The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Clayton Gary Bridges, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Bridges distinguished himself as Director of Financial Management and Comptroller, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Director of Financial Management and Comptroller, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and Comptroller, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, from 5 July 1995 to 31 July 1999. During this period, General Bridges’ outstanding achievements and his dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in commanders receiving critical financial information and funding needed to execute the Air Force mission and provide quality of life to Air Force personnel. His brilliant restructuring of financial processes and information systems within each command enabled unit commanders to prioritize existing funding and justify additional funds needed to support the National Command Authority requirements for air power. As a result of his efforts, the Air Force and Congress are working to resolve funding shortfalls that impact the nation’s ability to project power around the globe. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bridges culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Sergeant Clayton Gary Bridges, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a C-130E Combat Spear Radio Operator in Southeast Asia on 19 March 1968. On that date, Sergeant Bridges flew a combat airdrop of vital important to unconventional warfare operations in Southeast Asia.. He penetrated active hostile defenses, marginal weather conditions and incompletely charted mountainous areas to deliver the drop load successfully. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bridges reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Clayton Gary Bridges, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a C-130E Combat Spear Radio Operator in Southeast Asia on 4 December 1967. On that date, Sergeant Bridges flew a combat airdrop mission of vital importance to unconventional warfare operations in Southeast Asia. He penetrated active hostile defenses, marginal weather conditions and incompletely charted mountainous areas to deliver the drop load successfully. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Bridges has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
February 4, 1992 – June 30, 1993
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Clayton Gary Bridges, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Director of Financial Management and Comptroller, Headquarters Air Force Material Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, from 4 February 1992 to 30 June 1993. During this period, Colonel Bridges’ exceptional leadership, knowledge and devotion to duty contributed significantly by enabling the Command to successfully formulate, defend and execute the Operations and Maintenance, Central Procurement, Foreign Military Sales, and Stock Fund budgets to assure the readiness and sustainability of critical Air Force programs. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Bridges reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.