10/26/2005:
Today is part 2 of a series on the 164th Infantry Regiment – otherwise known as the ND National Guard – at Guadalcanal during World War II. It was two months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor that the 164th was called up. In March 1942, they shipped out from San Francisco on the President Coolidge, destination South Pacific. It turned out they were to be the first Army regiment to taken offensive action against the enemy.
Guadalcanal, about 90 miles long and 25 miles wide, had forbidding jungle terrain with steep ravines, deep rushing streams and mountains 8,000 feet high. Miles of coral reefs protected the south shores, and the coastline had no natural harbors. The Marines were also to learn the island had optimum conditions for mosquitoes, malaria, fungal infections and exotic fevers.
The only place the island could be invaded was on the north-central coastline, and it was here the Japanese landed in July 1942. It was also here that the U.S. 1st Marine Division began their offensive the following month. The Marines captured a partly built airstrip, which they finished and named Henderson Field. After months of hostilities, the opposing troops were at a stalemate. Then, on October 13th, Col. Bryant Moore and the 164th Infantry came ashore at Kukum Beach.
Military historian, Charles Anderson, writes, “The 164th Infantry, the first Army unit on Guadalcanal, came ashore to reinforce the marines and took a 6,600-yard sector at the east end of the American perimeter... (Until Maj. Gen. Patch), and other units of the division arrived, the 164th would fight with the marines.”
Upon landing, the 164th unloaded supplies and talked with the Marines. Then, at about noon, a Japanese bombing raid left the regiment’s first casualty, Corp. Kenneth Foubert of Grand Forks.
Meanwhile, General Alexander Vandegrift knew Japan was stepping up operations, and that enemy troops had been steadily arriving under cover of darkness. What he didn’t know was the Japanese had already begun a massive three-prong drive to regain Henderson Field.
The U.S. Army reports, “(The) 164th moved into the southeast corner of the perimeter. On the night of 23 October, Moore and his troops heard the Japanese begin their attempt to retake the [airstrip]. Two nights later the Japanese hit the 164th, running out of the dark jungles yelling ‘Banzai!’ throwing grenades, and firing every weapon they could carry. Despite armor, artillery, air, and naval support, the Japanese could achieve no more than temporary breakthroughs at isolated points. The men of the 164th put up a much stiffer defense than the Japanese expected of a green unit... Once the enemy attack failed, Vandegrift had four experienced regiments manning a secure line.”
Glenn Smith, co-author of Citizens as Soldiers, writes, “As an advance scout for a patrol, Corporal Louis Lochner of Ely, Minnesota, came upon five of Sumiyoshi’s Japanese combat veterans. Taking them by surprise, he killed all of them. When he realized that many more Japanese were in the area, he took up a position in front of the Browning Automatic Rifles and machine gun placements to protect them from possible grenades. Shortly thereafter, the enemy rushed forward and Lochner fired with devastating effectiveness. Then his rifle jammed, and, while he field stripped it. the Japanese rushed again. Wounded by rifle fire and a bayonet thrust, Lochner continued to protect the (guns) until the enemy withdrew,” Smith writes.
Unfortunately, the guns Lochner were guarding required two people for operation. He died soon after and, for his valor, received the Distinguished Service Cross. Tune in tomorrow for more.
Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm