Basic Regimental Info
129th Infantry Regiment (IR), Illinois National Guard, inducted into federal service at Sycamore, Ill 5 Mar 1941 and assigned to the 33rd Division's 65th Infantry Brigade. Trained various posts US and departed San Francisco P/E 24 Aug 1942, less 1st Batt detached to furnish cadre for another infantry regiment. Arrived Fiji Islands 20 Sep 1942 where raised new 1st Batt. Departed Fiji 11 Mar 43, arrived Espiritu Islands 13 Mar 43, relieved from 33rd Division and placed under IV Island Command as part of 37th Infantry Division (ID), where it served as Espiritu Santo Garrison on 31 Jul 43. Arrived Guadalcanal 4 Nov 43 and departed 11 Nov 43, arriving on Bougainville 13 Nov 43 and leaving 13 Dec 44.
It landed Liugayen Gulf, Luzon 9 Jan 45. It was attached to XIV Corps 21-24 Jan 45, then attached 40th Infantry Divisioin 1-2 Feb 45 and 33rd ID 27 Mar -10 Apr 45.
Arrived Los Angeles P/E 12 Dec 45 and inactivated at Camp Anza 13 Dec 45.
Brief combat narrative
Defended Piva Airfield, Bougainville from heavy attacks 8 Mar 44, which were the main Japanese attacks and penetrated the 129th's lines before the attack was defeated. This was the last Japanese offensive action in the Solomons. Spent remainder of time on Bougainville conducting construction and combat activities until 11 Oct 44, when it began training for operation in the Philipines.
Encountered slight resistance landing at Lingayen Gulf. 129th IR was divisional reserve in drive to San Carlos and further on to Clark Field and Fort Stotsenburg. Division moved on toward Manila with 148th IR of the 37th ID reaching it 4 Feb 45. While 145th IR stormed Quezon and Parian Gates, 129th IR crossed Pasig River in assault boats and stormed the Mint Building. Fighting continued until 3 Mar 45, and Division garrisoned Manila until 26 Mar 45, conducting mopping up activity.
129th IR attached to 33rd ID from 37th ID and pushed up Highway 9 toward Baguio, encountering very heavy fighting in the Salat Area 23 Mar-10 Apr 44. 129th IR detached 33rd ID and joined 148th IR attacking up Highway 9, taking Three Peaks 11 Apr 45. Mount Mirador fell to the 129th after heavy fighting 17 Apr 45 and Baguio fell under combinde assault of 33rd and 37th IDs. 37th ID relieved by 33rd ID and moved to San Jose 4 May 45 and rested until 29 May 45.
Moved to Balete Pass-Santa Fe area 31 May 45 and pushed acrosss Cagayen Valley and took Cauayan 16 Jun 45. Continued to conduct mopping up duties and secure area until end of war.
Commanding Officer 37th ID Robert S. Beightler, Maj Gen
Divisional losses KIA 1094, WIA 4861 Died of Wounds 250.
---Order of Battle, U.S. Army World War II, Shelby Stanton, pub 1984, Presidio Press
37th ID patch
