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Discussion in 'Information Requests' started by Tom Ameno, Feb 28, 2022.

  1. Tom Ameno

    Tom Ameno New Member

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    My uncle Nicholas banner served with the 37th 148th infantry was Kia in June of 1945 i am trying to find out where he was at the time of his death
     
  2. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Do you have access to his DD 214 ? It may provide a clue. Hang in here and someone might be able to help narrow down the campaign. Welcome by the way !
     
  3. USMCPrice

    USMCPrice Idiot at Large

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    It had to be in the Philippines after the fall of Manila (3 March 1945). There is a good deal out there on the 37th ID and 148th Infantry. I'll pull out a book and see.
     
  4. USMCPrice

    USMCPrice Idiot at Large

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    Do you have the date in June 1945. There are a number of fights in northern Luzon that may be the one.
     
  5. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    banner headstone.jpg
    Can't help much with location, but here's his headstone application.

    banner.jpeg
    Headstone.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2022
  6. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Looks like June 20. Do you know where they were then?
     
  7. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    World War II Divisional Combat Chronicles
    Rest and rehabilitation during May were followed by action in June in the Cagayan Valley against deteriorating Japanese resistance. With the end of hostilities, 15 August, the Division was concerned with the collection and processing of prisoners of war, leaving November 1945 for the States and demobilization.
    Some information.
     
  8. USMCPrice

    USMCPrice Idiot at Large

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    I found the same thing in the US Army official history. Unfortunately, the Cagayan River is the longest river in the Philippines at 314 miles long and its valley is immense, so I hoped to narrow it down some more, so I went to the WWII chronology.

    7 June 1945-in the Philippines... On Luzon forces from US 1st Corps take Bambang and move northeast toward the Cagayan Valley. Other units are moving around the coast from the northwest to the north of the island.
    8 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, patrols of the US 37th Division reach the Magat river. The US 145th Infantry Regiment (US 37th Division) takes Solano and advances as far as Bagabag, towards the Cagayan valley.
    9 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 37th Division captures Bagabag. The American forces attempt to block the routes into the Cagayan valley in order to isolate the Japanese forces concentrated in the Sierra Madre, in the northeast. On Mindanao, elements of the US 24th Division take Mandog, the last major strong point in the Japanese defenses.
    10 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, Japanese forces halt the advance of the US 37th Division near Orioung Pass.
    11 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, fighting at Orioung Pass continues as Japanese forces continue to hold the US 37th Division.
    12 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 145th Infantry Regiment breaks Japanese resistance at Orioung Pass, occupies the town of Orioung and advances as far as positions overlooking the town of Balite. The Visayan Islands (including Samar, Negros, Panay, Leyte, Cebu, and Bohol), between Luzon and Mindanao, are secured by American forces. American casualties in the campaign have amounted to 835 dead and 2300 wounded. Japanese casualties are estimated to be 10,000 dead.
    13 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, an American armored column attempts pass through the Orioung Pass, to exploit a breakthrough achieved by the US 145th Infantry Regiment (US 37th Division), but a Japanese counterattack blocks the road.
    14 June-In the Philippines... On Luzon, American forces dislodge the Japanese blocking the Orioung Pass. Elements of the US 37th Division, formed into an armored column, advance as far as Echague. From Santiago, other units advance toward Cabanatuan and Cauayan.
    15 June-In the Philippines... On Luzon, Filipino guerrillas seize Cervantes in the north. Meanwhile, the US 37th Division continues to battle forward in the Cagayan valley, eliminating a Japanese strong point about 3 miles from Santiago, near Cabanatuan.
    17 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, elements of the US 37th Division, US 1st Corps, captures Naguilian after making a forced crossing of the Cagayan river, near the town of Cagayan.
    18 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, elements of the US 37th Division, supported by an armored column, advance in the Caygayan valley, capturing Ilagan airfield and crossing the Ilagan River. On Mindanao, organized Japanese resistance comes to an end. Forces of the Japanese 35th Army have been cut off and dependent on roots and tree bark for food for some time now. Nonetheless, some small units of Japanese continue to resist.
    19 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, in the Cagayan Valley, Ilagan is captured by advancing troops of the US 1st Corps.
    20 June 1945-In the Philippines... On Luzon, Filipino guerrillas advance up the Cagayan valley from Aparri and liberate the town of Tuguegarao. The American regimental task force enters Aparri while elements of the US 37th Division advances 2.5 miles north of Ilagan. Meanwhile, the US 8th Army headquarters announces that operations to recapture the islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan, as well as the western part of Mindanao, are completed.
    21 June 1945- In the Philippines... On Luzon, the last Japanese-held port, Aparri, falls to American forces. The American regimental task force make contact with Filipino guerrillas.

    So, it would appear that it was in fighting near Ilagan. What is interesting is that there is an Ilagan Japanese Tunnel Historic site (IMHO, a bit cheesy, but it is preserved):
    Ilagan Japanese Tunnel - Wikipedia
    Ilagan Japanese Tunnel - Ilagan City, Isabela - YouTube
     
  9. Tipnring

    Tipnring Active Member

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    Screen Shot 2022-04-04 at 7.13.21 PM.png
    New Orleans Item Thursday, Aug 16, 1945 New Orleans, LA Page: 10
     

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