Freedom Bridge. Who is familiar with it?

From the end of the Korean War (1953) till 1998. Freedom Bridge was the only bridge that crossed into Panmunjom/DMZ in what was the American sector till 1991. In 1998, the Koreans completed the new Unification Bridge and opened it.

Freedom Bridge, as you can see by the pictures in the link, was a old shot up rickety bridge with wooden planks. Guards at both ends and one way traffic.

Once you crossed the bridge, you were almost in a different time zone when going into the DMZ.... Attached is a map what it was like around 1990. Had about 4 camps and Warrior base which was Tent City also. This area was known as Western Corridor for a long time(Garry Owen, Greaves, Howze, Edwards, Stanton, Pehlam, 4P1, 4P3, and Giant)......

Till 1991, our combat patrol area was around Panmunjom and the 2 guard posts: Ouelette and Collier, besides QRF!!!! Also, some of the ranges we did were in the DMZ..... Run daytime recon patrols and nighttime ambush patrols!!!! Plus, stay out of the minefields!!!! :-) DMZ is heavily mined to this day, and guys occasionally find out the hard way, sadly. Seen it happen and hear of it.

Freedom Bridge for many of us old DMZ veterans, recognize it as a symbol of what our mission was about at the time! It was the only way in and out of the DMZ, unless you put up pontoon bridges! When 2ID still had the bridge, 2nd Engineers took care and checked the explosives on the bridge, it was always ready to blow.

Times have changed some since then. The only Americans left are those few that serve in the JSA at Panmunjom, below is a picture looking into the north. From one of the Repatriation Ceremonies I was out, return of Korean War remains in 1998.

The mission was a real combat mission that many don't know or ever realize we continued to due. Many incidents that happen up there, never reached the outside world! Those of us that have crossed the Bridge know the reality of what it was like, and many find it hard to believe! As the old saying goes: "What happens in Korea, stays in Korea", is true statement........

Present day, the nearest 2ID soldiers are at Camp Casey area and the surrounding camps! It is a different time now, the 24 years ago. SSG Crozier can add in any details that might be missed.....

The US Army camps for the longest time were still pretty primitive till the mid to late 80s and even then was behind times in through a good part of the 90s.

We did our duty in a forgotten time and land, that many don't ever know existed! We are the Korean DMZ veterans of a past time.

Lived at Camp Greaves for a year 1991-1992, know it all too well.

I know my response is three years after the fact....I remember Freedom Bridge like it was yesterday.
Charlie Company 1/506 2nd Infantry Division (Camp Greaves)

Currahee! Stands Alone........... 1991 / 1992

This is dedicated to all those who served on the Korea DMZ from 1954 to 1991. We did a duty, most never knew about or will never understand! More then a few of our brothers gave it all and the world never knew!!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsSSxgdSKoM

Great info and fantastic read!

Is that the one that was never completed? I may have seen it on a USO tour to the Z. The bridges that I'm familiar with are the Bridge of No Return inside the JSA, the retractable "Stands Alone" bridge that ran over the Imjin was just south of Cp Greaves and the unfinished railway bridge near Freedom Village.

I am very familiar with it

Very interesting. I never heard of it before. Thank you.

Thank you for the info Seargent. I just ordered Heathco's book and will do everything in my power to insure our story gets told. First Rock.

I remember the 506th Saluting us with Curahee as we crossed Freedom bridge and also when we went through the M.L.R at Bonifas. That Flag and salute meant so much when we came back.