December 28, 2004

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  Army Sgt. Jeremy Preston directs Scott Weber as he loads some of the armor. (Stephen Brooks -- Jefferson City News Tribune Via AP)

  
  

  A YEAR AGO:

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  Army Thin-Skinned Over Homemade Armor By David A. Lieb Associated Press Friday, December 26, 2003 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Fearing roadside bombs and sniper bullets, members of the U.S. Army Reserve's 428th Transportation Company turned to a local steel fabricator to fashion extra armor for their five-ton trucks and Humvees before beginning their journey to Iraq earlier this month. But their armor might not make it into the war, because the soldiers did not obtain Pentagon approval "There's policy you have to consider before you go out on your own and try to do something." The 72 vehicles operated by the 428th have thin metal floorboards and, in some cases, a canvas covering for doors. The soldiers persuaded a local funeral home director who is active in community affairs to pay the $4,000 tab for 13,000 pounds of quarter-inch steel.

  
  

   

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