Biographical Note
Arthur Hamilton Bridge was born on June 4, 1917, in Pomona, California, and grew up in the farming community of Alta Loma, California. He graduated from Chaffey High School in 1935, and attended Chaffey College before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied invertebrate paleontology. He planned to enter the Marine Corps once he received his degree, but after meeting flying enthusiast and fellow student Catherine Vail, he developed an interest in aviation and entered the Civilian Pilot Training program. Upon completing his degree in May 1941, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. In January 1942, he was called up and sent to San Antonio, Texas, to begin training as a pursuit pilot.
Bridge graduated from cadet flight training in August 1942, and was immediately ordered to San Francisco, to await transportation for service in the Pacific Theater. He was assigned to Stanley Field, Hawaii, initially with the 78th Pursuit Squadron, and then the 45th Pursuit Squadron, 7th Air Force, flying the P-36 and the Curtis P-40k. Bridge continued his training until the 45th Pursuit Squadron was ordered to the Central Pacific, to fly fighter attacks against the Gilbert and Marshall Islands while stationed on Midway Atoll, Baker Island, Funafuti, Nanumea, Tarawa Atoll, Abemama Atoll, and Makin Island.
In June 1944, the squadron left Makin Island for one month of leave in the United States. Bridge returned to California, and he and Catherine Vail, who was serving as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP), were married on June 11, in Upland, California.
In August 1944, Bridge returned to Hawaii to serve as an instructor, training new pilots in fighter tactics. In early 1945, Bridge deployed to the Western Pacific as Commander of the 45th Fighter Squadron, moving into the North Field of Iwo Jima, even as fighting continued on the other half of the island. While stationed at Iwo Jima and Tinian, Bridge flew fighter air attacks against Japan. During his service, he flew a total of 92 combat missions with 182 combat hours. In July 1945, Bridge rotated back to the United States and was on leave when he learned that the war had ended. He chose to resign from active duty with the rank of Major.
In November 1946, Bridge returned to military service with the California Air National Guard, serving as operations officer of the 196th Fighter Squadron, which was then forming at Norton Air Force Base. On October 10, 1950, the unit was activated for the Korean War, and in February 1951, Bridge served as Detachment Commander of fighters at Eniwetok Atoll for Operation Greenhouse. Following this assignment, his unit deployed to Japan where he served as Operations Officer for the 116th Fighter Bomber Group. On January 26, 1952, Bridge became Commander of the 196th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, and on June 9, 1952, he returned to the California Air National Guard as Base Commander, Ontario Air National Guard Base. He was also assigned to Headquarters, 146th Fighter Interceptor Wing, as Wing Director of Operations. He went on to serve as Commander, 163rd Fighter Group, Air Defense. In 1968, he resigned his position as Base Detachment Commander and transferred to the Air Force Reserve in order to pursue a civilian career in the management of citrus farming. He returned to active Guard status in 1970 to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Air, California Air National Guard. In June 1972, he retired with the rank of Colonel.
Following his retirement from the military, Bridge continued his career in citrus farming as manager of the Hamilton & Bridge Citrus Ranches, and served on the San Bernardino Flood Control Advisory Council, San Bernardino County Airport Commission, the Rancho Cucamonga City Council, and the Board of the Cucamonga County Water District. Arthur Hamilton Bridge died on July 8, 2001.