32D Red Arrow Infantry Division and Brigade

Warren Force
during the Battle of Buna

Circa 22 November 1942 the
units on the 32^D Division’s right flank were designated ‘Warren
Force’. BG Hanford MacNider (McNider) was initially placed
in command of this unit. He was a member of LG Robert Eichelberger’s staff who
had recently been attached to the 32^D Division. The units of ‘Warren
Force’ consisted of the 1^ST and 3^D Battalions of the 128^TH
Infantry, a detachment of 1^ST Battalion, 126^TH
Infantry, and one Australian independent company.

“On the evening of 22 November, Harding received an order from
MacArthur’s headquarters to press an attack on the following day ‘regardless of
cost.’ Convinced that the higher headquarters did not and could not know the
strength of the Japanese defensive positions, and believing that strict
adherence to the order could result in the destruction of his entire force on
the coastal flank, Harding took upon himself responsibility for putting his own
interpretation on the ‘regardless of cost’ phrase. He got General MacNider on
the telephone and gave him the order as he had received it. He directed that
everything available be put into the attack and that it be pressed to the
limit, but that it be called off if and when it became clearly evident that it
was making no headway and could only result in the piling up of needless
casualties. He further informed MacNider that he assumed full responsibility
for the modification of the order.” (Blakeley 69)

On 23 November 1942, the attack was renewed. Some initial
progress was made, with the help of effective mortar and artillery support
(coordinated by LTC Alexander MacNab (McNab), 128^TH Inf. XO), but the attack was
eventually halted. General Harding did not receive any criticism for modifying
the order.

General MacNider was
seriously WIA by an enemy rifle grenade at about 1830 hours on 23 November and
had to be evacuated, he was succeeded by COL J. Tracy Hale (128^TH
Inf.) as ‘Warren Force’ commander. BG MacNider was bestowed with his 3rd DSC for his actions
about this time; he earned his first 2 DSCs during WWI. More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of DSC recipients. [added 13 Dec. ‘12]

The next two days were mostly devoted to preparing
for an attack scheduled for 26 November.

MG Harding departed from
the Division CP at Embogo the evening of 25
November in order to go forward and personally observe the ‘Warren Force’
attack set for the next day. The small supply boat Helen Dawn was going to haul some ammunition to the supply dump at
Hariko, so the General was able to catch a ride. Unfortunately the Helen Dawn grounded on a sandbar about 3
miles from its destination, so MG Harding had to make the rest of his trip via
row boat. He reached COL Hale’s ‘Warren Force’ CP at Hariko at 0445 hours on 26 November. He paid brief visits to
LTC McCoy’s 1^ST Bn., 128^TH Inf. CP and LTC Carrier’s 1^ST
Bn., 126^TH Inf. CP, he continued on to LTC Miller’s 3^D
Bn., 128^TH Inf. CP. [added
16 Mar. ‘14]

On 26 November, Thanksgiving Day, the
attack was initiated with air, artillery, mortar and heavy machine gun
prepatory fire, but it all had little effect on the well-protected enemy
troops. MG Harding was well forward to observe. The 3^D Bn., 128^TH
Inf. (LTC Miller) ran into fierce resistance from well concealed Japanese. Some
of the infantry became disoriented in the deep swamps. Japanese fighter planes
also had some impact on the attack.

A flight of about 13
Japanese planes from Lae, likely a combination of Zeros and Vals,
attacked Allied positions in the Buna-area on 26 November. Australian
positions, including a field hospital, were hit at Soputa, resulting in 22 KIA
and 50 WIA. The planes also hit positions of the 3^D Bn., 128^TH
Inf., which was pushing north along the coast toward Cape Endaiadere, resulting
in 6 KIA. The Japanese planes also shot down two C-47s that were supporting the
32^D Div. and Australians, damaged two more C-47s on the ground, and
sunk the Helen Dawn when they found it still grounded on the sandbar. [added 16 Mar. ‘14]

The attack had failed, but not from lack of
gallantry.

