32D Red Arrow Infantry Division and Brigade

Note: While this page is labeled ‘126^TH Infantry in the Australian Zone…’ you will notice that there is not a lot of specific information about the Australian forces.  This is not a snub of Australia’s vital contribution to this campaign.  The main reason is because this website is dedicated to telling the story of the 32^D ‘Red Arrow’ Infantry Division.  There are several excellent websites out there that tell the story of the Australian forces much better than I ever could. 

Victory over the Japanese on the Papuan Peninsula could not have happened without U.S. and Australian forces working, and fighting, together.

Meanwhile, in the Australian zone, Col. Tomlinson’s 126^TH had been making some progress, but it was not until 26 November 1942 that a coordinated attack with the Australians was launched.  With the support of an Australian artillery battery, the infantry advance got off to a good start, but was soon halted by determined opposition.  Col. Tomlinson and some of his staff were well forward to observe and had some close calls with enemy fire.  “Major Simon Warmenhoven,
regimental surgeon, was later awarded the [Distinguished Service Cross] for his work in aiding wounded Australians under heavy fire. (Blakeley 73)”

Sadly, Maj.Warmenhoven’s DSC was bestowed posthumously because he passed away in Australia, after the Papuan Campaign, before it was presented.  Then Capt. Warmenhoven was a Michigan National Guard officer with the 126^TH Inf. when the 32^D Division was activated on 15 Oct. 1940.  More information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of DSC recipients.

Several Soldiers earned the Silver Star for their gallantry on 26 November.  Some of them are listed here; more information about them and their medals can be found on the roster of Silver Star recipients.

Maj. Richard D. Boerem, from Owosso, Michigan, and assigned to 1^ST Bn., 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 26 November 1942 near Soputa.  He was a Capt. in HQ, 63^D Inf. Bde., Michigan National Guard, at Detroit, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40. [added 10 Jan. ‘13]

Sgt. Stanley E. Beaugrand, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and assigned to Co. C, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 26 November near Soputa.  He was a Pvt. in Co. C, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Kalamazoo, MI, when 32^D Div.  mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40. [added 20 May ‘14]

Sgt. Walter A. LaFaunce, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and assigned to Co. K, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star  posthumously) for his actions on 26 November near Sanananda.  He was KIA that
day.  He was a Pvt. in Co. K, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Grand Rapids, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40. [added 13 Apr. ‘13]

Pfc. Merl W. Holm, from Lake City, Iowa, and assigned to Co. K, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 26 November near Sanananda. [added 11 Apr. ‘13]

On 27 November the Japanese counterattacked vigorously all day, but were eventually repulsed.

“Their pressure was directed principally at Zeeff, whose forward
perimeter was now between 300 and 400 yards from the track, but intermittent glancing blows were sent also against the Australian and American positions in the banana plantation.  The heaviest attack of the day came toward evening.   It was beaten off with the help of Major Hanson’s 25-pounders and the excellent observation of one of Hanson’s forward observers, Lt. A. N. T.
Daniels, who was with Zeeff.  Daniels switched the artillery fire from Zeeff’s front to Bosgard’s and back again to such good effect that the Japanese attack soon dwindled to nuisance fire only. (Milner 162)”

“Still facing the task of cleaning out the Japanese immediately to their front, the group spent the day of [28 November] in patrolling and locating the hidden enemy positions.  One of Zeeff’s platoon leaders, 1st Lt. Henry M. Crouch, Jr., accompanied by Lieutenant Daniels, stalked and ambushed a party of eight Japanese.  In a particularly daring foray, Sgt. Robert R. McGee of Company L led the patrol that located the main enemy position standing in the way of the advance and helped wipe it out. (Milner 162)”

Sgt. McGee was from Michigan and was bestowed with the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions from 23 to 28 Nov. ‘42 near Sanananda.  He was a Cpl. in Co. L, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Grand Rapids, MI, when the 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  More information about him and his medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients. [added 21 Dec. ‘12]

The Cannon and Anti-tank Companies of the 126^TH arrived at Soputa, after an arduous trek from Wairope, on 28 November and would soon be put to use.

1st Lt. Charles C. Kanapaux, from Charleston, South Carolina, and
assigned to the 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions
near Soputa on 29 Nov. ‘42.  More information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of Silver Star recipients. [added 19 May ‘14]

On 30 November, Col. Tomlinson started a coordinated, three-pronged attack with the objective of establishing a roadblock on the Soputa-Sanananda track behind the Japanese forward positions.

The main emphasis would be made on the left flank, so he sent his
XO (Maj. Bernard G. Baetcke, assisted by 1st Lt. Peter Louis Dal Ponte, Cdr. of Service Co.) to the take command of the troops
currently in that area under Maj. Bond.  These troops consisted of Cos. I and K, parts of Co. M and 3^D Bn. HQs, and the Anti-tank & Cannon Cos.  The assault element of this force consisted of Co. I (Capt. Shirley), Anti-tank Co. (Capt. Roger Keast), a light machine
gun section from Co. M, and a communications section from 3^D Bn. HQs (total of 265 men), and would be commanded by Maj. Bond, assisted by Lt.Daniels.  Co. K (led by Lt. Wilbur Curtis(Lytle) and Cannon Co. (1st Lt. John L. Fenton) would be in support and reserve
under the command of Capt. Medendorp.

