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Following the division’s initial actions on Bougainville, the 93rd continued serving on various island garrisons in the South Pacific, ultimately ending up on Morotai Island in 1945. While on the island, the 93rd Infantry Division was placed in command of all allied ground forces on the island. The move to Morotai marked the first time since the division left California in early 1944 when the division would be together as a mostly intact division with elements such as the 368th Regimental Combat Team temporarily detached to serve in the Philippines. When the Japanese forces began to informally surrender in mid-August 1945, the remnants of the Japanese 32nd Division, including its commanding officers, surrendered to the 93rd Infantry Division. Following the end of the war, the division remained in the Pacific, conducting occupation duties before returning to the U.S. in 1946 and deactivation. In comparison to other African American units from World War II, such as the Tuskegee Airmen or its sister unit, the 92nd Infantry Division, the 93rd Infantry Division is not as well known. In addition, the fact that the 93rd was an Army division that served in the Pacific theater and did not see the same level of harsh combat that other units experienced often results in the 93rd being overlooked in terms of contributions to the war effort.
"Captors of Japanese Col. Identified" (Courtesy of Chronicling America from the Library of Congress)
HEADQUARTERS, Southwest Pacific Area – The War Department today announced the names of the members of the nine-man patrol of the 93rd Infantry division who recently flushed out of the hills of Morotai Island the highest ranking Japanese officer ever taken alive in the Southwest Pacific campaign.
Colonel Ouchi, commander of the remaining Japanese on Morotai, where the 93rd has been engaged in mopping-up operations, was discovered and captured as he lay face down in the jungle. At least nine members of his personal guard were killed by the patrol which returned to its base without losing a man.
NAMES and addresses of members of the patrol follow: Lieut. Col. Jacy C. McKinnie.. Box 40, Pineville. La.: Major Stanley A Meydn, 4226 Beaver street. Fort Wayne, Indiana: Major Peveril O Settle, Jr., 19 Westover Road, Fort Worth, Texas; Captain John T. Pierce. III. Rockport, Mo: Sat Alfonso Dillon, Route 2. Jackson. Tenn.: Technician Third Grade X. J. Nakanishi. 338 Second Avenue. New York City: Corporal Albert Morrison, 706 Elm street, Tampa. Florida: Pic. Robert Sloan, General
After the actions on Bougainville, the 25th Regimental Combat Team and the rest of the 93rd Infantry Division served on various islands throughout the Solomon Islands. They held various roles including infrastructure building of island garrisons, assisting in loading and unloading supplies, guarding the bases, providing training in jungle warfare, and conducting mop-up operations.
They served in this capacity from the summer of 1944 through the spring of 1945 when the division was moved to Morotai Island in the Dutch East Indies which is now part of Indonesia. When they arrived on Morotai Island, the 93rd was placed in command of all of the Allied ground forces.
In addition to their regular duty, the 93rd was also responsible for removing the threat posed by the remaining Japanese forces on the island. To accomplish this, the 25th Regimental Combat Team was tasked with capturing Japanese officers including Colonel Ouchi. Ouchi was the commander of the Japanese 211th Regiment and the organizer and leader of the Japanese resistance on the island. The Army believed that if they captured the officers, the Japanese garrison would be rendered ineffective or would surrender entirely.
After weeks of gathering intelligence through combat patrols and small skirmishes, the 25th RCT managed to capture Colonel Ouchi. The 25th RCT earned the distinction of capturing the highest-ranking Japanese officer alive during the war.
After arriving with the rest of the 93rd Infantry Division at Morotai, the 368th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) (Formerly the 368th Infantry Regiment), conducted a variety of duties on the island. In July 1945, the 368th RCT was sent to the islands in Southern Philippines with elements of the 368th sent to Zamboanga, Jolo, Palawan, and Sanga Sanga where they conducted operations aimed at combating the remaining Japanese forces on the islands in partnership with Filipino soldiers from the 61st Infantry (Philippine Army). It was during their service on these islands that the units that comprised of the 368th Regimental Combat Team would become the only units within the 93rd Infantry Division that would earn the Philippine Liberation Medal.
BASIC: Ltr, Subj:
“Unit Operations History,” fr’ Hq 368th RCT, APO 717
dtd 2 Oct. ’45.
