New Canaan News~Review
By Kristiana Glavin
More than 60 years later, New Canaanite James Bridgman received his second Purple Heart medal.
The World War II veteran accepted the medal with Oak Leaf Clusters for the frostbite injuries he sustained during the Battle of the Bulge in France. Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT) presented the belated award to Bridgman, surrounded by his family, during a small reception in Waveny Care Center Monday.
"You are the reason we have the freedom we have," Shays said. "You're a true American hero."
The medal recognizes Bridgman's efforts as a rifleman with the U.S. Army's 376th Infantry Regiment during the Battle of the Bulge, a major offensive attack by the German Army in December 1944.
Bridgman earned his first Purple Heart in October 1944 after taking shrapnel wounds in the shoulder while clearing booby traps in France.
"The Battle of the Bulge was the last major Nazi offense of World War II and the last ditch attempt by Adolf Hitler to break up allied troops in the western sector of Europe," Shays said. "The Battle of the Bulge was critical in destroying the German reserves and crippling the German Air Force."
When the battle ended a month later, Bridgman was evacuated and hospitalized for several months to treat his frostbitten hands and feet.
Recognition for the injuries he suffered during the battle took a while because he was recovering in a hospital in England, said his wife Gloria Bridgman in an interview with the News~Review. She said army records also go destroyed in a fire several years ago, requiring much paperwork and a lengthy verification process to receive his second Purple Heart.
"I'm very proud and really glad he got it," she said.
James Bridgman said, "All I can say is thank you very much."
That's mostly all he said, too. Aside from, "It's about time."
His second Purple Heart comes the same week as his and his wife's 60th wedding anniversary, which the couple celebrates today.
Their son Mark Bridgman, daughter Beth Browne, son-in-law Cliff Browne and grandson Blake Browne sat next to war veteran as he received his medal and Presidential Unit Citation earlier this week.
"It's really special and wonderful to be able to see that," Beth Browne said in an interview with the News~Review. "(The Army) meant a lot to him and he sacrificed a lot."
Browne said she listened to her father tell war stories as she grew up, but "he would only tell the funny ones." Yet she said she saw the effect the war had on him because she remembers he would duck under the table when he heard 4th of July fireworks.
"I know it had an impact on him," Browne said.
She said her father also remained very active with his division and would go to their reunions.
"It meant a lot in his life," she said. "I wish I had taped more of his stories. It's history."
Original Article: http://www.newcanaannews-review.com/ci_9563300
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