Preceded by a ten minute artillery and mortar barrage, the attack commenced at about 0900 hours.  The assault element on the left flank
attacked due east toward the Soputa-Sanananda track about 1,400 yards away.

The attack on the right was commanded by Maj. Bert
Zeeff and consisted of Co. L.  They initially met no opposition but they
were stopped by a strong Japanese force after they had advanced 150 yards.

The center attack was commanded by Maj. Boerem and
consisted of Cos. C and D.  They were
only able to advance a few yards.

The attack’s main effort on the left flank fared
much better than the attacks from the center and right flank.  Co. K’s excellent supporting fire drew a
strong response from the enemy, which allowed Maj. Bond’s assault force to
initially advance without great difficulty. 
While starting to cross a large patch of kunai grass 400 yards beyond
the line of departure, they encountered strong rifle, machine gun and mortar
fire from all sides.  Major Bond was
wounded at about 0930 hours and had to be evacuated.  The attack began to lose momentum, so Maj. Baetcke came forward to rally the troops and he
successfully led the effort to clear the enemy out of the Kunai patch.  Capt. Shirley took command of the assault
force and continued the attack.

The heavy Japanese fire
erupted when the point platoon of Co. I reached a massive fallen tree near the
center of the kunai patch.  Soon to
become known as ‘The Log,’ it was 5’ in diameter.  The platoon leader, Sgt. John Mikita, a Michigan National Guard Soldier from Grand
Rapids, MI, solicited volunteers to attack the most troublesome machinegun
position.  Sgt. George Leo May, Edmore,
MI, stepped forward and led 10 men toward the enemy machinegun. [added 29 Jun. ’17, TPB]

One of May’s men, Edwin
Cox, Las Cruces, NM, later told a war correspondent, “May told us to load up with grenades and we started out on our bellies
through the grass, trying to creep around the log.  Machinegun fire was everywhere just above our
heads.  Finally, we got within 30 yards
of where the Japs were.  Then May raised
up to throw his grenade and the others threw theirs.  After that the fire stopped.” [added 29 Jun. ’17, TPB]

Sgt. George L. May, from Edmore, Michigan, and assigned
to Co. I, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star, posthumously, for his
actions on 30 November near Soputa.  He
was KIA during the event. [added 31 Jan. ’13, TPB]

About 1,000 yards out, they encountered some
impenetrable jungle and a 300 yard stretch of knee deep swamp.  Capt. Shirley’s men were initially held up by
effective mortar and machine gun fire that commanded the swamp, but they were
eventually able to get across the swamp and disperse the enemy.

Past the swamp they found a well-traveled trail
that headed straight east so they followed it. 
At 1700 Company I’s scouts reported an enemy bivouac directly
ahead.  Capt. Shirley ordered Company I
to fix bayonets and assault the enemy position (some references state that
Capt. Keast and his Anti-tank Co. participated in
this bayonet charge as well).  The attack
was well executed and successful.  After
driving the enemy out, they organized a perimeter defense of the captured
bivouac area by about 1830.  Two hours
later they received heavy mortar fire in the perimeter and sometime after that
the Japanese counterattacked from the northeast and northwest.  The Japanese attacks were repulsed with few
casualties.  The captured bivouac area,
relatively open and oval shaped about 250 yards long and 150 yards wide, lay
astride the trail and behind the Japanese forward positions.  The long sought roadblock had been
established; the 126^TH Infantry had gained its objective!  A few days later this roadblock was bestowed
with the nom de guerre of ‘Huggins’ Roadblock’.

Meanwhile, the attack on the right flank (Maj. Zeeff) made some progress but was stopped by strong enemy
defenses before it could link up with Maj. Baetcke’s
force.  When Maj. Zeeff
was subjected to determined counterattacks, he was ordered to withdraw by Col.
Tomlinson.  About a dozen men from Maj. Zeeff’s force were killed. 
One
of those was Pvt. Hymie Y. Epstein, a medic who had repeatedly
distinguished himself before he was KIA by a sniper on 1 December.  He earned the Silver Star, posthumously, for
his valor on 22 November, but he exhibited numerous acts of bravery before he
was KIA.  More information
about him and his medal can be found on the
roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 11 Feb. ‘13]

Maj. Baetcke was later bestowed with the Distinguished Service
Cross for his actions on 30 November.  He was a Capt.
assigned to HQ, 63^D Inf. Bde., Michigan
National Guard, at Detroit, when the Division was mobilized.  More information about him and his
medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients.

Several Soldiers earned the Silver Star for their
gallantry on 30 November near
Soputa.  Some of them are listed here and more information about them and their
medals can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients.

