I will remember, your sacrifice and the love, you gave, for your country. You, Sir, Have Not, Been Forgotten!
Thursday, April 01, 2004 |
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