“During the heavy fighting on Colonel Carrier’s front that
afternoon, Pvt. Howard M. Eastwood of Company C, 126th Infantry,
single-handedly attacked a ten-man party of the enemy whom he had discovered to
his front on a scouting mission. Standing upright in the tall grass, he engaged
the Japanese with fire from his submachine gun, killing several and dispersing
the others. Killed by an enemy sniper in the area, Eastwood was posthumously
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.” (Milner 181)

PVT
Eastwood was from Garvin County, Oklahoma. More information about him and
his medal can be found on the roster of DSC recipients. Blakeley, on page 70, lists
him as PVT Howard M. Eastward of Co. G.

Numerous Soldiers
earned the Silver Star for their gallantry during the attack on 26 November. Some of them are listed
below and additional about them and their medals can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients.

1LT Lester
Taylor Mooney, from Norman, Oklahoma, and assigned to Co. K, 128^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 26 November near Buna. Later, CPT Mooney was KIA 9
Feb. ’44 while commanding Co. K, 128^TH Inf. near Saidor, New Guinea.
[added
25 Jan. ‘13]

SGT Dudley M. Brice, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and
assigned to Co. B, 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 26 November near Cape Endaiadere. WIA in the shoulder during an
attack on 26 Nov., he hastily had his wound dressed and immediately returned to
the front to lead his platoon in another attack. He was WIA again on
29 Nov., this time his wounds were more serious and he was evacuated for
hospitalization and ultimately an honorable discharge. He was a SGT in Co. B,
128^TH Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Eau Claire, WI, when 32^D
Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added
19 Feb. ‘13]

Tec. 5 Francis D. (S.) Klein, from Lancaster, Wisconsin,
and assigned to Co. M, 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 26 November near Buna. He was a PVT in Co. M, 128^TH
Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Platteville, WI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40.
[added 13 Apr. ‘13]

CPL Leland E.
(L.) Genthe, from Platteville, Wisconsin, and assigned to Co. M, 128^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his efforts to rescue wounded comrades from
swampy, fire-swept terrain on 26 November near Buna Mission. He was a PVT in Co. M, 128^TH
Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Platteville, WI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added 7 Apr. ‘13]

CPL Paul E. (P.) Green, from Fennimore, Wisconsin, and
assigned to Co. M, 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 26 November near Buna. He was a PVT in Co. M, 128^TH Inf., Wisconsin
National Guard, at Platteville, WI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15
Oct. ’40. [added 8 Apr. ‘13]

CPL Donald R. Muench, from Lancaster, Wisconsin, and
assigned to Co. M, 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
efforts to direct Allied artillery fire from a machine gun raked tree near Buna
on 26 November. He was a PVT in Co. M, 128^TH Inf.,
Wisconsin National Guard, at Platteville, WI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added 19 Apr. ‘13]

CPL Matthew Suslje (Susjle), from Nokomis, Illinois, and assigned to Co. M, 128^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 26 November near Buna. [added
2 May ‘13]

PFC Lloyd G. Carter, from Highland or Montfort,
Wisconsin, and assigned to Co. M, 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star
for actions on 26 November near Buna. He was a PVT in Co. M, 128^TH
Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Platteville, WI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added 27 Mar. ‘13]

On 27 November another misplaced Allied air attack caused
three casualties in Lt. Fryday’s Company I, 128^TH
Infantry, in positions on the west side of New Strip.

In addition to these problems, by 28 November,
there was only one operational supply boat left.  The others had been damaged or destroyed by
enemy action or accidents.  There weren’t
enough aircraft available to adequately supply the troops solely by air.  Once supplies did land at the Dobodura air
strip, they still had to be transported to the front, 10 or 12 miles away.  The few available trails were not suitable
for vehicles.  Natives were hired to
carry supplies and help evacuate the wounded, but they would not go into the
areas being reached by enemy fire.  The
soldiers had to carry the supplies the rest of the way themselves.

On 30 November an attack was scheduled for
WARREN Force and URBANA Force.  Both
attacks were better planned and organized than previous attempts.  The fire support was better coordinated on
both fronts.

WARREN Force was able to advance to the enemy’s
main line of resistance, but was stopped by the well-built defensive
works.  There were no tanks or artillery to
destroy the bunkers and the unit had little equipment or training for attacks
on these positions.

