164th Infantry Remembrance Association

10/14/2026

October 14, 1942 | Day Two: The 164th Infantry on Guadalcanal

On October 14, 1942, soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard's 164th Infantry Regiment awoke to the devastation left by one of the heaviest Japanese naval bombardments of Henderson Field during the Guadalcanal Campaign.

In his book Battle of Coffin Corner, John E. Stannard recounts the experiences of Company E as the regiment prepared to reinforce the exhausted Marines defending the island.

At 6:00 a.m., Stannard and a fellow soldier named [Lavern R.] Lang, of Williston, ND, walked toward Company E's position. Along the road, they encountered shell craters and widespread destruction from the previous night's bombardment. Marines told them it was the worst shelling they had experienced since they landed in August.

The Marines welcomed the arrival of the 164th Infantry but were disappointed to learn that the Army had brought no heavy artillery. Japanese guns at nearby Point Cruz, known to the Americans as "Pistol Pete," continued to threaten Henderson Field and the surrounding perimeter.

Company E had established its bivouac near Henderson Field, where soldiers had taken shelter in bunkers and foxholes during the bombardment. The protective positions likely saved many lives.

The destruction was staggering. Stannard recorded approximately 41 Americans killed, including six pilots, while more than half of the roughly 90 aircraft at Henderson Field had been destroyed. Runways, installations, and aviation fuel supplies had also suffered tremendous damage.

Throughout October 14, Japanese artillery continued firing on Henderson Field, while enemy aircraft conducted two bombing raids. One bomb reportedly struck a bunker occupied by soldiers of another 164th Infantry unit, killing those inside.

For Company E, the day was spent cleaning equipment, resting when possible, and preparing to move into defensive positions along the perimeter. Even these simple tasks were repeatedly interrupted by enemy attacks and alerts.

That night, Japanese cruisers again bombarded the Henderson Field area. An explosion and bright flash offshore brought the shelling to an end, allowing Company E some much-needed sleep.

But the danger was far from over.

Japanese reinforcements were approaching Guadalcanal, and the struggle for Henderson Field was entering a critical phase. For the soldiers of the 164th Infantry, their first days on the island were only the beginning of a campaign that would test their endurance, courage, and determination.

Je Suis Prêt — I Am Ready.

Image and Source: John E. Stannard, Battle of Coffin Corner, pp. 24–26, “Day Two — Wednesday, October 14th.”

10/13/2026

𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑, 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟐 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟔𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥

On this day in 1942, the men of the 164th Infantry Regiment, North Dakota National Guard, came ashore on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

The regiment had sailed from New Caledonia and arrived on Guadalcanal at a critical moment in the campaign. Marines had been fighting to hold the island and its vital airfield, Henderson Field, since August. The arrival of the 164th brought badly needed reinforcements as Japanese forces prepared another major effort to retake the airfield.

For many of the North Dakotans stepping ashore that day, Guadalcanal would be their first experience of combat.

They would not have long to wait.

Today, we remember those North Dakota soldiers who stepped ashore on a distant Pacific island 84 years ago and the long road that still lay ahead of them.

Je Suis Prêt — “I Am Ready.”

10/12/2026

ON THE EVE OF HISTORY: THE 164TH INFANTRY SAILS FOR GUADALCANAL

October 12, 1942 — Somewhere in the South Pacific

On October 9, 1942, the men of the 164th Infantry Regiment departed Nouméa Harbor, New Caledonia, bound for an island whose name would become forever etched in the regiment's history: Guadalcanal.

Aboard the USS Zeilin and USS McCawley, the North Dakota soldiers sailed toward an uncertain future, escorted by American warships. Among the vessels operating farther north were the battleship USS Washington and aircraft carrier USS Hornet.

The voyage was largely uneventful, but the men knew they were heading into a combat zone.

Boat drills and preparations for landing occupied their time, although not everyone was eager to participate. According to a regimental account, some soldiers of Company E were so engrossed in their poker games that they repeatedly delayed reporting for drills, much to the frustration of the Navy crews concerned about Japanese submarines.

When warned of the danger, the soldiers reportedly replied, "Just as soon as we finish this hand."

