Shipmate Curtis Grant contributed a copy of the 15 September 1944 issue of Wasp's onboard newsletter, "Waspirit." The newsletter included an article about CV-18's first WW II casualty, Alfred Bridges, and a thank you note from Bridges' widow.
CREW OF CARRIER HONOR COMRADE
From the New York Herald Tribune
A registered letter from the officers and crew of an American aircraft carrier "somewhere in the Pacific" has brought to a slender, blue-eyed young mother heartfelt proof of the strong ties which bind together America's fighting men of the sea - - and a warm expression of those ties in the form of a check for $2,352.
The money, accompanied by a simple but moving tribute to her husband, was received by Mrs. June Nicholas Bridges, twenty-two years old, of 38-40 Douglaston, Queens, mother of a six-month-old boy, on Tuesday. The gift was sent by the entire complement of the carrier aboard which her husband, Alfred Bridges, twenty-three, a first class gunner's mate, died at his battle station on June 19, in a dive-bomber attack which cost one American life - - - his.
Although the letter arrived only two days ago, it bore obvious signs of wear when it was shown to a reporter yesterday. Its words of solace had been read and re-read so often by Mrs. Bridges that the thin air-mail paper had cracked at each fold.
While Alfred Jr. blinked and cooed in the wondrous excitement of having his picture taken by a flash-bulb camera, Mrs. Bridges attempted to put into words how much the letter and the money mean to her.
"It's so much more than just financial help - - - although that is very important, because I can be sure now of being able to send the baby through college and that was one of the things Al wanted most for him." She paused, and her voice was husky. "But it is so fine too know the wonderful feeling Al's shipmates had for him. That will be something to tell his baby when he is old enough to understand."
She drew the letter from a little box in which she keeps it. The date line bore the name of the carrier, which cannot be revealed, and beyond that "July, 1944." It was signed by P.L. McKie, gunner, and J.A. Hoffman, chief gunner's mate and "the officers and crew of the carrier - - -."
"We know that no words or deeds of ours could in any way repay you and your son for the loss of your husband and his daddy," the letter began in a firm, slanting hand. "The officers and crew of this ship," it continued, "share in your loss and bereavement.
"Your husband was well known for the splendid man he was, and he died on the battle station in action against his enemy."
"His many friends have collected the enclosed contribution ($2,352) as a token of high regard for him and forward it to you for whatever purpose you may choose, knowing that under the circumstances you no doubt have good use for it."
"Your husband was buried at sea with full military honors and in keeping with Navy traditions in time of war. We can furnish you the location at sea, the date and the time of burial and pictures of the ceremony - - - if you would like to have them."
"Your husband had a multitude of friends and was held in the highest esteem by all. If we can render you any assistance in any way we shall be glad to do so." The letter closed simply, "Yours sincerely" - - -
The marriage of June Nicholas and Alfred Bridges in February, 1943, was the cultivation of a romance which began when they were both students at Bayside High School, Bayside, Queens. The young man, a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Bridges, 36-17 202nd Street, Bayside, was graduated from the school in 1938. His wife, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs Blaine J. Nicholas, of Douglaston, was graduated a year later.
As a member of the United States Naval Reserve, Mr. Bridges was called to active duty in 1940 while he was a student of mechanical engineering at New Your University. After serving for almost three years on convoy duty aboard a destroyer in the Caribbean area, he returned on furlough and the couple were married.
They wanted a baby and it wasn't long before they knew that one was on the way. They hoped it would be a boy. As the time drew near, they also hoped that Mr. Bridges wouldn't be sent too far away to be present at the baby's birth. It seemed that their hopes were doomed when six weeks before the baby's expected arrival the husband received a furlough - - - his last before going to join the crew of a new carrier which was slated for overseas duty.
But they had reckoned without Alfred Jr. The infant took matters into his own hands and arrived ahead of schedule. He weighed only three and half pounds. It was necessary to keep him in an incubator for several weeks - - but he thrived, and he saw his father off to war.
"It was simple wonderful that Al got to see the baby - - - almost a miracle," Mrs. Bridges said, as she cuddled the chubby boy, who made up for his impetuous arrival by putting on weight rapidly to become a sturdy sixteen-pounder, with never a sick day in his life. The child is a small, composite picture of his blue-eyed mother and his husky, brown-haired father.
The money which was sent to Mrs. Bridges has been placed in a bank as a "little education fund for the baby - - - something that I can depend upon carrying out Al's wishes for the boy."
9 August 1944
P.L. McKie
J.A. Hoffman
Officers and Men of the U.S.S. WASP
Dear Friends:
I received your check this morning and though it is a difficult thing to accept a gift of money gracefully, I will do my best.I cannot pretend that I do not need the money for that is untrue; I need it badly. I will use what I must to live on until the Government death benefits go through the proper channels. The rest will be put aside for the education of my young son. Some of you who contributed perhaps not know my husband and I am sorry if you did have that privilege. But all of you have contributed to the memory of a fine man.
My son and I are a symbol or a product of this war. There are and will be many line us before the enemy is defeated. In being kind to us you have shown your belief in our cause, the cause of home and family, the rights of our free land to live, love, marry and raise families. You men believe in the cause for which you fight, and if you believe, the battle is half won. You fight so that we may have their husbands back at home, children have their fathers, that there will be no more sadness or anxiety. And though the Home Front which you fight and die is at times a disgrace to believe me our hearts are always with you.
Your kindness to me is not only a financial help, but you have made simpler the task I have of explaining to Alfred's son what happened to his father. It will be easier to explain to him that his father is not merely a name on an Honor Roll with a gold star after it, but that he was a man loved and respected by many, a man who died as nobly as any man can die, for his country, and that his son might live in a free world and be a happy man.
I shall be eternally grateful to every one of you for your kindness. My heart is still with the might WASP. May she do justice to the men who man her, and they to her. The best of luck to all of you and good hunting!
Sincerely yours,
June Bridges
(Mrs. Alfred J. Bridges)
38-40 Regatta Pl.
Douglaston, L.I.
New York
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