103^rd Infantry Regiment

The 103rd Infantry Regiment was a Maine National Guard regiment inducted on February 24, 1941, and assigned to the 43rd Infantry Division. After training in Florida, Mississippi, and California, it sailed from San Francisco in September 1942 and entered the South Pacific through New Zealand, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, and the Russell Islands. Its first major combat came in the Northern Solomons. During the New Georgia operation, elements of the regiment were parceled across several landings: detachments went into Segi Point, Wickham Anchorage, and Viru Harbor, while the 3rd Battalion reinforced the Laiana beachhead on July 14, 1943. The regiment then fought westward through Ilangana and Kia against pillboxes and close jungle defenses as the 43rd Division pressed toward Munda Airfield.

After rest and reorganization in New Zealand, the 103rd moved to Aitape, New Guinea, in July 1944. There it relieved troops along the Driniumor River and joined the Tadji perimeter's patrol campaign, helping secure the area after the Japanese 18th Army's failed counteroffensive. The regiment returned to amphibious assault on January 9, 1945, at Lingayen Gulf. On northern Luzon it took San Jacinto, fought through Manaoag and Hill 200, and secured Pozorrubio before attacking the Hill 600 ridge east of Route 3. That fighting exposed the regiment to artillery, mortars, and machine-gun fire on steep open slopes.

In March 1945 the 103rd shifted south against the Shimbu Line. It occupied Antipolo, reduced Benchmark 7, and fought up Mt. Tanauan, helping turn Japanese positions east of Manila. In May it made the 43rd Division's main effort toward Ipo Dam, driving through Mt. Katitinga, Hill 805, and Hill 860. Patrols reached the dam area as Filipino guerrillas entered from the north, and the regiment helped secure the intact waterworks before occupation duty in Japan.