The US Army wants to halt a St Patrick's Day tradition in Savannah, Georgia, that for decades has left marching soldiers with lipstick-smeared cheeks.

Roughly 200 soldiers from nearby Fort Stewart are expected to march in the coastal Georgia city's sprawling St Patrick's Day parade on March 17.

Traditionally, women wearing bright lipstick dart from the crowd to plant kisses on the faces of passing troops.

A Fort Stewart spokesman and the parade's chief organiser said the Army wants the soldier smooching stopped. Kevin Larson said the marching soldiers "need to look professional" and "red lipstick is not part of the uniform".

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