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Lying under a thin veil of desert sand, a bag belonging to a Second World War soldier has been discovered intact 65 years after he dropped it. Its contents, buried for decades under the Sahara sun, have remained in remarkable condition, providing a fascinating insight into a bygone era. There are letters written by family who have long since died, photographs and personal belongings. Now Alec Ross's family are hoping to have the bag returned to England. Mr Ross was a despatch rider in the 8th Army when he lost the backpack in Egypt in 1942. It was found recently...

South Korean and U.S. defense officials are discussing a possible move of the 8th U.S. Army headquarters from Seoul to Hawaii in 2012, a spokesman for South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. The spokesman said no decisions have been reached, and ministry officials have not decided if they support the plan. Lt. Col. Brodrick J. Bailey, 8th Army spokesman, said in an e-mail Friday that "details regarding the reorganization … have not been finalized" and it would be inappropriate to speculate on proposed changes. He said the reorganization is part of an Army-wide effort to change all numbered...

The United States is considering moving the 8th Army headquarters to Hawaii by 2012, when wartime operational control is handed over to South Korea, military sources here said yesterday. Fighting units under the Yongsan-based headquarters, such as the 2nd Infantry Division and the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, are to remain on the Korean Peninsula, they said. The relocation of the 8th Army headquarters to Hawaii, where the U.S. Pacific Command has its headquarters, is intended to revamp the military command structure here, according to the sources. Some critics are concerned that moving the headquarters outside the Korean Peninsula may...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

Civilian trial sought by South Koreans in teens' deaths By Jim Lea , Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Saturday, August 10, 2002 South Korean political parties demanded Thursday that U.S. Forces Korea reverse its decision to retain jurisdiction over two 2nd Infantry Division soldiers charged in the June 13 deaths of two 13-year-old Korean girls. The parties want USFK to give South Korean authorities jurisdiction over Sgt. Mark Walker, driver of the 57-ton armored, tracked vehicle that struck the girls, and Sgt. Fernando Nino, the vehicle’s commander. The men have been charged by the military with negligent homicide. The two...

Tracked vehicle no longer used in 2ID training By Jeremy Kirk, Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Friday, August 9, 2002 CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — The 57-ton tracked vehicle that ran over two South Korean girls will no longer be used by the division, a U.S. Army official said Wednesday. The armored vehicle-launched MICLIC, or AVLM, is no longer in the 2nd Infantry Division inventory, said Maj. Brian Maka, public affairs officer. The AVLM was used to carry the mine clearing line charge, an explosive used to detonate mines to clear a path for vehicles. Instead, the mine clearing...

Military to retain authority over GIs in deaths of Korean teens By Jim Lea, Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Friday, August 9, 2002 The U.S. military in South Korea announced on Wednesday it will retain jurisdiction over two 2nd Infantry Division soldiers involved in the controversial June 13 accident in which two teenaged Korean girls were run over and killed by a tracked armored vehicle. Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Zanini, 8th Army commander and U.S. Forces Korea chief of staff, said in a written statement that USFK “has determined that when the tragic accident occurred, the soldiers were performing their...