Company A, 165th Infantry Diary 15 October 1940-31 December 1945   OCTOBER 1940   The 165th Infantry was federalized on 15 October 1940. Company A, after the Regiment was federalized, moved with the Regiment by train to Fort McClellan, Alabama on the 26th of October, and arrived at Fort McClellan, Alabama, on the 31st of October: The camp area was set up and routine details and guard were established. The Company officers were:  Capt W. D. Lynch Lt. E. J. Strong  Lt. F. H. Finn Lt. J. Lennon   NOVEMBER 1940   During this period the company started their basic field training, con­sisting of preliminary rifle instruction and firing on the known distance range. School of the soldier, and the squad as a team, were also taken up. A field mass for all Catholics in the regiment was conducted on Sundays.   DECEMBER 1940   The usual camp duties and the training of the Company were the events of this month. A large percentage of the men left Fort McClellan, Alabama, on a furlough to go to New York for the Christmas holidays. Captain W. D. Lynch was transferred to 3rd Battalion Headquarters, 1st Lt. R. E. Osborne assumed command of the Company.   JANUARY 1941   The men who were home on a Christmas furlough returned to Fort McClellan, Alabama, for duty. A training cadre was formed to train the incoming trainees. Lt. O'Hara joined the Company for duty on 15 January 1941. Lt. F. J. Finn transferred to Company B. Training and the usual camp duties were carried on throughout this period.   FEBRUARY 1941   Lt. Breen joined the Company for duty. The first group of Selective Service men were assigned to the Company and were issued clothing and equipment. A special training program was set up for the trainees, so that they could reach the proficiency of the men with longer service in a short time. The trainees were oriented by regimental officers as to the history of the regiment and what was expected of the trainees.   MARCH 1941   2nd Lt. Breen was promoted to 1st Lt. The Company continued on the training schedule of both the trainees and men with longer service. Catholic field mass for the regiment was held on Sundays. A Saint Patrick’s day mock parade was staged by all men of the regiment. Athletic events were held in the morning.   APRIL 1941   Lt. J. Lennon was transferred to company L, this regiment. Lt. R. J. Osborn was promoted to Captain. This Company sent 66 men to Birmingham, Alabama, to participate in the Army demonstration at the Legion Stadium. The trip was made by truck and the men camped on the field. The men who participated in the Army demonstration at the Legion Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama, returned by truck. The training of all men continued and advanced to the difficult phases.   MAY 1943.   Preparations for a maneuver were being made and the Company went on several overnight problems. On 23 May 1941 the Company left Fort McClellan, Alabama, and moved by truck to the maneuver area, stopping at Fayetteville, Tennessee, for an overnight bivouac, On 24 May 1941 the Company made a foot march to a bivouac area 5 miles north of Belleville. Distance march was 17 miles. On 25 May 1941 the Company marched from bivouac area to Shelbyville, Tennessee, and the bivouac was reached at 0840. Distance march was 10 miles, In the bivouac area field mass was held. On 26 May 1941 the Company left the bivouac area at Shelbyville and marched to Wartrace, Tennessee.  Distance marched was twenty (20) miles. At Wartrace, preparations continued for the coming maneuver.   JUNE 1941   This Company participated in the maneuvers held in Tennessee. Marching and the setting—up of camp was stressed. Several problems were run by Corps Staff and combat problems were conducted with actual troops. Division problems were also conducted, advance guard formations were taken while on the march. Outposting of defense areas and defense problems were also included. A critique at the end of the maneuver was very beneficial. At the conclusion of the maneuver the Company moved by truck to Fort McClellan, Alabama. Total distance traveled 359 miles.   JULY 1941.   Lt. Kiley was assigned to the Company. Lt. L. J. O’Brien transferred to this Company from company E. The men in the Company were given furloughs.  