Capt.
Edward H. Sandell, from Rock County, Wisconsin, and assigned to HQ Co., 128^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 30 November near Buna.  The decoration was bestowed posthumously, he
was KIA 25 Dec. ‘42.  He was a 2d
Lt. with Co. L, 128^TH Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, Beloit, 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 13 Feb. ‘13]

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.

On 3 December 1942, Col. Clarence A. Martin (I Corps G-3) was given
command of the 128^TH Infantry and Warren Force; he succeeded Col. J.
Tracy Hale.

Col. Hale, from
Milwaukee, WI, entered the service on 18 May ‘17 as an applicant to the
Officers’ Reserve Training Camp at Ft. Sheridan, IL.  He was honorably discharged from the program
on 24 Jun. ‘17 in order to accept a lieutenancy in Co. E, 5^TH Wis.
Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Watertown, WI, where he was commissioned 1st
Lt. ca. the end of Jul. ‘17.  After the organization of the 32^D
Div., he was assigned as a 1st Lt. and battalion scout officer in 3^D
Bn., 125^TH Inf.  He was
severely WIA ca. late Jul. or early Aug. ’18 during the Aisne-Marne Campaign;
after medical treatment he was discharged in Jan. ‘19.  He continued to serve with the Wis. Nat.
Guard between the wars, holding positions from Capt. to Col. with HQ Co., 64^TH
Inf. Bde.; HQ, 22^D Cav. Div.; 121^ST FA Regt.  He was Lt. Col. in HQ, 127^TH Inf.
when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ‘40.  Col. Hale was seriously injured near
Buna.  The date and circumstances are
unknown, but Capt. Robert Winkler, while home on leave in Mar. ‘43, told the
homefolks that Col. Hale “is still fuming
in a hospital, with his body encased in a cast for an injured spine.”  He earned the OLC to the Purple Heart during
WWII, it is not clear if that is related to his spinal injury or some other
wound.  Col. Hale returned home ca. Aug.
‘44 and resumed his civilian endeavors soon after.  He was belatedly bestowed with the Bronze
Star and CIB ca. 11 Jun. ‘50 for his actions at Buna.  He passed away 20 Feb. ‘56 and is interred at
Silver Lake Cemetery, Lewiston Township, Columbia Co., WI.

Col. Martin was awarded the OLC to the Silver Star for
his actions on 2 December.  He was
awarded his first Silver Star during WWI.  He is listed on the roster of Silver Star recipients.

What Col. Martin did to receive the Silver Star
is a bit of a mystery, to this amateur historian and webmaster anyway.  He visited the WARREN Force front on 2 Dec.
on behalf of Lt. Gen. Eichelberger, who was himself visiting the URBANA Force
front.  Both parties reached their
respective front line destinations in the late afternoon, during a lull in the
fighting, which had been heavy and prolonged earlier in the day.  Due to the seeming absence of heavy fighting
during their brief visits, both officers jumped to the conclusion that the 32^D
Div. had been sitting on their hands all day. 
Col. Martin himself said, in his zealous, knee-jerk report to his
superior, that the front was “as quiet as
the inside of an empty church.”  So
how in the world could anyone attempt to justify a recommendation for the
Silver Star for this I Corps staff officer during his brief visit to the front
line?  I make every effort
to avoid injecting my personal opinion into this historical record, but when I
read about Col. Martin’s inactions that day, as compared to reading the
exploits of real Soldiers’ heroism and valor around that same time, it is
difficult to quell my anger and disbelief. 
[added 24 Oct. ’14,
TPB]

On about 3 or 4 December, the arrival of
five Bren-gun carriers manned by Australians and some forty tons of food and
ammunition were gladly received on the Warren front.

On the morning of 5 December, attacks were
scheduled for both Warren Force and Urbana Force. Warren Force was deployed
from right to left: 3^D Battalion, 128^TH Infantry (with
the Bren-gun carriers); 1^ST Battalion, 128^TH Infantry;
Australian 2/6 Independent Company; 1^ST Battalion, 126^TH
Infantry (minus a detachment).

