Korean War, Freedom Gate Bridge, 1952
Captioned: "Freedom Gate Bridge spanning the Imjin River, built by the 84th Engineer Construction Battalion. This bridge temporarily replaces the original structure which was destroyed by bombs." In July 1953 the Imjin River rose over 11 feet washing away the Spoonbill Bridge. July 14-15 the Imjin crested at 26 feet at the Libby Bridge leaving only Freedom Bridge open for the moving of supplies to forward supply points. The large and final POW exchange began at Freedom Village near the Imjin River and Freedom Bridge shortly after the cease fire (July 27, 1953) and went on and on for 5 long months while the UN and Communists argued over who was going where. The 84th Engineer Construction Battalion was deployed to Korea in 1950 in support of the United Nations Forces. The Battalion participated in all ten campaigns of the Korean War. During the conflict, the battalion was twice awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Citation for its work in support of the Marine Corps. It was during this period that the words "Never Daunted," the description used by South Korean President Syngman Rhee as he presented the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation to the battalion for bridging the Imjin River, were adopted as the battalion motto. Photograph credited to G. Dimitri Boria, Army, March 10, 1952.
Size: 4500px × 3600px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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