Maj.
George C. Bond, from Michigan and commander of 3^D Bn., 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 30 November 1942 near Soputa,
New Guinea.  He was a Capt.
and commander of Co. B, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at
Adrian, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40; he was WIA on 30
Nov. ‘42. [added 10 Jan.
‘13]

Sgt. John
F. Carskadon, from Ferrysburg,
Michigan, and assigned to Co. F, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star
for his actions on 30 November near Buna. 
He was a Pvt. in Co. F, 126^TH Inf., Michigan
National Guard, at Grand Haven, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15
Oct. ‘40. [added 26 Mar.
‘13]

Cpl.
James V. Burrows, from Courtland Township, Michigan, and assigned to Co. L, 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star, posthumously, for his actions on 30 November near
Soputa. 
He went MIA on 2 December. 
He was a Pvt. in Co. L, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard,
at Grand Rapids, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40. [added 1 Feb. ‘13]

“Next morning [1 December] Captain Keast and
a strong patrol including Lieutenant Daniels, the Australian forward observer
who had done such effective work for Major Zeeff on
the right, tried a probing attack just off the southwest end of the
perimeter.  They ran into a well-laid
enemy ambush.  Keast
and Daniels were killed and nine others were wounded.  As quickly as they could, the men pulled back
into the perimeter, the 1st Sergeant of Company I, Alfred R. Wentzloff, and five men of the company successfully
covering their retreat by fire.  Beginning
in the late afternoon of 1 December and continuing till after midnight, at
least five separate counterattacks hit the roadblock troops from the southwest,
north, northwest, and northeast.  All
were thrown back with only small casualties to the garrison. (Milner 220-21)”

Capt. Roger Keast, from Lansing, Michigan, and commander of Anti-tank
Co., 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star, posthumously, for his
actions on 30 November between Soputa and Sanananda.  More information about him and his
medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 5 Feb. ’13, TPB]

First Sgt.
Alfred R. Wentzloff, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and
assigned to Co. I, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his direct
actions to thwart a Japanese counterattack on 1 December at the roadblock.  He was a Pvt. in Co. I, 126^TH Inf.,
Michigan National Guard, at Grand Rapids, MI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 8 Feb. ‘13]

S. Sgt. Norman Jerome Bland, from Kalamazoo, Michigan,
and assigned to Co. C, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star
(posthumously) for his actions on 1 December near Soputa.  S. Sgt. Bland continued to lead an attack against a
Japanese machinegun nest after he was WIA by a sniper.  He was KIA a short time later by machinegun
fire as he lobbed a grenade at the enemy machinegun position.  He was a
Pvt. with Co. C, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, Kalamazoo, MI,
when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  More information about him and his medal can
be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 18 Feb. ’13, TPB; updated 1 Sep. ’18, TPB]

Capt. Shirley’s detachment at the roadblock on the
Soputa-Sanananda trail consisted of Co. I, Anti-tank Company, and detachments of
Company M and the 3^D Battalion Headquarters Company.  Maj. Baetcke was
with Co. K and Cannon Co. about 1,400 yards west of the roadblock.  Maj. Boerem and the rest of the 126^TH
troops, consisting of Co. L and parts of Companies C and D, were at a trail junction
south of the roadblock, opposite a Japanese position.

Some newspaper articles
from the time referred to the troops at the roadblock as “The Lost Company of New Guinea.” 
Certainly not in the sense of lost as in not knowing where they
were.  They knew exactly where they were
and their presence there was intentional, to disrupt the Japanese and pave the
way for continued U.S. and Australian advance toward Sanananda and Gona.  The label was much more likely homage to “The Lost Battalion” of WWI fame, several
units from the 77^TH ‘Statue of Liberty’ Division that found
themselves in a terribly harrowing position when they were surrounded by the
Germans and incessantly attacked from all sides for about a week until it was
relieved. [added 6
Feb. ‘13]

Early on 1 December 1942, 1st Lt. Hershel
George Horton, from Co. I, 126^TH Inf., led a small patrol from the
roadblock on what he referred to as a “mercy mission”.  Their objective was to locate and identify
the remains of recent U.S. casualties, one of which was Capt. Roger Keast, his good friend, who had been KIA while leading a
patrol earlier that day.  First Lt.
Horton’s patrol was also ambushed, he was seriously WIA, and the other members
of his patrol were forced to withdraw under fire.  Unfortunately, as you are about to read
below, this was the start of two weeks of hell on earth for 1st Lt.
Horton.  His comrades made numerous
attempts to find him and rescue him, while he languished in unbearable agony,
but were ultimately unsuccessful.  On 11
December he pulled out the notebook he carried and penned a heartrending
letter to his family while he lay dying and anxiously hoping for rescue. [added 11 Feb. ‘13]

First Lt. Horton was WIA a second time circa 11
December and was then KIA circa 15 December. 
When he was eventually found and recovered, his personal effects were
processed and returned to his family, and the letter to his family was
discovered.  It was obviously incredibly
sorrowful, but also somewhat inspirational at the same time.  His family decided to share his letter with
the local newspaper.  From there it was
published in newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals from coast to coast
during WWII, it was even read into the Congressional Record. [added 11 Feb. ‘13]

First Lt. Horton was born 15 Nov. ’14 at IL.  He grew up in Aurora, IL, and graduated high
school there in 1931.  He attended the
University of Notre Dame; he would have been the Class
of ‘43 if he hadn’t left school to enter the service.  He is said to have been decorated for leading
a supply patrol somewhere between Soputa and Sanananda, the actual award,
citation, date, and specific circumstances have proven elusive.  He was posthumously awarded at least one
Purple Heart. [added
11 Feb. ‘13]

