THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Ron Sines is especially poignant. May you rest in eternal peace.

Fire Support Base Illingworth was a U.S. Army firebase located twenty-one miles northwest of Tay Ninh, approximately three miles from the Cambodian border. On April 1, 1970, the base was occupied by Companies C and E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry; B Battery, 5th Battalion, 2nd Artillery; A Battery, 1st Battalion, 30th Artillery; A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Artillery; and B Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Artillery, comprising roughly 220 men. Ground surveillance radar detected strong movement outside the perimeter right before midnight, and at approximately 2:17 AM the North Vietnamese Army began pounding the base with over 300 rounds of mixed 122mm and 107mm rockets, 120mm, 82mm, and 60mm mortars, and 75mm recoilless rifle and B-40 rocket-propelled grenade rounds. Illingworth was then assaulted by a force of over 400 troops from the southwest. The enemy was engaged with unit weapons, artillery, aerial rocket artillery, night-illuminated “Nighthawk” attack helicopter sorties, and other air support. Fighting was fierce, particularly on the southwest portion of the firebase where friendly forces engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat in order to repel the assault. During the attack, an ammunition dump containing over 190 rounds of 8” ammunition exploded in a tremendous blast, destroying an 8” artillery gun and damaging radio antennas, rendering a temporary loss of communication. At 3:30 AM, the base was still receiving mortar and rocket fire although the ground attack had been broken. All incoming fire ceased at 4:30 AM, and search operations began. The attack resulted in twenty-five U.S. killed and fifty-eight wounded. The lost Americans included CPL Bobby L. Barker, PFC Thomas R. Bowen, CPT Cleaveland F. Bridgman, CPL Billy P. Carlisle, SSG Benjamin V. Childress Jr., SGT David G. Dragosavac, CPL Leroy J. Fasching, SGT Syriac Hebert Jr., SGT Robert A. Hill, SGT Kenneth R. Hodge, SGT Robert H. Lane Jr., SP4 David H. Lassen, CPL Nathan J. Mann, PFC Roger J. McInerny Jr., SP4 Thomas J. Murphy, CPL Michael R. Patterson, SGT Sidney E. Plattenburger, SGT Gerald W. Purdon, SP4 Terry L. Schell, CPL Klaus D. Schlieben, CPL John L. Smith, SGT Brent A. Street, SSG Lawrence E. Sutton, SGT Casey O. Waller, and SSG Steven J. Williams. Sixty-five NVA were killed and numerous weapons and equipment were captured. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report, Lessons Learned 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) for the Period Ending 30 April 1970” at ttu.edu]

Cleve, I remember you so well
Waiting every spring for your summer return.Baseball with your brothers in your yard. I will always remember you. I will never forget you

Dear Captain Bridgman,
Thank you for your service as a Field Artillery Unit Commander with the 1st Cavalry. Mike was 1st Cav, say hi to him. 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.

Cleaveland (Cleveland) Floyd Bridgman
Date of birth: August 21, 1946
Date of death: April 1, 1970
Home of record: South Dartmouth Massachusetts
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Cleaveland (Cleveland) Floyd Bridgman (ASN: 0-23324928), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Battery D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 77th Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Bridgeman distinguished himself by valorous action on 1 April 1970, while serving as fire direction officer in Fire Base ILLINGWORTH in the Republic of Vietnam. When the base came under intense rocket and mortar fire the Tactical Operations Center took a direct hit, knocking out all communications with the firing elements of the Battery. First Lieutenant Bridgman picked up a radio and moved through the impacting area to a position where he could communicate with the firing elements and adjust their fires. He continued to adjust the artillery fires even when an enemy round impacted nearby, wounding him. His gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), General Orders No. 6980 (May 1, 1970)

Action Date: April 1, 1970

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: Battery D

Battalion: 1st Battalion (Airmobile)

Regiment: 77th Artillery Regiment

Division: 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)