Taking cover from Iraqi bullets behind the bridge's iron beams, Carter tossed a smoke grenade for cover and dashed toward the crying woman.

CNN: 'We've got to get her off that bridge'

On April 7, 2003, Mr. Welch's battalion was outside Baghdad, pounding Iraqi positions and waiting to attack across the Diyala bridge.

WSJ: For Wounded Vet, Love Pierces the Fog of War

It happened near the center of town, near a bridge that leads to the Green Zone, which is the seat of Iraqi government power and also where the U.S. Embassy is located.

NPR: Twin Bombings in Baghdad Mark Upsurge in Attacks

On March 31, 2004, four Americans working as guards for the private security company Blackwater were ambushed and killed by insurgents in the Iraqi city of Falluja, the charred remains of two of them dragged away by a mob and hung from a bridge over the Euphrates River.

NEWYORKER: Coming Apart