Bridges having fought at San Juan and the siege of Santiago in Cuba, then participated in the Philippine-American War, where he was the custodian for four months of the rebel leader Aguinaldo.

During First World War, he went to France as the Inspector General of the 2nd Division and later became its G-1 (Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel) until transferred as G-1 to the VI Army Corps in July 1918.

The citation for his Army DSM reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Charles Higbee Bridges, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I during World War I.

As Assistant Chief of Staff, First Section of the 2d Division, and later as Assistant Chief of Staff, First Section of the 6th Army Corps, Colonel Bridges performed creditably duties of great importance in connection with the Services of Supply, communication, and the movements of troops of his units, rendering services of value to the American Expeditionary Forces.

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