Orchids in the Mud: Personal Accounts by Veterans of the One Hundred Thirty-Second Infantry

240 Pages·1985·205.55 MB·English

by  Robert C. Muehrcke

ORCHIDS
IN ee
MOE)

‘PERSONAL ACCOUNTS BY VETERANS OF THE
iE INFANTRY
agk. REGIMENT

———_ ea
NEW CALEDONIA-FLI-BOUBAINVILLESPHILIPPINES:JAPAK
EDITED BY ROBERT C MUEHRCKE
NTE
MUD
ROWE THE HOOK

(ORCHIDS IN THE MOD" i as ofthe 1824 1
(hitay aan apt regent cf the fared America
birch ty tae Seth Pace jungle dneing Nov
‘Burtt gsc slate the stcy of ets,
preyased for mes and comuanded by she ome
Bish let intehdo ne ny Nol ht
Genrais os linn, bars cheat the sadvsdeal
Stiicrs cwcoteag and slugging Iva in far oy
Fumes navn atmos, mer ee

“Hach oldie wo petal equ an Meld is oxy ae
Mihaly Tasy more comsored Io ie exalt
brates beauty of the owe onciide. When te
‘oitical flowers ll nt cuneate much les the
eked cotter unloassebcuet ty both coe che

American srl genase sere expects he eet of
dures tinrliven the voungeteiiensaliers tad
Mesuceslerates svete anette angie
[os borer fer, pn one gaunt x ene
{eh Figg el tigre: Comma a tee tata
Spent of tua is emphases Ir sort = aren
Fro the meat.

he wlvewtous exiting, etl a waco
ptaya leary ana He fecal cao
Rep death exe dying, Ls fear of death diss
Sifsure ac stove a! he eee falar a2e dia
pulntnen toh elon lc, Ie aed theft
Fie Meal Austen and Cage Esperamer on
UUsodlconas tienagi the Tons lve Delare
Hemet Risk” Fall 260, the twct Zils 90D aed
Bo oa the Tales Ber othe Lanne Klee Valley
Sal ihe Nana Nee Tra Beagle

The sage inte the Prilpive talon batten of
Leyte Darks. Tcao ead dhicagkout Usb wer.
Shab Janenene weve wl Sighting he reps Toe
tre ape fier te Japanese sre The
Setanta a

The book fe stmt by mus dg two Zaded
htop en ie memes, ae apa ane
frseccatacchivex Neaneraeeocratione ae ps
ipyJonP Joningsand chapserchactorrhy Doug
Nero are fed thong te bok Bh >
ical tet oh i ace a
tac is tains asked sec an

1 final chapter is de yet Worle War 1 foe49
sntvaroe rental embers copocaly tse
[Er mentioned dhnaeghont fie tas,

(Coane fom from Hap

"he xt adeentuteexprtenced the mee of

Ihe 19Ue nfanteys ur descr a *ORCHLDS IN
Hig MUD" as eouanton tall sers-cemen who
fh. # ys Pai Theater a te haart.
Tn ‘Pasus ell a tree et wn fog In
Eun and Nests fiance son éencanat
they sapesioncad ike same ek, bore, sao
vnchas hnghisr, ass ear,

AMOU'E-THE EDITOR.
Continnca

From Rigaluville, Set, Muchos as sea home
fei hers frou tae 182d 19 the Taf Seliool
we vael Henuiag, Guogin Alter resetting acon
Tolsslon ast ieuennnt he win returned to the
Meth Theater ant auelgned to Company "Fs,
BAM Infantry Rogiaaont, where he rerened Dis
Fgh inet the fapautess hts so the bloody
dputtos of Okinawa There he let ie platoon to
Wake famed Conca! Ill, wae Wwowpden Thee
Hin, and awauded the Bronze Stor Mevol eh
Gat Lead Cluster for Vale

Immedintcy after World, War 1 stuehecke
hurd he edueational potvwy — fest ae ee
Eiieath ot tines ae Urbana along ch
Sevcral mers ofthe eaiment In 1058 be was
ninth Te dais f toe Hf mele
Eonthe Tnivenity af isan College ot
Nidhoine