The other members of 1st Lt. Horton’s patrol were
Lt. Walter B. Ellis, S. Sgt. Russell E. Young, and Pvt. Merle Christian.  Lt. Ellis was from Houston, TX; he earned the
Silver Star for his actions during the Papuan Campaign.  The exact date and circumstances of his
decoration are currently unknown, but it is quite possible he could have been
cited for the dangerous attempts to rescue 1st Lt. Horton.  S. Sgt. Young was born in IN, but he entered
the service from Grand Rapids, MI (he was a Soldier in the Michigan National
Guard’s Co. I, 126^TH Inf.).  S. Sgt. Young earned the
Silver Star for his actions on 2 December 1942 near Soputa, a strong indication
that it may have been for the attempts to find 1st Lt. Horton.  Pvt. Christian was born in IN and entered the
service at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN; not much additional information about
him is currently known.  More
information about Lt. Ellis, S. Sgt. Young, and their medals can be found on
the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 11 Feb. ‘13]

The other officer named in 1st Lt. Horton’s letter,
Lt. Gibbs, was Lt. Paul J. Gibbs, from Cannelton, IN,
and assigned to Anti-tank Co., 126^TH Inf. [updated 12 Jun. ’17, TPB]

For a while I thought Lt. Henry Sylvester Gibbs,
Jr., from Morehead City, NC, was the one referred to in Lt. Horton’s letter,
until I recently found a reference with the full name of the lieutenant in
question. [updated
12 Jun. ’17, TPB]

Later, Lt. William Russell, from Benton, IL,
discussed his memories of Lt. Horton with a local newspaper.  “Finally Lt. Paul J. Gibbs of Cannelton, Ind., and a Sergeant Clark, a Michigan boy, whom
I believe was from Ann Arbor, and a medic, reached Horton and were administering
aid when the Japs opened fire, hitting the sergeant.  Gibbs and the medic were forced to run for
it.”  The Sgt. Clark he mentioned was
likely Sgt. Bernard F. Clarke, who was KIA 2 Dec. ’42. [added 12 Jun. ’17, TPB]

Sgt. Bernard F.
‘Bud’ Clarke (Clark), from Saint Joseph, Michigan, and assigned to the 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star, posthumously, for his attempt to rescue a wounded
U.S. officer behind Japanese lines between Sanananda and Soputa on 2
December.  It is quite likely that the
wounded officer was 1st Lt. Hershel Horton.
[added 1 Apr. ‘13]

Meanwhile the situation back at the roadblock
continued to become more and more difficult.

“The roadblock was
attacked repeatedly both day and night.  On
[1 or 2]
December 1942, an ammunition and ration party under Capt. [Meredith Miller]
Huggins (S-3 of the 3rd Battalion) fought its way to the roadblock.  Capt. Shirley was killed during a strong
attack on the position soon thereafter. 
Capt. Huggins took over command and Lt. Dal Ponte took the supply party
back to its base. (Blakeley 115)”  The
new commander became the namesake for the roadblock, which thereafter became
known as ‘Huggins’ Roadblock’.  Several
Soldiers were awarded the Silver Star for acts of valor that day.  Some of them are listed below and more
information about them and their medals can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients.

Capt. John D.
Shirley, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and commander of Co. I, 126^TH
Inf., was posthumously bestowed with the Silver Star for his actions between
Soputa and Sanananda.  It is likely that
the award was bestowed for his actions between 30 November and 2 December when he
played such a key role in establishing the hard-won roadblock, cannot be
certain without finding the actual citation.  He was a Pvt. in Co. L, 126^TH Inf.,
Michigan National Guard, at Grand Rapids, MI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40. [added 6 Feb. ‘13]

S. Sgt. Russell
E. Young, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and assigned to Co. I, 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 2 December near Soputa.  It is possible that he earned the decoration
while on a dangerous patrol to protect the vital telephone line that ran from
‘Huggins’ Roadblock’ to the main command post. 
He discovered several Japanese soldiers who were attempting to cut the
line and killed them.  It is also possible that he earned his decoration during the attempt to
rescue 1st Lt. Hershel Horton.  He was a Pvt. in
Co. I, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Grand Rapids, MI,
when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  S. Sgt. Young was later KIA on 22 February
1944 at Saidor, New Guinea. [added 10 Feb. ‘13]

Pfc. Karl Skyee, from Boyne City, Michigan, and assigned to HQ Co., 3^D
Bn., 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions 2 December
near Soputa. [added
30 Apr. ‘13]

Pvt. Ezra
Davis, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a medic with the 126^TH Inf.,
earned the Silver Star for his actions on 2 December at ‘Huggins’ Roadblock’
near Soputa.  He was known as
the “praying patcher” because he often prayed while
treating wounded comrades and he desired to become a minister. [added 10 Feb. ‘13]

Pvt. Robbie H. Scheef, from
Millard, Nebraska, and assigned to HQ Co., 3^D Bn., 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 2 December near Soputa. [added 30 Apr. ‘13]

Pvt. Robert M. Shearer, from Indianola, Mississippi, and
assigned to HQ Co., 3^D Bn., 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver
Star for his actions on 2 December near Soputa. [added 30 Apr. ‘13]

Pfc. Francisco A. Olguin, Jr., from Pecos, TX, and Pvt.
Clifford V. North, from Harris County, TX, were both assigned to Co. I, 126^TH
Inf. and MIA, presumed KIA, on 2 December near ‘Huggins’ Roadblock.’  In Sep. ‘95, after learning that
members of the local indigenous population had uncovered human remains, a team
from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) (renamed Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency in ‘15) found their battlefield graves near Sanananda, Papua,
New Guinea.  Pfc. Olguin and Pvt. North
were positively identified on 26 Oct. ‘04, after being MIA for nearly 62
years.  Pfc. Olguin was reinterred with
full military honors at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery on Memorial Day, 30 May
‘05.  Pvt. North was reinterred at Forest
Park Cemetery, Houston, TX, ca. May ‘05. [added 2 Nov. ’15, TPB]

All of the Allied troops in the Australian zone were now in bad
shape.  The Australians were in danger of
becoming too weak to sustain offensive action, due to losses from combat and
tropical diseases.  The strength of the
126^TH Infantry was also being whittled away by casualties and
sickness.  The prospect of an early
victory west of the Giruwa was fading.

