MIA Soldier from Korean War identified and laid to rest in Idaho after 72 years [Image 3 of 33]

TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, UNITED STATES

05.21.2022

Photo by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur 

Idaho Army National Guard

After 72 years, Pfc. Kenneth LeRoy Bridger was finally laid to rest and closure was given to his family during a full military honors graveside ceremony held in Twin Falls, Idaho, on May 21. Bridger was reported missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, while serving alongside his fellow U.S. troops during the war against North Korea. Bridger’s remains were identified on Jan. 26, 2022. Bridger was just 17 years old when he went missing and was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He enlisted into the U.S. Army from Colville, Washington, but his remaining family resides in Idaho where he was laid to rest next to his brothers and his mother. Bridger’s four living siblings, along with their families, attended the private ceremony. Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak, Idaho’s adjutant general, presented Wilber Bridger, Pfc. Bridger’s brother and oldest surviving relative, the U.S. flag and the Purple Heart on his brother's behalf. Bridger’s brothers Lynn and Halbert “Lee” Bridger along with his sister, Florence Fiscus, received the U.S. flag from the Idaho National Guard. The four siblings also received POW/MIA flags from the National League of the POW/MIA Families and local POW/MIA Awareness Associations in his honor. The Idaho Army National Guard’s State Aviation Group performed a flyover with two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and the Idaho National Guard joint honor guard performed taps and the folding of the flag presentation. (U.S. National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur)

• Date Taken: 05.21.2022
• Date Posted: 05.22.2022 22:44
• Photo ID: 7227336
• VIRIN: 220521-Z-AY311-0269
• Resolution: 2933x1957
• Size: 3.28 MB
• Location: TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, US