Presenily he is a ofestor of mealicine wt Kt
Moston! Ctleye at Director of Mecca Tie
ton at West Suusban Howpstal Medea Center
Bate Pore lifts: He haw published more thas
155 clinical awl sesgareh articles and sever)
books "hace nie seven sons are phytciaus Ie
realise wth is ite Jonna in Owe Brak LAO

rks sosgy Joan P_Jenns

Painted by [SPs
TWELVE HIGHLIGHTS
OF WORLD WAR I!
IN THE PACIFIC
Forward
"To All Americana
Semper Paracas: A Monument In Time
‘Much Like The Fallen Wounded Soldier
Dediention
Eulitorial Board
Intruduetion - Orchids In The Mud,
A Saga Of The 132d Infantry
Regiment In World War IT
‘The 1824 Infantry Regimental Crest And History
Camp Forrest-The March To War
Destination Overseas
New Caledonia An Island Paradive
Guadateunal: Island of Death and Blood
Inning The Assault

A Christmas To Be Remembered

“the Glory AU The Mountain
‘The Fins Battalion at Tho Mousa

“The Death OF The
‘The find OF The

adalcanal Brugge

Fiji Islands: Rest, Recreation and Reorganization

uu
14
1d
154
1
168
wt
Bougainville: Tn The Shadow Of Mount Ragana
Sssaultiog ‘The "Homet's Nest’
A Million “Dolla” Tree Qu Hill 260
Pree To The Blongated Hill Mast
Attacking Along The Coast
‘The Jaa River Delta
“The Upper Larums Valley
‘The Philippine Islands
Second Battalion on Leyte
‘The Durias And Tieao Operation
Preparation For The Visayas Islands
‘The Jopancse Take To The High Ground
“Jape Korma Surrender
Occupation of Japan
Operation Magic Carpet
War's End: “The Pinal Chapter:
‘The 182d Infantry Regiment World War IT
Association
‘That We May Binoy Liberty
Order of Bute for the Division and 124

Infantry Regiment, Battalion, and Company
Commanders During World War TL

‘he Final Chanter ‘The Death OF The 12d Infantry
Regimental Battle Sireamees

Reginenial Staaten

Abbreviations

Meeabershin Biography

417
1

aM
49
140
440
442
44

Copyright® 1985 by Robart C. Muzhicke
‘edit for the 184 Infantey Hegiment of World War Il Association. All
Fighte revervad, No part of his publieation may be repnoduced, stared in
2 velsival ayaa, o trapsnieg, in any Horus nr Ty iy ety eben
ie, mick, phtacepying, coring, oe ucheewise,wilboe Eke meen
permission ofthe editor

Ttuany of Congress Catalog Card Numb: ASSN

Printed in the United States of Ameria
by
1S, Printing
Chicago, Minne

ISN ero
Orchids in the Mud

Sp youtcadsoudivesefioms

ate Street,

(accountry mile orto)
Aa vavel throught sunseciken crimson cockats
-

© Yporall and your magicenrper
Tihert Bougainvillea grows,
Where the frangipani blossonis

and the monsoon daunpour Blows
-

‘Fre kunaigrass grows deep
‘Upon the Niama Nima trail,
And he rested jrk of combat
Nites inmenatithie scale
~ -
(AA tliouseri soudsare sleeping tion e mist

Ara a thoesaeid mothers rasited trough a thousand wights of tea
=

Becarefid lestyon step
pan an umsiscovered int
Or youll mectthe cwrlastng
And bean orchidin the mat

