Regimental Histories

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  Lower post or freeze: 340th Engineer Regiment on the Alaska Military Highway, 1942-1943

  United States Army

  The 340th Engineer General Service Regiment was activated at Vancouver Barracks, Vancouver, Wash., March 5, 1942. The nucleus was a cadre of seven officers and seventy-two enlisted men from the 18th Engineer Combat Regiment, who arrived on March 9.

  A cadre of 62 enlisted men from Fort Francis E. Warren also arrived on March 9. The remainder of the officers and men came from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, during the latter part of March and the first part of April.

  The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel F. Russel Lyons, arrived on March 27, 1942. Prior to that time the regiment was commanded by Captain John B. W. Corey, and later by Major Reinder F. Schilsky. The short period at Vancouver Barracks was spent in obtaining supplies and preparing for an overseas movement.

  On the night of April 18, 1942, 35 officers and 883 enlisted men entrained for Seattle, Wash., and thence aboard the USS St. Mihiel to Skagway, Alaska, that famous boom town of '98, arriving there April 22. On April 23, the remainder of the regiment-10 officers and 343 enlisted men-entrained for Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, and thence aboard the SS Prince George to Skagway, arriving on April 25.

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  Foreign war relief: September 1, 1939-December 31, 1942

  American National Red Cross

  Excerpt from the introductory "Why Does the American Red Cross Give Relief Aid?":

  Under the terms of the charter given it by Congress in 1905, the American Red Cross undertook to help the people of other lands in peacetime calamities. Through the aid which has been carried on under its banner since then to all parts of the world, compassion for suffering and a desire to help have come to be regarded as outstanding national characteristics of the American people.

  That spirit of helpfulness is not limited to times of peace. When the second world war flamed from country to country, a great wave of sympathy for the innocent and helpless victims swept the United States. From coast to coast, the American people wanted to send aid to the women, children, and old people torn from their comfortable homes and deprived of the necessities of life, and to the fighting men made prisoners of war.

  The American Red Cross expanded its activities to include relief and service to those suffering from this world-wide conflict. It was possible for the organization to act promptly and effectively because of its more than 6o years of service to suffering humanity, regardless of race, color, or creed, and its extensive experience in giving relief in national and international disasters.

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  592nd Technical School Squadron, Gulfport Field, Army Air Forces Training Command

  United States Air Force

  Basic Training Center No. 11 was activated at Gulfport Field on July 14, 1943. The center was in full operation by the time it was formally established. Raw recruits were being received in a steady flow from reception centers.

  The Basic Training Center takes the recruits, lectures them on military customs and courtesy, on basic military principles and rules. These men are taught to drill. They become soldiers.

  During his stay in the Basic Training Center, every phase of the recruit's civilian life is studied. His education, his civilian background, his aptitude for specific types of work-all are closely examined. His military classification is then determined after a study of these factors and in almost every instance the recruit's preference coincides with the scientific determination of his abilities.

  Gulfport Field is located along the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico. Here, beneath the semi-tropical sun of one of the nation's most famous resort areas, students and permanent party men alike divide their time with duty, recreation and physical training. Men who guide the destiny of Gulfport Field realize that soundness of body is essential to an alert, active life. Drill and calisthenics keep muscles toned and provide a refreshing change from the long hours of duty.

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  507th Parachute Infantry

  United States Army

  Foreword:

  Reminiscent of another era ... this book will mellow with the years -- and serve as a reminder of the days of our youth. It will enable us to turn back the pages that the years have tended to shroud in darkness and forgetfulnes, reviving dormant memories and clearing the haze from images and situations long since recorded and now stored away.

  It has often been said that "time changes everything." Disagreeable details, fatiguing marches, and the "G.I." way of doing things will become vague and distorted in our mind's eye, and thence emerge in our fancy as being the good old days."

  Our rehabilitation, necessitated by the war. has torn down barriers which formerly restricted our vision and understanding and has given our outlook a broader scope. This conflict accelerated the tempo of our lives and will influence the channel our careers shall follow when the war is over.

  The staff. therefore, feels that the occasion warrants the publication of this book. We hope that we have successfully mirrored the aims and activities of the 507th Parachute Infantry. To the men of the regiment. good luck and -- Godspeed.

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  U.S. Marine Corps, Women's Reserve: Camp Lejeune, N.C

  United States Marine Corp

  It was World War II that brought to women their first opportunity to serve as an integral part of the Corps. The challenge came on February 13, 1943, with the announcement that the Marines had once more opened their ranks to women and now offered them full membership, including the chance for promotion to non-commissioned and commissioned grades and the privilege of serving in a wide variety of posts. Thus, scientific developments in war-making equipment, the global proportions of World War II, and the desperate need for a never-before-dreamed-of number of Marines, had made women's role in the Corps the most vital and important in history.

