17^th Infantry Regiment

The 17th Infantry Regiment entered the war as a Regular Army regiment of the 7th Infantry Division. After training in California and briefly carrying a motorized designation, it sailed from San Francisco in April 1943 for the Aleutians. On May 11, 1943, the regiment landed through fog on Attu, with elements at Massacre Bay and Holtz Bay. Its battalions fought toward Jarmin Pass over tundra, mud, and steep ridges, then helped open Clevesy Pass and Fish Hook Ridge before organized Japanese resistance collapsed at the end of May. In August the regiment landed on Kiska, but the island had already been evacuated.

The regiment next trained in Hawaii for the Marshalls. On January 31, 1944, it seized Ennylabegan and Enubuj in the Kwajalein operation, then cleared Ebeye and additional islets while the 32nd and 184th Infantry reduced Kwajalein Island. After another training period, the regiment moved through Eniwetok and Manus to Leyte. Initially held in reserve, it entered the fight after the beachhead was secure. Reinforced by the 2nd Battalion, 184th Infantry, it drove inland through San Pablo and Burauen and fought a hard approach to Dagami, taking the town on October 30. It later served temporarily with the 11th Airborne Division and rejoined the division's westward operations.

On Okinawa the 17th Infantry landed on April 1, 1945, crossed the island rapidly, and reached the east coast the next day. In April it fought along Skyline Ridge and around Kochi, where repeated attacks, cave defenses, and Japanese infiltrations slowed the advance. After relief and re-entry into the line, the regiment took part in the final southern drive. In June it pushed onto Yaeju-Dake, gained ground by a night attack, cleared Hill 153, and helped break the last organized Japanese defensive positions before the division shifted to security duties on Okinawa.