Fulda resident, Harold Gerdes, was drafted into the United States Army, entering basic training in October of 1952. He served during the Korean War. In September, Gerdes, accompanied by son, Mark, attended Mission 5 of the Midwest Honor Flight.
Gerdes was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training. He remained there for additional training as an engineer.
Upon arriving in Korea, he was assigned to the construction of the Libby Bridge over the Imjin River. “Troops were going to be attacking North Korea and they needed a bridge to send tanks and equipment across the river,” Corporal Gerdes explained. The bridge was constructed from the village of Chang Pa-ri (on the south side of the Imjin River) to the Demilitarized Zone and the hostile fire area on the north side of the river.
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