The training of the Company continued with larger scale problems. Errors noticed on maneuvers were corrected so as to make a smoother working team.   AUGUST 1941   This Company participated in several combat problems in the Alabama Maneuvers area, adjoining the camp. Training continued and stress was placed on teamwork. Combat problems of the Company, Battalion and Regiment were part of the training schedule. Overnight marches and bivouacs were also stressed.  Feeding under combat conditions was also included in this phase of training. During this month the Division moved to Arkansas by truck to participate in . the 2nd Army Maneuvers. Patrolling and reconnaissance were stressed during the early part of the maneuver. From Centerville to Camden, Arkansas, patrolling was the main part of training.   SEPTEMBER 1941   Maneuvers were continued this month. During the maneuver the Company moved from Camden, Arkansas, to Winfield, Louisiana, The Company was en­gaged in small unit problems and then larger scale problems were undertaken. Several Battalion & Regimental problems were conducted; when these were com­pleted Division problems were undertaken, problems involving tanks, artillery and planes were part of the maneuver. The Company then moved from Winfield to Jesup, Louisiana. Here again problems continued and increased until the 2d Army was opposing the 3d Army. A great many combat lessons were learned here to be used later in combat by both officers and men,   OCTOBER 1941   This unit returned to Fort McClellan, Alabama, upon the completion of maneuvers, The usual routine guard and fatigue details were re-established. Training continued, to correct errors found in maneuvers.   NOVEMBER 1941   The usual camp duties were continued during the month. Training in advance phases and refreshing on subjects learned, were the main part of the training schedule. A Thanksgiving Dinner was given by the Company. Catholic field mass was conducted on Thanksgiving Day and Sundays.   DECEMBER 1941   Lt E.J, Strong was transferred to 1st Battalion Headquarters. The Company went on several marches during this training period. Small unit tactics were also part of the training program. On 7 December 1941 the news of the attack on pearl Harbor, Oahu, was announced over the radio. Saturday inspections of arms and equipment were conducted, Catholic field mass was conducted with a service for the deceased at pearl Harbor. The Division left Fort McClellan, Alabama, on 16 December 1941 by the Southern Railroad.  The route taken was through Birmingham, Alabama, Mississippi, Amarillo, Texas, and New Mexico; this unit reached its destination of Englewood, Calif., at 235522 December 1941. Upon arrival at the railroad station the Company was put on trucks and transported to the North American Airport, Englewood, Calif. The mission of the Company was to prevent sabotage to the Aircraft Corporation. Interior guard duty and roving patrols were the main duties. A Christmas din­ner was given by the Company. Christmas services were held where possible and men of the Company attended mass.   JANUARY 1942   Left North American Airport, Englewood, Calif., by truck convoy to vicinity of Pomona, Calif. A base camp was set up and a training program was put into effect. This unit left Pomona on 21 January 1942 and marched to Spadra, to entrain for Fort Ord, Calif. The Company entrained at 1404. on the Southern pacific Railroad and arrived at Fort Ord at 090022 January 1942. Distance traveled from Pomona to Fort Ord, Calif., was 393 miles.   FEBRUARY 1942   An extensive training program was put into effect at this time. Small unit problems and individual training were stressed. Several drill dis­persal plans were put into effect and the units ran through them; dispersal plans were for possible air attack. A full-field inspection was held on the parade field. Brigadier General A. Anderson arid Colonel G, Conroy were the inspecting officers. The following named men joined the Company at Fort Ord, California:   Pvt F.H. Abbot Pvt H.E. Bacon Pvt J.T. Berry, Jr. Pvt A.C. Abelin           39680131 Pvt B.S, Baltekauskas Pvt R. Binger Pvt, R.D. Abeyta, Pvt G.R. Beal, Jr. Pvt C. Biorcas Pvt E.M. Allen Pvt J.J. Becay Pvt G. Brase Pvt E. Allen Pvt R.F. Bechtle Pvt T.J. Brennan Pvt A.H. Anderson Pvt R. Becker, Jr. Pvt C.A. Browne Pvt C.L. Anderson      39304531 Pvt E.H. Belinski Pvt P,E. Peevy Pvt H.L. Augspurger Pvt R.A. Bergazzi Pvt E.T. Tottke   MARCH 1942   Preparation for overseas movement was conducted the early part of this month. On 7 March 1942 the Company entrained at Fort Ord, Calif., and moved to pier 22, San Francisco, Calif., The American Red Cross served coffee and doughnuts on the pier. The troops were then marched aboard the USAT President GRANT and were assigned their quarters. On 8 March 1942 the ship set sail on a Southwest course and joined a convoy. A ship drill was conducted daily, and this included an abandon ship drill, fire drill and air attack drill. On 16 March. the ship anchored at Kajai, T.H., and the troops debarked and were entrucked on Army vehicles The Company moved by truck from the pier to the vicinity of the Barking Sands Airport. Camp was set up and a guard detail established to protect the area. Kekaha, Kauai, T.H,, was also out-posted and a guard established.   APRIL 1942   The usual camp duties of guard and setting up a defense of the coastal area in the vicinity of Kekaha, was the main duties of this organization during this month,   MAY 1942   Barking 3ands Airfield, Kauai, T.H. This Company was given a zone of responsibility and beach patrols were organized and used. Construction of barbed wire fences along the beach and the digging of foxholes and cover and zones of responsibility for combat were selected, and several drill combat problems were conducted,   JUNE 1942.   Defense of the coast was continued and the barbed wire fences were pa­trolled. Guard duty of the Airfield continued. Usual camp and fatigue details.   JULY 1942   Company located in the vicinity of Barking Sands Airport, Kauai, T.H. Construction of beach defenses, and the usual camp duties and guard details continued. A training schedule was put into effect covering weapons, squad tactics and care of clothing and equipment.   AUGUST 1942   Continuation of usual camp duties. The Company constructed several cal, .30 machine gun positions, designed to prevent beach landings. Alerts were held at dawn and dusk.   SEPTEMBER 1942   Usual camp duties, with outpost and interior guards. Continued con­struction of beach defenses. Company strength reduced in accordance with new T/O 7-17, dated 1 April l942, to 193 EM and 6 Officers. Field mass held on the 3d and 10th of September. Unit entrucked 5 September at 0800, and transported 2.7 miles to new CP, arriving at 0900. The construction of the new area commenced this date. This included rebuilding barracks and in­stalling a new communication setup. 23 miles of wire laid and completed in 2 days. After setting up in new area the Company. was engaged the remainder of the month in construction of beach defenses, and installing defensive wire. Company then engaged in rifle marksmanship, range firing of modified complete course. On 8 September this unit and parent Regiment attached to 40th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Brush, Brigadier General Andersen relieved of command.   OCTOBER 1942   This Company was relieved of its mission of beach defense by Company K, 185th Infantry. The Company moved from Barking Sands to Kokee Mt., Kanai, T.H., and participated in an extensive training program. The Company left Kokee on 28 October 1942, and moved to Fort Allen to embark on an inter-island ship, which left Kauai, T.H., 29th of October. The ship docked at Honolulu, and the Company entrucked there and. moved to Bellows Field,   N0VEMBER 1942   This Company, at Bellows Field, Oahu, T.H., relieved the Antitank Com­pany, 161st Infantry. Most of the time during the month of November was spent in preparing beach positions. When this had, been completed, two platoons occupied the areas necessary for the defense of Bellows Field. The other two remaining platoons were there, engaged in field training. The Company’s mission was to defend the beaches from any landings by the Japanese, and to protect all military installations on Bellows Field. Several alerts (drill alerts) were called by Headquarters Hawaiian Department, and all de­fense installations were inspected. Captain S.S. Stenson, Lt H.A. Berger, Lt O'Connell, Lt P.E. Ryan, Lt M.L. Brewer and Lt Doyle were the Company officers at this time. Captain Stenson commanded the Company, and Lt H.A. Berger was the Executive Officer,   DECEMBER 1942   This Company was engaged in the South Sector Maneuvers on the 12th and 13th or December. The maneuvers were for a period of forty-eight hours. On 15 December 1942, the company was relieved of it3 mission at Bellows Field, and went into Battalion Reserve at the Battalion Base Camp located in the vicinity of Kailua. The Company there engaged in a vigorous training program, plus the necessary work done in improving the camp area, Roads were also constructed in the camp area at this time. Training in the use of and firing on the ranges were part of the training during this period. Lt H.A. Berger and Lt P.E. Ryan were transferred from the company. Lt F. Finn was appointed the Executive Officer, when he joined the Company from 1st Battalion Head­quarters Company.   JANUARY 1943   The Company was engaged in a training phase during this period. The Company then participated in a maneuver for two days in the vicinity of Ewa plain, At the Completion of the maneuver the company then moved to Schofield Barracks,   FEBRUARY 1943 Captain S.S. Stenson was transferred to the 3d Battalion as Commanding Officer of Headquarters company. Captain S.W. Bass assumed command of this Company. Lt L.J. O’Brien joined the Company as the Executive Officer. Lt F. Finn was transferred to 1st Battalion Headquarters. Lt T.P. Fleming joined the Company. Staff Sergeants T. Twomey and K. Evans were transferred to Fort Benning to attend the Officers Candidate School there. During this month while the Company was at Schofield Barracks, Ranger training was in­stituted as part of the training. During this period extensive night man­euvers and combat firing were part of the training schedule, North Sector maneuvers were conducted during the month for four days.   MLRCH 1943   Lt M.L. Brewer and several men of the Company were sent to the Head­quarters Hawaiian Department Ranger School. Lt O'Connell was transferred to Birch (Christmas Island). Lt L.J. O'Brien was transferred to 1st Battalion Headquarters as S—1. The Company was assigned the mission of defending the Kualoa Airstrip commencing; April 1943. Saint Patrick's day was observed in the typical 165th Infantry manner. Fifteen men of the Company participated in a Honolulu parade. A one-week maneuver was conducted during the latter part of the month, in the vicinity of Pali.   APRIL 1943   Lt. L. J. O’Brien assumed command of the Company. T/5 R. Bingen was transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia, to attend the Officers Candidate School there. Lt. G. E. Martin and Lt, V. W. Walsh Jr. joined the Company. Lt M. L. Brewer was transferred to 1st Battalion Headquarters. Lt. T. F. Bowe Jr. joined the Company. The Company remained on duty in the Kualoa area until the 20th of April 1943 when it was relieved and moved to Kaneohe. Easter Sunday was observed by a large number attending mass. The last two days of this month the Company participated in a maneuver conducted by the Headquar­ters Hawaiian Department near Waikane and Libbyville.   MAY 1943   Lt. Doyle was transferred from this Company to Regimental Headquarters Company. Lt. M. Havens, Lt. T. Lalos and Lt. J. N. Walker joined the Company. The first several days of the month wore spent in a Headquarters Hawaiian Department maneuver, then the Company moved to Kaneohe. During the latter part of this month the Company moved to Schofield Barracks and engaged in extensive Amphibious training exercises,   JUNE 1943   2nd Lt. G. E. Martin was promoted to 1st Lt. and later transferred to Company "C" this regiment. Lt. V. W. Walsh Jr. and several men were sent to Ranger School for specialized training. Lt. T. Phelan joined the Company. The Company participated in extensive Amphibious training exercises during this period at Wasnae reservation. A review was held for Company "A" on Bellows Field on the 25th of June 1943. The reviewing Officers were Major General Ralph C. Smith, Commanding General, Colonel Gardiner Conroy, Regimental Commander, and Lt. Colonel Gerard Kelly. The Company at the review was awarded two silver rings for the guidon. The first silver ring was for this Company's participation in the Revolutionary War, as the 8th Company, 1st Regiment New York Line, organized in the year 1775. The second silver ring was awarded for this Company's participation in the War of 1812, when it was known as the 9th Regiment, Artillery.   