Orono, Maine - Donald R. Bridge, born on July 9, 1922, in Boston, Massachusetts, passed away on September 10, 2023, at Stillwater Health Care in Bangor, Maine. He was the son of the late James W. Bridge and Florence (Howie) Bridge.
Donald grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts, and graduated from Melrose High School in the Class of 1941. Upon graduation, he contributed to the war effort as a machinist at General Electric. He later enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a B-24 bomber pilot. Donald was assigned to the 459th Bomb Group based in Italy.
During his time as a pilot, Donald was embroiled in an incident that caused tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. It is a favorite family story that demonstrates Donald’s independent streak and decisiveness. After a bombing mission over Czechoslovakia, Donald and his crew faced fuel shortages and engine issues. They decided to make an emergency landing at Mielec Airfield in Soviet-controlled Poland. The Soviets were suspicious of the landing, detained the crew, and delayed their departure. Feeling wrongfully held and worried for his crew’s safety, Donald took off without formal clearance. Infuriated, the Russians demanded that he be reprimanded. To appease them and avoid an international incident, the U.S. military court-martialed Donald for these actions. He received an honorable discharge in 1945 and his conviction was later overturned by an act of Congress.
Shortly after his return from service, he met and married Phyllis Brown in 1946. The couple built their home in Wakefield, Massachusetts, where they raised their three sons, Stephen, Christopher, and Jonathan. Donald pursued a career in engineering, specializing in environmental controls at Honeywell.
A talented woodworker, Donald crafted everything from wooden toys to beautiful furniture. He had a particular fondness for making sailboat half-hulls. He also had a life-long interest in technology and was an avid traveler, taking numerous trips with Phyllis to Great Britain and Europe. They also enjoyed sailing in the Virgin Islands with their eldest son, Stephen.
In the early 1960s, Donald and Phyllis purchased property in North Eastham overlooking Cape Cod Bay, where they built a summer cottage. They eventually transformed this cottage into a lovely retirement home, where they generously hosted friends and family.
Donald and Phyllis later moved to Penobscot Shores Retirement Community in Belfast, Maine, after 73 years of marriage Phyllis passed away on March 2, 2019, Donald moved to Dirigo Pines in Orono, Maine, where he enjoyed the company of many interesting friends.
Donald was predeceased by his parents, James and Florence Bridge, his sisters Barbara and Isabel, his niece Janet Young and his son Stephen. He is survived by his sister Jean Sorenson; sons Christopher Bridge and his wife Diane Bridge, and Jonathan Bridge and his wife Judy Bridge; daughter-in-law Jenny Bridge, Stephen's wife; Nephews Bill Burwell and his wife Carol, Charles Burwell and his wife Julie, Robert Sorenson and his wife Mary. Nieces Vicky Burwell and her husband John Phelan and Judith Sorenson-Barnes; grandchildren Meegan Finnegan, Ashley Bridge, and Lincoln Bridge; and great-grandchildren Aidan Finnegan, Iver Goldreyer, and Callum Bridge.
459th Bombardment Group
National Archives - Army Air Force Pilots Court-Martialed for Offending the Soviet Union during World War II
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Donald grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts, and graduated from Melrose High School in the Class of 1941. Upon graduation, he contributed to the war effort as a machinist at General Electric. He later enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a B-24 bomber pilot. Donald was assigned to the 459th Bomb Group based in Italy.
During his time as a pilot, Donald was embroiled in an incident that caused tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. It is a favorite family story that demonstrates Donald’s independent streak and decisiveness. After a bombing mission over Czechoslovakia, Donald and his crew faced fuel shortages and engine issues. They decided to make an emergency landing at Mielec Airfield in Soviet-controlled Poland. The Soviets were suspicious of the landing, detained the crew, and delayed their departure. Feeling wrongfully held and worried for his crew’s safety, Donald took off without formal clearance. Infuriated, the Russians demanded that he be reprimanded. To appease them and avoid an international incident, the U.S. military court-martialed Donald for these actions. He received an honorable discharge in 1945 and his conviction was later overturned by an act of Congress.
Shortly after his return from service, he met and married Phyllis Brown in 1946. The couple built their home in Wakefield, Massachusetts, where they raised their three sons, Stephen, Christopher, and Jonathan. Donald pursued a career in engineering, specializing in environmental controls at Honeywell.
A talented woodworker, Donald crafted everything from wooden toys to beautiful furniture. He had a particular fondness for making sailboat half-hulls. He also had a life-long interest in technology and was an avid traveler, taking numerous trips with Phyllis to Great Britain and Europe. They also enjoyed sailing in the Virgin Islands with their eldest son, Stephen.
In the early 1960s, Donald and Phyllis purchased property in North Eastham overlooking Cape Cod Bay, where they built a summer cottage. They eventually transformed this cottage into a lovely retirement home, where they generously hosted friends and family.
Donald and Phyllis later moved to Penobscot Shores Retirement Community in Belfast, Maine, after 73 years of marriage Phyllis passed away on March 2, 2019, Donald moved to Dirigo Pines in Orono, Maine, where he enjoyed the company of many interesting friends.
Donald was predeceased by his parents, James and Florence Bridge, his sisters Barbara and Isabel, his niece Janet Young and his son Stephen. He is survived by his sister Jean Sorenson; sons Christopher Bridge and his wife Diane Bridge, and Jonathan Bridge and his wife Judy Bridge; daughter-in-law Jenny Bridge, Stephen's wife; Nephews Bill Burwell and his wife Carol, Charles Burwell and his wife Julie, Robert Sorenson and his wife Mary. Nieces Vicky Burwell and her husband John Phelan and Judith Sorenson-Barnes; grandchildren Meegan Finnegan, Ashley Bridge, and Lincoln Bridge; and great-grandchildren Aidan Finnegan, Iver Goldreyer, and Callum Bridge.
459th Bombardment Group
National Archives - Army Air Force Pilots Court-Martialed for Offending the Soviet Union during World War II
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