Location: 2827
Date: 11/4/2006
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Army
Operation: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Spc. James Bridges of Buhl, Idaho, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He was killed on Nov. 4, 2006 in Baghdad by small-arms fire.
Bridges was a hero to his hometown of Buhl long before he enlisted in 2003 at the dawn of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Known as Doug to his family and friends, he was involved in FFA and earned the respect and friendship of many students and teachers. That respect multiplied when he chose to join the military ranks after earning his diploma.
Sgt James Close served with Doug for four years and said that Doug made everyone in the company laugh at some point or another, and that not a single one could hold back their tears when they heard the news. “Looking back, it was a testimony to how great a man Doug was. I had seen others fall before but never had seen so many people so devastated.”
His father, Matthew Bridges, told of how other military parents have contacted his family following Doug’s death. His biggest gift was love, he said. He excelled at love.