Artifacts, 1957 - 2011

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 6, Series 8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The material in the first sub-series, Awards, Diplomas, and Decorations is in the form of certificates, plaques and three-dimensional awards. Some of the highlights of the awards (certificates) are Bridges' Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medals, Air Force Commendation medal, Defense Superior Service medal and Legion of Merit. Some of the oversized awards/certificates consist of Bridges' Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, June 9, 1965; Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Certificate of Commendation presented to Lieutenant Colonel Roy D. Bridges, July 1983; National Aeronautics and Space Administration Certificate of Appreciation, Roy D. Bridges, Colonel, United States Air Force, In Support of Presidential Commission investigating the Space Shuttle Challenger accident, circa 1986; Honorary Doctorate, Purdue University, May 12, 2001, and Certificate, NASA Medal for Outstanding Leadership, in recognition of outstanding leadership in providing the vision and direction needed to establish the NASA Engineering and Safety Center, June 30, 2004, among many other awards, diplomas and decorations.

Some of the plaques of note are 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron and Commando Sabre Operation (Misty); Leithen-Tittle Distinguished Graduate award; United States Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School, top graduate (1971); American Aeronautical Society Flight Achievement Award (1985) and B-1 Combined Test Force and United States Air Force Test Pilot School plaques (1989), and Air Force 35-year award - Kennedy Space Center (2000). There are various plaques presented by Purdue University, including the Purdue University Distinguished Astronaut Alumnus Award (1990).

The highlights of the Textiles sub-series are the Air Force Academy parade dress uniform and the Air Force Academy Class of '65 blazer Bridges wore during the time he attended Purdue University (1965 - 1966). Also included are his NASA flight suit with patches, and the Air Force flight suit and helmet worn by Bridges while he was Commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center (1991 - 1993). Along with his Air Force general officer's jacket worn throughout his Air Force career, and Air Force aviator jacket with Kennedy Space Center patch and Langley Research Center patch worn by Bridges while Director of both locations (1996 - 2005). A few other items of clothing round-out the textiles subseries.

The third sub-series is Medals and Miscellaneous Memorabilia. Residing in this sub-series are Henschel drafting instruments Bridges used in high school and college engineering drawing courses, circa 1957 - 1966; a small blue box containing uniform medals worn by Colonel Bridges, (Per Bridges, "not the complete set for my full career,") circa 1966 - 1996, and blue medium box with patches, medals and ribbons worn by Bridges during his military career and some NASA mission pins and commemorative items, (Per Bridges, "Top four medals worn on the General Officer's Uniform at my retirement in 1996; Mess Dress miniature medals; patches worn on my military flight suit; general officers belt buckle; various wings, space and parachute badges; various mission pins and commemorative items.), circa 1966 - 2005, along with three, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals.

Some of the miscellaneous items include, a small box containing numerous NASA mission patches, circa 1980-2005; a box containing numerous permits, passes, nametags, IDs, circa 1980-2005, and a small box containing miscellaneous coins and pins, circa 1980 - 2005.

The items in each of the archival boxes in this series have been placed in chronological order. Since the series contains a wide variety of items from throughout Bridges' career, please refer to the finding aid for a detailed listing.