At this point you should return to the main Battle of
Buna page for some information related to the 32^D Division as a
whole. You will then be directed back to this point at the appropriate time.

Around 3 or 4 December 1942, Col. Tomlinson, his 126^TH
Infantry Headquarters, and part of his Headquarters Company, were transferred
back to the control of the 32^D Division. Maj. Baetcke
assumed command of the remainder of the 126^TH Inf. in the Australian
zone. Major Zeeff became Maj. Baetcke’s
executive officer.

T/Sgt. Edgar C.
Marsh, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and assigned to HQ Co., 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 3 December near Buna. He was a Cpl. in
HQ Co., 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Grand Rapids, MI,
when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. More information
about him and his medal can be found on the
roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 17 Apr. ‘13]

First Lt. John
F. O’Sullivan, from Massachusetts, earned the earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 4 December near Soputa. More information about him and
his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 12 Feb. ‘13]

On 5 December, a coordinated attack, with
about 300 troops, was launched against the Japanese position near the trail
junction. Maj. Baetcke’s group attacked southward
while Maj. Boerem’s grouped attacked northward, both
attacks were repulsed. Two soldiers were killed, 63 wounded and 25 were
missing.

Pvt. Earl Joseph Keating, from New Orleans and assigned
to AT Co., 126^TH Inf., was one of those Soldiers MIA, presumed KIA;
he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions on
5 December.  After being MIA
for nearly 73 years, Pvt. Keating’s remains have been located and
repatriated.  Members of the local indigenous
population located his and Pvt. John H. Klopp’s remains near the site of
“Huggins’ Roadblock” in 2010.  A team
from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC, renamed Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency in 2015) recovered remains, dog tag, Sheaffer’s
Balance fountain pen, and plastic comb in 2012 and took them back to Hawaii for
positive identification.  The confirmed
identification was announced on 1 Aug. ’15. Pvt. Keating was re-interred at
Saint Joseph Cemetery, New Orleans, LA on 28 May ’16.  Co-mingled remains of Pvt. Keating and Pvt.
John H. Klopp were re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery on 23 Mar. ’16. [added 12 Nov. ’16, TPB]

Pvt. John Henry ‘Buddy’ Klopp, from New Orleans and
assigned to AT Co., 126^TH Inf., was one of those Soldiers MIA,
presumed KIA; he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for
his actions on 5 December.  After
being MIA for nearly 73 years, Pvt. Klopp’s remains have been located and
repatriated.  Members of the local
indigenous population located his remains near the site of “Huggins’ Roadblock”
in 2010.  A team from the Joint POW/MIA
Accounting Command (JPAC, renamed Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in 2015)
recovered remains, dog tags, watch, helmet, and boots in 2012 and took them
back to Hawaii for positive identification. 
The confirmed identification was announced on 2 Oct. ’15. Pvt. Klopp and
some co-mingled remains of Pvt. Earl J. Keating were re-interred at Arlington
National Cemetery on 23 Mar. ’16. [added 2 Nov. ’15, TPB]

Pfc. Leonard Taylor ‘Jim’ Bradley, from Iowa and assigned
to Co. I, 126^TH Inf., was one of those Soldiers WIA; he earned the
Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 5 December. More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients.

Several Soldiers earned the Silver Star for their
gallantry on 5 December. Some of
them are listed below and more information about them and their medals can be
found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients.

Capt. Harry L. Richardson, Jr., from Ashland, Virginia,
and commander of Co. C, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 5 December near Soputa. [added 12 Feb. ‘13, TPB]

First Sgt. Wheeler G. Bowman, from Kalamazoo, Michigan,
and assigned to Co. C, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 5 December along the Soputa Trail. He was Pfc. in Co. C,
126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Kalamazoo, MI when 32^D
Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added
20 May ‘14, TPB]

Pvt.
Milo G. Marks, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and assigned to Co. C, 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 5 December near Soputa. He
was Pvt. in Co. C, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at
Kalamazoo, MI when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added 26 May ‘14, TPB]

Pvt.
Jesse S. Sommer, from McLean County, Illinois, and assigned to the 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 5 December near Sanananda. The
award was bestowed posthumously because he was KIA the next day. [added 1 May ‘13, TPB]

Several Soldiers earned the Silver Star for their gallantry on 6 December. Some of them are listed
below and more information about them and their medals can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients.

