My grandpa served in the pacific during WW2. I recently have been attempting to find more info about what his regiment was involved in. I have [this] (http://imgur.com/DU1lMnW) picture that shows he was in the 306th infantry regiment. Some quick googling led me to the 77th sustainment brigade's [wiki.] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/77th_Sustainment_Brigade) But thats where I hit a dead end. The wiki has some details on involvments. But nothing that gets in depth enough about regiments.
I was wondering if anybody knows about their involvement, or knows of some good reading material that will give me a more in depth answer.
Thank you!
77th Infantry Division:
Activated: 25 March 1942
Overseas: 24 March 1944
Campaigns: Western Pacific, Leyte, Southern Philippines, Ryukyus
Inactivated: 15 March 1946 in Japan
Commanders:
| Commander | Date |
|---|---|
| Maj. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger | March-June 1942 |
| Maj. Gen. Roscoe B. Woodruff | June 1942-May 1943 |
| Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce | May 1943-27 February 1946 |
Battle Casualties:
| Total battle casualties | Deaths among battle casualties | KIA | DOW | MIA, declared dead | Died while POW | WIA | MIA | POW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,461 | 1,857 | 1,449 | 401 | 7 | 0 | 5,935 (5,534 returned to duty or discharged) | 76 (69 returned to duty or discharged) | 1 (returned to duty and/or discharged) |
WWII Awards: (as of October 1948)
| Distinguished Unit Citation | Medal of Honor | Distinguished Service Cross | Distinguished Service Medal | Silver Star Medal | Legion of Merit | Soldier's Medal | Bronze Star Medal | Air Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 6 | 19 | 2 | 335 | 22 | 25 | 4,433 | 4 |
The 77th Infantry Division landed in Hawaii, 31 March 1944, and continued training in amphibious and jungle warfare. Elements began to leave Hawaii, 1 July 1944, for the amphibious assault on Guam. Attached to III Amphibious Force, the 77th made an assault landing on Guam, 21 July 1944. After taking over defense of the beachhead, the Division drove north to seize Mount Tenjo and effected junction with the 3d Marine Division, linking the northern and southern bridgeheads, 23-29 July. It continued to drive north, and dislodged the enemy from positions at Barrigada town and mountain, 4 August, resistance ending on the 8th. With Guam recaptured, the 77th sailed for New Caledonia, but plans were changed en route and it was directed to proceed to Leyte. The Division landed on the east coast of Leyte, 23 November 1944, and was attached to XXIV Corps, Sixth Army. After a short period of training and combat patrolling in the Corps' rear, 23 November-6 December, it landed at Ipil and fought up the east coast of Ormoc Bay to seize Ormoc, 10 December. Attacking north, astride Highway No. 2, the Division secured Valencia and the Libungao-Palompon road junction. Mopping up operations continued through January 1945 to 5 February 1945. The next combat assignment was Okinawa. In late March (26-29), the Division made 15 landings, securing Kerama Retto and Keise Shima for the assault on Okinawa. Riding at sea, 1-15 April 1945, it suffered casualties from enemy suicide attacks, and prepared for the assault landing on Ie Shima. On 16 April 1945, the 77th landed on le Shima, captured the airfield, and engaged in a bitter fight for "Government House Hill" and "Bloody Ridge." It was in this operation that Ernie Pyle was killed. On 25 April, it left le Shima for Okinawa, relieving the 96th Division, 28 April 1945. Fighting its way slowly against extremely heavy Japanese resistance, the Division, drove to Shuri in conjunction with the 1st Marine Division, occupying it 29-31 May. In June the Division covered the right flank of XXIV Corps and "sealed" Japanese cave positions. In July the Division moved to Cebu, Philippine Islands, and prepared for. the invasion (later occupation) of Japan. The Division landed in Japan in October 1945 for occupation duty, and was inactivated a few months later, 15 March 1946.
Some good resources that will give you very specific information about the actions of the 306th Infantry Regiment during WWII;
United States Army in World War II, The War in the Pacific (Campaign in the Marianas), by Philip A. Crowl
United States Army in World War II, The War in the Pacific (Leyte: The Return to the Philippines), by M. Hamlin Cannon
United States Army in World War II, The War in the Pacific (Okinawa: The Last Battle), by Roy E. Appleman, James M. Burns, Russell A. Gugeler, and John Stevens
If you would like them in scanned book form, they can be downloaded here.
This book can also be found on Amazon in hardback form for a rather...exorbitant price here.
Sources: