WITH THE 15TH A.A.F IN ITALY -

Cpl. Ernest A. Bridwell of Gazelle, California, motor vehicle dispatcher in a B-24 Liberator group, is shown above checking the wheel of one of his vehicles before releasing it to its driver - a far quieter scene than the one in which he won the Soldier's Medal for "heroism at great risk of life."

Corporal Bridwell used to say "nothing ever happens to a jeep driver," but that was before a B-24 Liberator bomber crashed at his base on take-off. Corporal Bridwell arrived at the crash scene just after the bomber hit. It had burst into flames immediately, trapping the crew.

The citation described Corporal Bridwell's part in the rescue that saved three men's lives.

"Heedless of the intense heat from the burning fuel, together with the imminent danger of explosion, with complete disregard for his personal safety. Corporal Bridwell made his way through the blazing debris to successfully remove several seriously injured crew members.

"Although there were several unexploded bombs in the immediate vicinity of the fire, he continued his heroic rescue work until the entire ship was enveloped in flames."

Throughout the rescue, exploding .50 calibre machine gun shells raked the crash area. Not until all the injured had been removed did Corporal Bridwell leave the scene.

Overseas since last December, Corporal Bridwell is assigned to a veteran Liberator group which holds two citations from the Presiden of the United Staes and which has flown more than 125 combat missionsover southern Europe. He was employed by Long-Bell Lumber Mill at Weed before his enlistment January 6, 1943.

His mother, Mrs. M.L. Bridwell, lives in Gazelle.

Ernest A Bridwell