Commemorating 80 years in the Pacific
On May 14, 1945, Stars and Stripes published its first newspaper in the Pacific. To commemorate 80 years serving the military community in the theater, we're taking a look back at Stripes history through the writing and photography of a dedicated staff spanning generations. Stars and Stripes has proudly supported the Pacific military community since the beginning and will continue to serve the troops and families at the heart of our work.
Photo of the day
DMZ counter-agent patrols, 1968
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) counter-agent patrols are a necessary part of South Korea's defense against infiltration from the Communist north. The men of A Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division search the rugged terrain by day for evidence of infiltration and stakeout in defense ambush positions by night. Moving through the open country they watch the ground as carefully as they scrutinize the trees ahead. Sgt. Richard "Tex" Ritter, a Vietnam veteran now with A Company, shows other members of the patrol how to "read" a North Korean footprint. 1st Lt. William Madigan, A Company patrol leader [not pictured] says he has several sergeants in his patrol with Vietnam experience. their knowledge of tracking and ambush tactics helps make the patrol a more effective deterrent to North Korean infiltration. "The Vietnam vets help give the other men confidence also," he says.
This week in Pacific history
November 8th - November 14th
November 8th, 1950 – Korean War: USAF Lt. Russell J. Brown shoots down two North Korean MiG-15s in the first jet-to-jet dogfight in history.
November 8th, 2013 – Typhoon Haiyan kills at least 6,340 and leaves over 1,000 missing after striking the Philippines.
November 9th, 1953 – Cambodia gains its independence from France.
November 11th, 1972 – Vietnam War: The U.S. Army hands over the Long Binh military base to South Vietnam.
November 12th, 1942 – World War II: The three-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal between Japanese and American forces begins.
November 12th, 1948 – The International Military Tribunal for the Far East sentences seven Japanese military and government officials to death for their roles in World War II.
November 14th, 1965 – Vietnam War: The Battle of Ia Drang begins. It is the first major engagement between regular American and North Vietnamese forces.
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This week in Pacific history
November 8th - November 14th
November 8th, 1950 – Korean War: USAF Lt. Russell J. Brown shoots down two North Korean MiG-15s in the first jet-to-jet dogfight in history.
November 8th, 2013 – Typhoon Haiyan kills at least 6,340 and leaves over 1,000 missing after striking the Philippines.
November 9th, 1953 – Cambodia gains its independence from France.
November 11th, 1972 – Vietnam War: The U.S. Army hands over the Long Binh military base to South Vietnam.
November 12th, 1942 – World War II: The three-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal between Japanese and American forces begins.
November 12th, 1948 – The International Military Tribunal for the Far East sentences seven Japanese military and government officials to death for their roles in World War II.
November 14th, 1965 – Vietnam War: The Battle of Ia Drang begins. It is the first major engagement between regular American and North Vietnamese forces.