Navy Years and Military Career
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Photo courtesy MOHAI.
Photo courtesy MOHAI.
“Patriotism is a word that I believe is overused and misused in today’s political climate, but it’s a fact that my family taught me to appreciate this country, and I do. And I owe this country because it’s been good to me.” Building Bridges (pg. 92)
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Military service has been a multi-generational endeavor for the Bridge family. Herb’s father Ben enlisted in the Navy, serving in World War I as a radio electrician and submarine chaser.
"I liked the Navy. I liked pretty much everything about it, from the uniforms to working with like-minded people for a higher cause. And I liked being an officer. I liked the respect you command as an officer; but more than that, I liked the strong sense of achievement that comes with it. The ultimate draw to the Navy, though, was my sense of patriotism. My father and and my ancestors' stories gave me a deep appreciation for the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy in this country. " Building Bridges (pg. 62)
Three generations of the Bridge family. From left: Herb and Bob Bridge (in uniform), with Ben Bridge holding grandson Jon Bridge. Image Courtesy Bridge Family.
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Three generations of the Bridge family. From left: Herb and Bob Bridge (in uniform), with Ben Bridge holding grandson Jon Bridge. Image courtesy Bridge Family.
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Herb, on the right, with a friend while on Reserve Duty in 1963.
Image Courtesy Bridge Family.
Herb, on the right, with a friend while on Reserve Duty in 1963. Image Courtesy Bridge Family.
Herb tells the story of his father’s military service further:
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“1917 was when we became involved and Dad promptly enlisted in the Navy and had a very illustrious career as an enlisted man in the Navy. He was, he became a radio electrician at a time when radio code was very, very new. They had sent him to Harvard to learn it and he was assigned to a submarine chaser in the, that was in the Adriatic covering for French, British and Italian naval units against the Austrian-Hungarians. And the stories, of course, he wrote, he was very prolific and he wrote a complete diary. He had exciting and interesting times...
And that sword over there represents the commanding officer's sword that was presented to my dad. Dad tried to give it back to him in the surrender of this battleship. Interestingly enough, when I needed a sword, which was way after World War II, for the various ceremonial things that I used, I was too cheap to buy a sword so I used this one until I realized that this was really an heirloom. Here was a war heirloom that was personally given my dad and I had used it simply because I didn't want to spend the money on a new one. But I used it throughout my Navy career and of course it's attracted a lot of compliments, a lot of attention. It's an exciting thing.”
Herb Bridge Interview. March 30, 2000. Washington State Jewish Archives. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections.
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Herb with his father's sword which he used ceremoniously for many years in his own naval career.
Photo Courtesy Bridge Family.
Herb with his father's sword which he used ceremoniously for many years in his own naval career. Photo Courtesy Bridge Family.
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Benjamin Bridge postcard from Old St. Stephen’s Club in Philadelphia to his family confirming his well being during World War I, July 4, 1918.
“In another letter, Bridge explains that the soldiers filled out these cards before they headed to the European theatre. Once they had arrived safely (or after a certain period of time had passed), the St. Stephen’s Club was notified by military officials, and the club then mailed out their letters. This allowed for the families to receive news about their loved ones in a slightly shorter amount of time than would have taken for news to be sent directly from Europe.” (Photo Courtesy)
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Benjamin Bridge postcard from Old St. Stephen’s Club in Philadelphia to his family confirming his well being during World War I, July 4, 1918.
“In another letter, Bridge explains that the soldiers filled out these cards before they headed to the European theatre. Once they had arrived safely (or after a certain period of time had passed), the St. Stephen’s Club was notified by military officials, and the club then mailed out their letters. This allowed for the families to receive news about their loved ones in a slightly shorter amount of time than would have taken for news to be sent directly from Europe.” Photo Courtesy University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
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Before his 18th birthday, Herb enlisted in the Navy on September 3, 1942. The following year he was selected to complete the University of Washington’s officer training program, one of only 12 students. Herb later attended Military War College, and earned his commission in the Pacific Ocean aboard the escort carrier USS Breton in 1945.
The following year, Herb participated in Operation Magic Carpet Ride, a massive post World War II mission to bring home approximately 8 million military personnel. Herb was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.
While touring through Japan, Herb also found time to climb Mount Fuji. Twice. After returning home to reunite with his family, Herb was called again to serve. In 1950, Herb was assigned for duty in the Korean War, with the Tactical Air Control Group. Herb continued to serve after the war.
Herb’s son Jon Bridge graduated ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) & was also at the University of Washington. Jon joined with Herb’s encouragement to become an officer, just as Ben Bridge did with Herb.
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Photo Courtesy Ron Wurzer Photography.
Photo Courtesy Ron Wurzer Photography
Herb describes his surprise to be assigned navigation of the rescue vessel to China:
Herb connects his time with the Reserves to today’s Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in South Lake Union:
“For many years my Reserve group met every Tuesday night down on Lake Union in the Reserve Center, what today is the MOHAI, Museum of History and Industry. It was a fun commute for me because I’d jump in my boat and ride across the lake. Bob and I owned a speed boat together and we moored it on Lake Union near University Bridge. I’d bring Jon and/or Dan along with me, and they’d run around and play on the floor of the big auditorium. If there was a ship or a sub they’d get to go aboard and see that, too.” Building Bridges (pg. 125)
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Dedication ceremony at Naval Reserve Armory on Lake Union, Seattle, July 4, 1942
In 1942 the Works Progress Administration built the Naval Reserve Armory on Lake Union as an Advanced Naval Training School during World War II. Designed by Seattle architect William R. Grant and B. Marcus Priteca, the building was decommissioned after the war, and disestablished in 1994. The building was renovated in 2012 to become the new home for the Museum of History & Industry.
Photo Courtesy MOHAI, 1942.
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Herb and his son Jon in uniform in 1993. Image courtesy Bridge family.
Herb and his son Jon in uniform in 1993. Image courtesy Bridge family.
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Jon and his father Herb Bridge in their United States Naval Reserve uniforms.
Image courtesy Bridge family.
Jon and his father Herb Bridge in their United States Naval Reserve uniforms. Image courtesy Bridge family.
Herb shares more about his decision to stay active in the Reserve:
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Herb at a wedding in 1998.
Image Courtesy Bridge Family.
Herb at a wedding in 1998. Image Courtesy Bridge Family.
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During a 41-year career in the Navy and Naval Reserve, Herb rose up the ranks, culminating as Rear Admiral. His awards include the Legion of Merit gold star, the Naval Unit Citation and the Combat Ribbon. Growing up in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, Herb understood the opportunities that his parents and family established for him. Herb’s military career was a way to pay that opportunity forward.
