Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-19
2of4U. 5. Divisions
Leaving Korea Will
Come Home Soon

-
Two of four United States
divisions to be Withdrawn from
Korea within the next several
months will be returned to this
country.
The other divisions to be with
drawn from Korea will be sta
toned in Hawaii and on Oki-
nawa.
A brief statement on the re-
deployment by the Defense De-
partment last night did not iden-
tify the divisions to be moved.
However, spokesman said there
would be wholesale reshuffling
of the units in the Far East
theater.
In addition to the divisions,
a regimental combat team
which has some 5000 to 5000
officers and men-will be re-
turned to the United States.
The statement said the troops
will be deployed to other areas
where it is believed they can
better serve the interests Of
the United States.
Co.I:ou xx,;&L d,ooIs
The announcement described
the planned withdrawal as in
line with the policy announced
by President Eisenhower last
December 26. The White House
then announced the withdrawal
of the 40th and 45th National
Guard Divisions.
This country now maintains
six divisions in Korea-five
Army divisions and the LIST Ma
rine Division.
The Pentagon statement said
the Army would designate the
divisions to be withdrawn. This
does not exclude the possibility
that the Marine division might
be one of the four.
The Pentagon Spokesman ex-
planned the Army is the agent
for all ground forces in Korea
and the 9th Army now includes
all the ground elements of the
Marine forces there.
Before the Defense Depart
ment announcement, there had
been reports from South Ko-
rean government officials that
the United States contemplated
the withdrawal.
However, the Pentagon's ini-
tial reaction was that "the Army
has no knowledge of withdrawal
Of troops from Korea"
This statement was not con-
tradicted throughout the day as
diplomatic sources continued to
tell reporters they understood
the withdrawal was in the offing.
The late announcement came
after a top-level conference in
the office of Secretary of De-
tense Wilson. There was no
explanation of the contradiction.
! The Army divisions in Korea
are the I'd. Sd, It'll, oath and
25th. In addition. the 5th Regi-
mental Combat Team is ON the
peninsula.
The Army also has the LIST
Cavalry Division and the 18TH
Airborne Regimental Combat
Team in Japan. The Sd Marine
Division is also based there.
The withdrawal takes place
under the same presidential or
der which brought the first two
divisions back from Korea. At
that time Gen. Eisenhower called
the withdrawal IAN initial STEP"
and said United States ground
forces in Korea would be pro-
gressivcly reduced las circum-
stances warrant"
This noun e m n t. five
months after the end Of fighting
in Korea, characterized the with
drawal plans as calculated to
keep free world forces fluid in
the Pacific, and at the same
time promote "a climate of
peace"
Last nights announcement
came after bitter criticism of
the reported withdrawal by
South Korean officials.
Philip Han, Republic of Korea
minister here, said Korean off,
Gals had conferred with top
officials of the State and Defense
Department in an effort to FORE
stall any withdrawal of troops.
This is no time to withdraw
q single man from Korea" he
said.