Career
Skidgel joined the Army from Bangor, Maine in 1968, and by September 14, 1969 was serving as a Sergeant in Troop Doctorate, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On that day, near Sông Bé in the Republic of Vietnam, Skidgel"s unit was guarding a convoy when it came under enemy attack. In an attempt to draw the enemy fire away from the convoy"s command group, Skidgel manned a machine gun in his vehicle while his driver steered through intense fire toward the command element.
Skidgel, aged 20 at his death, was buried in Sawyer Cemetery, Plymouth, Maine.
Although he knew the road was saturated with enemy fire, Moments later In 2011, the bridge on Route 2 spanning the Sebasticook River in Newport Maine was replaced and the bridge was dedicated to Skidgel"s memory bearing the name "The ". The renaming of the bridge to honor the Medal of Honor recipient was signed into law on May 26, 2011 by Maine Governor Paul LePage and the bridge dedication ceremony took place October 15, 2011.
Among the speakers present at the dedication were Senator Susan Collins, United States. Representative Mike Michaud, General John Libby, State Representative Kenneth Fredette and Gail Kelly representing Senator Olympia Snowe"s office.