145^th Infantry Regiment

The 145th Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment federalized at Cleveland on October 15, 1940 and assigned to the 37th Infantry Division. After stateside training it sailed from San Francisco in May 1942, reached New Zealand and Fiji, and moved into the South Pacific campaign. Its first combat came in the Northern Solomons. On July 3, 1943, the 3rd Battalion, attached to the 1st Marine Raider Force, assaulted New Georgia. The rest of the regiment followed later in July under 43rd Division control and fought in the drive on Munda. By July 31 the 145th had finished clearing Bartley Ridge, one of the stubborn terrain features guarding the airfield.

In November 1943 the regiment entered the Bougainville perimeter with the 37th Division. For months it performed jungle defense, patrolling, road work, and perimeter security. During the March 1944 Japanese counteroffensive, enemy attacks drove into the 145th's Hill 700 sector, creating a dangerous salient before the position was restored. The regiment remained on Bougainville until the division prepared for Luzon.

The 145th landed at Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945. It advanced through the central Luzon plain with the 37th Division, helped reach the Clark Field-Fort Stotsenburg line, and then moved south toward Manila. In the city it cleared heavily populated northern districts, including Tondo, San Nicolas, and Binondo, while Japanese demolitions and fires reshaped the fight along the Pasig. In the assault on Intramuros, the 145th stormed through the Quezon and Parian Gate area and helped finish organized resistance inside the walled city.

After Manila, the regiment spent time on security and separate attachments before rejoining the division's final Luzon drive. In June it passed through the 129th, seized Bagabag, secured Magat River crossings, and pushed through Orioung Pass, Cordon, Santiago, Echague, and Cauayan as the 37th Division broke open the Cagayan Valley.