164th Infantry Association Records, 1877-

164th Infantry Association Records

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: 164th Infantry Association Records, 1877-

Predominant Dates:1941-1945

ID: OGLMC1278-164

Primary Creator: 164th Infantry

Other Creators: North Dakota National Guard

Extent: 47.5 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

Series I: Pre-World War II

Series II: Orders

Series III: Regimental S1 (Administration) Materials

Series IV: Regimental S2 (Intelligence) Materials

Series V: Regimental S3 (Operations) Materials

Series VI: Campaigns

Sub-Series 1: Guadalcanal (October 1942-February 1943)

Sub-Series 2: Fiji (March-November 1943)

Sub-Series 3: Bougainville (December 1943-November 1944)

Sub-Series 4: Philippines (January-August 1945)

Sub-Series 5: Occupation of Japan (September 1945-June 1946)

Sub-Series 6: Pacific Theater Operations (December 1941-September 1945)

Series VII: Press and Publications

Sub-Series 1: General Articles and Publications

Sub-Series 2: They Were Ready Materials

Series VIII: Personnel

Sub-Series 1: Regimental Personnel Records

Sub-Series 2: Theodore Frost

Sub-Series 3: Robert Kjonaas

Sub-Series 4: Oliver M. Settingsgard

Sub-Series 5: Vern Gray

Sub-Series 6: John Fischbach

Sub-Series 7: Walter Abbott

Sub-Series 8: Samuel Baglien

Sub-Series 9: Homer Bjornson

Sub-Series 10: Herman A. Brocopp

Sub-Series 11: Douglas Burtell

Sub-Series 12: Rudy Edwardson

Sub-Series 13: Phillip Engstrom

Sub-Series 14: Jim Fenelon

Sub-Series 15: Robert Hall

Sub-Series 16: Eugene Hill

Sub-Series 17: Karl Klemetsrud

Sub-Series 18: Riley Morgan

Sub-Series 19: Thurston Nelson

Sub-Series 20: Vince Powers

Sub-Series 21: John Stannard

Sub-Series 22: Ben Thornberg

Sub-Series 23: Arthur C. Timboe

Sub-Series 24: Alvin Tollefsrud

Sub-Series 25: John Tuff

Sub-Series 26: Bernard Wagner

Series IX: Association Materials

Series X: Artifacts

Series XI: Oral History

Sub-Series 1: Interview Documents and Transcripts

Sub-Series 2: Audio Recordings

Sub-Series 3: Video Recordings

Series XII: Photographs

Series XIII: Obituaries and Funeral Programs

Date Acquired: 00/00/1996

Subjects: Military History - 164th Infantry (North Dakota National Guard), Military History - World War II (WW2)

Languages: English

Abstract

North Dakota National Guard regiment, primarily known for service in the Pacific Theater in World War II

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The papers include daily journals, periodic reports, battle reports, killed in action reports, missing in action reports, military awards, orders and information on the regiment, including its early history before activation for World War II. A significant amount of the material relates to the 164th Infantry Association, including membership records and publications about the unit. Another major component of the collection deals with the regiment's service in World War II, as well as artifacts from the war.

Collection Historical Note

The 164th Infantry was operational from 1885 to 1955. During that time it's title changed several times. It began in 1885 as the First Regiment, Dakota National Guard. It was redesignated the First Infantry Regiment, North Dakota National Guard on November 2, 1889, when North Dakota became a state. On May 20, 1898, it entered federal service as the First North Dakota Volunteer Infantry for the Spanish American War and the Philippine Insurrection. After being dismissed from federal service on September 25, 1899, it reverted to state control.

It was called into federal service on June 18, 1916, for the Mexican Border Conflict. On Saint Valentine's day, 1917, the regiment returned to state control. Later that year, the regiment entered federal service for World War I. It was redesignated on October 4, 1917, as the 164th Infantry Regiment and was assigned to the 41st Division. The regiment was demobilized on February 28, 1919.

The regiment entered federal service on February 10, 1941, for World War II. It was sent to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, for training, where it took part in the "Louisiana Maneuvers", a major series of training exercises in August and September 1941 that evaluated the readiness of the Army for the coming war. The regiment was assigned to the Americal Division on May 24, 1942. It was returned to state control June 10, 1946. The regiment was called into service January 16, 1951, for the Korean War. The 164th Infantry Regiment was disbanded April 15, 1955, and converted into engineering battalions.

The 164th is most remembered for its service in World War II. At Guadalcanal in October 1942, it became the first U.S. Army unit to engage in offensive action against the enemy. It was involved in the heaviest fighting of this campaign and was congratulated by the Marine unit it reinforced. For its efforts, the Americal Division was awarded the Navy's Presidential Unit Citation.

