CONNECTICUT MEN

43d - W i n g e d Victory - Division

October, 1945

S T A T E

O F

C O N N E C T I C U T CHAMBERS

EXECUTIVE

HARTFORD R A Y M O N D E. BALDWIN

To The Men Who Came Home With The 43d? To you, and through you, to a l l the men who s a i l e d

w i t h you three long years ago, t o those men who died that t h i s , our homeland be spared the h o r r o r s of i n v a s i o n and war, to those men wounded and s i c k who preceded you home, t o those who having served the a l l o t t e d time came e a r l i e r - I , on behalf o f the, tender

State o f Connecticut,

extend h e a r t f e l t a p p r e c i a t i o n and

a s i n c e r e welcome home. I n the f o o t s t e p s o f your f a t h e r s have w r i t t e n more b r i l l i a n t pages and f o r e f a t h e r s you history of

i n the m i l i t a r y

t h i s n a t i o n . As a son o f Connecticut you have courageously and f a i t h f u l l y maintained the t r a d i t i o n s o f the State and Nation.

You have added to t h a t long l i s t , s t a r t e d by the Connecticut men who fought at Bunker Hill, enduring names - Guadalcanal, Solomons, New Guinea, Luzon and Tokyo. And to those men o f the 169th I n f a n t r y I n p a r t i c u l a r , who i n World War I I c a r r i e d on the great t r a d i t i o n o f t h a t r e g i ment which dates back to 1739, the S t a t e pays p a r t i c u l a r honor.

The record o f your s e r v i c e warrants the h i g h e s t accolade. I know a l l the c i t i z e n s o f Connecticut j o i n w i t h me

i n expressing to you our p r i d e and g r a t i t u d e . Yours very s i n c e r e l y ,

Governor

43d DIVISION BATTLE L O G

Guadalcanal P a r t i c i p a t i o n i n four campaigns G u a d a l c a n a l , the N o r t h e r n Solomons, N e w G u i n e a a n d L u z o n m a r k the c o m b a t record of the 43d I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n . T h e d i v i s i o n l a n d e d late i n 1942 i n N e w Z e a l a n d , one c o m b a t t e a m l a n d i n g at E s p i r i t o Santo i n the Hebrides. T h e division remained i n N e w Z e a l a n d as strategic reserve for the p u r pose of meeting a threatened Japanese i n v a s i o n . L a t e r the 43d m o v e d to N e w C a l e d o n i a a n d i n J a n . 1943 m o v e d to G u a d a l c a n a l just p r i o r to the t e r m i n a t i o n of the c a m p a i g n there. I n F e b . 1943 the W i n g e d V i c t o r y m e n i n v a d e d the R u s s e l l Islands w i t h o u t opposition. Rendova Island T h e 43d was t h e n organized as a task force a n d w i t h elements of the A r m y , N a v y a n d M a r i n e C o r p s made the first assault on N e w G e o r g i a at R e n d o v a I s l a n d on J u n e 30, 1943. T h e r e followed 81 days of cont i n u o u s c o m b a t for the d i v i s i o n , d u r i n g w h i c h t i m e i t a c c o u n t e d for more t h a n 4,000 J a p dead. C r e d i t for p l a y i n g a v i t a l role i n the capture of the M u n d a airfield o n A u g . 5, 1943, went to the 43d. T h e c a m p a i g n ended Sept. 21, 1943 a n d i n F e b . 1944, the d i v i s i o n left N e w G e o r g i a a n d r e t u r n e d to N e w Z e a l a n d for rest a n d rehabilitation. Aitape T h e d i v i s i o n s t r u c k next i n J u n e 1944 at A i t a p e , N e w G u i n e a , r e i n forcing other A m e r i c a n u n i t s w h i c h were fighting there. I t p a r t i c i p a t e d i n the b l o o d y battle of the D r i n i m u o r R i v e r , c u t t i n g off a threatened J a p break out of the W e w a k , N e w G u i n e a , t r a p . Luzon T h e W i n g e d V i c t o r y outfit n e x t went i n t o a c t i o n as p a r t of the i n v a s i o n force w h i c h l a n d e d at L i n g a y e n G u l f , L u z o n , P h i l i p p i n e Islands, on J a n . 3 9, 1945. T h e d i v i s i o n completed its mission of t a k i n g the left flank of the assault on L i n g a y e n G u l f a n d securing the h i l l masses a n d r o a d n e t w o r k so as to block off the Japanese i n the m o u n t a i n s near B a g u i o . T h r o u g h o u t the i n i t i a l 30 days of fighting on L u z o n the d i v i s i o n h a d c o n stant contact w i t h the enemy a n d the n u m b e r of J a p s k i l l e d b y the 43d equaled the n u m b e r k i l l e d b y a l l other d i v i s i o n s on L u z o n d u r i n g t h a t period. T h e d i v i s i o n m o v e d i n t o the F o r t Stotsenberg area of L u z o n , e l i m i n a t e d J a p pockets of r e sistance i n the Zambales m o u n t a i n s a n d then m o v e d s o u t h w a r d to crush the S h i m b u line i n the A n t i p o l o - N e w Boso boso sector east of M a n i l a . T h e d i v i s i o n helped take Ipo D a m , m a i n source of M a n i l a ' s water s u p p l y , i n M a y 1945, b l a s t i n g the S h i n s h u fortress s u r r o u n d i n g the d a m . I n J u n e a n d J u l y 1945, i t was reported m o p p i n g u p on L u z o n . Japan T h e d i v i s i o n e m b a r k e d for occupation duties, l a n d i n g at Y o k o h a m a , a n d was p r e p a r i n g for occupation duties at K u m a g a y a , northwest of T o k y o , w h e n the announcement was made t h a t the d i v i s i o n was slated for r e t u r n to the States. Major Campaigns Guadalcanal, Solomons, N e w G u i n e a , L u z o n , O c c u p a t i o n of J a p a n . Japanese Slain L u z o n , 16,852; N e w G e o r g i a , 4,000; N e w G u i n e a , 500. Japanese Prisoners L u z o n , 762; N e w G e o r g i a , 2 3 ; N e w G u i n e a , 68. Awards Congressional M e d a l 2, D i s t i n g u i s h e d Service Cross 34, D i s t i n g u i s h e d Service M e d a l 1, S i l v e r S t a r 551, L e g i o n of M e r i t 56, P u r p l e H e a r t 8,000, Soldier . M e d a l 22, B r o n z e S t a r 1413, A i r M e d a l 13.

THE 43d DIVISION STORIES

W a r correspondents of W o r l d W a r I I frequently embellished and often overwrote the action stories of modest soldiers. T h e aggregate result pleased editors, made headlines, and, on occasion, embarrassed the soldiers. I n retaliation, the correspondents and their victims were labelled, i n characteristic G . I . language, "Joe B l o w " . A c t u a l l y , the " J o e B l o w s " were few and far between i n this A r m y . T h e purpose of these stories is to record without embellishment, the mood, the impressions, the exciting events, of the worst a n d best of the great days, before time blurs memories with resulting confusion as to events, dates a n d places. These are soldiers' stories, here recorded as near verbatim as possible i n soldiers' words The Editor.

Azary, J o h n G . , P v t . , 192d F . A . B n . , South Norwalk. " A f t e r spending three years i n the Pacific, the States especially N e w E n g l a n d seemed almost too good to be true. I served as a n observer i n a machine g u n c o m p a n y , a n d I made most of the c a m paigns. T h e whole N e w Georgia c a m p a i g n was t o u g h w i t h t h e J a p s , the weather a n d the climate a l l a c t i n g against us. M a n y of m y friends were lost there a n d m a n y more were wounded. I t was t o u c h a n d go a l l of the t i m e . I ' l l be glad to get back i n c i v i l i a n clothes." Berkins, Richard C., S/Sgt., H q . B t r y . , 192d F . A . B n . , N o r w a l k . "Rosario, i n Northern Luzon that was our worst. One n i g h t i n J a n u a r y we got shelled b y the J a p s , w h o were using guns t h e y c a p t u r e d f r o m o u r troops w h e n they took the P h i l i p p i n e s i n 1942. T h e y poured i t i n for a half h o u r ; i t was a long half hour, a n d I ' m n o t k i d d i n g ! B u t we h a d no casualties we were a l l good at digging." Cassella, Alfred P., 2 d / L t . , Co. L , 169th Inf., N e w B r i t a i n . " I w o u n d u p w i t h three P u r p l e H e a r t s before t h e y sent me home o n points, b u t the closest call I h a d was w h e n three N i p s caught me w i t h o u t m y rifle while we were o n B a n g a a I s l a n d , off N e w G e o r g i a . I was g u a r d i n g a c o m m u n i c a t i o n s line w h e n these three J a p s came o u t of n o where a n d there I was w i t h no g u n . T h e y saw me a n d I saw t h e m . I y e l l e d a n d h i t the g r o u n d . Some of t h e b o y s about 50 4

y a r d s a w a y fired i n the d i r e c t i o n of m y voice a n d I got a chance to t a k e cover w h e n the J a p s scattered. T h a t was before I got m y direct a p p o i n t m e n t . " Conway, R i c h a r d F . , Sgt., D i v . H q . , New Britain. " P l e n t y of fellows saw tougher d a y s t h a n I d i d . T h e best d a y I h a d outside of the d a y I f o u n d out I h a d 101 points a n d o n l y needed 85 for discharge was w h e n we boarded a ship b o u n d for N e w Z e a l a n d a n d a rest after 17 m o n t h s i n the islands. E v e r y o n e was p r e t t y w e l l t i r e d out, p a r t i c u l a r l y the fellows i n the I n f a n t r y , a n d we were a l l a l i t t l e ' i s l a n d h a p p y . ' T h e N e w G e o r g i a c a m p a i g n was over a n d I figured t h a t a r e t u r n to c i v i l i z a t i o n w o u l d give us a n o p p o r t u n i t y to f i n d out again w h a t i t was l i k e to see w h i t e people." Deedy, R a y m o n d A . , P f c , C o . E . , 102d Inf., W a t e r b u r y . " E v e n t h o u g h t h e y took us a w a y , t e c h n i c a l l y , f r o m the 43d D i v i s i o n before we went overseas, we s t i l l feel t h a t the 43d is our outfit. T h e r e ' s a great t r a d i t i o n b e h i n d the 43d a n d we l i k e to feel t h a t we're p a r t of i t . F o r t y - t h r e e m o n t h s o u t there gave me a l l t h a t I ever w a n t to see of the P a c i f i c ; there i s n ' t m u c h difference between one i s l a n d a n d another, except for H a w a i i . I t was almost like c i v i l i z a t i o n w h e n we got there. I n the Society Islands a n d the N e w H e b r i d e s the weather was p r e t t y b a d , a n d often we h a d d a y after d a y of r a i n . W e were garrison troops a n d for the most p a r t i t was p r e t t y d u l l . "

Douchette, Wilfred A., lst/Sgt., H q . C o . , 3 d B n . , 169th Inf., N e w B r i t a i n . " T h e worst t i m e I h a d i n the A r m y covered five days w h e n the t h i r d b a t t a l i o n was sent out to A r t i l l e r y R i d g e . T h a t was at B i g ' T ' , below Ipo D a m w h i c h was a M a n i l a w a t e r s u p p l y , i n the L u z o n c a m p a i g n . W e were supposed to find out the s t r e n g t h of the J a p s . F o r five days a n d five nights we were o n t h a t ridge a n d the J a p s t h r e w e v e r y t h i n g t h e y h a d at us. O u r outfit h a d some t o u g h times b u t t h a t was the toughest a n d those of us who got out a l i v e figured we were p r e t t y l u c k y boys." Ehnat, J o h n T . , P f c , C o . E . , 103d Inf., Bridgeport. " I was first scout a n d m y job was to t r y a n d find out where the enemy was l o c a t e d a n d locate p i l l boxes a n d machine gun nests. One t i m e some of our m e n were w o u n d e d d o w n the b o t t o m of a h i l l . I was supposed to go d o w n a n d flank these m e n for t h e i r p r o t e c t i o n . I asked the sergeant whether there were a n y J a p s there a n d he s a i d no. A n o t h e r t h i n g , w h i l e I was going d o w n the h i l l I h e a r d some one y e l l ' C h a r l i e ' i n E n g l i s h so I t h o u g h t e v e r y t h i n g was i n order. W h e n I got u p the second h i l l , I y e l l e d ' W h e r e the hell are y o u guys?' A s I t u r n e d a r o u n d I l o o k e d r i g h t i n t o the face of a J a p . I pressed the trigger on m y g u n a n d i t d i d n ' t w o r k , so I h i t a b a n k a r o u n d the b e n d . I t o l d the B A R m a n to shoot over m y head so I c o u l d get a w a y , b u t his B A R didn't work. I t o o k a grenade out a n d t h r e w i t i n t o the J a p hole a n d m a n aged to k i l l h i m . K n o w i n g t h a t I h a d no chance, I got out i n a h u r r y . A s I r a n the J a p s shot a t me a n d k n o c k e d m y g u n r i g h t out of m y h a n d . " Embardo, Robert W . , P v t . , Co. E . , 102d Inf., W a t e r b u r y . " T h e natives i n the Society Islands h a d

quite a racket after we l a n d e d there the A r m y h i r e d the m e n to w o r k on r o a d a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n projects. Soon, however, t h e y a l l q u i t t h e i r jobs because t h e y f o u n d t h a t t h e i r wives were m a k i n g m u c h more m o n e y b y d o i n g l a u n d r y for the servicemen. T h e m e n received about seventy-five cents a d a y , while the w o m e n made f r o m five to six dollars a d a y a n d more for d o i n g l a u n d r y . F r o m t h a t t i m e on, the m e n sat b a c k a n d s m o k e d a n d enjoyed themselves, while t h e i r wives made more m o n e y t h a n t h e y h a d ever dreamed of h a v i n g . A l l i n a l l , those P o l y n e s i a n s were p r e t t y nice people. Overseas time? I had e x a c t l y 37 m o n t h s , 11 days. I k n o w t h a t figure b y h e a r t ! " Filon, Robert D . , L t . C o l . , 2d B n . , 169th Inf., H a r t f o r d . " I ' m p a r t i c u l a r l y p r o u d of the fact t h a t the Second B a t t a l i o n was one of the few t h a t saw a c t i o n i n the S o l o m o n I s l a n d s , N e w G u i n e a a n d the P h i l i p p i n e s , c o m p l e t i n g the job b y o c c u p y i n g J a p a n . I t was o r i g i n a l l y composed of members f r o m H a r t f o r d a n d v i c i n i t y , b u t replacements t h r o u g h the years came f r o m a l l p a r t s of the U n i t e d States. A t the close, a H a r t f o r d m a n was a n o v e l t y a n d a pleasure to see. Several H a r t f o r d m e n h a d t h e i r a b i l i t y recognized on the field a n d received direct a p p o i n t m e n t s as second lieutenants. A l l of these officers p r o v e d to be of superior caliber." Gilberto, Frank D . , S/Sgt., Co. F . , 169th Inf., H a r t f o r d . " L i v i n g i n a foxhole made us p s y c h i c . Y o u got to k n o w w h a t a m a n t h o u g h t by the t o u c h of his fingers i n the d a r k . T h a t famous T h i r d N i g h t o n the d r i v e t o M u n d a was the worst, the J a p s c o m i n g i n w i t h i n 25 feet, screeching, h o l l e r i n g a l l n i g h t , r o l l i n g their grenades. W e c o u l d n ' t t a l k ; a n d we c o u l d n ' t m o v e for fear the creak of the knee j o i n t w o u l d give us

a w a y . B y m o r n i n g we were 'frozen' we h a d to w o r k on each other's legs to get b a c k the c i r c u l a t i o n . W e t a l k e d i n the d a r k b y t o u c h system. E v e r y few days the signals were changed. One n i g h t we arranged t h a t one signal t a p m e a n t ' W a t c h the rear.' T w o was, ' A r e y o u awake?' T h r e e was, ' L i s t e n . ' F o u r was, ' T h e y ' r e c o m i n g i n . ' A grab a h o l d of the fingertips m e a n t , ' P u l l me over to y o u . ' E a c h foxhole made u p its o w n signals. One reason for signals was to m a k e sure the fellow next to y o u w a s n ' t a J a p . W e left our helmet straps u n h o o k e d for good reason. T h a t was after one of us was p u l l e d out of his hole b y his helmet, l i f t e d b y the strap under his chin." Gilmore, Maurice J . , T / 4 . , Co. D., 118th M . D . B n . , N e w L o n d o n . " M e , I met a f r i e n d f r o m N e w L o n d o n j u s t as we went ashore on D - D a y on S a n F a b i a n I s l a n d i n the P h i l i p p i n e s . H e was out of e q u i p m e n t a n d so was I , so we t r a d e d back a n d f o r t h u n t i l we were b o t h fixed u p . T h e shells were p o u r i n g i n on the beach f r o m the m o u n t a i n a n d a n L S T 200 yards a w a y blew up f r o m a direct h i t . W e h a n d l e d a lot of casualties that d a y a n d a lot of our dead the n e x t . " Golden, D a v i d R . , l s t / S g t . , C o . E . , 103d Inf., T h o m p s o n v i l l e . " I d o n ' t w a n t to say a n y t h i n g now t h a t i t ' s a l l over. I ' d feel good if I could get a job w h e n I get o u t . " Gurnee, W i l l i a m N . , S / S g t . , 169th Inf., New London. " T h e k i n d of fighting a n d the c o n d i tions under w h i c h we h a d to fight i n N e w G e o r g i a were about as b a d as a n y I have ever experienced. Besides the jungle a n d swamps, the J a p s were p r e t t y strong a n d aggressive. O n the M u n d a t r a i l we were caught w i t h o u t a n y food or supplies w h e n the J a p s severed our lines i n the rear. S

E v e r y t h i n g we received f r o m then on for about a week h a d to be d r o p p e d b y plane. I t was p r e t t y t o u g h t o w a r d s the end just before relief a r r i v e d . " Handleman, W i l l i a m J . , P f c , 169th F. A . B n . , Hartford. " J u s t as soon as I get back home I a m going to t a k e off for a f a r m m y f a m i l y has u p i n V e r m o n t a n d get one l o n g rest. T h r e e years i n the P a c i f i c as a cannoneer for a 105mm h o w i t z e r f r o m G u a d a l c a n a l to the P h i l i p p i n e s has t i r e d me out. I t has been so l o n g since I have seen the folks t h a t I a m getting nervous n o w w h e n I t h i n k I shall be seeing t h e m i n j u s t a few hours. T h e roughest a c t i o n I experienced was on N e w G e o r g i a w h e n our c o m m a n d post was a t t a c k e d a n d we h a d to l a y d o w n a concentration of fire to relieve the pressure on t h e m . T h e J a p is a p r e t t y good soldier a n d t h e i r t r a i n i n g seems to specialize i n i n f i l t r a t i o n tactics at n i g h t w h i c h we h a d p l e n t y of experience w i t h i n the j u n g l e s . " Higgins, John J . , 1 s t / L t . , Sv. Co., 169th Inf., N e w B r i t a i n . " M a r c h 10, 1945, stands out as p r e t t y rough. I was l e a d i n g a s u p p l y p a r t y of F i l i p i n o carriers near C l a r k F i e l d on L u z o n to a f o r w a r d c o m p a n y t h a t w a s isolated. W e were a t t a c k e d b y a n enemy force a n d p i n n e d d o w n . Some of us circled a r o u n d a n d managed to break the block, k i l l i n g four J a p s a n d c a p t u r i n g considerable enemy e q u i p m e n t . W e reorganized i n a h u r r y a n d c o n t i n u e d on our w a y . W e delivered the supplies as s c h e d u l e d . " Jeffries, James, C p l . , B t r y . B . , 192d F . A . B n . , Stamford. " M y most pleasant m e m o r y of the Pacific is the d a y we l a n d e d i n N e w Z e a l a n d i n October 1942. I t was the nearest t h i n g to home t h a t we saw i n the three years over there. T h e worst place we s t r u c k was N e w C a l e d o n i a , where we

spent t w o m o n t h s i n 1943. W e were t h a t far f r o m c i v i l i z a t i o n t h a t i t was p a t h e t i c . W e h a d a lot of dealings w i t h the F r e n c h over there, a n d w h e n t h e y were d o i n g business w i t h our boys t h e y were n o t h i n g but clip artists." Leonard, William, P f c , Btry. A., 192d F . A . B n . , E a s t N o r w a l k . " T h e rottenest spot was the Solomons. T h o s e islands were the lousiest area i n the Southwest P a c i f i c . W e spent 14 m o n t h s there. I t ' s no k i d d i n g t h a t t h e y were the longest 14 m o n t h s I ever hope to see. T h e r e was a l w a y s the heat a n d the bugs, a n d the t r o p i c a l diseases, a n d the s t i n k i n g N i p s . W h a t i t a l l adds u p to as we saw i t , y o u w o u l d n ' t p u t i n p r i n t . " Mangan, Joseph J . , C p l . , C o . M . , 169th Inf., N e w B r i t a i n . " T h e longest 13 hours I ever spent i n m y life were on J u l y 14, 1943, w h e n we were on Seven D a y H i l l on M u n d a i n N e w G e o r g i a a n d I got h i t . T h e going h a d been p r e t t y tough u p u n t i l t h a t t i m e b u t i t got worse. A f t e r I got h i t , I l a y there f r o m 7 o'clock t h a t n i g h t u n t i l 8 o'clock the next m o r n i n g . J i m m y H o w e a n d J i m m y M a t u r a n o h e l d a t o u r n i q u e t on me all t h a t t i m e a n d the hours dragged. J i m m y H o w e , a swell guy, was k i l l e d later on L u z o n a n d so was his brother, F r a n c i s . " Marchesseault, Norman H., Pfc, Sig. Co., D a y v i l l e . " W h a t I ' l l remember is the 15 minutes after 4:20 a.m. on a F e b r u a r y d a y i n 1943. W e were enroute to G u a d a l c a n a l on a n L S T , just entering T a l o g i B a y , when we were a t t a c k e d b y six J a p torpedo planes. T h e crew, to clear the deck for a c t i o n , ordered us a l l below, but w i t h a few others I stayed on deck to w a t c h the show w h i c h I saw f r o m a spot b e h i n d a lifeboat s t a t i o n . T h e N a v y went to w o r k o n t h e m , a n d there were tracers f l y i n g a l l a r o u n d . T h e a t t a c k lasted j u s t fifteen
10

m i n u t e s , we got one J a p plane, a n d h a d no c a s u a l t i e s . " Montesi, Wilson J . , P f c , Btry. B., 192d F . A . B n . , D a n b u r y . " T h e F o u r t h of J u l y i n '43 was hot, a n d I d o n ' t m e a n the weather! T h a t was our first fight, at R e n d o v a , N e w G e o r g i a . I t came o n us s u d d e n l y . A l l at once hell broke loose. I j u m p e d for a foxhole, a n d it was half f u l l of water a n d a l l full of eight guys. E i g h t e e n J a p bombers were c o m i n g over, b u t none of t h e m got back where t h e y s t a r t e d f r o m . " Murray, W i n t h r o p S., P f c , C o . L . , 169th Inf., N e w H a v e n . " N e w G e o r g i a was as b a d as a n y t h i n g because we weren't f u l l y equipped a n d we h a d to fight w i t h w h a t we h a d . T h e supplies r e a l l y h a d n ' t gotten i n l i k e t h e y s h o u l d have. T h e nights w i t h the J a p s i n f i l t r a t i n g , the job we h a d getting our w o u n d e d out under sniper fire a n d the fact t h a t the coral formations made foxholes almost impossible to d i g , a l l added u p a n d made i t r e a l l y t o u g h . I w o u l d n ' t give a t h i n dime to go t h r o u g h it again b u t I w o u l d n ' t take a m i l l i o n for the experience a n d the chance to see the w o r l d . " Pagliuca, A l f r e d , P f c , C o . C , 103d Inf., N e w H a v e n . " T h e J a p s were on another h i l l about 300 yards f r o m us a n d i t was a fire a n d d u c k affair. O u r machine gunner opened u p a n d after a short burst the gun j a m m e d . T h e N i p s surmised w h a t h a d happened a n d threw e v e r y t h i n g at us i n c l u d i n g p l e n t y of knee m o r t a r fire. A shell exploded i n a n e m p t y foxhole just alongside me. W e w o r r i e d m o s t l y about the beer some natives managed to get up to us the d a y before. W e gave the signal for the field a r t i l l e r y to open fire a n d t h e y d i d a n excellent job of i t . W e j o k i n g l y referred to t h a t spot as the ' S h o o t i n g G a l l e r y ' for at n i g h t the J a p s were silhouetted against

