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37TH S FOUR YEAR RECORDEQUAL TO BEST IN ARMYWith the 37th Infantry Division Somewhere in the Southwest Pacific Area—Ready for the next step on the road to Tokyo. Ohio’s famous 37th Infantry Division today looks back from this Jungle Island on a proud record,Four years ago October 15, all over Ohio units of the Ohio National Guard were assembling at their hometown railroad stations for the long trip to Camp Shelby, Mississippi.Now, its ranks of fighting Buckeyes augmented by men from every state in the Union, the 37th Is truly an all-American outfit.In the words of Major General O. \V. Griswold, In whose XIVth. Array Corps the 37th battled In (he New Georgia and Bougainville campaigns: The 37th Division need take a back seat to no other division Sn the United Slates Army.Here's the record:Five Infantry companies In the division have just been cited by the President for heroism In action in what the War Department has officially termed “one of the outstanding examples of daring and courage*’ in the Southwest Pacific theater.Magnificant gallantry, .heroism..teamwork..will to win” say thecitations,Compiled by men from ail walks of life, from farms and cities across the nation, the record continues.Real Heroes Two Ohioans who gave their lives for their country received its highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor. Frank Petrarca of Cleveland. medical aid man, in three successive battles, against the warnings of fellow soldiers, went to the rescue of helpless wounded under intense enemy fire.Mortally wounded himself when he had crawled within 20 yards of Japanese lines, he raised himself to his knees, “shouted defiance at the enemy, made a last attempt to reach his wounded comrade, and fell in glorious death.”Infantryman Hodger Young of Clyde single-handedly kuocked out a Jap pillbox and a machine gun that was holding up the advance,then diverted fire to himself to allow his comrades to press forward. Hts platoon advanced unharmed; he lost his life.ICECREAMFROSTED MALTEDELMER’S COMfVi Mile South of Light Plant on Dixie HighwayForty-four men have been a-warded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second highest decoration, given for evtraordinary heroism in action. One received the Navy Cross, the Navy's equivalent award.Four received Distinguished Service Medals for exceptionally meritorious service In a duty of great responsibility and 51 the Legion of Merit (one with a Navy Gold Star) of exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services.The Silver Star for gallantry In combat with the enemy was awarded to 327 of the division's soldiers.Thirty-nine have received the Soldier's Medal, awarded to those who risk their lives to save another not in actual combat.The Army’s newest ^ medal for ground troops, the Bronze Star foiBrought Deep Cut Prices to PiquaiIAIR TOWER STORYWhat do you know about America’s air power In the fight against I he dictator nations? Fact# and figure# that will enlighten your viewpoint are cited by David Lawrence in his Interesting column on today’s editorial page. Read It I•heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against the enemy,has been awarded to 1352 men. ■ Sixteen members of the division, pilots who hovered over hostile territory in tiny cub planes to direct vital artillery fire, were awardedthe Air Medal.Of the division's approximately 15,000 men, 2209 have been wounded (62 of them twice) and been decorated with the Purple Heart.Overseas 28 Months,Led by Major General Robert S. Beightler, first National Guard general to - train his division and then lead It into successful combat, the 37th has been overseas more than 28 months.They haven’t seen any civilization for 18 months. They haven’t been In a rest area since they first an tered combat.•It was all jungle fighting, fighting against fierce Jap resistance, tough pillboxes, steep mountains, rain. In New Georgia, the division accounted for more than 2000 Japanese dead. On Bougainville more than 10,000 enemy bodies were counted.on the battlefields. Thirty Japs were slain for every American who lost his life in that campaign.White crosses In long rows on New Georgia and Bougainville honor the division’s heroic dead. Many wounded have returned home; some were able to rejoin the division and fight again.Back to the United States flows a small trickle of men returning under the Army’s rotation policy. A few have spent a month at home and are back again.Fundamentally, the 37th remains the same tested outfit of fighting men, anxious to come home but continuing their outstanding job of pushing back the Japs.Rev. A. JFORMER RESIDENTrnmn fvAm
Newspaper Details
Piqua Daily Call
Piqua, Ohio, US
Fri, Oct 06, 1944
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Oplin
OH, USA 16 Apr 2020
Other Publications Near Piqua, Ohio
Piqua Morning Call
Piqua Daily Call and Piqua Press Dispatch
Piqua Press Dispatch
Piqua Daily Call
Piqua Miami Leader