After Guadalcanal, the Regiment participated in the Bougainville Campaign (December 1943-November 1944), the liberation of the Philippines (January-August 1945), and assisted with occupation duty in Japan (September 1945-June 1946). During its existence the unit and its members saw almost 600 days of combat, earned 199 Bronze Stars, 89 Silver Stars, six Legions of Merit, ten Soldiers Medals, six Distinguished Service Crosses, one Navy Cross and about 2,000 Purple Hearts.

Subject/Index Terms

Military History - 164th Infantry (North Dakota National Guard)
Military History - World War II (WW2)

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Method:

Donation; The collection has been added to on numerous occasions by various donors:

96-2090, Jim Fenelon

97-2131, Jim Fenelon

97-2145, Jim Fenelon

97-2164, Walter Ensminger

98-2187, Jim Fenelon

98-2189, Jim Fenelon

98-2207, Mark Durley

98-2239, Douglas Burtell

98-2240, Jim Fenelon

98-2244, Jim Fenelon

98-2245, Jim Fenelon

98-2247, Jim Fenelon

98-2248, James Fenelon

99-2279, Donna Kjonaas

99-2280, Jim Fenelon

99-2281, James Fenelon, Walker Johnson, 164th Infantry Association

99-2282, Hetty Walker

99-2323, Marie Seas

99-2334, Gladys Bjornson

99-2340, Doris Radke

99-2341, Raymond Conlin

99-2342, Jim Fenelon

99-2343, Alvin Tollefsrud

99-2355, Alvin Tollefsrud

99-2396, Jim Fenelon

2001-2513, Jim Fenelon

2002-2574, North Dakota Humanities Council

2003-2603, Jim Fenelon

2004-2665, Jim Fenelon

2004-2669, Anthony Hannel

2006-2862, Ann Marie Settingsgard

2007-2908, Jim Fenelon

2010-3017, Edward Milligan

2011-3087, Unknown donor

2011-3095, Jim Fenelon

2012-3152, Evelyn Hill (via Dr. Kim Porter)

2012-3192, James Fenelon

2012-3197, Terry Shoptaugh

2013-3206, Neil Tollefsrud

2013-3207, The Company of Military Historians

2013-3208, Shirley J. Olgeirson

2013-3209, Terry Shoptaugh

2013-3216, Daniel Sauerwein

Related Materials: OGLMC 917, North Dakota National Guard Records

Related Publications:

The Battle of Coffin Corner and Other Comments Concerning the Guadalcanal Campaign by John E. Stannard. Gallatin, TN, 1992.

Citizens as soldiers: a history of the North Dakota National Guard by Jerry Cooper with Glenn Smith. Fargo: North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies, 1986.

Combat Officer: A Memoir of War in the South Pacific by Charles H. Walker. New York: Ballantine Books, 2004.

Guadalcanal: The U.S. Army Campaigns in World War II. Center for Military History. Onile at http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/72-8/72-8.htm

I Am Ready: 164th Infantry Regiment, North Dakota National Guard. 164th Infantry Association of the United States, 1994.

Service and Sacrifice: Remembering the 164th Infantry Regiment in World War II by Daniel Sauerwein. Grand Forks, ND: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, 2013.

They were ready: the 164th Infantry in the Pacific war, 1942-1945 by Terry Shoptaugh. Valley City, ND: 164th Infantry Association of the United States, 2010.

This is Guadalcanal: The Original Combat Photography by L. Douglas Keeney and William S. Butler. New York: W. Morrow, 1998.

164th Infantry News. Three to four issues yearly, 1963-

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). 164th Infantry Association Records. OGLMC 1278-164. Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. Chester Fritz Library. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: The finding aid was significantly reorganized and added to Archon by Daniel Sauerwein, Special Collections Student Assistant, in January 2013.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Pre-World War II ],
[Series 2: Orders],
[Series 3: Regimental S1 (Administration) Materials],
[Series 4: Regimental S2 (Intelligence) Materials],
[Series 5: Regimental S3 (Operations) Materials],
[Series 6: Campaigns],
[Series 7: Press and Publications],
[Series 8: Personnel],
[Series 9: Association Materials],
[Series 10: Artifacts],
[Series 11: Oral History],
[Series 12: Photographs],
[Series 13: Obituaries and Funeral Programs],
[All]

Series 7: Press and Publications

This series contains articles and other publications related to the 164th. Items include copies of newspaper clippings, regimental and other newsletters, books, booklets, and other materials on the exploits of the unit written after the events.

Sub-Series 1: General Articles and Publications

Contains various articles, books, and other publications related to the 164th Infantry Regiment and Association.

Box 3

Folder 10: Newspaper Clippings and Press Release, 1941 and Undated.