the m o o n l i g h t a n d w h e n t h e y m o v e d we c o u l d p i c k t h e m off l i k e c l a y pigeons." Peet, Eldridge P., S/Sgt., Btry. B., 103d F . A . B n . , N e w M i l f o r d . " N e a r Rosario on L u z o n i n January, we r e a l l y t o o k i t . F r o m 10 a . m . to 10 p . m . we sat there, w i t h the stuff c o m i n g i n i n a l l sizes f r o m a l l directions. O u r colonel h a d his h e a d b l o w n off b y a direct h i t . W e were a n F O p a r t y w i t h the I n f a n t r y . A b o u t 10 a . m . a b u n c h of J a p s w i t h some h o r s e - d r a w n a r t i l l e r y came d o w n the r o a d a n d opened u p o n us. W e fought i t o u t a l l n i g h t . N e x t m o r n i n g we c o u n t e d 523 dead J a p s . " Riley, Joseph J . , J r . , Sgt., H q . , B r i s t o l . " O n e of the things I ' l l remember is r u n n i n g i n t o a fellow f r o m B r i s t o l i n M a n i l a . I h a d n ' t seen h i m for four years. Because we h a p p e n e d to meet i n f r o n t of the R e d Cross a n d we were short of pesos we settled for d o u g h n u t s a n d coffee. I h a d been b a c k to the States a n d was able to give h i m a report o n his folks, his g i r l a n d the ' B e l l T o w n ' . " Rizza, P a u l J . , T / 5 , C o . C , 118th M . D . B n . , Bridgeport. " E v e r y d a y t h a t we were out there was p r e t t y hot. I was a l i t t e r bearer i n the N e w G e o r g i a c a m p a i g n . W e carried m e n b a c k f r o m the b a t t a l i o n a i d s t a t i o n to our collecting company. T h a t was done t h r o u g h swamps a n d jungle a n d a l w a y s w i t h J a p s s n i p i n g at us a l l a l o n g the w a y . I was p r e t t y l u c k y as four other fellows of m y u n i t d i d get h i t . " Root, E d w a r d E . , T / S g t . , H q . B t r y . , 192d F . A . B n . , N o r w a l k . " I ' l l remember longest the F o u r t h of J u l y i n 1943 at M u n d a , N e w G e o r g i a , w h e n 16 ' M i t z i - b i t z i s ' came over a n d I t h o u g h t t h e y were o u r o w n planes. T h e y got r i g h t on t o p of us w h e n our a n t i aircraft opened u p a n d shot t h e m a l l down."

Valeriano, Primo J . , Cpl., Co. M . , 169th Inf., N e w B r i t a i n . " I t ' s a toss-up on the toughest d a y . B a d as a n y was t h a t at M o u n t A l a v a i n L u z o n . T h e J a p s were d u g i n caves a l l over the place a n d h a d e v e r y t h i n g , i n c l u d i n g a r t i l l e r y . T h e y gave us a w o r k i n g over a n d a lot of the fellows never came out. W e were l u c k y to get out ourselves. I was o n m y w a y w h e n I h e a r d someone c a l l i n g for help. I went back a n d f o u n d one of the fellows w o u n d e d a n d brought h i m out. T h e y gave me the S i l v e r S t a r , b u t being a l i v e was the best p a r t of i t a l l . " Walker, A r t h u r L . , P f c , S v . B t r y . , 192d F . A . B n . , N e w L o n d o n . " I drew outpost d u t y , on R e n d e l l Isl a n d , g u a r d i n g the entrance to B r o c k e t t S t r a i t , i n N e w G e o r g i a , for 151 1/2 days, J u n e t h r o u g h October. I t was a n observat i o n d e t a i l of t w e l v e m e n . W e were on our o w n no officers, a n d no cooks. W e l i v e d o n K - r a t i o n s a n d n a t i v e fruits a n d vegetables. T h e natives b r o u g h t us sweet potatoes, paupaus, egg p l a n t , m a n g o e s . " Winialski, R a y m o n d E . , 1st/Lt., C o . H . , 169th Inf., H a r t f o r d . " I n the toughest spots there was a l w a y s the G I h u m o r . I t saved the s i t u a t i o n . One g u y on L u z o n was b a d l y h i t b y a 40m m shell. ' G o d d a m n i t , t h e y use .25 caliber on e v e r y b o d y else,' he s a i d , 'but t h e y have to take a 40 m i l l i m e t e r for me.' H u m o r keeps t h e m going. W h e n the going was b a d there was a l w a y s the wisecrack, or perhaps j u s t a w o r d , to relieve the tension. W e needed i t , p a r t i c u l a r l y at M u n d a w h i c h was the most n e r v e - w r a c k i n g . O n D - D a y at L i n g a y e n G u l f we crossed a r a i l r o a d t r a c k . I t r a n t h r o u g h open c o u n t r y between rice paddies, b u t i t was a r a i l r o a d t r a c k . A G I got d o w n a n d hugged one of the r a i l s ; t h a t was his w a y of s h o w i n g he was c o m i n g b a c k to civilization."

11

43d DIVISION FACTS

Nickname Winged Victory D i v i sion. D i v i s i o n received its n i c k n a m e d u r i n g the c a m p a i g n on L u z o n , formed f r o m the name of its c o m m a n d i n g general, M a j . G e n . L e o n a r d F . W i n g , a n d the u l t i m a t e goal of the u n i t i n this war. Shoulder Patch T h e p a t c h is a b l a c k grapeleaf imposed on a red quatre foil b a c k g r o u n d . T h e p a t c h is k h a k i bordered. T h e grapeleaf represents the fact t h a t the four States whose N a t i o n a l G u a r d troops o r i g i n a l l y made up the division M a i n e , Vermont, Connecticut a n d R h o d e I s l a n d were once called V i n l a n d , so n a m e d b y the S c a n d i n a v i a n explorer, L i e f E r i c s o n , because of the a b u n d a n t w i l d grapes he f o u n d there. T h e four globules of the quatrefoil represent these four states. Induction Date I n d u c t e d i n t o federal service F e b . 24, 1941. Training U p o n i n d u c t i o n the d i v i sion was assigned to C a m p B l a n d i n g , F l a . I n J u l y 1941, i t took p a r t i n L o u i s i a n a maneuvers u n d e r the T h i r d A r m y a n d the f o l l o w i n g N o v e m b e r went to the C a r o l i n a s for maneuvers w h i c h were h e l d under the I V C o r p s . T h e 43d r e m a i n e d at C a m p B l a n d i n g u n t i l F e b . 8, 1942, w h e n i t m o v e d to C a m p S h e l b y , M i s s . O n M a r . 9, 1942, i t came under A r m y G r o u n d Forces. I n A u g u s t 1942 i t m o v e d again, t h i s t i m e to F o r t O r d , C a l i f . O n the Pacific coast it received intensive amphibious training. Left this Country October 1942 for the Southwest Pacific T h e a t e r of O p e r a tions. Commendations T h e 1st B a t t a l i o n of the 169th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t received the D i s t i n g u i s h e d U n i t c i t a t i o n for a c t i o n f r o m J a n . 15 to 17, 1945, at P o z o r r u b i o , 12 L u z o n , P . I . , for heroic a c t i o n i n e s t a b l i s h i n g a r o a d block. T h e 2 d B a t t a l i o n of the 169th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t received the D i s t i n g u i s h e d U n i t c i t a t i o n for a c t i o n o n J a n . 20, 1945, at Seison, L u z o n , P . I . , for securing a j u n c t i o n . T h e 3d B a t t a l i o n of the 169th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t received the D i s t i n g u i s h e d U n i t c i t a t i o n for a c t i o n o n M t . A l a v a , Seison, L u z o n , P . I . , J a n . 20, 1945, w h e n i t a t t a c k e d t h a t e l e v a t i o n . T h e 2 d B a t t a l i o n of the 172d I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t received the D i s t i n g u i s h e d U n i t c i t a t i o n for a c t i o n at Ipo D a m , L u z o n , P . I . , on M a y 7, 1945, w h e n i t seized a strategic h i l l . Commanding General M a j . G e n . L e o n a r d F . W i n g was b o r n i n I r a , V t . , on N o v . 12, 1893. H e enlisted for service i n the W o r l d W a r a n d served as a p r i v a t e a n d sergeant u n t i l J u n e 1918 w h e n he was commissioned as a second l i e u t e n a n t of i n f a n t r y . H e received a n honorable discharge f r o m the A r m y i n D e c . 1918 a n d r e t u r n e d to V e r m o n t where he began the practice of l a w . I n 1919 he enlisted i n the V e r m o n t N a t i o n a l G u a r d as a p r i v a t e a n d t h a t same y e a r was c o m missioned as a second lieutenant. H e rem a i n e d a m e m b e r of the V e r m o n t N a t i o n a l G u a r d d u r i n g the years t h a t followed, being p r o m o t e d to 1st lieutenant i n 1919, to c a p t a i n i n 1920, to major i n 1921, t o lieutenant colonel i n 1929, to colonel i n 1933 a n d to brigadier general i n 1938. I n 1941 he was mustered i n t o federal service w i t h the 43d I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n a n d i n F e b . 1942 was n a m e d as assistant d i v i s i o n commander. H e became commanding general of the 43d i n A u g . 1943 a n d the following m o n t h was p r o m o t e d to m a j o r general. A t the t i m e he went i n t o service he was senior p a r t n e r of a l a w f i r m .

43d DIVISION COMES HOME

T h e 43d D i v i s i o n came home d u r i n g O c t o b e r 1945. T h e veterans a n d s u r v i v o r s of the earlier campaigns a n d most of the original N a t i o n a l Guardsmen had preceded the d i v i s i o n home b y some weeks or m o n t h s . T h e d i v i s i o n came home t h r o u g h the G o l d e n G a t e at S a n F r a n c i s c o i n six t r a n s p o r t s : the U . S . S . G e n e r a l J o h n P o p e , U . S . S . General L . M . Hersey, U.S.S. K e n t o n , U.S.S. Grundy, U.S.S. Neshoba a n d the U . S . S . E t o l i n . T h e P o p e d o c k e d on O c t o b e r 8, w i t h the 172d I n f a n t r y a n d p a r t of the 169th. T h e H e r s e y on O c t o b e r 9 b r o u g h t p a r t of the 103d I n f a n t r y , the 118th M e d i c a l B a t t a l i o n , the B a n d , H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d S p e c i a l T r o o p s . T h e K e n t o n on the 10th b r o u g h t other u n i t s of the 103d, the 152d F i e l d A r t i l l e r y a n d the O r d n a n c e C o m p a n y . T h e G r u n d y came i n O c t o b e r 19 w i t h u n i t s of the 103d, 169th a n d 192d Field Artillery Battalions, Headquarters a n d Special T r o o p s . T h e N e s h o b a on O c t o b e r 23 brought the 118th E n g i n e e r s , M i l i t a r y Police, Quartermaster Company, Reconnaissance T r o o p a n d D i v i s i o n H e a d quarters personnel. T h e E t o l i n b r o u g h t p a r t of the 169th, a n d p a r t of the 103d, 169th a n d 192d A r t i l l e r y B a t t a l i o n s , d o c k i n g at S a n F r a n c i s c o on O c t o b e r 29. S a n F r a n c i s c o port authorities p r o v i d e d a w e l l arranged welcome, w i t h m u s i c , cheers, a n d R e d Cross coffee. N e w s m e n recorded t h a t the m e n h a d difficulty d i s e m b a r k i n g , h e a v i l y laden w i t h souvenirs rifles, swords, pistols, daggers, bolts of silk a n d flags. T h e H e r s e y , w i t h the D i v i s i o n C o m mander, M a j o r G e n e r a l L e o n a r d F . W i n g , was greeted b y the roar of a 13 gun salute f r o m F o r t M a s o n , a n d the crowded deck resounded w i t h those f a m i l i a r soldier 13 shouts for sheets, a n d m i l k , a n d food, a n d sleep, a n d exclamations on the first sight of " w h i t e w o m e n w i t h shoes o n . " G e n e r a l W i n g j o i n e d the welcome of the t h i r d contingent a b o a r d the K e n t o n , a n d more m u s i c a n d more cheers f r o m shore were there for the three transports t h a t followed several days later. F r o m the docks the m e n went to C a m p S t o n e h a m at P i t t s b u r g , C a l i f o r n i a , for the i n i t i a l processing a n d r e g r o u p i n g for the cross c o u n t r y t r i p to the F o r t D e v e n s Separation Center. T h e first contingent, fourteen m e n i n a l l , a r r i v e d at F o r t D e v e n s on O c t o b e r 17. T h e d i v i s i o n was officially i n a c t i v a t e d at the C a l i f o r n i a staging c a m p s ; thus closing a page of C o n n e c t i c u t m i l i t a r y h i s t o r y on w h i c h the first e n t r y , i n d u c t i o n i n t o F e d e r a l Service, was w r i t t e n on F e b r u a r y 24, 1941.

THE 43d DIVISION PICTURES

T h e U . S . S . G e n e r a l J o h n Pope, a N a v y t r a n s p o r t , just after c o m i n g t h r o u g h the G o l d e n G a t e is p i c t u r e d on the cover. The U.S.S. General L . M . Hersey, an A r m y transport, is p i c t u r e d w i t h her deckl o a d of m e n of the 103d a n d other u n i t s o n Page 9 (upper). T h e U . S . S . G r u n d y , an A r m y transport, is shown (lower) w i t h a deck l o a d of cheering servicemen o n one of her first t r i p s to the States after V - E D a y w i t h h i g h - p o i n t dischargees f r o m the P a c i f i c Theater. S i x group pictures t a k e n a b o a r d the G e n e r a l P o p e a n d on the docks at S a n F r a n c i s c o are shown on Page 5. T h e six group pictures on Page 7 were t a k e n a b o a r d the H e r s e y a n d at the docks.

THE

43d DIVISION IN A C T I O N
Source of Division N a t i o n a l G u a r d troops f r o m M a i n e , C o n n e c t i c u t , R h o d e Island and Vermont. Casualties The division's wounded t o t a l e d over 8,000. T h e d i v i s i o n lost over 1,500 k i l l e d i n a c t i o n . T h e d i v i s i o n was i n the line for 9,192 hours. Component Units (as of date of departure f r o m U . S.) 103d, 169th a n d 172d I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t s ; 103d, 152d a n d 169th ( L ) a n d 192d ( M ) F i e l d A r t i l l e r y Battalions. Successive Commanding Generals M a j . Gen. M o r r i s B . Payne from Feb. 1941 to A u g . 1941; M a j . G e n . J o h n H . H e s t e r f r o m A u g . 1941 to J u l y 1943; M a j . G e n . L e o n a r d F . W i n g f r o m A u g . 1943.
CONNECTICUT COMMEMORATIVE Vol. 1 VETERANS BOOKLET N o . 20
Editor

T h e first assignment overseas of the 43d I n f a n t r y ( N e w E n g l a n d ) D i v i s i o n was a t o u r of d u t y i n N e w Z e a l a n d at a t i m e w h e n i t seemed l i k e l y t h a t the c o u n t r y m i g h t be i n v a d e d . T h e d i v i s i o n t h e n s h i p p e d to N e w C a l e d o n i a for a brief stay a n d a r r i v e d on G u a d a l c a n a l i n t i m e to help m o p u p the J a p s on t h a t i s l a n d . A m o n t h later the N e w E n g l a n d e r s began the w a r i n earnest. T h e i r first mission as a u n i t was the i n v a s i o n of the R u s s e l l Islands, w h i c h t h e y accomplished w i t h o u t o p p o s i t i o n . T h e n , w i t h elements of the A r m y , N a v y a n d M a r i n e s , the 43d s t o r m e d ashore on R e n d o v a I s l a n d i n N e w Georgia. F o r 35 d a y s of w h a t experts have called the dirtiest, roughest c a m p a i g n of t h a t year, the 4 3 d fought for the M u n d a a i r p o r t . R e l a t i v e l y inexperienced i n the w a y s of jungle warfare, opposed b y crack J a p troops, the N e w E n g l a n d e r s h a d to l e a r n the h a r d a n d b l o o d y w a y . T h e y broke the J a p resistance a n d achieved t h e i r o b jective capture of the v i t a l M u n d a strip. N e w G u i n e a was the next stop. A t A i t a p e a n d the D r i n i m u o r R i v e r , the 4 3 d became expert i n the a r t of k i l l i n g J a p s . T h e y l a n d e d at L i n g a y e n G u l f i n L u z o n o n D - D a y . F i g h t i n g t h e i r w a y i n t o the hills, the N e w E n g l a n d e r s b a t t l e d i n the toughest possible t e r r a i n against a n enemy d u g deeply i n t o cave positions. F o r the first 30 days, the d i v i s i o n was i n constant c o m b a t w i t h the enemy. A s its final b r i l l i a n t c o n t r i b u t i o n to the P h i l i p p i n e c a m p a i g n , the N e w E n g l a n d e r s c a p t u r e d a m o u n t a i n o u s d a m v i t a l to M a n i l a ' s water s u p p l y . F r o m a s y n d i cated article i n the N e w H a v e n Register.