WORLD WARITIN THE PAGIFIC...PAIN, BOREDOM, ADVENTURE

CHIIDS
IN THE
MUD

PERSONAL ACCOUNTS BY VETERANS OF THE
ee 4 13 INFANTRY

“i REGIMENT

GUADALCANAL
NEW CALEDONIACFIJ|SBOUGAINVILLECPHILIPPINES: ‘JAPON
oxonns 1 71M. 3D

To All Americans

“The Ld Tatintry Regimens esi sellers of the (suns Ametica
Indanue? Disision, play vital rule fa three siguilicane World War TE op
nations in the Pacific Gusaleansl, Boxgennilly ard she Vippine Ts
tenes
Th iuadalvamal, the inotestaen of tse Amorial Division weve amon
the fier Unie States Army sree egsge the oes offensive
Renna, cod the Japanaes fold on shat suatoyie land during World
Wart
‘Om Rougevill, she 1888 Enfusiry Rewimers sore its tice nF the
peritaste en the defers se ab is Inve ners. Several decor
eee ntearks werr repelled with severe leeeas to Ue enemy. Saneneae 8
filers homberlwenss sporadic sora hombardens of fnendy poston:
wad rommand wuts wore ciemmeneace events
Tametied Disinon nes: sseced te Leste Gllowing its exprure by

Gon’ Douglas Macaitbur’ enninand which by-puel ourands wi Fapae
Sons Loops ntenetel in strong pesigns oa western Levis, Te wae Uh
Mion ef the Ameral Drewsnd to eknate al resmce. Blemenls of
he 13d Latantey Regen’ tan secured strategic lands inthe San Ber
aio Strate

The ogiment's lst, and one of se greatest role in Worl War Th wae
fan amphibisas ossae on Uw ssined aed elerded beaches or. Ceba Te
Tends Rapease ef Cebu (iy Whe expr, diving tie ene ow thoir
ivaghthis oo the meungsns etToakins dhe cite. pars tem 10 the
SGhtcre ost port of the wl ad, Gall, parbiparing a Une formal
zetene ofall aysinene treo om se in

"America may he unsincted of the specific eancibution ech individ
aL me our matin’ viecory inching the self deprivaion exch seiir
Sneed so thas out tation sight enjoy Dae fies iol a tre sorely
"The elise cad sven of oe Toe Ingantry Regimens fought mage
ct

They uaved che corte, py ant death of the Jungls, the enemy; Ue
frtains, the lise, and she lerwents. Meruriala of weaned ho
{eit in-batle hapved thea with the sirengre and strana to win
{hil Amestons exe pr of toe gating elite af ches jungle soleier
The Eater Saft of she WEN. lnkatre Regime of Works Wor TT Asses
CGorion prendly, prevenis this. book 19. so 237 gmar enligatensene aad
Feading enfant

Cade M. MeQuarnie
eigudlior Gereral USA Re ies
‘Parmer Resinenss, Cosunander

Hoa Inlantry Regiment

v

Semper Paratus: A Monument In Time

Fighteen yeare (697 845) of me military service ws in the TE Te
font Rayner Hine Nesioual Guar parity peer re
fates ant he rath from prsuie: te lastenan colanel, Ar aes!
ee Tam mor serve c= a vemolaarany econ, Lind gos pale aoa sans
Jay Semusien ie the ssewnplcunenks of she Tad Indanses Tein i
‘ear al an rare. During Weold War IE, che negiseanc never Isle Tse
Yio ts morta: “SEMPER PARATUS,

Pyke pride in cimnralnhi aoe) spi ented ganong al meme of Ue
royce Tho plat wm inguniuet part a she success of the reps
‘Tine roms bes youl in Trendships among the reerabershi that
Tul exist chia dey. Te hor alow Gdocet the suceessfal 14 Taantey
Hegiment World Wau UL Asauation whieh ssskced = the ellort ancl ve
seevih ths as maze this hock 2oeble

(ORCHIDS 1N THE MUL provilne snl porpenstts a “ramwanent
in me co Vines embers and Uber tienes who sallered ad meds. che
Supreme sate an accomplishing [ve vesnens ceany mnisions. The
Sve af the regimens wnthin thix Boe dorumanes a generation of hs.
fal events Ow lanlies si desveniante of the -eyinental rembers and
Frieae They wil be prone to have this Suga of the 92d lnlantey Heat
sen in their braves,

Remand F, Dawber
(Colonel USA» Koti,
Former Fist Batealion Commander
1a Uaiantry Reser
Much Like The Fallen Wounded Soldier

Dedication
‘ORCHIDS 1N THE MUU" is deciated to premorilize cur Natio‘
Vetere iving and dead who, team Valley Forge 0 Viet Naw