S. Sgt. Steve E. Fuller, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and
assigned to Co. K, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star (posthumously)
for his actions on 6 December near Sanananda Point. He has been MIA
since that day. He was a Pfc. in Co. K, 126^TH Inf., Michigan
National Guard, at Grand Rapids, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15
Oct. ’40. [added 7 Apr.
‘13, TPB]

Tec. 5 Walter J. Zinchuk, from South
Windham, Maine, and assigned to Co. A, 114^TH Engr. Bn., earned the
Silver Star for his actions on 6 December near Sanananda. [added 24 May ‘14, TPB]

Pfc. Walter J. Campbell, from Detroit, Michigan, and
assigned to Med. Det., 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
actions as a medic on 6 December near Sanananda. He was a Pvt. in Co. C, l07^TH Med. Regt.,
Michigan National Guard, at Detroit, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on
15 Oct. ’40. [added
26 Mar. ‘13, TPB]

Pfc. Alonzo Enos, from Mesa,
Arizona, and assigned to Co. C, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star
for his actions on 6 December near Soputa. [added 25 May ‘14, TPB]

Pfc. William F. Mills, from Somerville, Massachusetts,
and assigned to Co. A, 114^TH Engr. Bn., earned the Silver Star for
his actions on 6 December near Sanananda.
[added 26 May ‘14,
TPB]

Pfc. Andrew J. Zlatykanicz,
Jr., from Hamilton, Ohio, and assigned to Co. A, 114^TH Engr. Bn.,
earned the Silver Star for his actions on 6 December near Sanananda. [added
26 May ‘14, TPB]

Pvt. Robert C. Rief, from Grand
Rapids, Michigan, and assigned to Co. I, 126^TH Inf., earned the
Silver Star for his actions on 6 December near Soputa-Sanananda. He was a Pvt. in Co. I,
126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Grand Rapids, MI, when 32^D
Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added 26 Apr. ‘13, TPB]

On 7 December, Maj. Baetcke
and Maj. Zeef were evacuated, after being stricken
with malaria.  Maj. Boerem assumed
command of the whole detachment.  “Several
additional attempts to get supplies to the roadblock were unsuccessful.  On 8 December, a supply party under the
vigorous and courageous leadership of Lieutenant Dal Ponte got through to the
roadblock.  Capt. Huggins, who had been
wounded on the 5th, was evacuated when the supply party returned under cover of
darkness to a position held by Company K and Cannon Company west of the
roadblock.  Lieutenant Dal Ponte stayed
at the roadblock in command.  He had
about 225 men, but many were too sick to fight. 
They were packed into a small area, subject to almost constant attacks,
exposed to hot sun by day and rain by night, and with inadequate rations. (Blakeley
115-18)”

Later Maj. Dal Ponte
recalled, “…water was procured from a hole dug about 3 feet deep…chlorinated for
drinking by administering individual tablets. 
Another source of water supply was that which the men would catch in
their pouches from the downpour during the previous night.…The disposal of
wastes and the burying of dead had to be accomplished within [the]
area.…Rations were very meager because the ration parties concentrated on
ammunition.…Chocolate bars, bully beef, and instant coffee were the main items
of food when provided.…The weather was almost without [exception] rain at night
and boiling hot sun during the day.…The men were able to get hot coffee by
using canned heat that they had saved from previous ration issues or by an
expedient consisting of sand and the gasoline taken from the captured trucks.…”
(qtd. in Milner 224) [added 15 Apr. ’17, TPB]

A second supply party, led by 1st Lt. Zina R.
Carter, made it to the roadblock on 10
December.  The radios and field
telephones were not working, again, so Lt. Dal Ponte sent a message back with
1st Lt. Carter to let higher headquarters know that morale was reasonably good,
but medical problems were constantly mounting and the soldiers at the roadblock
needed to be relieved soon. [added 10 Jan. ‘13]

“Life at the
roadblock was hard.  Although the troops
were hungry, feverish, and in need of sleep, they were
on an almost perpetual alert.  Crouched
low in their muddy foxholes, their feet going bad, they repelled attack after
attack.  Sometimes the Japanese got so
close to their slit trenches that the troops were able to grab them by the
ankles and pull them in.  Several
Japanese officers were caught and killed in this way. (Milner 224)” [added
10 Jan. ‘13]

“Communications
between the supply base to the west and the troops in the roadblock were
poor.  The radios in use, the SCR-195 and
SCR-288, proved very unreliable.  Not
only did the Japanese frequently cut the [telephone]
wire laid to the roadblock, but they
apparently made a practice of tapping it frequently.  Extreme care was therefore observed in
telephone conversations.  As an
additional precaution, frequent use was made of Dutch, a language familiar to
many Michigan
troops whose forebears had come from the Netherlands. (Milner 225)” [added
10 Jan. ‘13]

Pfc. Jack
M. Binns, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and assigned to
Co. C, 126^TH Inf., was KIA on 11 December in the vicinity of
“Huggins’ Roadblock”.  He was
posthumously bestowed with DSC for his actions on from 26 Nov. near Cape Endaiadere through 11 Dec. when he was KIA.  He was a Soldier in Co. C, 126^TH
Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Kalamazoo, when the 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients. [added 18 Dec. ‘12]

Sgt.
Willard L. Oles, from Adrian, Michigan, and assigned to Co. B, 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions between 26 November and 13
December near Soputa.  He was a Cpl. in Co. B, 126^TH Inf., Michigan
National Guard, at Adrian, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct.
’40.  More information about him
and his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 20 Apr. ‘13]

The 126^TH Infantry’s other groups were
in a similar predicament. Casualties, and no replacements to make up the
losses, were reducing the strength of the force every day. On 14 December,
Maj. Boerem, after repeated requests, was able to have Co. K and Cannon Co.
relieved by Australian units. Also that day, the roadblock received much needed
food, ammunition and medical supplies when a supply party of fifty-five
soldiers successfully infiltrated the roadblock.

