Grand Forks, ND:  "Character and Leadership Lessons Learned as a POW" Air Force Lt. Col. (Retired) Barry Bridger spent six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam’s infamous “Hanoi Hilton” after being shot down over North Vietnam in his F-4 Phantom. "None know better than the combat veterans that the cost of freedom is high, but the blessings of liberty are priceless." Lt. Col. Bridger's thought provoking presentation will focus on how he and his fellow POWs worked together to survive their years of incarceration. In this story of survival, bravery, teamwork and patriotism, he will share the lessons he learned, and how the POW experience helped him understand what is truly important in life.

Barry Bridger is a native of Bladenboro, North Carolina. In 1963, he graduated from the University of North Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through the ROTC program. Following undergraduate pilot training in 1964, he was assigned to the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida flying F-4 Phantoms. He accumulated over 200 combat flying hours and conducted over 70 combat missions over North Vietnam. On 23 January 1967, Lt Col Bridger was shot down over the city of Son Tay, North Vietnam by a surface-to-air missile. He was subsequently captured by the North Vietnamese and spent over six years in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison. Following his repatriation in March 1973, Bridger requalified in jet aircraft and served as an instructor pilot in Air-to-Ground combat. In October 1984, Bridger retired after 22 years of service in the US Air Force. His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 5 Air Medals, and the Prisoner of War Medal. Sponsored by First Command Financial Planning and UND Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

Admission is free.

Contact:         Professor Alan Frazier
                        University of North Dakota
                        (701) 777-2959
                        afrazier@aero.und.edu