JULY 1943   This Company was relieved by Company "D", of its mission, which was beach defense. The Company then moved to Kahanaiki, where it resumed its training. Preliminary Rifle instruction was a part of the training schedule. The usual camp fatigue and guard details were also put into effect.   AUGUST 1943   Lt. G. E. Martin rejoined the Company. During this month the Company participated in amphibious training exercises at Waimanalo. On 3 August 1943, Holy Mass was said for all men who had lost their lives in North Africa. During the latter part of the month the Company moved to Pall Training Camp.  Infiltration courses and combat firing problems were part of the training. All men fired the weapons they were armed with, and the crew-served weapons also fired, i.e., M-1, Light Machine Gun, Browning Automatic rifle and 60 mm Mortar.   SEPTEMBER 1943   The Company continued training at the Pali Training Camp. Private First Class Amoud Delcoy was killed from a gunshot wound inflicted on one of the combat courses at the Pali Camp. A march of thirty-four miles was conducted from the Pali camp to Kahuku the early part of the month. Another road march was conducted the latter part of the month from Kahuku to Schofield Barracks. A review was held by the Division to commemorate the day the 27th Division broke through the Hindenberg Line during World War I. Lt. General Richardson was the reviewing Officer.   OCTOBER 1943   The Company continued its Amphibious training, and on 4 October 1943 the Company embarked on the USS Calvert (APA 32) for advance Amphibious training. During this period of training, drill landings were made on the Islands of Kauai and Maui, T. H. Arriving at Oahu on 18 October 1943 the Company debarked and moved to Hut City, Schofield Barracks. On 31 October 1943 the Company embarked on the USS Calvert (APA 32) and went to sea for further Amphibious Training.   NOVEMBER 1943   Amphibious landings were made on the Island of Maui, T. H., for training purposes, Naval gunfire was used in some of the landings to simulate actual landing conditions. The Company embarked on the USS Calvert (APA 32) on 4 November 1943 and moved to Hut City, Schofield Barracks, Lt. M. Havens, Lt. T. Lalos and Lt. M. Phelan were transferred from the Company. Lt. L. J. O’Brien, Company Commander, was promoted to Captain. On 9 November 1943, the Company embarked on the USS Calvert (APA 32). Destination was announced on board ship as Makin Island, in the Gilbert Islands, On 15 November 1943 the following—named officers and men were inducted into the mysteries of the one and only Neptunis Rex and were converted from Pollywogs into Shellbacks:   Capt. L. J. O’Brien Co Cdr 2nd Lt. T. P. Fleming 2d Plt 1st Lt. T. F. Bowe Jr. XO KIA Makin 2nd Lt. J. N. Walker Wpns Plt. 1st Lt. G. E. Martin 1st Platoon 2nd Lt. V. W. Walsh Jr. 3d Plt Abbott, F. H. Driskill, D. A. McGrath, W. F.  KIA Saipan Abelin, A. C. KIA Saipan Sgt Dybiel, S. M. McIllvain, T. A. Abetya, R. D. Dutoi, F. H. McPherson, J. D. Alexander, D. C. Earl, W. E. Medina, M. H. KIA Sgt Anderson, C. L. KIA Eaton, C. R. Jr. Meyer, W. B. Armstrong, R. J. Eddington, J. A. Megilski, A. S. Barnett, G. W. Ely, H. W. Moogan, P. J. Beal, G. R. Jr. Farnetti, G. Moore, L. E. Becay, J. J. Fiedler, T. F. Moore, B. H. Bechtle, R. F. Fitzpatrick, J. J.  KIA Saipan Morton, 0. Belinski, E. H. Funderburk, J. E. KIA Okinawa Murphy, J. R. Berry, J. T. Jr. Garcia, I. J. Murphy, J. A. Bertig, B. A. Garcia, M. Murphy, J. A. Bottke, B. F.  KIA Saipan Gebbia, P. Murphy, S. A. Bozell, E. S. George, J. A. Newman, E. R. Brewer, H. Gilbert, D. B. Newman, V. W. Bridges, W. F. Gioidano, B. Noonan, F. E. KIA Bridling, G. C. Gladdin, J M. KIA Saipan Norman, J. T. Bronstein, J. A Gobin, A. S. Ohler, F. S. Brown, C. A. Goldberg, H. Ostro, F. S. Brubeachor, G. B. Gough, M. M. DOW Saipan O’Toole, J. P. KIA Okinawa Bulger, P. J. KIA Okinawa Graylock, W. A. O’Toole, T. J. Caidwell, G. Gula, J. Potts, M. B. Cantrell, L. I. Gumpert, J. W. Purdy, D. A.  KIA Saipan