Gene Bridge

By Greg Slonaker

(with notes by other students)

Gene Bridge's experience in World War II was full of excitement.  Gene got to meet different people and take over some of the busiest jobs. 

Mr. Bridge entered the Navy Reserve in October 1944 when he was just seventeen years of age and returned home in 1946 when the war was over.  He saw Japan, Hawaii, Ulithi, Eniwetoc, and the Philippines while at war.  Stationed on a ship with over sixty others in the Pacific Ocean, he was able to meet and know everyone on the ship.  During his days in the Pacific, he was assigned a number of jobs.  He was mailman on and off the ship; a gunman, but he never had the chance to shoot at people or aircraft; and he had everyday jobs.

Through Gene's jobs he was able to meet a number of interesting people and obtained some memorable souvenirs.  Once while Gene was on his job delivering/receiving mail when his ship was docked near Japan, he found a Japanese soldier on the ground.  With that Japanese soldier there was a silk Japanese flag which Gene took.  He still has that flag today.  He also spent time getting to know different people on his ship, from native people to the depressed and lonely.  Although he made many new friends during those two years, Gene has only kept in contact with one person and his last contact with that one was about ten years ago.

Gene's older brother left Nebraska and his family for the United States Army Air Force a couple of years earlier than Gene.  For Gene's family, having had one son leave, it was not that big of a deal when Gene left.  His family knew what he had to do.  But before joining the Navy, he had to go into training for ten weeks.  He had enlisted with some friends but they were together only at basic training, then they were all put on different ships to go to war. 

Mr. Bridge was on a small anti-aircraft ship.  Most of his time was spent protecting ships that swept the bays for mines so the larger ships could come in.  He was in the area when the Battleship Missouri appeared with General MacArthur on it to receive official surrender from the Japanese.

He got no R & R (Rest and Recreation) time in his two year term of duty.  When he did have free time if he couldn't leave the ship he would read.  If he could leave ship he would go ashore and walk the town with his friends.  The captain of his ship allowed no alcohol on the ship.

According to Gene, his experience in the Navy was very worthwhile and somewhat enjoyable.  He met many new people, gained lifetime memories, and got souvenirs.  Mr. Bridge said to us that if he was asked to do it all over again, he would!