4. Zamboanga
a. The 368th RCT (-) arrived at Zamboanga and relieved the 41st Infantry Division of tactical responsibility for Zamboanga Peninsula on 1 July 1945 with CP at Ayala. Reconnaissance of the general area was made 2 July 1945 to 10 July 1945. From 11 July 1945 to 14 July 1945, the I & R Platoon patrolled across the mountains from Vitali to Sibuko with minor contacts. Between 15 July 1945 to 26 July 1945 Company “F” with platoons from Company “E”, “A”, and “G” patrolled in the vicinities of Siocon, Vitali, and Alympay River respectively, making minor contacts. From 26 July to 5 August Company “Eu with one (1) Platoon from Company “H” patroled in the vicinity of Vitali, contacting small Jap groups. Company “G” patrolling the Sanito-Caparan area 30 July 1945 to 9 August 1945, encountered light, scattered resistance and one organized position. From 1 August to 15 August 1945 two (2) platoons from Company “D” patrolled Labuan and Vitali areas with scattered con- tacts. From 5 August to 15 August 1945, Company “F” patrolling in the vicinity of Tungauan encountered scattered hostile groups and light re- sistance. The I&R platoon with one platoon of Company “H” encountered no enemy in the vicinity of Kabasalan from 5 August to 15 August 1945. Company “A” patrolling on Basilan ‘sland from 7 August to 17 August 1945 contacted small Jap groups. From 15 August to 25 August 1945, Companies “E”, “G” and one (1) platoon from Company “H” on security patrols in the vicinity of Tungauan, Sibuko, and Vitali encountered hostile Jap groups. Between 15 August 1945 to 1st September assembly stations were put into operation at Sanito, Vitali, Labuan and Sibuko and at Santa Clara, Basilan Island. Small groups of Japs have surrendered at these points.
b. The 594th Field Artillery has assisted in the maintenance of roads and construction of camp facilities. It has furnished air reconnaissance and communications for combat patrols with Battery “B”, supporting operations of the 3d Battalion, 368th Infantry on Jolo from 21 July to 24 August 1945.
c. Company “B”, 318th Engineers has maintained and improved roads and routes of communication, furnished materials and assisted in building camp facilities.
d. Company “B”, 318th Medical Battalion established and operated a medical collecting station.
e. The 61st Infantry (PA) (less 1st and 3d Battalions, Anti- Tank and Cannon companies) came under control of the 368th RCT at Zamboanga on 1 July 1945. Outposts were maintained and patrols oper- ated until 22 July 1945, when the unit began assembling at Pasonanca. Assembly was completed on 5 August 1945 and training commenced on 6 August 1945..
5. Jolo
a. The 3d Battalion, 368th Infantry (-) arrived at Jolo on 1 July 1945 and relieved elements of the 41st Infantry Division of tactical responsibility for the Sulu Archipelago, and operation of the base at Jolo. From 10 July to 13 July 1945, Company “C”, 369th Infantry patrolled the area NW of Mt. Timatangas with minor contacts. On 17 July 1945, platoon patrol from Company “I”, 368th Infantry, encountered 100 Japs in the vicinity of Mt. Taran. On 18 July 1945, the Battalion (-) moved to that vicinity and were attacked by a strong force of Japs. From 18 July to 22 July 1945, the 3d Battalion conducted reconnaissance patrols and on 23 July 1945, the 3d Battalion (-) plus P.A. troops made a coordinated patrol vicinity Mt. Tumantangas. Only minor contacts were made. On 28 July 1945, after an air strike by M.A.G. and shelling by Battery “B”, 594th Field Artillery, the Battalion attacked area NW of Mt. Tumantangas; killed and found dead a total of 83 Japs. On 7 and 8 August 1945, Company “C”, 369th Infantry patrolled in the vicinity of Mt. Tumantangas without contact. From 8 August to 11 August 1945, a patrol from Company “I” located no Japs in the vicinity of Mt. Daho, and Mt. Libung. On 14 August 1945, Company “I” made mihor contacts between Mt. Daho and Mt. Bahu. From 16 August 1945 to 1 September 1945, the 3d Battalion remained in camp at Jolo. Assembly station for Japs established 28 August 1945.
b. One (1) platoon from Company “D”, 318th Medical Battalion, has set up and operated hospital for army personnel.
c. The 3d Battalion (-), 61st Infantry (PA), operated patrols to supplement those of 368th Infantry throughout the period, and participated in coordinated action on 23d and 28 July 1945 with 3d Battalion, 368th Infantry.