There were also men determined not to miss the coming fight. Some former members of the regiment, previously transferred to other units or hospitalized, quietly rejoined their old companies aboard the transports without authorization.

As October 12 drew to a close, the men of the 164th Infantry were approaching Guadalcanal.

PICTURED: USS McCawley APA-4, and USS Zeilin APA-3

SOURCE: "The Battle of Coffin Corner: And Other Comments Concerning the Guadalcanal Campaign," John E. Stannard. Copyright 1992. First Edition, 10 February 1992.

10/03/2026

We’re excited to see the upcoming release of Guadalcanal’s Forgotten Fight: The U.S. Army’s Crucial Role by Dave R. Holland!

The Guadalcanal Campaign is often remembered through the experiences of the U.S. Marines, but the U.S. Army played an essential role in the long and difficult fight to secure the island. Among those soldiers were the men of North Dakota’s 164th Infantry Regiment, who arrived on Guadalcanal in October 1942 and soon found themselves fighting alongside the Marines in the defense of Henderson Field.

For the 164th Infantry Remembrance Association, publications like this help bring greater attention to the Army soldiers whose experiences and sacrifices on Guadalcanal deserve to be remembered.

We look forward to adding this one to the bookshelf!

Je Suis Prêt — “I Am Ready.”

Less than a month before my new book comes out in the States. Since they are printed in the UK, they have already started receiving them.

Here is the blurb from Amazon.

09/28/2026

Living History for Real!

This past weekend, members of the 164th Infantry Remembrance Association came together to recreate and relive what the original boys were doing 85 years ago.

Our private training weekend sought to recreate the daily schedule of the ND National Guard while at Camp Claiborne LA in Sept 1941. Our members trained on basic wwii army skills just like they did in 1941. Staying in barracks, eating in mess halls, performing PT; all to better understand the sacrifices of 85 years ago.

As an organization, we strive for historical accuracy down to the small details including gear, equipment, training, meals, etc.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the 164th Infantry Remembrance Association and helping us tell their stories and educate the public on their sacrifices - reach out today!

09/22/2026

September 22, 1941 — Louisiana Maneuvers

“34th Division Rolled Almost Clear Across Louisiana”

As the massive Louisiana Maneuvers entered another phase in September 1941, the men of the 34th Infantry Division were learning what modern warfare might look—and feel—like.

The Alexandria Daily Town Talk reported that the division had moved nearly from one end of Louisiana to the other during the previous week, covering more than 100 miles by motor while operating as an “anti-breakthrough” force against the opposing Red Army.

For the 164th Infantry Regiment of North Dakota, the maneuvers meant long movements, rapidly changing positions, and something many of its soldiers had never experienced before: mass attacks by dive bombers. The newspaper described the “heart-quickening sensation” of aircraft sweeping overhead as the division moved through the exercise.

The 164th and Minnesota's 135th Infantry Regiment formed the 68th Infantry Brigade under Brig. Gen. F. A. Bakke. The brigade moved from bivouac near Oakdale into Alexandria in less than four hours before later shifting west as the tactical situation changed. Historical Army records likewise confirm that the 135th and 164th comprised the 68th Infantry Brigade within the 34th Division at this time.

These exercises were more than another training event. The Louisiana Maneuvers were teaching National Guardsmen how to move, communicate, supply, and fight as part of a modern army on a scale few had previously experienced.

For the North Dakotans of the 164th Infantry, their time with the 34th Division was also rapidly drawing to a close. Less than three months later, following Pearl Harbor, the regiment would be detached from the 34th Division. Its path would ultimately lead not to North Africa and Italy with its former division—but across the Pacific and into history on Guadalcanal.

Source: The Alexandria Daily Town Talk, Alexandria, Louisiana, Monday, September 22, 1941.

09/09/2026

Calling all Reenactors, Living Historians, or anyone interested in helping us recreate and remember the 164th Infantry in WWII!