October 31, 1945

CARLETON B. CLYMA,

T h i s booklet on the r e t u r n of the 43d (Winged V i c t o r y ) D i v i s i o n from the Pacific Theater of W a r , is published b y the State of Connecticut, through the Office of the Governor, as a n a d d i t i o n to the souvenirs and memorabilia of those who participated i n the defeat of the Japanese armies. T h e B a t t l e L o g , H i s t o r y a n d Facts were prepared b y the Office of T e c h n i c a l I n formation, A r m y G r o u n d Forces. T h e cover and group pictures, provided b y the A G F L i a i s o n Office at S a n Francisco, are A r m y Signal Corps photographs. A l i m i t e d number of copies are available for d i s t r i b u t i o n to Connecticut men of the D i v i s i o n . T h e y m a y be secured b y w r i t i n g to the Veterans B o o k l e t D i v i s i o n , Office of the Governor, R o o m 503, State C a p i t o l , Hartford. R e p r o d u c t i o n of original material herein is permissible only on w r i t t e n authorization.

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STATE AIDS A N D BENEFITS

T h e laws of the State of Connecticut provide for many forms of aid, benefits and preferences for veterans, and for their next of k i n i n v a r y i n g degrees. T h e following digest is designed to inform of the aids, benefits and preferences, a n d to designate the local or state agency charged with providing full information to veterans. There are thirty-four full-time and eight part-time Veterans Centers operating which serve 86 of the 169 cities and towns i n the State. I n some smaller towns the T o w n Clerks act as a "Veterans C e n t e r " . Tax Exemptions F i l e discharge w i t h your T o w n C l e r k ; notify local assessors and collector. Local Taxes A n y veteran is exempt from taxes on real or personal property up to $1,000 i n v a l u a t i o n . Disabled veterans are exempt u p to $3,000, according to disability ratings. T h i s exemption is i n part v a l i d for veterans' wives, a n d next of k i n , as specified b y the Statutes. See L o c a l T a x Collector. Local Business Taxes (Personal property) on stock, fixtures and equipment of new businesses established b y veterans, for three years. See L o c a l T a x Collector. Old Age Assistance Taxes Servicemen are exempt, during active service i n armed forces, and veterans m a y secure refund if they paid while in active service. See L o c a l T a x Collector. State Unincorporated Business Taxes O n new businesses established b y any veteran, good for three years. See T a x Commissioner, State Office B u i l d i n g , H a r t f o r d . Free Business Licenses M o s t licenses are free; renewals usually unnecessary for v a r y i n g periods. See your T o w n C l e r k . Professional Licenses Qualified veterans can be admitted to the practice of l a w or chiropractic without examination i n most cases. Contact your county B a r Association, or the B o a r d of C h i r o practic Examiners, State Office B u i l d i n g , H a r t f o r d . State E m p l o y m e n t Preference Veteran passing state civil service examination has five points added to score; ten, if he has a disability rating. Names placed on list of eligibles i n the order of such augmented score. T h e State's general policy on veteran's job preference, which has not the effect of l a w , was established b y the 1945 General Assembly, with passage of the following: Resolved b y the Senate and House of Representatives : " 1 . T h a t i t shall be the policy of the State, acting through the Connecticut Veterans Reemployment a n d A d v i s o r y Commission, to encourage Connecticut employers to v o l u n t a r i l y set aside a m i n i m u m of 25 per cent of post-war jobs for veterans of W o r l d W a r I I . " 2 . T h a t i t shall be the policy of the State u n t i l J u l y 1, 1950, to give preference to veterans of W o r l d W a r I I i n a l l State positions outside the classified service of the merit system act a n d i n a l l positions i n v o l v i n g contractual services and part time services and i n all cases where compensation is p a i d b y the State whether on a fee basis or otherwise. " 3 . T h a t u n t i l J u l y 1, 1950, it shall also be the policy of the State that appointing officers of the State, as defined by Sec. 2049 of the General Statutes, shall, other conditions being equal, give preference to veterans of W o r l d W a r I I i n filling State positions from registers of eligible candidates furnished b y the State Personnel D e p a r t m e n t . " Educational Aids W i t h satisfactory credentials, a veteran can secure free a grammar school or high school diploma from the State B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n , State Office B u i l d i n g , H a r t f o r d . Free instruction i n secondary subjects (high school courses) will be furnished b y the State B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n if your town can't do i t . See your local school officials. F i n a n c i a l a i d for college educations for children, 16 to 23, of servicemen killed i n service. Consult the State B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n . Aid for Needy Veterans If y o u are being cared for under legal direction of the Veterans H o m e Commission, your children under 16, husband, wife or widowed mother can receive weekly financial assistance u p to $10. for an adult and $6. for a child. A p p l y to the Commission, through the Veterans H o m e , R o c k y H i l l . If y o u need temporary financial assistance because of a service disability, contact the Veterans H o m e Commission, R o c k y H i l l . Soldiers, Sailors and Marines F u n d M a n y of the veterans' aid benefits set out above are p a y able from the income produced b y this fund which is to be augmented b y a portion of the Connecticut tax on cigarettes u n t i l the principal of the fund reaches $15,000,000. Disbursements of these funds to carry out a i d provisions to veterans, and certain relatives a n d next of k i n of veterans pursuant to statute, are through the State Treasurer of the A m e r i c a n Legion, State Office B u i l d i n g , Hartford.

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THE 43d DIVISION HISTORY

T h e d i v i s i o n was organized as one of t w o N a t i o n a l G u a r d divisions i n the I C o r p s A r e a f o l l o w i n g the W o r l d W a r . I t came i n t o being on M a r c h 21, 1925. The 103d Infantry Regiment dates b a c k to 1861 when volunteer m i l i t i a companies i n the general area of B a n g o r , M e . , formed the 3d M a i n e I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t w h i c h fought i n the C i v i l W a r . M a n y of the regiment's companies date t h e i r o r i g i n b a c k over 100 years, the oldest being C o m p a n y C f r o m N o r w a y , M e . , w h i c h was formed i n 1800 under the laws of M a s s a c h u s e t t s , 20 years before M a i n e became a State. T h e regiment fought i n the S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n W a r , served on the M e x i c a n B o r d e r a n d fought i n the W o r l d W a r as p a r t of the 26th I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n . The 169th Infantry Regiment dates b a c k to 1739. T h e u n i t ' s 205 years of continuous h i s t o r y includes service for the C o l o n y of C o n n e c t i c u t , the S t a t e of C o n n e c t i c u t a n d for the U n i t e d States i n the F r e n c h a n d I n d i a n W a r s , the R e v o l u t i o n a r y W a r , the W a r of 1812, the C i v i l W a r , the S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n W a r , World W a r I and World W a r II. The regiment's m o t t o is " A r m i s S t a n t L e g e s , " " L a w s are m a i n t a i n e d b y force of a r m s . " The 172d Infantry Regiment dates b a c k to ten years before the R e v o lutionary W a r when Vermonters, known as the " G r e e n M o u n t a i n B o y s , " b a n d e d together under E t h a n A l l e n to protect their l a n d grants f r o m encroachment b y the C r o w n State of N e w Y o r k . U n i t s w h i c h were the precursors of the r e g i ment fought i n the R e v o l u t i o n a r y W a r , the C i v i l W a r , the S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n W a r , along the M e x i c a n B o r d e r a n d i n the W o r l d W a r i t was assigned to the 26th I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n .

THE 43d DIVISION ROSTER

The following roster was compiled from lists provided by the A G F L i a i s o n Officer at San Francisco and b y personal interviews at F o r t Devens and i n Connecticut. Those names marked w i t h an asterisk were compiled by personal interview. A n y attempt to compile complete lists of a l l Connecticut men who served with the 43d D i v i s i o n was impossible for this souvenir booklet due to time and other limitations.

A B R U S C A T O , Joseph P . A C K I E , George W . A L V O R D , Harold H . A N S T E T T , Charles H . *A Z A R Y , J o h n G . B A K E R , Raymond W. B E E R B A U N , Alfred W . * B E R K I N S , Richard C. B E R N I E R , Thomas J . B I A S I , Joseph B I L L , Frank H . B L O C H , Stephen P .