6. Sanga Sanga
a. Company “L”, 368th Infantry arrived Sanga Sanga 3 July 1945 and relieved elements 41st Infantry Division 4 July 1945. The company has operated the base since that time. No operations conducted because no Japs known to be on island.
b. Company “I”, 61st Infantry (PA) was attached to Company “L”, on 4 July 1945 and has continued to operate security outposts on nearby islands.
"Aggressiveness Wins Sergeant Bronze Star Medal" (Courtesy of Chronicling America from the Library of Congress)
This article misidentified the 369th Regimental Combat Team as the 396th. Even today, newspapers can miss small details like this.
With the 93rd Infantry Division on Morotai. The Base Commander of Sansapor, Dutch New Guinea, recently awarded the Bronze Star Medal to Technical Sergeant Samuel Lynch of Galveston, Texas in recognition of his outstanding leadership, initiative and courage in ground combat against the enemy.
On May -4, Sgt. Lynch was given the mission of leading a small reconnaissance patrol of the 396th Infantry Regiment into enemy territory to investigate a certain location believed to be held by the enemy. After accomplishing the mis- sion1⁄2 Sgt. Lynch moved his pa- trol back toward the U. S. perimeter. En route back the patrol was fired upon by an enemy party, employing machine guns, grenades, rifles and pistols.
Sgt. Lynch immediately directed the fire of his men upon the enemy, while a portion of the patrol maneuvered around to the enemy’s flank and attacked. In the ensuing fight all the Japanese were killed and their weapons and maps captured without a single casualty in Sgt. Lynch’s patrol. His citation states that “his aggressive action. is a credit to his unit, and a reflec- tion of the highest standards of military tradition.”
Sgt. Lynch was inducted into the Army in January, 1942, and sent to take Infantry training at Camp Wolters, Texas. After completing basic training he was sent to Fort Hpachuca, Arizona. He was among the first men to join the 369th Infantry of the 93rd Infantry Division.
After arriving with the rest of the 93rd Infantry Division at Morotai, the 368th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) (Formerly the 368th Infantry Regiment), conducted a variety of duties on the island. In July 1945, the 368th RCT was sent to the islands in Southern Philippines with elements of the 368th sent to Zamboanga, Jolo, Palawan, and Sanga Sanga where they conducted operations aimed at combating the remaining Japanese forces on the islands, in partnership with Filipino soldiers from the 61st Infantry (Philippine Army) It was during their service on these islands that the units that comprised of the 368th Regimental Combat Team would become the only units within the 93rd Infantry Division that would earn the Philippine Liberation Medal.
BASIC: Ltr, Subj:
“Unit Operations History,” fr’ Hq 368th RCT, APO 717
dtd 2 Oct. ’45.
4. Zamboanga
a. The 368th RCT (-) arrived at Zamboanga and relieved the 41st Infantry Division of tactical responsibility for Zamboanga Peninsula on 1 July 1945 with CP at Ayala. Reconnaissance of the general area was made 2 July 1945 to 10 July 1945. From 11 July 1945 to 14 July 1945, the I & R Platoon patrolled across the mountains from Vitali to Sibuko with minor contacts. Between 15 July 1945 to 26 July 1945 Company “F” with platoons from Company “E”, “A”, and “G” patrolled in the vicinities of Siocon, Vitali, and Alympay River respectively, making minor contacts. From 26 July to 5 August Company “Eu with one (1) Platoon from Company “H” patroled in the vicinity of Vitali, contacting small Jap groups. Company “G” patrolling the Sanito-Caparan area 30 July 1945 to 9 August 1945, encountered light, scattered resistance and one organized position. From 1 August to 15 August 1945 two (2) platoons from Company “D” patrolled Labuan and Vitali areas with scattered con- tacts. From 5 August to 15 August 1945, Company “F” patrolling in the vicinity of Tungauan encountered scattered hostile groups and light re- sistance. The I&R platoon with one platoon of Company “H” encountered no enemy in the vicinity of Kabasalan from 5 August to 15 August 1945. Company “A” patrolling on Basilan ‘sland from 7 August to 17 August 1945 contacted small Jap groups. From 15 August to 25 August 1945, Companies “E”, “G” and one (1) platoon from Company “H” on security patrols in the vicinity of Tungauan, Sibuko, and Vitali encountered hostile Jap groups. Between 15 August 1945 to 1st September assembly stations were put into operation at Sanito, Vitali, Labuan and Sibuko and at Santa Clara, Basilan Island. Small groups of Japs have surrendered at these points.
