YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea –
The top U.S. Army formation in South Korea, Eighth Army will celebrate its 70th anniversary on June 10, 2014.
Activated during World War II, Eighth Army has served with distinction in the Asia Pacific region since then.
Called the Pacific Victors, Eighth Army troops conducted more than 60 amphibious "island hopping" assaults during World War II, and earned the nickname the "Amphibious Eighth." Eighth Army then served as the occupation force in Japan following the war.
In July 1950, Eighth Army was dispatched to defend South Korea against invading North Korean forces. Commanding United Nations ground forces, the storied combat formation held the last defensive line in Korea against long odds during the early days of the Korean War and enabled the amphibious landing at Incheon that changed the momentum of the war in the UN's favor.
Deterring aggression against South Korea and maintaining stability in the Asia Pacific region, the Pacific Victors have served on the Korean Peninsula since a ceasefire agreement brought active hostilities to an end, in 1953.
Today, Eighth Army is the only operational-level combat formation in the U.S. Army that serves and trains within enemy artillery range.
Eighth Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux said American Soldiers in Korea uphold their nation's proud legacy of defending freedom on the Korean Peninsula side-by-side with their South Korean allies.
"Eighth Army is a battle-tested formation with an incredible legacy of leadership and service on the Korean Peninsula and in the Asia Pacific region," said Champoux, a native of Pittsfield, Mass., who has commanded the legendary fighting formation since June 2013. "Eighth Army represents our nation's enduring commitment to peace, stability and security in this important corner of the world and I couldn't be more proud of the men and women who are serving in Eighth Army today."