Gerald B. Bridges was born on April 7, 1910. He was the son of William Abner Bridges and Mary Katherine Barclay Bridges. He served in the 7th Signal Service Company as a Private during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Pvt Bridges was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

Pvt Bridges was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 21, 1942. He is now buried in the Jordan Cemetery, Honey Island, Hardin County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com