ARMED FORCES: Shrinking Manpower

Delayed by last summer's Lebanon crisis, delayed again by the Communist Chinese bombardment of Quemoy, the Administration's year-old decision to trim military manpower finally went into effect last week on orders from Defense Secretary Neil McElroy. Under the plan, total U.S. military manpower will shrink by 71,000—from 2,596,000 to 2,525,000—by June 30, end of fiscal 1959. Breakdown:

Army: 902,000 to 870,000. With all of its 15 divisions, at home and abroad, already under strength, the Army says it will have to deactivate one of its U.S.-based divisions.

Air Force: 864,000 to 850,000. To avoid closing out any units, the Air Force...

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