“The attack was preceded by an ineffective strike of six A-20’s,
and by a brief artillery preparation. The lightly armored, open-topped Bren-gun
carriers, completely inadequate for the tank role assigned them, were all
knocked out within twenty minutes in spite of the gallantry of their crews,
nearly all of whom were killed or wounded. (Blakeley 87)”

Lieutenant Ian W. Walker (second in command of the Bren carriers
and not actually involved in the attack) and an enlisted man went forward on
foot after learning of this disaster. While being covered by fire from Co. L,
128^TH Inf., the two Australians removed the guns and ammunition from
three of their carriers. “Lieutenant Walker then, alone, went further
forward to try to recover the weapons and ammunition of the other two carriers.
He fell mortally wounded. The American Distinguished Service Cross was awarded
to him posthumously. (Blakeley 88)” His medal is listed on the roster of DSC recipients.

Numerous Soldiers were bestowed with the Silver Star for their actions 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.

SSG Milton O. Cline, from Monroe, Wisconsin and assigned
to Co. K, 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions between
26 November and 5 December near Buna. He was PVT in Co. K, 128^TH
Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Monroe, WI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added
1 Apr. ‘13]

Sgt. Victor L. Olson, from Colfax, Wisconsin, and
assigned to the 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions
on 5 December.  He was a Pvt.
in Co. A, 128^TH Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Menomonie, WI,
when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40.  Later promoted to S. Sgt., he would earn 2
OLCs to the Silver Star and has been MIA since 28 Jan. ‘44 near Saidor, New
Guinea. [added 2 Jan. ’13, TPB]

CPL Dale F. Booth, from Cumberland, Wisconsin, and
assigned to Co. D, 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 5 December near Buna. He was a PFC in Co. D, 128^TH
Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Rice Lake, WI, when 32^D Div.
mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40. [added
19 Feb. ‘13]

PVT Ernest J. Weber, from Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and
assigned to Co. D, 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
efforts on 5 December. He was a PVT in Co. D, 128^TH Inf.,
Wisconsin National Guard, at Rice Lake, WI, when 32^D Div. mobilized
on 15 Oct. ’40. [added 2
Jan. ‘13]

The day’s attack could not overcome the determined
Japanese resistance, intense heat, quicksand, and deep water.

Gen. Waldron, acting Division commander, had been
seriously wounded while observing Urbana Force’s attack on 5 December. BG Frayne Baker, who was in command of the Division’s
elements in Australia, succeeded Gen. Waldron. General Byers assumed command of
the forward elements of the 32^D.

2LT Rae
M. Smith, from Superior, Wisconsin, and likely assigned to the 128^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 8 December Mundarupi
Village. He was a PVT in Med. Det.
(Rifle), 128^TH Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Superior, 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 13 Feb.
‘13]

SSG Elmer
R. Buchanan, from Blissfield, Michigan, and assigned to Co. B, 126^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for leading a patrol of volunteers to attack
Japanese pillboxes in the vicinity of “New Strip at Buna on 8 December. Several
other members of his patrol also earned the Silver Star: SGT Richard J. Pieh
from Adrian, MI; CPL Kenneth B. Clapp, from Adrian, MI (posthumous); CPL
William J. Jacobs from Grand Rapids, MI; PFC Robert S. Buckowing from Grand
Rapids, MI (posthumous). SSG Buchanan, SGT
Pieh, and CPL Clapp were members of Co. B, 126^TH Inf., Michigan
National Guard, at Adrian, MI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct.
’40. SGT Pieh was later bestowed with the DSC for his actions 20 Dec. ’44 on Leyte. CPL Clapp and PFC
Buckowing were KIA during the patrol. More information about them and
their medals can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 20 Feb. ‘13]

LG Eichelberger was finally convinced that the
Japanese defensive positions facing Warren Force were too strong to be taken by
frontal assaults. General Herring informed him that Australian troops and light
tanks were on the way to reinforce Warren Force. For now he would continue to
keep pressure on the enemy with probing attacks and fire. Specific pillboxes
and bunkers would be selected and eliminated one by one. Also, COL Martin tried
to get his 128^TH Inf. better organized by attempting to reunite the
mixed up companies with their parent battalions.

