A/130 in Combat
by Norm Larson

Company A's first assignment came on Morotai where the Division was holding a perimeter to safeguard an important airstrip. The company's mission was to send a reinforced patrol out through the jungle 8000 yards to contact the 136th Regiment on the western side of the island.

For the men of A company, this was probably the longest, most tiring and grueling march they ever completed. Hacking the trail through almost impenetrable jungle and pushing a larger force of enemy before them, with sharp skirmishes, the company finally reached the 136th.

We knew we were in for the real stuff when we embarked in January 1945 for Luzon. By comparison, the Morotai operation would seem like extended basic training. After reaching Luzon, the Division relieved the 43rd Division and the 158th RCT. Company A started patrolling the Rosario sector. While here the 3rd Battalion borrowed our second platoon for the final push on Question Mark Hill. With the other battalion on the right, and "Gleam 2" on the left, the assault took less than 1/2 hour.

Our next move was the vicinity of Alibeng for the seizure of Hill 1802, overlooking the Rosario-Pozorrubio Road. This area was supposed to be poorly defended, but the 1 st Bn. learned it wasn't. All will remember Hill 1802 as it taxed our minds, bodies and endurance. It was a tough fight, but finally the hill was won and A Co. rested - for 4 days.

Next came the capture of Caba, Aringay, and Bauang in a series of night attacks which caught the enemy completely off balance. The Bauang operation was so successfully executed that a well-mined concrete and steel bridge was secured before the enemy could demolish it. After this, the 1 st Battalion was given a rest.

The final phase of the battle for Baguio was about to begin. A Company was to secure Bilbil Mountain to keep the Asin road open. This was the toughest fight the company evertook part in. The Japs seemed to like their hill and wanted to keep it. They gave it up when none were left.

Acop's Place was a large, strong perimeter where the men lived in pillboxes. Here the Japs were strong, well organized and well equipped. From here, A Company pushed up Totem Pole Ridge which ended at the Dacalan airstrip, 32 miles further out. Patrols contacted other forces in the Cagayan Valley and the fight for Luzon was at an end.

After the finish of the Luzon campaign, the regiment retired to Aringay to undergo amphibious training for the forthcoming invasion of Japan. Fortunately, the invasion was unnecessary as Japan surrendered while the training was in progress, and the 130th moved on to Japan for occupation duty. Landing at Wakayama, the regiment proceeded to Kobe and then to Himeji to set up a camp. We now found ourselves awaiting the call to return to the States.

In many months of combat, A Co. displayed a fine esprit de corps. Courage, leadership and comradeship made this a fighting team - a winning fighting team.

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