First Lt.
Zina Roscoe Carter, from St. Petersburg, Florida, and assigned to the 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 14 December 1942 between Soputa
& Sanananda. More information about him and his medal can be
found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 10 Jan. ‘13]

PVT Clare
T. Latham, from East Detroit, Michigan, and assigned to Med. Det., 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star (posthumously) for his efforts to rescue an
Australian officer during a mortar attack along the Sanananda Track on 15
December. He was WIA that day and later
DOW on 4 Jan. ’43. More information about him and his medal can be found
on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 13 Apr. ‘13]

Brig. Gen. Byers, acting commander of the forward
elements of the 32^D Division, was WIA by a Japanese sniper while he
was observing the attack on the Coconut Grove the morning of 16 December. Lt. Gen. Eichelberger was now the only U.S. general officer left in
the combat area, so he took command of the forward elements of the 32^D
Division. “With three generals knocked out of action by enemy fire, Eichelberger says in Our Jungle Road to Tokyo that
he permitted himself a grim chuckle as he recalled a fragment of the World War
I song: “The General won the Croix de Guerre – But the so-and-so was never
there – Hinkey, dinkey, parlez-vous”. (qtd. in Blakeley 95)”

Brig. Gen. Clovis E. Byers, originally from Columbus,
Ohio, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions while
observing the attack by Urbana Force on 16 December 1942 near Buna. More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients. [added 9 Jan. ‘13]

Lt. Gen. Eichelberger also pays tribute to the National Guard
officers in the 32^D Division: “There were many great
commanders among the National Guard officers of the 32nd Division. In crises, I
would like to have them again as comrades. I can mention only a few here:
Colonels Merle H. Howe of Michigan and Herbert M. Smith of Wisconsin, Maj. H.
E. [Hantelmann]
of Iowa, Maj. Edmund R. Schroeder of Wisconsin, the inimitable Capt. W. H.
Dames of Wisconsin, whose Company G, 127th Infantry, never made a wrong move in
battle. (qtd.
in Blakeley 95)”

“During the next week, several Australian units reached the vicinity of the
roadblock, but it was not until the evening of 22 December that Dal Ponte and
his command were relieved after twenty-two days of almost continuous fighting.
The Army’s official history [Victory in
Papua] pays them tribute: ‘They were dazed, sick and exhausted, and
their feet were in such bad shape they could hardly use them. Their spirit,
nevertheless, was high and it should be have been, for the defense of the
roadblock had not only been praiseworthy, it had been superb.’ Among the decorations awarded were the Distinguished
Service Cross for Capt. Huggins and Lt. Dal Ponte. (Blakeley 118)”

Capt. Meredith Miller Huggins, from Salem, Oregon, and
assigned as S-3, 3^D Bn., 126^TH Inf., earned the DSC for
his actions on 1 December at “Huggins’ Roadblock.”  More information about him and his
medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients. [updated 3 Jun. ’17, TPB]

First Lt. Dal Ponte, from Three Rivers, Michigan, was
bestowed with the DSC for his actions on 9 December.  More information about him and his
medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients.

Pfc.
Gerald (Jerald) D. Massey, from Greentown, Indiana, and assigned to Co. K, 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 22 December near Sanananda.
More information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 17 Apr. ‘13]

Pvt.
Leroy Johnson, from Oakdale, Louisiana, and assigned to Co. K, 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 22 December near Sanananda.  Later Sgt. Johnson earned the Medal of Honor,
posthumously, and was KIA on 15 Dec. ’44 near Limon, Leyte, Philippines.  More information about him and his medals can
be found on the Medal of Honor page and the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 3 Jan. ‘13]

On 24 December, “five 32nd Division men were awarded the [Distinguished Service Cross] in an attack on the
track junction. A sap had been dug to within fifteen feet of an enemy trench.
Sergeant Chester C. Funk of Cannon Company, 126th Infantry, although wounded,
held the sap throughout the night against enemy attacks. At dawn, four men
crawled forward from the sap, assaulted the trench and held it until
reinforced. They were: Corporal Orrin C. Sutton and Private Edward R. [Rossman (Roseman)] of Company L, and Privates Lawrence B. Marion
and Harold Pederson of Company M. (Blakeley 118)” The track junction mentioned is the point where the Killerton Trail splits off from the Soputa-Sanananda Track.

Sgt. Funk was from Washington. More information
about him and his medal can be found on the
roster
of DSC recipients. [added 19 Dec. ‘12]

Cpl. Sutton, from Charlevoix, Michigan, was WIA by
a Japanese machine gun bullet ca. 15 Dec.; after medical treatment he returned
to duty less than 24 hours later. He may be namesake for Sherman-Wudarcki-Sutton Post No. 582 of VFW in Ortonville,
Michigan. It seems he was the inspiration for a character in Superman comic
book in 1943. More information about him and his medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients. [added 12 Dec. ‘12]

Pfc. Rossman was from
Tell City, Indiana. More information about him and his medal can be found on
the roster
of DSC recipients. [added 1 Jan. ‘13]

Pvt. Marion was from Michigan. He was a Cpl. in Co.
H, 126^TH Inf., Michigan National Guard, at Iona, MI, when the 32^D
Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. More information about him and his medal can be
found on the roster
of DSC recipients. [added 21 Dec. ‘12]

Pvt. Pederson was from Ohio. More information about
him and his medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients. [added 29 Dec. ‘12]

Cpl.
Glenn W. Follett, from Benton Harbor, Michigan, and assigned to Co. I, 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 24 December. More information about him and his medal can be
found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 5 Apr.
‘13]

On Christmas Day, Maj. Boerem only had four
hundred soldiers left; a few days later there were only three hundred.