Sgt. 2d/Lt. 1st/Lt. Pvt. Pvt. Pfc. Sgt. S/Sgt. T/Sgt. Pfc. 1st/Lt. T/5 16

13 D o n o v a n S t . , N o r w a l k Bristol 73 F u r n a c e S t . , D a n i e l s o n 488 H i g h S t . , T o r r i n g t o n 69 N o r t o n S t . , S o u t h N o r w a l k 429 B o s t w i c k A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t R F D 4, W o l c o t t Grumman Ave., Norwalk 30 A r c h S t . , W a t e r b u r y 23 S u b u r b a n A v e . , C o s C o b 19 F r e d e r i c k S t . , H a r t f o r d 25 C e n t r a l A v e . , W a t e r b u r y

B O H N E R , Holm T/4 B O U D R E A U , Leo J . S/Sgt. B O Y C H E W , Charles T/4 B O Z Z U T O , Ludovico P. T/5 B R A U L T , Robert C. CWO B U S H , Allan K . T/Sgt. B U T E A U , Montcalm R. Capt. B Y W A T E R , Robert E . Pfc. C A B L E S , Leonard F . Pfc. C A S E Y , Maurice B. S/Sgt. * C A S S E L L A , Alfred P. 2d/Lt. C A Y A , Maurice A . Pfc. C H A M B E R S , William F. 1st/Lt. C H A T T E R T O N , R o b e r t S. Pfc. C H E R U B I N I , Peter T/5 C I P O L I A , John T/5 C O B U R N , Warren F . Pfc. C O C O , Joseph S. Pvt. C O F R A N C E S C O , Vincent C. Pfc. C O G S W E L L , James S. Maj. *C O N N O R S , W i l l i a m P . Cpl. *C O N W A Y , R i c h a r d F . Sgt. C O R T E Z , Salvatore R . Pfc. D A L Y , Kieran M . 1st/Lt. D A V I D S O N , Robert S/Sgt. * D e C A R L O , Joseph S. S/Sgt. D E E D Y , Raymond A. Pfc. *D e F O R E S T , Charles W . Cpl. D E M E R S , Adrian J . 1st/Lt. D E Y O R I O , Pasquale 1st/Lt. D I Z I N S K I , Theodore Sgt. D O N O V A N , Louis W , J r . Pfc. *D O U C H E T T E , W i l f r e d A . 1st/Sgt. E D G A R , Earl M . Pfc. E D W A R D S , George R . M/Sgt. E H N A T , John T. Pfc. E I N I N G E R , Herbert M/Sgt. E L S O V S K Y , Andrew 1st/Lt. E M B A R D O , Robert W . Pvt. E W A N K I E W I C Z , Matty P. Pfc. *F A U S T , F r e d T/Sgt. F A Z Z I N O , Sebastian Pfc. F E R G U S O N , Theodore H . Pfc. F I L O N , Robert D . L t . Col.

946 Forest A v e . , S t a m f o r d 16 H o p k i n s S t . , H a r t f o r d 67 H a n f o r d A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t 22 N o r t o n S t . , W a t e r b u r y 8 P a r k St., Bristol 501 H u n t i n g t o n R d . , B r i d g e p o r t Danielson 291 So. Q u a k e r L a n e , W e s t H a r t f o r d Gilbert Home, Winsted 123 N o r t h S t . , B r i s t o l 64 D u d l e y S t . , N e w B r i t a i n 38 J a c k s o n Place, W i l l i m a n t i c 459 K e e n e y S t . , M a n c h e s t e r 52 A r c h S t . , G r e e n w i c h 51 S t . M a r g a r e t A v e . , W a t e r b u r y 188 T r i a n g l e S t . , D a n b u r y 68 C h e s t n u t S t . , B r i d g e p o r t 348 Wethersfield A v e . , H a r t f o r d 124 F r o s t R d . , W a t e r b u r y 84 S m i t h S t . , P u t n a m 50 H i l l S t . , S t a m f o r d 194 N o r t h S t . , N e w B r i t a i n 14 Rose P a r k A v e . , S t a m f o r d 92 H a r w i c h S t . , H a r t f o r d 247 W a l n u t S t , W a t e r b u r y 529 So. M a i n S t , N a u g a t u c k 147 Savings S t , W a t e r b u r y 6 Liberty Plaza, Middletown 43 A s h w e l l A v e , R o c k y H i l l 109 Spruce S t , M a n c h e s t e r 127 R e d M o u n t a i n A v e , T o r r i n g t o n 127 S m i t h S t , B r i d g e p o r t 55 P i k e S t , N e w B r i t a i n 129 H i l l c r e s t A v e , So. M e r i d e n 148 M e r i d e n A v e , S o u t h i n g t o n 522 Jane S t , B r i d g e p o r t 296 B e d f o r d S t , S t a m f o r d 597 Z i o n S t , H a r t f o r d 66 B e e c h S t , W a t e r b u r y 64 A n d e r s o n S t , U n i o n C i t y 25 E . B u r n h a m S t , H a r t f o r d Portland Scribner A v e , So. N o r w a l k 363 B l u e H i l l s A v e , H a r t f o r d

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F I N K L E , Jack D . Pfc. F O T I V E , James P . Pvt. F R E D E R I C K S O N , Carl G. Pvt. F R E N I E R , Theodore T . Pfc. G A L Y A , William J . Capt. G A N C A R Z , Joseph J . T/4 G A R L O C K , Charles D , J r . S/Sgt. G E N T I L E , Anthony Sgt. * G I L B E R T O , Frank D. S/Sgt. * G I L M O R E , Maurice J . T/4 G I R O U A R D , Arthur W. Pfc. G O D E K , Joseph J . T/5 G O L , John J . Sgt. G O L D E N , David R. 1st/Sgt. G R I F F I N , Henry W. 1st/Lt. G R I F F I T H , John R. T/5 G U M A N , Frank T/5 * G U R N E E , William N . S/Sgt. H A L L O R A N , Joseph D . Pfc. H A N D L E M A N , William J . Pfc. H A N O P H Y , James F , J r . Pfc. H A W L E Y , Richard K . 1st/Lt. H I G G I N S , John J . 1st/Lt. H I G G I N S , Lawrence H . Capt. H O L D W R I G H T , Lawrence E . Pvt. H U L L , Ralph E. S/Sgt. H U M B E R , Russell Pfc. H U T C H I N G S , George H . Pfc. J A S P E R S O H N , Howard J . Cpl. * J E F F R I E S , James Cpl. J O H N S T O N , John W . Pfc. * K A R A K O , Frank W. Sgt. K E E N E Y , John M . 1st/Lt. K I N G , Walter E . Pfc. L A B B E , Leonard J . T/5 L a H A Y E , Raymond L . M/Sgt. L A N E , Warren J . Pfc. LaROSA, Edward S/Sgt. L A R S O N , David Pfc. L a T O R R E , Joseph J . 2nd/Lt. * L E O N A R D , William Pfc. L I A P E S , James T . Pfc. L O N G , Thomas B. 1st/Sgt. L O N G O B A R D I , Nicholas A . T/5

165 W e s t S t . , S e y m o u r 89 S o u t h S t , W a t e r b u r y 126 C l i n t o n S t , N e w B r i t a i n 24 B a l l o u S t , P u t n a m 2263 H i l l s i d e R d , F a i r f i e l d 32 Ives S t , W i l l i m a n t i c Colony S t , Ansonia 45 H a r p e r s R d , W a t e r b u r y 81 T r e d e a u S t , H a r t f o r d 17 Cliff S t , N e w L o n d o n 152 W o o d b i n e S t , W a t e r b u r y 1520 N o . M a i n S t , H a r t f o r d 17 P a l m e r A v e , S t a m f o r d 46 H i g h l a n d P a r k , T h o m p s o n v i l l e 15 G r a n d S t , F o r e s t v i l l e 145 C l e v e l a n d A v e , H a r t f o r d 583 B e r k s h i r e A v e , B r i d g e p o r t 58 M o r g a n S t , N e w L o n d o n 563 W i n t h r o p A v e , N e w H a v e n 31 E n f i e l d S t , H a r t f o r d 221 N e w i n g t o n R d , W e s t H a r t f o r d B o x 964, M i d d l e t o w n 42 D e v e n s S t , N e w B r i t a i n 411 S h e r m a n S t , N e w L o n d o n 23 B r o a d w a y , N e w H a v e n 30 M a p l e S t , S e y m o u r 911 M a i n S t , S t a m f o r d 491 F a i r f i e l d A v e , S t a m f o r d 49 S i l v e r S t , B r a n f o r d 33 B r o a d S t , S t a m f o r d R F D 1, T h o m a s t o n 294 F o r t H a l e R d , N e w H a v e n 895 B r o n s o n A v e , F a i r f i e l d 19 B a n k S t , P o r t l a n d B o x 145, S o u t h i n g t o n 112 W a r r e n S t , M e r i d e n 4 Price B l v d . , West Hartford 1877 B a l d w i n S t , W a t e r b u r y 83 P r i s c i l l a S t , B r i d g e p o r t 228 F r o n t S t , H a r t f o r d 26 M y r t l e S t , E a s t N o r w a l k 31 G o v e r n o r S t , E a s t H a r t f o r d 152 B r o o k S t , H a r t f o r d 138 P o p l a r S t , N e w H a v e n

