World War II soldiers celebrating Christmas photograph   Save
Robert S. Beightler Photograph Collection
Description: This photograph shows soldiers of the 37th Infantry Division celebrating Christmas, probably at Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, in 1943. The 37th served in the Pacific theater during World War II under the command of Major General Robert Beightler. Known as the "Buckeye" Division, it was one of the most highly-decorated National Guard units in World War II. Seventeen Medals of Honor were awarded to National Guard troops during the war, and seven of them went to members of the 37th. The photograph measures 8" x 10" (20.32 x 25.4 cm). The 37th Infantry Division mustered in at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in October 1940. The division was sent to the Pacific theater in the spring of 1942. The division's first battle was in July 1943 in the Solomon Islands. It participated in fierce jungle fighting at New Georgia, Bougainville, and Guadalcanal. Also serving in the Philippine campaign, the division spent 592 days in combat zones, killed 33,590 Japanese soldiers, and captured 2,161 enemy prisoners. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3218_3813101_001
Subjects: Military Ohio; World War II; Soldiers; Holidays; Christmas trees
Places: Ohio; New Guinea