Herbert Marvin "Herb" Bridge, (b.1925) has lived a full, well-traveled life as a successful businessman, a naval officer in two wars, and a Seattle civic leader and philanthropist whose boundless energies earned him the nickname, “Mr. Downtown.” Bridge joined the U.S. Navy shortly after the United States entered World War II, and during a 41-year career in the Navy and Naval Reserve, rose to the rank of rear admiral. He and his brother, Robert, took over their father’s Seattle jewelry store, Ben Bridge, in 1955 and from it developed a chain of more than 70 stores, from Minnesota to Hawaii. The civic and philanthropic efforts of Bridge and his wife, Shirley (Selesnick) Bridge (1922-2008), have earned them many awards from local and national groups. The Seattle-King County Association of Realtors named Herb Bridge First Citizen for 2001. Joining the Navy right out of high school, he followed in his dad’s  footsteps. “Oh yeah. He was always my hero anyhow ... his personal life, [his] morality.” Like many American youths coming of age in the shadow of World War II, Herb said, “I was afraid the war would be over before I could get in ... . That sounds strange to the kids today.”

Herb’s “vacation” started with boot camp at San Diego, followed by duty aboard a destroyer escort in the Pacific theater. In 1943, he was one of 12 who applied for an officer’s training billet at the University of Washington. Bridge recounted,  “The skipper asked, ‘If you weren’t selected, would you feel it was because you were a Jew?’  I was naïve. I don’t remember what I said, but it was along the lines, ‘I was brought up to believe that in the U.S. Navy you did what you did right and that’s what you were judged on. ’” It was the only time he could remember a Semitic reference, in or out of the service.

He earned a commission in 1945 and served on the escort carrier USS Breton (CVE-23), again in the Pacific. The Breton was built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, and commissioned on April 12, 1943.

Bridge was discharged in 1946 a lieutenant, j.g. (junior grade). He then completed his studies at the University of Washington, earning a liberal arts degree in 1947 and finding time to earn the intramural senior welterweight boxing title.

Bridge also chairs the Puget Sound United Services Organization (USO), served on the Seattle advisory board of the Navy League, chaired the American Gem Society trustees, and has been involved with the American Legion, Kiwanis, Shrine, and other Masonic orders. He has been active in Temple de Hirsch Sinai, the American Jewish Committee, and has chaired the Federated Jewish Fund in Seattle.                                                                                                                                                                   from: Washington State History