On 10 December the Australian 2/6
Independent Company was returned to the 7th Australian Division.

On 13 December, LG Eichelberger made more
command changes in Warren Force. MAJ Beaver replaced LTC Carrier, who developed
heart trouble, as commander of 1^ST Bn., 126^TH Infantry.
MAJ Gordon Clarkson (I Corps staff) succeeded LTC McCoy (who went to the
Division staff) in command of 1^ST Bn., 128^TH Infantry.
LTC MacNab (McNab) (Warren
Force XO) traded places with LTC Miller (CO of 3^D Bn., 128^TH
Infantry). “All of these shifts were routine ones and involved no
reflection on any of the officers concerned. (Blakeley 92)”

SSG Hans
M. Jensen, from Menomonie, Wisconsin, and assigned to Co. A, 128^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 15 December near Buna. He was a CPL in Co. A,
128^TH Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Menomonie, 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 12 Apr. ‘13]

SGT Aaron
Meyers, from St. Louis, Missouri, and assigned to Co. A, 128^TH Inf.,
earned the Silver Star for his actions on 15 December near Buna. More information about him and his medal can be found
on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 17 Apr. ‘13]

BG 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. LG 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)”

BG 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]

LG 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 CPT W. H. Dames
of Wisconsin, whose Company G, 127th Infantry, never made a wrong move in
battle. (qtd. in Blakeley 95)”

Meanwhile, the engineers were making progress constructing jeep trails to the
front, although they needed to build a bridge a hundred feet long to cross a
stream that was only six feet wide but bordered by swamps. These improved
trails would make supply, evacuation and communication easier.
 

Brigadier George F. Wooten, his headquarters,
eight light M-3 tanks and a battalion of infantry arrived as welcome
reinforcements for Warren Force. All of these were Australian troops and a second
Australian battalion was on the way.

On 17 December Brigadier Wooten became the
commander of Warren Force.

LG Eichelberger scheduled the next attack for 18
December. Warren Force was assigned the successive objectives of Cape
Endaiadere, the New Strip, the Old Strip, and Giropa Point. Urbana Force would
be tasked with cleaning out the Triangle, driving through to the coast, and
cutting the coast road between Giropa Point and Buna Mission (a.k.a. Buna
Government Station).

Warren Force’s new tank squadron moved into its
attack position on the right of the line late on 17 December. The tanks
were able to move up without being detected by the enemy because a mortar
barrage had masked the noise of the tanks.

From 0650 to 0700 on 18 December there was
a brief but intense air, artillery and mortar preparation. The Australian 2/9
Battalion moved up to the line of departure during this preparation. At 0700,
the Australian tanks and infantry began their attack northward across Duropa
Plantation toward Cape Endaiadere. The 3^D Bn., 128^TH Inf.
followed the Australians to mop up the area. The 1^ST Bn., 128^TH
swung west to help the Australians when they encountered heavy fire from
bunkers near the east end of the New Strip. On the left, 1^ST Bn.,
126^TH Inf., kept pressure on the positions at the West End of the
strip. The Australians were able to reach Cape Endaiadere within an hour, but
they had suffered heavy casualties and lost two tanks along the way. At Cape
Endaiadere they headed west along the coast until they were stopped by a strong
enemy position near Strip Point.

The infantry had encountered fierce opposition
from a large strongpoint on the east end of the New Strip; so the remaining
Australian tanks were sent over there to help. The twenty pillboxes which made
up the strongpoint were reduced late in the afternoon. “Duropa Plantation
had turned out to be good tank country, as General Harding had thought, and the
tanks had been decisive in the day’s success. (Blakeley 96)”

Most of 19 December was spent mopping up
the newly gained areas and trying to reorganize the units that had become mixed
during the previous day’s action.

On 20-21 December there was some intense
fighting in the area north and east of Simemi Creek before the Japanese were
driven out. The Australian 2/10 Battalion had arrived and became the reserve.

The next phase of the advance required getting
across Simemi Creek, which presented a major obstacle for both tanks and
infantry. There was one narrow bridge midway between New Strip and Old Strip,
but it was 125 feet long due to the swamps on both sides of the Creek. On top
of that, the Japanese had blown a gap in the middle of the bridge.