Capt. Russell J. Wildey, from
Michigan and commander of Co. M, 126^TH Inf., earned the
Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 26 December near Sanananda.  He was WIA during the event.  He was a 2d Lt. in 126^TH Inf.,
Michigan National Guard, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  More information about him and his
medal can be found on the roster
of DSC recipients. [added 21 May ‘13]

S. Sgt. Robert F. Danenberg
(Dannenberg), from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and assigned to Cannon Co., 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star (posthumously) for rescuing a wounded comrade on
26 December (some sources state 25 Dec.), but he was subsequently KIA by an
enemy sniper.  He was a
Sgt. in Btry. C, 120^TH FA Regt., Wisconsin National Guard, at
Chippewa Falls, WI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  More information about him and his medal can
be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 2 Apr. ‘13]

S. Sgt. Elmer P. Peterson, from Chippewa Falls,
Wisconsin, and assigned to Cannon Co., 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver
Star for his actions on 26 December near Soputa.  He was a Pfc. in Btry. C, 120^TH FA Regt.,
Wisconsin National Guard, at Chippewa Falls, WI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 20 May
‘14]

On 31 December, Maj. Francis L. Irwin
relieved Maj. Boerem, who was exhausted. 
Lt. Dal Ponte was back in the line, commanding the seventy-eight men
left.

The Australian soldiers were also in rough shape.  Both the Americans and Australians welcomed
the arrival of the 163^D Infantry Regimental Combat Team, consisting
of the 163^D Regiment and 550 other troops from the U.S. 41^ST
‘Sunsetters’ Infantry Division.  A few months later the 41^ST Div.
would earn a new nickname, the ‘Jungleers’.  The 163^D RCT was commanded by Col.
Jens A. Doe, and was committed to action with the Australian 7th Division.

“The relief of the 126th troops was finally
completed on the afternoon of 9 January 1943. Major Boerem, who had not quit
but continued on as Major Irwin’s executive, went to Buna to prepare for the
arrival of the detachment there. Three days later, the detachment, down to 158
men from a strength of over 1300 at the start of operations across the Giruwa,
started its march back to the Division. With Major Irwin at their head, and Dal
Ponte – now a Captain – as second in command, they reached Simemi
that night. General Eichelberger received them on 14
January, as he says, ‘with band music and
with what might well be described as a martial welcome . . . my eyes were wet’.
(Blakeley 118-9)”

Return to the main Battle of
Buna page.

Bibliography (primary sources for historical
information regarding the 32^D ‘The Red Arrow’ Infantry Division’s
exploits during World War II):

Blakeley, H. W., Major General, Retired.  The
32^D Infantry Division in World War II.  The Thirty-second
Infantry Division History Commission, State of Wisconsin, n.d.
Cannon,
M. Hamlin.  Leyte: The
Return to the Philippines. 
U. S. Army Center of Military History, 1954.
Carlisle,
John M.  Red Arrow Men: Stories About the 32^nd Division on the Villa Verde.  Detroit: Arnold-Powers, Inc., 1945.

Drea,
Edward J.  Defending
the Driniumor: Covering Force Operations in New
Guinea, 1944.  Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Combat Studies
Institute, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1984.

Drea,
Edward J.  New Guinea –
The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II. 
U. S. Army Center of Military History, n.d.
Hill,
Jim Dan, Major General, Retired.  The Minute Man in Peace and War. 
Harrisburg: The Stackpole Company, 1964.
Jungwirth,
Clarence J.  Diary of a National Guardsman in World War II. 
Oshkosh, WI: Poeschl Printing Company, 1991.
Mayo,
Lida.  Bloody
Buna.  Canberra, Australia:
Australian National University Press, 1975.

Miller, John, Jr.  Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul.  U. S.
Army Center of Military History, 1959.

Milner, Samuel.  Victory in
Papua. 
U. S. Army Center of Military History, 1957.
Papuan
Campaign – The Buna-Sanananda Operation. 
Washington, D.C.: Historical Division, War Department, 1945.
The
Red Arrow – 1955 – The 32^D Division, Wisconsin National Guard. 
n.p., 1955.
Smith,
Herbert M., Lieutenant Colonel, Retired. Four Score and Ten: Happenings in
the Life of Herbert M. Smith.  Eau Claire, WI: Heins
Publications, 1995.

Smith, Herbert M., Lieutenant Colonel, Retired. Hannibal
Had Elephants II.  Eau Claire, WI: Rev. William A. Heins,
1995.

Smith, Robert Ross.  The Approach
to the Philippines. 
U. S. Army Center of Military History, 1953.
Smith, Robert Ross.  Triumph in
the Philippines. 
U. S. Army Center of Military History, 1963.