Fightin' Irish

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THE 165 INFANTRY IN WORLD WAR II In 1940 Europe was at war and Nazi Germany looked to be unstoppable on the battle field. Japan had been at war in China for over three years. Despite a rising feeling of isolationism among the American public, the Roosevelt administration had convinced the U. S. Congress of the need to expand the armed forces. Congress passed the first peace time draft in U.S. history.

In order to build up the army as quickly as possible, accommodate the large number of men who would be entering service it was decided to activate several picked National Guard units and to expand their ranks with the new draftees. New York State’s 27th Division was one of these units. The 27th Division was given permission to pick draftees from New York state to fill their expanded rolls. At the time, the 27 Div. was commanded by Maj. General William Haskell. Haskell had commanded the 69th in 1916 when it was called up for the Mexican Border campaign. In early 1941 the 69th, still designated the 165th Infantry was one of four Regiments in the 27th Division. Gen Haskell would comb the list of draftees and officers assigned to the 27th and placed as many of them with celtic surnames as he could on the 165th.

The shoulder patch of the 27th Infantry Division.

In early 1941 the 27th was based in Alabama. It participated in the Army maneuvers in Tennessee in May and June and in August and September the maneuvers in Louisiana. In October of that year, the draftees, who were only drafted for one year were released. In addition all men over the age of 28 who wished to be, were released from service. So it was that the Division and the 165th were under strength when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Shortly after the attack the 27th was given a new commander, Brig. Gen. McT. Pennell, and shipped to California. There was fear the west coast would be subject to invasion by the Japanese. Units of the division were scattered over the State to support regular Army units and the California National Guard in defense of key points.

In March of ’42, after the initial hysteria had passed, the Division was transferred to Hawaii to help in the defense of the islands. The 165 was part of the first combat division to leave the continental U.S. after the declaration of war. The units were again scattered to different locations. The 165th was stationed in Kauai and was detached temporarily to the 40th Division.

.The 27th Division in Training in Hawaii, 1942

In October the scattered units of the division were recalled to Oahu. Soon they would started training to be part of the first experience in amphibious operations for United States forces in the Central Pacific. The would spearhead the first American offensive in the Pacific, the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.

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I had an argumentative thing with FR and this is not exactly what I wanted.

I will do.........................