Box 4

Folder 23: The Nodak Guardsmen, August 1992 (contains article regarding the 164th)

Box 10

Folder 2: Minot Daily News article "A Deep and Abiding Friendship", published 10 March 1996; maps of Guadalcanal drawn by the Japanese and translated into English
Folder 3: Two issues of Yank, dated 08 October 1943 and 18 June 1944 containing articles on members of 164th
Folder 4: New York Times articles on 164th, May-June 1943
Folder 6: Thanksgiving 1941 Menu, Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
Folder 7: Guadalcanal Echoes Nov/Dec 1995, Feb/Mar 1996
Folder 8: Bismarck Tribune article, undated
Folder 9: Times-Republican (Marshalltown, Iowa), 28 October 1992
Folder 10: Dickinson Press article, undated
Folder 11: Grand Forks Herald 16 August 1994
Folder 12: A limited edition print “164th Infantry Patrol 'Mt. Bagana.'" This print is numbered 21/150 and is signed by the artist, Douglas Burtell.: (In the display case in Special Collections)

Box 12

Folder 4: Newsletters and Newspaper Clippings: “Banner carried into WWII heading home to Japan,” Minneapolis Star Tribune: 1990 Americal Newsletter: 1994 “Looking back: Journal stories from June of 1944,” Devil’s Lake Journal: 1994 “Wartime Amnesia is Japan,” VFW: 1995
Folder 5: The Jap Army by Lieutenant Colonel Paul W. Thompson: 1942.: (In the display case in Special Collections)
Folder 6: I am Ready: 1994.
Folder 9: Packet - Americal Division: 1949.: (In the display case in Special Collections)
Folder 10: Intelligence Annex.
Folder 11: Biography - Major General Bryand Edward Moore.
Folder 12: Information about the painting "Spring."
Folder 13: Drawing
Folder 15: Biography of John Edward Stannard.
Folder 16: Poem - "A Helmet on a Rifle"
Folder 17: Newspaper/Magazine Articles: 1943-1997.
Folder 18: Maps of Solomon Islands.
Folder 19: Comic Book-Sad Sack.
Folder 20: Americal Newsletters: 1991-1998.
Folder 21: Miscellaneous Newsletters: 1992-1998.
Folder 23: Newspaper Clippings from The Des Moines Register and The Minneapolis Star Tribune: 1995-1996
Folder 24: Newsletters: 1995-1996.
Folder 25: Book - Fighting on Guadalcanal by United States War Office. Washington D.C.: 1943.
Folder 26: Book - New Caledonia: 1942.
Folder 27: Poem - "The Fighting 164": 1943.
Folder 28: Miscellaneous Booklets: 1960-1968.
Folder 30: Poem - "Green Hell."
Folder 31: Articles: 1943.
Folder 32: Miscellaneous Documents: 1942-1943.
Folder 33: "North Dakotans Bail Out First Marines"
Folder 34: Jamestown Sun article on Dana Wright-Jan. 19, 1982
Folder 35: Fort Lawton Processor-Americal Special-Nov. 20, 1945
Folder 36: The Nodak Guardsman-Aug 1992
Folder 37: Why Write a History?-Apr. 21, 1972
Folder 38: Dodge News Magazine-Sept 1967-Mentions 164th Infantry
Folder 39: Outline for History of the 164th in World War II
Folder 40: Unknown narrative that mentions the 164th
Folder 41: 132nd Infantry Regiment-World War II Association-1983 42nd Anniversary Reunion program
Folder 42: Articles on 164th
Folder 43: Local Newspaper Articles
Folder 44: 34th Division issue of Army Times with article on 164th-May 24, 1941
Folder 45: Newspaper clippings
Folder 46: Eightball Soldier manuscript
Folder 47: Grand Forks Herald-Oct 1998?
Folder 48: Excerpt from Fighting on Guadalcanal
Folder 49: Misc. newspaper articles on 164th members
Folder 50: Terry Shoptaugh article
Folder 51: Poem-Salute to the Medics
Folder 52: Omaha, NE Sunday World-Herald article, May 30, 1999
Folder 53: Americal Newsletters
Folder 54: Article on North Dakota National Guard history
Folder 55: Hillsboro Banner articles
Folder 56: Newspaper articles
Folder 57: Williston Herald-Nov. 9, 1995
Folder 58: Guadalcanal Echoes photo
Folder 59: Guadalcanal: A Resume
Folder 60: Articles on 164th
Folder 61: Scrapbook pages
Folder 62: Don Eichelberger articles
Folder 63: "The 164th Infantry Regiment on Guadalcanal, 1942" by Eugene H. Grayson, Jr.
Folder 64: Poem-To the 164th Infantry
Folder 65: The Enemy at Guadalcanal is our Friend Today by Yasuo Obi
Folder 66: For Freedom Under the Southern Cross
Folder 67: SAGA magazine article, July 1957
Folder 68: Masanori Ito's account of Japanese soldier's service on Guadalcanal
Folder 69: Articles on Arthur C. Timboe
Folder 70: Undated articles on 164th
Folder 71: Newspaper Articles
Folder 72: Sam Baglien's war diary in Traill County Tribune, 1987
Folder 73: Floating Vengeance (on Japanese balloon bombs in ND)
Folder 74: Guadalcanal 1942-1992 and Straight Arrow, Nov. 1992
Folder 75: Government booklets on Guadalcanal
Folder 76: Guadalcanal tourist bureau letter
Folder 77: Americal Division Museum information
Folder 78: Dept. of Defense Guadalcanal Fact Sheet
Folder 79: Loyalty and Team Bonding
Folder 80: VFW Magazine article on Guadalcanal, August 1972
Folder 81: Poetry
Folder 82: Recollections of Guadalcanal by Japanese soldier
Folder 83: Henderson Field pamphlet by Solomon Islands Tourist Authority
Folder 84: Sept. 1962 article on Guadalcanal
Folder 85: My Own Little Corner of the War by Harry Wiens
Folder 86: Misc. articles on 164th
Folder 87: 164th Infantry IInd Island Command 294th A.G.F. Band

