European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Germans Salute peacekeepers from Vii corps text and photos by Dave Didio staff photographer Stuttgart Germany a germans and americans grew up together in the years of the cold War with one common goal a maintaining peace and stability in Europe. Now with the Mission accomplished came the inevitable goodbyes. But the . Army a Vii corps headquartered in Stuttgart was not about to leave without the gratitude offered in gala style of the City of Stuttgart. On wednesday 250 French German Canadian and . Soldiers watched German defense minister Gerhard Stoltenberg attach a new narrow Streamer coloured with the red Gold and Black of the German Flag to the Vii corps colors As a a a Farewell and a thank you for the corps contribution to a peace and  the German addition joined streamers from the corps various campaigns. In return Vii corps commander it. Gen. Michael f. Spigelmire presented a statue representing a Vii corps Soldier to the City of Stuttgart which was accepted by lord mayor Manfred Rommel. This was the last Vii corps ceremony to be held in Germany and the corps will be officially inactivated in the United states in april. A March 1,1946 the corps is formally inactivated at the Presidio of san Francisco. A Dan. 22,1951 the corps is activated at fort Meade Mem As part of the korean War Era military buildup. A 1951-1989 As East West relations ice Over the corps is shipped to Europe where it joins nato forces guarding against a possible soviet invasion of West Germany. A nov. 9,1989 East German leaders open the Berlin Wall and other Border Crossings. In the next Days Vii corps Border patrols Are overwhelmed by millions of East germans seeking a glimpse of the Western world. A february 1990 for the first time in nearly 40 years the corps Forward units halt their daily patrols along the East German and czechoslovak Borders following democratic revolutions in both countries. A september 1990? the Pentagon announces major troop cuts and base closures in Europe a nov. 9,1990 the corps begins deploying 70,000 troops to saudi Arabia As part of the buildup for the persian Gulf War. B feb. 23 28,1991 corps units launch a 150,000-troop strike Force into Southern Iraq. In five Days of combat the corps drives 150 mites through enemy held territory and destroys 2,000 tanks i april 1991 the corps returns to Germany from the Middle East. A june 13,1991 the corps begins cutting manpower to prepare for withdrawal from Europe. A dec. 21,1991 the corps longtime cold War adversary the soviet Union splinters into 12 separate states. Nearly ail remaining Vii corps soldiers Are gone. A april 15,1992 for the third time since world War i the corps Headquarters is scheduled to withdraw from Europe. A German mall Tail band performs at the Start of wednesday a Farewell ceremony. History of Vii corps a aug. 19,1918 the corps is activated in re Miremont France near Strasbourg during world War i and begins training for duty on the Western front. A nov. 11,1918 armistice is declared two weeks before Vii corps is scheduled to enter combat. A dec. 1,1918 the corps moves into Germany As part of occupation forces. A May 1919 the corps withdraws from Germany ships to states. B july 11,1919 the corps is demobilized at Camp Upton . B nov. 25,1940 the corps is reactivated at fort Mcclellan ala., As part of president Roosevelt s military buildup. B december 1941 following Pearl Harbor and America s entry into world War ii the corps is hastily transferred to Northern California. Serving under the Western defense come it guards against a possible japanese invasion of the . Mainland. B november 1942 the corps is transferred to Jacksonville fla., and serves As a training Headquarters b september 1943 the corps ships to England to begin training for overlord the Allied invasion of Europe. B june 6,1944 Vii clips units hit Utah Beach during the a Day invasion of Normandy France. B june 7,1944-May 8,1945 the corps spends 337 Days in combat. Its divisions drive 1,200 Miles through nazi held Europe. B april 26,1945 Forward patrols link up with the advancing red army on the Elbe River near Leipzig Germany. A b May 8, 1945 the germans unconditionally surrender. B june 11,1945 the corps Headquarters is placed on non operational status and shipped Back to the states. Members of the 24tb French arty regt also turned out to say a eau Revoire to vol corps