Dempsey Begins Trip to South Korea, Australia

By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska, Nov. 9, 2012 – Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey stopped at this central Alaska base on his way to South Korea today. In Korea, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will meet with U.S. troops, Army Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, and his South Korean counterpart, Gen. Jung Seung-jo. Dempsey will mark Veterans Day at the 8th Army Memorial at Yongsan. The memorial remembers the sacrifices of the men and women of the 8th Army during the Korean War. More than 36,500 American died in the Korean War, which was fought from 1950 to 1953. The 8th Army remained there as part of the U.S. commitment to the defense of South Korea. Dempsey will move on from South Korea to participate in the Australia-United States ministerial consultations in Perth, Australia.