Korean War

The Arch Bridge

The Arch Bridge near Ch'orwon, Korea, September 1952

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The 79th was the unit that moved into Yongsan - originally the headquarters for the Imperial Japanese Army in Korea - to rebuild it for the U.S. 8th Army HQ.

The S3, 1st Lt James N. (Jim or Pat) Patterson, was the mastermind, and the driving force, behind some fantastic work that was done.

- 1st Lt Sidney Friedman

Origin of the Unit Crest

"Our crest had its birth during the Second World War in the Philippine action. The crest is emblazoned with the Corps of Engineers colors, scarlet and white. The Philippine sun which shown down on heroic acts of the Battalion is represented in the center, with the inscription "Fait Accompli" (French for Mission Accomplished) scrolled beneath. The story of the accomplishments of the 79th Engineer Battalion is beheld within this shield. Let us look into the story and see what each of us represents when we walk under the crest of the 79th Engineer Battalion." - Narrative of the Battalion's History

Korean War Decorations

Meritorious Unit Commendation, Streamer embroidered KOREA 1952-1953
Meritorious Unit Commendation, Streamer embroidered KOREA 1953-1954
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered INCHON TO HUNGNAM
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA 1950-1952
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA 1952-1953

Korea and the World in 1950

Korea's liberation from Japanese occupation at the end of World War II was short lived, as the United States and the Soviet Union each sought post-war influence in Korea. To administer the surrender of Japanese troops in Korea, American and Soviet negotiators hastily agreed, in August 1945, to an administrative division of the peninsula at the 38th parallel. As tensions between the two superpowers intensified, the administrative division hardened into a political division of the peninsula.

In the north, Soviet-educated Kim Il Sung was installed as the leader of a provisional government; while in the south American-educated Syngman Rhee was elected president of the Republic of Korea. By 1948 the nation was divided between two opposing political systems, each claiming to represent all the Korean people. In 1949 American combat forces were withdrawn from the peninsula, leaving behind little more than a poorly-equipped Korean defense force. By contrast, to the north a well-trained army grew, supplied and trained by the Soviet Union. The seeds of civil war had been planted, but the tragic drama would be played out on the world stage against the backdrop of Cold War maneuverings among the major powers of China, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

The GI's in Korea

When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, American occupation forces stationed in nearby Japan were quickly sent into battle. Poorly trained and equipped for combat, these troops were immediately engaged in a desperate attempt to delay the North Korean advance until reinforcements could arrive from the United States. Fighting alongside South Korean (ROK) forces in the hot Korean summer with little preparation, they eventually held their ground at the Pusan Perimeter. Then, in mid-September their fortunes changed for the better when the amphibious landing at Inchon broke the supply lines of the North Korean army.

Excerpted From: Conflict and Consequence:
The Korean War and its Unsettled Legacy
An exhibition at the Truman Presidential Museum & Library

The Arch Bridge Story

The following story is about a bridge that the 79th built during the Korean War. I have combined excerpts from the official battalion history and a couple of other Korean War sources, along with quotes from the letters of two 79th veterans who built the bridge.

As the story unfolds you will be introduced to 1st Lt James N. Patterson and SFC David M. Herring, in a virtual daily account of their lives from January through August 1952 as the battalion completed various projects and moved around from place to place. Their paths crossed for but a brief moment in time, but because of the "GI thing" they have remained good friends for all these years.

I am very grateful to them for sharing this story with me, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to make it come alive once again, by sharing it with you.

- Webmaster

ENTER

PLEASE NOTE: Both Lt Patterson and Sgt Herring want me to emphasise that this was a team effort and all the troops at the site and the support from Battalion and Corps deserve credit for the accomplishment.

1st Lt James N Patterson (bottom center) and troops at the job site.
If you recognize anybody e-mail the webmaster.

SFC Herring (sitting on rail right side)