Around noon on 20 December, elements of the
1^ST Bn., 128^TH Inf. made the first attempt to get across
the bridge. They soon discovered that it was covered by well-placed machine
guns, protected by riflemen. “Private
Steve W. Parks earned the Distinguished Service Cross by rescuing a seriously
wounded fellow soldier during the unsuccessful action. (Blakeley 96)”

PVT Parks was from Rice Lake, Wisconsin. He was a PVT in Co. D, 128^TH
Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Rice Lake, WI, 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 28 Dec. ‘12]

“The next attempt was made later in the
day by a detachment from the 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry, under Lieutenant
John E. Sweet. Under cover of a smoke screen, a catwalk was successfully
carried forward to the hole in the bridge, but it was not long enough to span
the gap. Sweet was also awarded the [Distinguished
Service Cross]. (Blakeley 96)”

2LT Sweet was from Pennsylvania and the reason for his award of the DSC
may have been his actions on 26 December. More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of DSC recipients. [added 17 Dec. ‘12]

The 4 Soldiers from the 126^TH Inf. who carried
the catwalk to the gap in the bridge across Simemi Creek on 20 December and
earned the Silver Star for their actions were, Cpl. Wright C. Chambless, Jr.
from Van Buren, Kansas or somewhere in Arkansas (had ties to both states); Cpl.
Malcolm M. Hilliard from Mount Pleasant, Michigan; Pvt. Thomas E. Doss from
Dearborn, Michigan; and Pvt. Floyd A. Sujkowski from Saginaw, Michigan.  More information about them and
their medals can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 11 Apr. ’13, TPB]

PVT Douglas C. Rodgers (Rogers), from Kalamazoo,
Michigan, and assigned to Co. C, 126^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star
for role in the attempted bridge repair on 20 December. In addition to
assisting in carrying some of the repair materials, he also provided covering
fire with an automatic rifle while the other men tried to complete the repairs.
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.
More information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 26 Apr. ‘13]

Several other attempts were made to force a
crossing at other points of the creek, but none were successful. Late in the
day, the Australian 2/10 Battalion, which had just arrived, was assigned the
task of finding a crossing.

On 21 December, after extensive
reconnoitering, often in neck deep water, the 2/10 Battalion was able to make
an undetected crossing a few hundred yards below the bridge.

Around noon on 23 December the Australians
finished clearing the area on the far side of the bridge. “In the meanwhile, the 3rd Platoon (Lieutenant James
Doughtie) of Company C, 114th Engineer Battalion, had begun the work of
repairing the bridge. Although fire continued to come into the area from
Japanese positions near the Old Strip even after the Australians had cleared
the immediate vicinity of the bridge, the engineers proceeded rapidly and
efficiently to get in a span which permitted Major Beaver’s 1st Battalion,
126th Infantry, to cross. By dark, the bridge was ready to carry tanks.
Lieutenant Doughtie was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his
part in this task. (Blakeley 97)”

2LT Doughtie was from Massachusetts. 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 23 December
near Buna, presumably for assisting 2LT Doughtie in the repair of the bridge
over Simemi Creek. Some of them are listed hear and more information about them
and their medals can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients.

SGT Murdock E. MacPherson, from Bedford, Massachusetts,
and assigned to Co. C, 114^TH Engr. Bn., earned the Silver Star for
his actions on 23 December near Buna. [added 15 Apr. ‘13]

Tec. 5 Wallace I. Van Cor, from Cambridge or Melrose
Heights, Massachusetts, and assigned to Co. C, 114^TH Engr. Bn.,
earned the Silver Star for carrying an Australian casualty to safety and
assisting in the repair of a bridge over Simemi Creek under heavy enemy fire on
23 December near Buna. [added 22 Apr. ‘13]

Tec. 4 Irving M. Lawrence, from Lakeville, Massachusetts,
and assigned to the 114^TH Engr. Bn., earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 23 December near Buna. [added 15 Apr. ‘13]

