Major General Robert H. Scales and Colonel Robert ‘Bob’ Bridgford, both of whom had distinguished careers in the field of artillery, passed away recently. It is with a deep sense of sorrow that we remember their loss. M.G. Gainesville, Florida is the place where Robert Scales was born in 1944.
He attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1966. As a result of his services during the war, he was given the Silver Star and received a commission as a Field Artillery Officer.
He served his country in Vietnam. Following the completion of his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Duke University, Major General Scales initially led a Field Artillery Battalion in South Korea. Subsequently, he went on to serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the United States Army V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1990, he was given the responsibility of commanding the United States Army Field Artillery School. In 1991, he was appointed to the position of director of the Desert Storm Special Study Group.
The year 1997 marked the year when he was appointed to the position of Commandant of the United States Army War College, following his tenure as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Army Training and Doctrine Command. After 34 years of service, MG Scales took his retirement in the year 2000. During his thirty years of service as an FA officer, Colonel Bob Bridgford led units in the 1st ID, 1st AD, III Corps Artillery, 3rd ACR, and Installation Management Command.
Additionally, he was a member of the United States Air Base Wing in the United States Air Education and Training command. The United States Army Fort Sill was under his command as the 50th Chief of Staff. Bridgford held senior staff positions in the United States Army Indo-Pacific Command, the United States Army Europe, the United States Air Force Europe, and the United States Army IMCOM.
COL Bridgford served as the chief point of contact for The Boeing Company for Army Futures Command, The Futures & Concepts Centre, Fort Sill, and Picatinny Arsenal after he retired from the military. Bob is a devoted member of the Association and has participated in the FA Symposium and the FIRES Symposium as a Day Moderator. He has been a significant supporter of the Association.
