The Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) has been described as "the most dangerous place on earth." Although few have died here, it represents a standoff that begins where the Korean war ended, with two massive armies staring each other down across a strip of land, about one and a half miles wide, that cuts the Korean peninsula in two.

This is what it looked like in 1964.

I am standing at the top of a hill, right on the DMZ. I'm facing south, towards Seoul. Directly behind me is North Korea.

At the bottom of the picture, running beneath my feet, is the entrance to a forward observation artillery post. It's like a protected cave, giving some shelter from enemy fire, while allowing a view to the north for calling in our artillery fire. This post was manned by the South Korean army. The little rack in the center of the picture holds some utensils and their rifles.

Past that, at the foot of the hill, is the American army base camp. Just a ring of tents. I shared a small two-man tent with another army medic. At night, we sent radar patrols out into the DMZ. They tried to spot North Korean infiltrators.

I spent a month here in the winter of 1964.

Note: Most photos of the DMZ that show up in the press are from the "Truce Village" at Panmunjom, where guards from both sides parade around in spiffy uniforms and watch each other from guard towers. This image shows what the more rugged, unknown areas of the DMZ looked like.