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L Y M A N , Earl M . L Y N C H , H a r o l d O. M A H O N E Y , Frederick L . M A L L O Y , Joseph T . * M A N G A N , Joseph J . *M A R C H E S S E A U L T , N o r m a n H . M A R K O , Michael M A R R O N , Benedict A . M A S K A , Adam E. M A S T R A C C H I O , Andrew M A Z Z U C O , Domenico * M c N A M A R A , Joseph F . M c P H E E , R a y m o n d S. M E N N I L L O , Carmine P. M I N E R , Lewis E . *M O N T E S I , Wilson J . M O O D Y , Malcolm N . M O R E H O U S E , Wilbert H . M R O Z O W S K I , Theodore J . * M U R R A Y , W i n t h r o p S. M U S T A R D , Robert H . N A H M I A S , Jack N E W M A N , Harold A . O ' B R I E N , John J . 1st/Lt. O C C U Z Z I , John J . P A C K O , Andrew, Jr. P A G L I U C A , Alfred P A R E N T , Rosaire L . *P A U L , B e r n a r d V . *P E E T , E l d r i d g e P . P E L G R O , Sam, Jr. P E R K O W S K I , Edward P E R L M A N , Arthur P I A C E N Z A , Louis A . P I E P E R , Frederick C. P O L L A R D , Ernest B . P O R T E R , Warren A . P R U E , Leonard L . 1st/Lt. Q U I N N , George K . R A I M O N D I , Dominick R A J E W S K I , Charles J . R A N S L O W , Earl H . R A S U L O , Charles R I C H A R D , Henry A.

Pfc. S/Sgt. T/4 S/Sgt. Cpl. Pfc. Pfc. Pfc. S/Sgt. T/5 Pfc. Sgt. S/Sgt. Pfc Pfc. Pfc. S/Sgt. T/5 Pfc. Pfc. Pfc. Pfc. Pfc. S/Sgt. 2d/Lt. Pfc. T/5 T/Sgt. S/Sgt. Sgt. Sgt. T/5 Pfc. T/5 Sgt. Capt. Pfc. T/5 Cpl. Sgt. T/4 Pfc.

R F D , So. C o v e n t r y 96 W a s h i n g t o n A v e , W e s t H a v e n 60 M a p l e S t , M a n c h e s t e r 63 C l e v e l a n d A v e , H a r t f o r d 1 Prospect S t , N e w B r i t a i n 19 H i g h S t , D a y v i l l e 85 W i l l i a m S t , B r i d g e p o r t 54 B r o w n A v e , S t a m f o r d Putnam 50 Stevens S t , N e w H a v e n 21 P e r t h S t , B r i d g e p o r t Dyer A v e , Collinsville 31 B u n g a l o w P a r k , S t a m f o r d 7 So. M a i n S t , B e a c o n F a l l s 28 H o w a r d S t , H a r t f o r d 29 C o m s t o c k S t , D a n b u r y Randolph R d , Middletown 79 S t r a t f o r d A v e , S t r a t f o r d 20 M a p l e S t , M i d d l e t o w n 506 W h a l l e y A v e , N e w H a v e n 222 C h u r c h S t , W i l l i m a n t i c 87 B e n h a m A v e , B r i d g e p o r t 16 C h e r r y S t , N a u g a t u c k 26 M a i n S t , W i n s t e d 90 N o b l e S t , S t a m f o r d 230 M i l f o r d A v e , S t r a t f o r d 150 F i l m o r e S t , N e w H a v e n 128 P o w h a t t e n S t , P u t n a m 72 L o u n s b u r y A v e , W a t e r b u r y Wellsville A v e , N e w M i l f o r d 23 B a r n u m C o u r t , N a u g a t u c k 75 H e n r y S t , S t a m f o r d 36 H o y t S t , N e w C a n a a n 78 V i r g i l S t , S t a m f o r d 289 H o p e S t , G l e n b r o o k 30 So. Second Street, T a f t v i l l e 187 N o . Q u a k e r L a n e , W e s t H a r t f o r d B o x 61, R o c k f a l l R F D , Broad Brook 1046 S y l v a n A v e , B r i d g e p o r t 36 N o r t h S t , N o r w i c h 11 B r a d l e y S t , N a u g a t u c k 25 O r c h a r d S t , B r i s t o l 196 M c K i n l e y S t , T o r r i n g t o n

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R I C H A R D S , Aubry Pfc. *R I C H A R D S O N , H a r v e y T/5 R I D E L , Edward J . S/Sgt. R I L E Y , Joseph J , J r . Sgt. *R I N A L D I , Louis R . S/Sgt. RIZZA, Paul J . T/5 *R O B B I N S , Theodore A . Pfc. R O B I N S O N , Kenneth E . Sgt. R O M A , Andrew J . Pfc. *R O O T , E d w a r d E . T/Sgt. ROSSI, Matthew T/5 R U B A C H A , Maximillian J . Sgt. R U B B O , Carmine S/Sgt. R Y A N , Thomas M . T/5 S A N T A G A T E , Vincent J . Pfc. S C H W O L S K Y , Robert Capt. S L I N K , Carl C. Cpl. S M I T H , William A. Lt. Col. S M O L A , John F. Cpl. SNOW, Edwin W. Pfc. S T E W A R T , Calvin H . T/5 S T I R L I N G , T h o m a s S. Capt. S U L L I V A N , Francis T/5 S U P R Y N O W I C Z , Frank A. Cpl. S W A N N , Frederick S/Sgt. S W E E N E Y , James E . 1st/Lt. S W E E N E Y , Lawrence W . Pfc. T A L A M I N I , Hugo J . Pvt. T A Y L O R , Earl A. WOJG T H I E R F I E L D , Gunther Cpl. T W A C H M A N , David M . Capt. *V A L E R I A N O , P r i m o J . Cpl. V A L L E R Y , Anthony V . S/Sgt. V I C T O R , Joseph S. T/5 V I N C I , Salvatore J . Sgt. W A G N E R , John H . Sgt. *W A L K E R , A r t h u r L . Pfc. W A R Z E C K A , Walter P. Pfc. W I L K E , Henry Pfc. W I L L I A M S , Fred Pfc. W I N I A L S K I , Raymond E . 1st/Lt. W O J C I E C H O W S K I , Edward A. Pfc. W Y W O D A , Anthony A . Pvt. Y A T E S , William H . Maj.

Kent 36 W h i t t l e s e y A v e , W a t e r b u r y 56 N o r t h S t , W i n d s o r L o c k s 66 Pleasant St., B r i s t o l 542 F r o s t R d , W a t e r b u r y 60 A r c h S t . , B r i d g e p o r t 74 B i r c h S t , M a n c h e s t e r 28 C a p i t o l A v e , H a r t f o r d 46 R i d g e A v e , B r i d g e p o r t 38 A i k e n St., N o r w a l k 91 C o l u m b u s S t , S t r a t f o r d 96 N o r t h S t . , M a n c h e s t e r 103 D i v i s i o n S t . , W a t e r b u r y Simsbury Hotel, Simsbury 3 West M a i n S t , Norwalk 21 B a i n b r i d g e R d , W e s t H a r t f o r d 133 V a l l e y R d , C o s C o b 284 P i n e S t , F o r e s t v i l l e 72 So. Prospect S t . , H a r t f o r d 90 K e e n e y A v e , W e s t H a r t f o r d M a i n S t , New Hartford 160 A l d e n S t , N e w H a v e n 54 N e l t o n C o u r t , H a r t f o r d 99 H o t c h k i s s S t . , M i d d l e t o w n 177 P a r k S t . , W e s t H a v e n 105 G r e e n w i c h A v e , G r e e n w i c h 54 L o u n d s b u r y S t . , W a t e r b u r y 33 C h u r c h S t , Stafford Springs 10 M a p l e A v e , B e t h e l 1127 A l b a n y A v e , H a r t f o r d R o u n d H i l l R d , Greenwich 198 M c C l i n t o c k R d , N e w B r i t a i n 32 S t a n d i s h S t , H a r t f o r d 115 M u l b e r r y St., P l a n t s v i l l e 68-A Newfield St., M i d d l e t o w n 98 Winchester A v e , N e w H a v e n 11 H u n t i n g t o n St., N e w L o n d o n 52 W a l n u t S t , M i d d l e t o w n R F D , Hop River, Columbia 107 Osborne S t , D a n b u r y 77 W h i t m o r e S t . , H a r t f o r d Wellsville A v e , New M i l f o r d 16 So. L e o n a r d S t , W a t e r b u r y 12 A r b o r S t . , H a r t f o r d

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