  In response to the challenging ''Free a Marine to Fight'' women began to flock to the procurement offices.

  Mrs. Ruth Cheney Streeter, of Morristown, New Jersey was appointed director of the new Women's Reserve and commissioned a major in the Marine Corps. Long active in public affairs, a member of the New Jersey State Relief Council, New Jersey Commission on Interstate Cooperation, and New Jersey Board of Children's Guardians, as well as former chairman of the Fort Dix, New Jersey, Citizens' Committee for Army and Navy, she was eminently qualified to take up her new tasks.

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  102 United States Cavalry (H-MECZ) 1942

  United States Army

  In November of 1940 the War Department, after two years of experimenting in search of a highly mobile ground reconnaissance force, selected seven national guard and two regular army cavalry regiments to be reorganized as "Horse-Mechanized Cavalry." With a new national emergency in sight, and mobilization already under way, the 102nd (Essex Troop) Cavalry was honored by being selected as one of these.

  The new regiment consisted of a rifle squadron (horse), reconnaissance squadron (mechanized), a headquarters troop and service troop, the latter embodying portee equipment for the horse squadron. From a peacetime strength of about 500 men, the organization jumped to a mobilization table of some 1,500 and active recruiting was started immediately.

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  33 Division pictorial history, Army of the United States, Camp Forrest - 1941-1942

  United States Army

  Publisher's Acknowledgment

  When this book reaches you and you and you, the men of the 33rd will be here and there-and "over there." Officers and men will have taken their places with different units to create new Divisions -- to form the nucleus of new fighting units. Some of the Commanding Officers and many officers of the staff and line and enlisted men will have taken up their new posts. But wherever they are they will carry on the great tradition of the 33rd Division -- the old Prairie Division that brought glory and fame to Illinois in every engagement in which the men of Illinois were engaged. The Editors and Publishers of the Army Press desire to express their appreciation to the Division Commander, Major General Samuel T. Lawton, the Chief of Staff, Colonel H. E. Thornton, the Division Historian, Lt. Colonel Julius Klein, and to every officer and enlisted man in the 33rd Division who has helped to make this permanent record of the 33rd possible. Without their help and guidance, and without the cooperation on research and editorial material by the Division Historical section, this book would not have been possible.

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  Historical and pictorial review, 43rd Infantry Division, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, 1942

  United States Army

  The combined histories of the units of the 43rd reads like a roll of honor of history of America, and the battle streamers amassed by these units reveal the farflung engagements in which men of the New England States have been called upon to defend their country's interests.

  The 43rd was allocated to the States of Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and in each of the four states units were organized and federally recognized.

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  Pictorial history 367th Infantry, Army of the United States, 1942

  United States Army

  The 367th Infantry Regiment was first formed at Camp Upton, New York, in 1917 as a 92nd Division unit under the command of the late Colonel James A. Moss, a distinguished son of Lafayette, Louisiana, and one of the United States' outstanding army officers.

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  Pictorial history, Forty-sixth Field Artillery Brigade, Army of the United States, 1942

  United States Army

  On February 10, 1941, the 46th Field Artillery Brigade (G.H.Q.) came into being as a military unit under the command of Colonel George H. Paine. This apparently simple statement covers much, as this was the first time in the Military History of the United States that a unit as large as a Brigade was formed completely of Colored Troops.

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  Pictorial review Seventy-third Field Artillery Brigade, 1941

  United States Army

  This Brigade was organized September 23, 1940. The Commanding General is Brigadier General William A. March. It is composed of the Headquarters Battery, 73rd Field Artillery Brigade (Corps) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the 141st Field Artillery (the Washington Artillery) from New Orleans, and the 166th Field Artillery drawn mainly from in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and from what is known as up-state Pennsylvania. The 155mm gun, tractor drawn regiment, the 190th Field Artillery, was formerly the 103rd Cavalry and is composed of units from the central and western part of the state of Pennsylvania. The Brigade Headquarters, when formed, was converted from the Headquarters 22nd Cavalry Division, Headquarters 52nd Cavalry Brigade and Headquarters 122nd Medical Squadron which had a history dating back to 1921, having been so organized when the National Guard of the United States was reorganized under the National Defense Act.

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  United States Army War Show: Provisional Task Force, 1942

  United States Army

  From the introduction:

  Our Army had grown until it numbered millions. Parents, wives and relatives had watched America's young men march off to distant training camps without being able to visit them and learn from personal observation how those men were being prepared for modern warfare. America was financing a war effort. It wanted to know how its money was being expended. The Bureau of Public Relations of the War Department wanted an answer. It was discovered in the Army War Show.