1LT
Philip (Phillip) S. Winson, from Detroit, Michigan, and assigned to the 32^D
Signal Co., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 23 December near Buna.
1LT Winson, with a patrol of 20 Soldiers from the 126^TH Inf., was
laying communication wire to a forward position when they were attacked.
Finding five unoccupied Japanese pillboxes, they organized a hasty defense and
held the bunkers until re-enforcements arrived. When they were relieved, only 5
Soldiers remained alive. Winson was a MSG in HQ Co., 125^TH Inf., Michigan
National Guard, at Detroit, 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 15 Feb. ‘13]

MAJ Clarkson’s 1^ST Bn., 128^TH
Inf., crossed the bridge that evening (23
December) and moved up on the left of 1^ST Bn., 126^TH
Inf.

Near sunset on 23 December, Soldiers from Svc. Co., 128^TH Inf. and 32^D
QM Co. were unloading ammunition from the barge Eva at the Allied supply base at Hariko.
Without warning two Japanese motorboats rounded Cape Endaiadere and attacked
the barge, which quickly sank. Later, at about 2250 hours, the Japanese boats
returned and raked the beach near Hariko with .50-caliber tracer ammunition.
The Soldiers responded with small arms fire, but the motorboats slipped away
before they could be engaged with heavy weapons. This meant that beach defenses
had to be tightened up, both to prevent a similar attack and also in an effort
to prevent the Japanese from landing reinforcements with these boats, which
they had done before. [updated
20 May ‘14]

2LT John A. Pinkowsky, from Clintonville, Wisconsin, and
assigned to 32^D QM Co., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 23
December near Hariko. He was a 2LT in Co. A, 107^TH QM Regt., Wisconsin
National Guard, at Clintonville, 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 19 May ‘14]

Tec. 4 Wilfred D. Evans, from Neillsville, Wisconsin, and
assigned to Svc. Co., 128^TH Inf., earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 23 December near Hariko. He was a PVT in Svc. Co., 128^TH Inf., Wisconsin
National Guard, at Neillsville, 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 4 Apr. ‘13]

Early on 24 December, four tanks crossed
the bridge and joined the 2/10 Battalion on the right flank. An all-out attack
(Australians and Americans) commenced at 0950. It initially showed promise, but
it was soon reduced to a very slow and costly advance, at the loss of 3 of the
tanks. Colonel Yamamoto, the Japanese commander, had organized a very effective
defense in the Old Strip area. Both of his flanks were tied into the
impenetrable swamps and he had a strong, well-organized position laid out in
depth with barbed wire, trenches and bunkers, all supported by well-sited
artillery and machine guns.

From 24 to 28 December, “Warren Force
was to experience bitter fighting, marked by fanatical Japanese resistance,
futile attempts to struggle through the swamps on the enemy’s flanks, and many
examples of individual courage and devotion to duty. (Blakeley 97)”

The Australians and Americans of Warren Force
resumed their attack at 0700 on Christmas Day 1942. The American
battalions were soon halted by strong resistance. In an effort to gain
momentum, COL Martin sent a detachment from 1^ST Bn., 128^TH
Inf., into the swamp to attempt to find a way around the enemy’s right flank.
The detachment’s commander reported that the swamp was impenetrable. Determined
to find a way through, COL Martin personally accompanied another detachment,
led by 2LT George J. Hess from Co. A, 128^TH Inf., far enough into
the swamp to assure himself that the task could be accomplished. Lt. Hess and
his men struggled through and were able to get around to the enemy’s rear.
However, the detachment was not strong enough to attack and COL Martin wasn’t
able to get reinforcements, led by 1LT Donald A. Foss of Co. C, 128^TH
Inf., over there until after dark.