Box 15

Folder 1: Salute to the Infantry
Folder 2: Grand Forks Herald-Oct. 11-13, 1992
Folder 3: Traill County Tribune photo of Company L-Nov. 10, 19??
Folder 22: 164th History Report, Feb-Dec 1941
Folder 23: Misc. Historical Documents
Folder 24: Copy of Extract from 164th Infantry Journal, Sept 1942-Apr. 1943
Folder 25: Original Extract from 164th Infantry Journal, Sept 1942-Apr. 1943: Due to the fragility of these original documents, photocopies were made for patron use and are in Folder 24 of Box 15. Please use these documents with caution.
Folder 47: Original Copy of Baglien Diary
Folder 49: Memorial Service Programs for Guadalcanal and Bougainville
Folder 50: Bougainville Boxing Championship Program 1944
Folder 51: Arthur King Papers on New Caledonia
Folder 55: Army Hit Kit, 1944
Folder 61: ND National Guard Week Proclamation, 1991
Folder 62: The United States Army on Guadalcanal by Maj. Walter L. Stewart
Folder 93: 164th Regiment Memorial Year Proclamation by Gov. Ed Schafer, 1994
Folder 94: Congressional Record on 164th on Guadalcanal, 1992
Folder 95: Memorial Service Programs
Folder 100: Notes related to History of the 164th
Folder 103: Ground Battle for Guadalcanal
Folder 104: Miscellaneous Poetry and Literature on 164th and Guadalcanal
Folder 111: Ho-hum Hawaii and Press Releases
Folder 112: Tokyo Rodeo Program, 1945
Folder 113: Pocket Guide to New Caledonia-copy

Box 16

Folder 2: 164th Lineage and Honors

Box 20

Folder 2: Ground Battle for Guadalcanal
Folder 3: Miscellaneous Articles
Folder 4: Eugene Grayson, Jr. article on 164th
Folder 5: Article on Guadalcanal
Folder 6: Articles on 164th
Folder 7: Play Harmony Inn
Folder 8: Grand Forks Herald, January 15, 1999: Article by Dave Kehr, entitled "'Thin Red Line' lives up to movie history status" that appeared in the Grand Forks Herald on Jan. 15, 1999.
Folder 9: Americal Newsletter article on invasion of Japan
Folder 10: Baglien Diary
Folder 11: Assorted newspaper clippings on 164th
Folder 12: The Field Artillery Journal, Oct. 1943
Folder 13: Newspaper Clippings on 164th
Folder 14: US Air Force Oral History on Guadalcanal
Folder 15: "An Artillery Forward Observer on Guadalcanal": Article from the Aug. 1943 issue of Field Artillery Journal.
Folder 16: My Own Little Corner of the War by Harry Wiens
Folder 17: Japan's Losing Struggle for Guadalcanal-Part II
Folder 18: Jim Fenelon Letter and Desert Sun article on Guadalcanal
Folder 19: Minot Daily News article

Sub-Series 2: They Were Ready Materials

Contains materials related to Terry Shoptaugh's book They Were Ready (2010), including notes, communications, and awards related to the book.

Box 16

Folder 96: Correspondence with Terry Shoptaugh
Folder 97: Terry Shoptaugh emails-They Were Ready-General
Folder 98: Terry Shoptaugh emails-They Were Ready-Awards
Folder 99: Terry Shoptaugh emails-They Were Ready-Friends and Family Information: Contains email correspondence between Terry Shoptaugh and the friends and family members of 164th Infantry members regarding his book They Were Ready (2010).

Department of Special Collections
Digital Finding Aids