  With the full cooperation of all branches, a force of approximately 700 men was assembled at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, on May 20, 1942. There were units from the Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth, Engineers from Fort Belvoir, Mechanized Cavalry from Fort Knox, Mechanized Infantry from Fort A. P. Hill, Chemical Warfare Service from Edgewood Arsenal, and a small but effective operating squadron from the Air Corps. A tank, anti-tank and several service units were added, and at Pittsburgh the task force was joined by a cavalry unit from the Ninth Cavalry of Fort Riley, Kansas.

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  Pictorial history, Two Hundred Forty-Sixth Coast Artillery (HD), 1940-1941

  Wesley Clare Royer and Corbell Jones

  As uncertainty marks the course of world events and Democracy stands on a threshold of unrest and threats of aggressor nations, citizen soldiers of the 246th Coast Artillery again have calmly adjusted themselves to another unlimited national emergency.

  While many of the great nations of the world are in a state of undeclared war and their peoples enslaved to a dictatorial tyranny, guardians of the Mother State-many of them reminiscent of their 1917-18 struggle to save the freedom handed down to them from courageous ancestors-are preparing for any eventuality that may threaten the American way of life. Just as the first European government crumbled under the heel of a monstrous conqueror in this World War lI -- the Army of the United States signaled for strength. We, of the 246th Coast Artillery (Harbor Defense), are proud to be a part of this vast bulwark between a free, peace-loving nation and a force so destructive that the entire world fears for its safety.

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  Harbor defenses of Portland, 1941: pictorial history

  United States Army

  The Harbor Defense Headquarters Battery, recently authorized, was formed in May, 1941 and was composed of General Garrett, Harbor Defense Commander; Lieut. Colonel Hoge, Executive; Major Davis, Plans and Training Officer, and 2nd Lieut. Potter, Assistant Adjutant. In August Lieut. Col. Lins replaced Lieut. Col. Hoge as Harbor Defense Executive, and Colonel Hoge became Post Commander at Fort McKinley.

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  Historical and pictorial review, 43rd Infantry Division, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, 1942 (152nd Field Artillery Battalion)

  United States Army

  With the decision, following the World War, to organize two National Guard Divisions in each of the nine Corps Areas the 43rd Division came into being.

  The 43rd was allocated to the States of Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and in each of the four states units were organized and federally recognized. The three brigades of the Division were allocated so that the control could be centralized to the greatest extent. The 85th Brigade was allocated entirely to Connecticut, and consisted of the 102nd and 169th Infantry Regiments. The 86th Brigade was allocated to Maine and Vermont, and consisted of the 103rd Infantry (Maine) and the 172nd Infantry (Vermont). The 68th Field Artillery was allocated to Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and consisted of the 103rd and 152nd Regiments (75-mm.) and the 192nd (155-mm. Howitzer).

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  Pictorial history, Thirty-Seventh Division, United States Army, 1940-1941

  United States Army

  This book contains two sections; Part I is pages 1-226, Part II is pages 227-406

  Selection from History of the Thirty-Seventh Division:

  The 37th Division was called into service on October 16, 1940, under the command of General Beightler. Ordered to Camp Shelby, the division started the long, arduous task of building a strong combat force. A few months later, the first selectees arrived to receive their training under provisions of the Selective Service Act.

  With their basic training completed, the Ohio troops were ready for field work, and in June, 1941, moved to Louisiana for four weeks of intensive maneuvers. In August and September the 37th Division joined other units of the Third Army in the most extensive peacetime maneuvers in our country's history to battle over the sometimes hot-and-dry, sometimes wet-and-swampy stretches of Louisiana and Texas. Concerning the soldiers of the 37th Division, General Beightler has said: "I am proud of the men of my command for the splendid job they have done. They have worked hard, oftentimes under exceedingly difficult conditions, to achieve their fine records. They can take it."

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  Pictorial history, Three Hundred Sixty-Sixth Infantry, 1941

  United States Army

  The 366th Infantry was organized at Camp Dodge, Iowa, in November, 1917. The regiment served overseas during the World War as part of the 92nd Division, National Army, and earned credit for battle participation as follows:

  St. Die Sector (Lorraine), August 23-September 20, 1918; Meuse-Argonne Sector, September 26-0ctober 5, 1918; Marbach Sector (Lorraine), October 8-November, 1918.

  It is entitled to Lorraine and Meuse-Argonne battle streamers for the Colors.

  The regiment returned to the United States and was demobilized at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, March 25, 1919. On July 26, 1941, it was reconstituted and consolidated with the 366th Infantry which was organized December 16, 1940, and made active February 10, 1941.

