169^th Infantry Regiment

The 169th Infantry Regiment was a Connecticut National Guard regiment inducted on February 24, 1941, and assigned to the 43rd Infantry Division. It trained in the United States, sailed from San Francisco in September 1942, and reached the South Pacific through New Zealand, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, and the Russell Islands. In the New Georgia campaign, Companies A and B landed before daylight on June 30, 1943, on Sasavele and Baraulu to secure the Onaiavisi Entrance into Roviana Lagoon. The regiment then moved to Rendova and New Georgia, where it entered the difficult advance toward Munda Airfield.

The 169th's heaviest Solomons fighting came along the Munda Trail. It was checked at the trail junction while the 172nd turned toward Laiana, then fought for Reincke Ridge and Kelley Hill under repeated Japanese counterattacks. After relief and reorganization, elements of the regiment returned to combat at Baanga and Vella Cela in August 1943. In 1944 the regiment moved from New Zealand to Aitape, New Guinea. Attached to PERSECUTION Task Force, its battalions reinforced the Driniumor River line, including positions near Anamo, Palauru, and Chinapelli, and helped close out the Japanese counteroffensive in the Aitape area.

On January 9, 1945, the 169th landed with the 43rd Division at Lingayen Gulf. In the fight to secure the Sixth Army beachhead, it cleared Hill 318, attacked Hill 355, and fought for Mt. Alava and the ridges east of Route 3. Its 2nd Battalion was heavily engaged near Sison before the regiment resumed attacks on the high ground. Later, after attachments to I Corps and XI Corps, the regiment joined the Ipo Dam operation. Initially demonstrating along Route 52 near Bigti, it attacked eastward once Japanese defenses shifted, helping open the road to the dam. The regiment ended the war at Cabanatuan before occupation duty in Japan.