381^st Infantry Regiment

The 381st Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Adair, Oregon, on August 15, 1942, and trained with the 96th Infantry Division before moving through Hawaii and the Central Pacific. Intended for the canceled Yap operation, it was diverted to Leyte and landed on October 22, 1944, after the division's assault. Initially held as Sixth Army reserve, the regiment entered the Catmon Hill fight when XXIV Corps released it on October 27. On October 28-29 its 1st and 2nd Battalions attacked the eastern slopes, Labir Hill, and Catmon Hill while the 383rd covered from Labiranan Head. After the hill complex was secured, the regiment helped mop up the Catmon sector, guard the Tanauan-Dagami approaches, and patrol the Leyte interior.

The 381st assaulted Okinawa on April 1, 1945, with the 96th Division. During the first Shuri-line crisis it joined the 383rd in the costly Kakazu attack of April 10-12, taking positions on Kakazu West and then trying repeatedly to force Kakazu Ridge under mortar, machine-gun, grenade, and satchel-charge fire. It next pushed through Kaniku and onto Nishibaru Ridge, fought on Maeda Escarpment, and after rehabilitation returned to the eastern Shuri line. On May 17 its 3rd Battalion relieved elements of the 383rd on Conical Hill and began the drive down the hogback toward Sugar Hill. From May 18 to May 21 the regiment fought through finger ridges, Cutaway fire, and counterattacks to seize Sugar Hill, opening the east-coast corridor. In June it attacked the Yaeju-Dake and Yuza-Dake escarpment, gained lodgments in the saddle, broke the three-day stalemate by envelopment, and occupied Big Apple Peak.