From "The Army Almanac: A Book
of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing
Office, 1950, pp. 510-592.
The 33d Infantry Division arrived in Hawaii on 12 July 1943.
While guarding installations, it received training in jungle warfare. On 11 May
1944, it arrived in New Guinea where it received additional training. The 123d
Infantry Regiment arrived at Maffin Bay, 1 September, to provide perimeter
defense by aggressive patrolling for Wakde Airdrome and the Toem-Sarmi sector.
The 123d was relieved on 26 January 1945. Elements of the 33d arrived at
Morotai, 18 December 1944. Landings were made on the west coast of the island,
22 December, without opposition and defensive perimeters were established.
Aggressive patrols encountered scattered resistance. The 33d landed at Lingayen
Gulf, Luzon, 10 February 1945, and relieved the 43d Infantry Division in the
Damortis-Rosario-Pozorrubio area, 13-15 February. The Division drove into the
Caraballo Mountains, 19 February, toward its objective, Baguio, the summer
capital of the Philippines and the headquarters of General Yamashita. Fighting
against a fanatical enemy entrenched in the hills, the 33d took Aringay, 7
March, Mount Calugong, 8 April, and Mount Mirador, 25 April. Baguio and Camp
John Hay fell on 26 April, under the concerted attack of the 33d and the 37th
Divisions. Manuel Roxas, later President of the Philippines, was freed during
the capture of Baguio. After mopping up isolated pockets of resistance, the
Division broke up the last organized resistance of the enemy by capturing the
San Nicholas-Tebbo-Itogon route, 12 May. All elements went to rest and
rehabilitation areas on 30 June 1945. The Division landed on Honshu Island,
Japan, 25 September, and performed occupation duties until inactivated.
MembershipInformation More Information
To Join the Association (both 33rd and family members are eligible) send $5.00
for each individual to 33rd Division Association, C/O Rosemary Chamberlin, 6413
Ravine Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009. Make checks payable to 33rd Division
Association. If you would like a sample issue of the newsletter, please
send an email to
Bill
Endicott. Be sure you state your name, unit affiliation, address and phone
number. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter please send $15.00 for
four issues. Make check payable to 33rd Infantry Infantry Division Newsletter
and send it to: 33rd Infantry Division Newsletter, 617 143rd St. NW, Marysville WA
98271-8132. Be sure you state your name, unit affiliation, address
and phone number.