THE WALL OF FACES

I also served with Pat and was saddened to here of his accident. I considered him a good friend. My Sincere Condolences to his Family and Friends.

Specialist Four Patrick G. R. Bridenbaker, Served with the 41st Engineer Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion, 159th Engineer Group, 20th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

SP4 Patrick G. R. Bridenbaker was a crane operator assigned to the 41st Engineer Company. On July 5, 1967, SP4 Bridenbaker died in Vietnam after suffering a fatal injury when he fell from a loading crane he was operating. He was reportedly found lying next to the crane with a head injury. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Viet Accident Kills Soldier From Stockton.” Buffalo Evening News (NY), date unknown]

Dear Spec 4 Bridenbaker,
Thank you for your service as a Crane Operator. This is Independence Day weekend, and it is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On November 30, 1970, enemy gunners fired about twenty 100-pound 122mm rockets into the U.S. Americal Division headquarters at Chu Lai Air Base in Quang Tin Province, RVN. At least one rocket hit the 16th Aviation Group dispensary, killing seven. The rocket struck the dispensary after sick call when the medics were relaxing and playing cards, as was their usual practice to occupy time. The lost medical personnel included corpsman PFC Douglas S. Bridgers, lab specialists SP4 Robert A. Bojanek and SSGT Dennis M Smith, and medical NCO’s SGT Clarence E. Baker, SSGT Donald L. Golden, CPL Benjamin R. Nelson Jr., and SP4 Kenneth L. Robertson. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, thewall-usa.com, and the Chicago Tribune, December 1, 1970, p. 1, section 1A]