“The Army official history of the campaign [Victory in
Papua] says of Martin [who had been awarded the Silver Star
in WWI and the OLC on 2 Dec. ‘42]: ‘At one point in the day’s
fighting he climbed a tall tree that overlooked the Japanese positions in order
to get a better bead on enemy troops lurking in the tall grass immediately to
his front. From this vantage point he killed several of them with a rifle.’
The record indicates that Colonel Martin’s courageous leadership on Christmas
Day was typical rather than exceptional. It is significant that the citation
for his Distinguished Service Cross does not refer to one act, but covers the
period 3 December to 5 January 1943. (qtd. in Blakeley 100)”

Second Lt. George
J. Hess, from Edgerton, WI and assigned to Co. A, 128^TH Inf., earned
the Silver Star for leading his patrol through the swamp and into the Japanese
rear area at the Old Strip near Buna on 25 December.  More information about him and his
medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. 
First Lt. Hess later earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his
actions 28 Jan. ’44 near Saidor, see the
roster
of DSC recipients. [added 14 Oct. ’14, TPB]

S. Sgt. Victor L. Olson, from Colfax, Wisconsin, and
assigned to the 128^TH Inf., earned the OLC to the Silver Star for
his actions on 25 December.  He
was a Pvt. in Co. A, 128^TH Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at
Menomonie, WI, when 32^D Div. mobilized on 15 Oct. ’40.  He had earlier earned the Silver Star for his
actions on 5 December.  Later he would
earn 2nd OLC to the Silver Star and has been MIA since 28 Jan. ‘44 near Saidor,
New Guinea.  More information about him and his medal
can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 24 Jul. ’17, TPB]

The Australian Co. C, 2/10 Bn. was also forced their way through
the swamp to a position near Co. C. During 26-28 December, the fight for
the Old Strip area continued; marked by fierce enemy resistance and fanatical
counterattacks both day and night.

Tec. 5 Sydney
E. Anderson, from Madison, Wisconsin, and assigned to Co. A, 128^TH
Inf., earned the Silver Star for his actions on 28 December near Buna Mission. More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 6 Apr. ‘14]

Tec. 5 Max G.
Knowles, from Loretta, Wisconsin, and assigned to Co. A, 128^TH Inf.,
earned the Silver Star for his actions on 28 December near Buna. He was a PVT in
Co. A, 128^TH Inf., Wisconsin National Guard, at Menomonie, 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 13 Apr.
‘13]

The last Japanese counterattack occurred at about 0400 on 29
December, when about twenty Japanese were able to get as far as the Co. C,
128^TH Inf. CP. This resulted in 15 American’s killed, including 1LT Donald A. Foss (CO of Co. C), plus 12
wounded. This counterattack gained no ground; the Old Strip had been seized
from the Japanese!

1LT
Foss had been Co. C’s fifth commander since it entered combat five weeks
earlier. Seeing as 1LT Foss was Co. C’s last remaining officer, 1LT Sheldon M.
Donnelly, CO of Co. A, 128^TH Inf. and adjacent to Co. C, assumed
command of Co. C as well for the time being.

Blakely,
in The 32^D Infantry Division in World War II, stated that Lt.
Sheldon M. Donnelly was the commander of Co. C killed that day. This seems to
be a minor typographical error and transposition of names. [added 27 Jan. ‘13]

1LT Clifford P.
Hannum, from Indiana and the S-3 for 1^ST Bn., 126^TH Inf.,
earned the Silver Star for his actions on 29 December 1942 near Buna. More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 14 Jan. ‘13]

SGT Howard P.
Morrison, from Rogers, AR and assigned to Co A., 128^TH Inf., earned
the Silver Star for his actions on 29 December 1942 near Buna. More
information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of
Silver Star recipients. [added 21 May ‘14]

Warren Force, now reinforced by another Australian
battalion and some additional tanks, started to move up the coast toward Giropa
Point. They attacked on 29 December, but made little progress. Activity
on 30-31 December consisted mostly of reconnaissance and reorganization.

 

The attack continued on New Year’s Day of 1943,
and made good progress.

On the morning of 2 January, with a
combined effort from all of the elements of Warren Force (Brigadier Wooten’s
Australians, MAJ Clarkson’s 1^ST Battalion, 128^TH
Infantry, and LTC MacNab’s (McNab)
3^D Battalion, 128^TH Infantry), the Giropa Point area was
taken, as usual, there were few Japanese prisoners. LTC MacNab (McNab)
was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
More information about him and his medal can be found on the roster of DSC recipients. [added 12 Dec. ‘12]

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.