We are always looking for new members to help us recreate the lives of North Dakota’s most famous unit. We are currently planning our 2027 schedule commemorating the 164th’s actions on Guadalcanal.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in joining and becoming part of the 164th Infantry Remembrance Association- reach out through Facebook Messenger or email us at [email protected]

09/07/2026

𝐀 𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟏 — 𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟏𝟔𝟒𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘’𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘

On September 11, 1941, while thousands of soldiers were taking part in the massive Louisiana Maneuvers, The Town Talk of Alexandria, Louisiana, reported on rumors of a major restructuring of the U.S. Army.

The headline read:
“𝟑𝟐𝒏𝒅, 𝟑𝟒𝒕𝒉 𝑻𝒐 𝑩𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝑫𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝑹𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒓”

Among the units caught in that changing Army was North Dakota’s 164th Infantry Regiment, then serving as one of four infantry regiments of the 34th Infantry Division.

The old Army “square” division was built around four infantry regiments. The new triangular division would contain only three. As the newspaper explained, the Army believed these smaller divisions would possess greater mobility and combat power. The article even speculated about how the restructuring of the 32nd and 34th Divisions might leave regiments available for entirely new formations.

For the men of the 164th, that organizational change would soon have enormous consequences.

Less than three months after this article appeared, Pearl Harbor was attacked. On December 8, 1941, the 164th Infantry was detached from the 34th Division as the Army completed its transition to the triangular organization. Instead of following the 34th toward Europe, North Dakota's regiment was ordered west.

That separation ultimately sent the 164th down an entirely different road.

09/02/2026

🇺🇸 V-J DAY SEPTEMBER 2, 1945 | VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC

Eighty-one years ago today, representatives of the Empire of Japan formally signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri, bringing World War II to an official end.

For the men of North Dakota’s 164th Infantry Regiment, it marked the end of a long road of war that had carried them thousands of miles from home.

Called into federal service in February 1941, the men of the 164th went on to fight across the Pacific—from Guadalcanal and Bougainville to Leyte and the Southern Philippines. They endured years overseas, hundreds of days in contact with the enemy, and the loss of hundreds of their comrades.

When victory finally came, however, their service was not yet finished.

The 164th Infantry and the rest of the Americal Division moved from the Philippines to Japan as occupation troops, helping secure the peace that they had fought so hard to achieve. For many of these North Dakotans, it would still be months before they finally returned home.

Today, on V-J Day, we remember not only the victory, but the men who made it possible—the citizen-soldiers who left communities across North Dakota and carried the 164th Infantry Regiment through some of the hardest fighting of the Pacific War.

For them, September 2, 1945 represented something generations of Americans had waited nearly four years to hear:

The war was over.

We remember their service.
We remember their sacrifice.
We remember the 164th.

Je Suis Prêt — “I Am Ready.”

08/27/2026

A Change of Command for the 34th Infantry Division — August 27, 1941

During the massive buildup and training of American forces in 1941, leadership of the 34th Infantry Division changed hands while the division was participating in the Louisiana Maneuvers.

This article, published in The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican on Wednesday, August 27, 1941, announced that Brig. Gen. Russell P. Hartle had assumed command of the 34th Infantry Division, succeeding Maj. Gen. E. A. Walsh of Minnesota, who had been granted sick leave. Brig. Gen. Gordon C. Hollar of Sioux City, who had served as acting commander, returned to command the 67th Infantry Brigade.

For North Dakota readers, the newspaper made a point of noting the state's connection to the division:

“The 34th division includes N.D.’s 164th infantry regiment.”

At the time, North Dakota's 164th Infantry Regiment was serving as part of the 34th Infantry Division and taking part in the enormous 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers. These exercises gave the regiment experience operating alongside thousands of other soldiers under field conditions as the United States rapidly prepared its Army for the possibility of war.

Within months, the 164th's path would change dramatically. Following Pearl Harbor and America's entry into World War II, the regiment was detached from the 34th Division and sent to the Pacific. In 1942, the North Dakotans joined the Americal Division and entered combat on Guadalcanal.

Clippings such as this help us tell the often-overlooked story of the 164th before Guadalcanal—when North Dakota's citizen-soldiers were training in Louisiana for a war that was drawing ever closer.

Source: The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, Fargo, North Dakota, Wednesday, August 27, 1941. Digitized through Newspapers.com.