Private Bridwell was a member of the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy near Pabalmak, South Korea, on 22 March 1951.

Bridwell was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.