Evening star., 1951-04-05
Army Will Start
Rotating Men
In Korea Soon
First Group Is Due
To Leave for u. 5.
In Few Weeks


middle of this month to bring
back from Korea men who have
been long engaged in the fighting
there. They will be replaced by
fresh troops.
Secretary of the Army Pace an
nounced the rotation" plans to-
day. He said Gen. Macarthur
will decide policy on selection of
men to be sent home. The first
battle veterans should sail from
Korea within a few weeks, Mr..
Pace said.
In statement, Mr.. Pace en-
phasized that the rate of rotation
will depend on both the flow of
to the war theater
and on the necessity to maintain
the combat effectiveness of all
units now in Korea.
The Navy and Marine Corps
have had rotation plans in effect
for some time. The Army's plan
has been held up because it has
lacked sufficient trained replace
mentS.
Number Involved Not Revealed.
The exact number of men to
be rotated in the early stages of
the program has not been deter
mined, Mr.. Pace added.
He said the exchange of fresh
men for battle veterans will eyen-
tually run to about 10000 each
month. The Army said this rate
may be reached by early sum-
mer.
THE exact number of individ-
uals arriving in the Far East
Command will in general set the
number that can be rotated" Mr..
Pace stated.
While it is planned to return
directly to the United States as
many individuals as possible in
italy, later on some personnel
in Korea may be assigned to
garrison duty in Japan or other
parts OF the Far East Command, /"
the Secretary said. "Subse-
quently. they too will be returned
to the United States"
The Army said returning vet
Grams will disembark at Seattle.
or San Francisco.
Chance for Home Leave.
All veterans returned to the
United States will be given a
chance for home leave before pro-
ceeding to their next duty stations.
The Army Department has had
the rotation scheme in mind for
months. Putting itinto effect had
to be held up because of the need
for fighting men in Korea, espe-
Icially after the military setbacks
and losses late last year.
There are some men who have
now been in Korea since the out
break of the fighting last June.
Although Gen. Macarthur will
have the final decision as to which
troops are to be returned here.
Army Department officials said
those who have been in Korea
longest likely would be the first
to leave.
The start of the rotation pro-
gram comes with virtual compile
tion of the Army's drive to build
all ground force units in Korea te
their full combat strength. De.
Tense officials recently said thai
this build-up is nearing compile.
tion.
Marine Rotations In Effect.
The Marine Corps started a ro
tation scheme for its Korean vet.
erans last month. Two sizeabl'
groups of Marines have alread,
returned to the United States
Their places in the battle line wer
taken by men from this country
The Navy already has rotated
every ship which started in tn,
Korean war and only last month
the Air Force announced that i
was planning to increase the f1ov
of Air Force personnel to the Fa
East in order to resume rotation
OF it's personnel there to the Unitet
States in May.
I Present plans call for return
during May of personnel previous
lily scheduled for rotation by th'
Air Force last July. A norma
tour of Air Force duty in japan
is 80 months.