148^th Infantry Regiment

The 148th Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard regiment federalized at Columbus on October 15, 1940 and assigned to the 37th Infantry Division. It sailed for the Pacific in May 1942, reached Fiji in June, and later moved through Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands. Its first combat came in the New Georgia campaign. The 3rd Battalion assaulted New Georgia on July 3, 1943 with the 1st Marine Raider Force, and the regiment entered the Munda fight later in July under 43rd Division control. It attacked Bartley Ridge and Horseshoe Hill; elements were surrounded from July 26 to August 1 before the Japanese withdrew and Munda fell.

The 148th was the first 37th Division infantry regiment to land on Bougainville, coming ashore in early November 1943 while attached to the 3rd Marine Division. It helped take over the perimeter from Marine units, then spent the long Bougainville phase in defensive work, patrolling, and preparation for the Japanese March 1944 counteroffensive. After the Northern Solomons campaign it moved with the division to Luzon.

Landing at Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945, the regiment took San Carlos the next day and advanced toward Clark Field and Fort Stotsenburg with the 145th. It then drove south toward Manila. On February 4, 148th battalions entered the northern city, reached Old Bilibid Prison, and made contact with cavalry elements nearby. The regiment crossed the Pasig in assault boats and fought through the urban battle, later clearing the Legislative Building during the final reduction of Manila.

In April 1945 the 148th took over the Route 9 drive toward Baguio. At Irisan Gorge it fought the key six-day action that broke the strongest natural defense on the road to the city. In June the regiment joined the Cagayan Valley pursuit, crossing river lines, taking Naguilian, advancing through Ilagan and Tumauini, and then yielding the lead to the 129th for the final drive north.