The History of the 43rd Infantry Division, 1941-1945
by Joseph E. Zimmer, Colonel, Infantry (Retired)
A Merriam Press Original Reprint Publication
Military Monograph MM23
First published in 1945, this brand-new edition (not a facsimile reprint) is the story of the U.S. Army’s 43rd “Winged Victory” Division whose memorable record in World War II will stand forever as an inspiration to all freedom-loving Americans. It is the story of valiant men who dedicated their lives to preserve all in life that is precious and coveted.
While the story of the division may be recorded for posterity only on the printed page, its days of tragedy and comedy, adversity and prosperity, famine and feast, combat and rest, labor and recreation, are eternally engraved on the souls of thousands of red-blooded Americans who fought, conquered, died in the name of justice, humanity, and freedom.
The 43rd Infantry Division was organized following World War I, and was made up of National Guard troops from the New England States—Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Connecticut. Many of the organizations, particularly the Infantry Regiments and the Field Artillery Battalions had World War I records, and some had histories dating back to the days of the Revolutionary War.
Upon induction into federal service on 24 February 1941, the officers and men were citizen soldiers. The division originally was inducted into federal service for the purpose of training for one year, but was held in service until inactivation on 1 November 1945, after having contributed greatly to the defeat of the enemy in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations.
The 43rd saw duty and combat in such places as New Zealand, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, the Russells, New Georgia, Munda, Arundel, New Guinea, invasion of Lingayen, the Shimbu Line, and Ipo Dam, as well as the surrender and occupation.
Contents
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The Beginning
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War Comes
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Off to War
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New Zealand
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New Caledonia
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Guadalcanal and the Russells
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New Georgia
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Securing Munda
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Arundel
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Defending Munda
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Rest and Reorganization in New Zealand
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New Guinea
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Lingayen
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Moving Inland
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Stotsenberg
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Crushing the Shimbu Line
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Ipo Dam
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Surrender and Occupation
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Homecoming
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Appendix: Leonard Fish Wing
Specifications
Reviews and Testimonials
Very interested in this volume as my Dad and two of his brothers served in the division (my Dad's experience earned him the Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts and an arrowhead with four stars on his Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon). Additionally, my son closed out the life of the 43rd by serving in the 43rd Brigade of the 26th Infantry Division during the brigade's last year of organization. Having grown up in the Army, 1946-54, with the division, the red quatrefoil and black grape leaf get to be part of you. Colonel Zimmer's literature needs to be in the family.
—Tom Rozman
My father, who will be 88 years old, was a member of the 43rd Infantry Division. He showed me his copy of your book and I therefore wanted to get a copy for my own collection. My father enjoyed your book. Some of the photographs brought back memories of the places he had seen. In reading the book, my father commented that "it was nice to know what the other guys were doing!"
Thank you for putting this book together. There is an ancient historian who once said: "The purpose of history is not to record that which happened, rather the purpose of history is to record that which is to be remembered." Thank you for helping us remember.
—Thomas Genduso
My maternal grandfather, John V. Gallardo, was killed while fighting the Japanese on Luzon in the Philippines, on 14 March 1945 fighting in the 43 Inf. Div, 103rd Inf. Regiment. I decided I really wanted to learn more about the unit history of the distinguished Division that he served with literally "till the end." Your work means a lot to those of us who care to learn and remember about fading battles and long ago wars and the warriors who fought them.
—Lance R. Gallardo
former Marine officer
Hopefully the book will fill in a few holes in my Dad's service in WWII. He was a Vermonter from North Troy who joined the 43rd and who during an approximately 10 day period in the early days of the Luzon campaign was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and the Distinguished Unit Citation (later upgraded to the Presidential Unit Citation) and two of his three Purple Hearts for taking three hills and participating in one of the infamous road blocks in that short period of time.
—Alan Griggs