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  Pictorial review Seventy-second Field Artillery Brigade, Army of the United States, 1941

  United States Army

  The 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, although composed of veteran troops, is a comparatively new organization. It is made up of the 119th Field Artillery, the 177th Field Artillery, and the 182nd Field Artillery and was formed in September, 1940, under the command of Colonel Joseph H. Lewis, who has since been promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. General Lewis formerly commanded the 57th Field Artillery Brigade.

  The 119th Field Artillery, a World War Artillery Regiment of the 32nd Division, was converted from a light artillery regiment to a 155 millimeter gun regiment by Special Order 224, Adjutant General's Office, State of Michigan, September 18, 1940, and assigned to the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade. It is commanded by Colonel Glenn W. Carey.

  The 182nd Field Artillery, formerly medium artillery of the Sixth Corps, was likewise transferred to the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, remaining a 155 millimeter howitzer regiment. Colonel George V. N. Lothrop is in command.

  Fire power was completed by the addition of the second Howitzer Regiment, the 177th Field Artillery. The regiment was formed from ,all the Michigan units of the First Squadron, 106th Cavalry, and of the 107th Quartermaster Regiment, and is commanded by Colonel Russell G. Simpson.

  On the 7th day of April, 1941, the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade was inducted into Federal Service in accordance with a Presidential Order dated January 11, 1941. Induction having been completed, the Brigade proceeded by rail and motor convoy to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where it began the early stages of its preliminary training. While at Fort Knox, the Brigade lived under canvas and experienced many uncomfortable periods of inclement weather, which alternately subjected the personnel to deep mud and fine dust, indoors and out. The Brigade remained at Fort Knox until June 1, 1941, and then proceeded to its first permanent station at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, arriving there June 2nd.

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  Historical and pictorial review, National Guard of the State of Maine, 1939

  National Guard of the State of Maine

  Greetings

  To the Military Forces of the State of Maine:

  It is with a feeling of satisfaction and pride that we present you herewith this history of the military forces of the State of Maine, and in the years to come, whether you are separated from the service or not, it is felt that you may read it from time to time with some degree of satisfaction knowing that you have contributed your part in its preparation and to the accomplishments of the military forces of our State.

  The men from Maine have always borne a conspicuous and highly honorable part not only in the up-building of the State since early Colonial times but in the various conflicts in which this country has been engaged, and some of the most outstanding leaders in our past wars have been from the State of Maine.

  The traditions and noble records achieved by our people have been outstanding and it is felt that you will carry on these traditions should you be called upon to face the same conditions as our glorious ancestors have had to contend with.

  J.W. Hanson, Brigadier General, The Adjutant General

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  Official annual, 1937, Civilian Conservation Corps, First CCC District, First Corps Area

  Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). First C.C.C. District

  Excerpt from a message from the President of the United States to members of the CCC read over NBC network at 7:30 PM, Friday, April 17, 1936:

  To the million and a half young men and war veterans who have been, or are today, enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps Camps, I extend greeting on this third anniversary of the establishment of the first CCC Camp.

  Idle through no fault of your own, you were enrolled from city and rural homes and offered an opportunity to engage in healthful, outdoor work on forest, park and soil conservation projects of definite practical value to all the people of the nation. The promptness with which you seized the opportunity to engage in honest work, the willingness with which you have performed your daily tasks and the fine spirit you have shown in winning the respect of the communities in which your camps have been located, merits the admiration of the entire country. You, and the men who have guided and supervised your efforts, have cause to be proud of the record the CCC has made in the development of sturdy manhood and in the initiation and prosecution of a conservation program of unprecedented proportions.

  Since the Corps began some 1,150,000 of you have been graduated, improved in health, self-disciplined, alert and eager for the opportunity to make good in any kind of honest employment. Our records show that the results achieved in the protection and improvement of our timbered domain, in the arrest of soil wastage, in the development of needed recreational areas, in wild life conservation and in flood control have been as impressive as the results achieved in the rehabilitation of youth. Through your spirit and industry it has been demonstrated that young men can be put to work in our forests, parks, and fields on projects which benefit both the nation's youth and conservation generally.

  Franklin D. Roosevelt

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  History of the 103rd infantry

  Frank Hume

  In the early part of December, 1918, the Division Commander, Major General Hale, at a conference at Montigny-le-Roi, expressed his desire that the several organizations of the division take steps to properly record their history. An order on this matter soon followed, and it is in compliance with this order that the following history or story of the 103rd Infantry has been written. Primarily its purpose is to record the events, the actions, and the facts, concerning the regiment from the time of its incorporation as a part of the 26th Division through the close of the war. This primary purpose would be satisfied by a very few pages of statistics and data, but it is thought that something more should be given; for, just as any history would be dull if it contained nothing !but dates, places, figures, and names, in the same measure would this story of the 103rd Infantry be dry and uninteresting if the circumstances, the life, and the atmosphere surrounding the events should be omitted.