Jonge wits honor abd uediing courage 1

sand eed ca lst

Jal trom tow ores and Fl in he mois un

tisetl ae felon lees anv retires ee
Tieuguir He, nea The Philp
Editorial Board

Dr. Rebett ©. Muchos ester

seh G. tek Asst. To The Editor

“nin Ps fensings? Sul Artie Mhstraer

Dosh D. Anderson Tstestor
Contributing Mailors

9 Petr Willi Kresea

Edivorial Advisors

Andrey Couper Col. Frank Raymond
a, Clause MT, McQuarrie ‘Col dosepa F. Ryness
Gol Raymon! E. Decker La Cai J. Braneia Gorman
Col Tonia Le sceu U1. Gat George HL Inet!
Cal Danie! W. Press Th Col Foal A, Kans

Production Stat

Gourge Brann Copyreade:
Des Rebers M. Kak Resmiter
Rosen Sola ook Makeup
Jalen Sameer Printer
Sends Mark Wend Pevensie
oan 8, Muehroke Word Peocesanr
Sine G. Miele Meavketing Dis oe
Haul 4, Aste ‘Markeving
award One Admunistrative Assistant
1, Git Staley Stan Distros

* deceased

vm

Introston A Sogn Of The W200 anf Mopmant te World War

Orchids In The Mud
‘A Saga Of The 132d Infantry Regiment
In World War IT
INTRODUCTION

hw gs of the M2 Infanny Reyjmeot dssenibes she eabilarating but
often vac ier pail apd faseal ncwestaes of cu civilian lis
ousmen dusine Worle War IL Their experience was typical i lm

pored 10 2esicemen fighting sche Pacifs "Vlvaties whatever theit
rationals ne backgroud. Tagecher sith servicemen im Rarnpo, Ni
‘Avia, anal the China-Barma-Tacia Theatse sees expe-encedl un acceler
fied! adventure with borecom, pain, disppcini meet, joy, laughter nl
tiara, Hor members of rhe L346 nlantiy sais advertare sates with he

"Wind of Wat” and endef tu surrender anc acapatine the eoeay
Dpoelenes Serva gases of Wark Way I asthe "Gooe War-" ll mone ane
bad, bu in Worle War IT areal eoee we emaqaverd te be free forever
from enelavenen

Ting Belore ihe Awvrioun Kevolaton, the civilian seldiens of the 1
Colonies ha bewt Anown for thei» peafvienes a eumbat. Thi roe masa
futstanding martial quubte of aAmetics’s ishing nen. hos long lee
hance lowe art nurtured in peace snd war A eee for romnbat is an
ferotional eannelsion iat. drives the iividal soldier to gleatness in
battle. Ie reiloie the ccection at dscplined equaliey and fee
armed foros, particularly wen sho envi nation a drat into wu

‘This pretees in cores is wet the eiviion saier bythe 0h
fers and met. of the pvnanedt establiasene in wus tr Inations of
the past sre eabecied. This sreparation Tor combat ts inceated ita
lepmise manner an those fornier tilt tho Know tal ie o be free
and co enjny eyualty to gerater degre than weler peuple:

1s true tha- tals change fon chen to snlier salves step by stop
4s eactbishes hy taking she selce's oath, by. wearing the wie
hough cpl matty epr-vmorin, fra Urn ld tang.
petb knowledge of weapons, the Reig rage, sll unit esis, manners
sad comabat nealines .

‘The training is common io most anger norional armed Keuek—che
Aitetence ie that chis country aouvishes the r¥atire passtion wl the
indisidust evan, This ia slong uc, af the Ameria spirit ge 8 one's
wallingncss in work will Ine athe fellow aman mga! footie at any tote
artculely when they face danger together. The have Va sck-togech
gusles. come what mug! This leads w ike wenden sire de eras
fou uit of ile ins a ile nations

ealness for combat erate rapids to grat brigh{s by tae petite
feslinge evoked in going ce wey, An esaingle ul this spist sas ib re
“Dunes 0 the unprnseked a sasbardiraatek ot Pearl Usb by the
“pmnese, The Ines of le snd eaotaioum damage to the United States