b. The 594th Field Artillery has assisted in the maintenance of roads and construction of camp facilities. It has furnished air reconnaissance and communications for combat patrols with Battery “B”, supporting operations of the 3d Battalion, 368th Infantry on Jolo from 21 July to 24 August 1945.
c. Company “B”, 318th Engineers has maintained and improved roads and routes of communication, furnished materials and assisted in building camp facilities.
d. Company “B”, 318th Medical Battalion established and operated a medical collecting station.
e. The 61st Infantry (PA) (less 1st and 3d Battalions, Anti- Tank and Cannon companies) came under control of the 368th RCT at Zamboanga on 1 July 1945. Outposts were maintained and patrols oper- ated until 22 July 1945, when the unit began assembling at Pasonanca. Assembly was completed on 5 August 1945 and training commenced on 6 August 1945..
5. Jolo
a. The 3d Battalion, 368th Infantry (-) arrived at Jolo on 1 July 1945 and relieved elements of the 41st Infantry Division of tactical responsibility for the Sulu Archipelago, and operation of the base at Jolo. From 10 July to 13 July 1945, Company “C”, 369th Infantry patrolled the area NW of Mt. Timatangas with minor contacts. On 17 July 1945, platoon patrol from Company “I”, 368th Infantry, encountered 100 Japs in the vicinity of Mt. Taran. On 18 July 1945, the Battalion (-) moved to that vicinity and were attacked by a strong force of Japs. From 18 July to 22 July 1945, the 3d Battalion conducted reconnaissance patrols and on 23 July 1945, the 3d Battalion (-) plus P.A. troops made a coordinated patrol vicinity Mt. Tumantangas. Only minor contacts were made. On 28 July 1945, after an air strike by M.A.G. and shelling by Battery “B”, 594th Field Artillery, the Battalion attacked area NW of Mt. Tumantangas; killed and found dead a total of 83 Japs. On 7 and 8 August 1945, Company “C”, 369th Infantry patrolled in the vicinity of Mt. Tumantangas without contact. From 8 August to 11 August 1945, a patrol from Company “I” located no Japs in the vicinity of Mt. Daho, and Mt. Libung. On 14 August 1945, Company “I” made mihor contacts between Mt. Daho and Mt. Bahu. From 16 August 1945 to 1 September 1945, the 3d Battalion remained in camp at Jolo. Assembly station for Japs established 28 August 1945.
b. One (1) platoon from Company “D”, 318th Medical Battalion, has set up and operated hospital for army personnel.
c. The 3d Battalion (-), 61st Infantry (PA), operated patrols to supplement those of 368th Infantry throughout the period, and participated in coordinated action on 23d and 28 July 1945 with 3d Battalion, 368th Infantry.
6. Sanga Sanga
a. Company “L”, 368th Infantry arrived Sanga Sanga 3 July 1945 and relieved elements 41st Infantry Division 4 July 1945. The company has operated the base since that time. No operations conducted because no Japs known to be on island.
b. Company “I”, 61st Infantry (PA) was attached to Company “L”, on 4 July 1945 and has continued to operate security outposts on nearby islands.
"Aggressiveness Wins Sergeant Bronze Star Medal" (Courtesy of Chronicling America from the Library of Congress)
This article misidentified the 369th Regimental Combat Team as the 396th. Even today, newspapers can miss small details like this.
With the 93rd Infantry Division on Morotai. The Base Commander of Sansapor, Dutch New Guinea, recently awarded the Bronze Star Medal to Technical Sergeant Samuel Lynch of Galveston, Texas in recognition of his outstanding leadership, initiative and courage in ground combat against the enemy.
On May -4, Sgt. Lynch was given the mission of leading a small reconnaissance patrol of the 396th Infantry Regiment into enemy territory to investigate a certain location believed to be held by the enemy. After accomplishing the mis- sion1⁄2 Sgt. Lynch moved his pa- trol back toward the U. S. perimeter. En route back the patrol was fired upon by an enemy party, employing machine guns, grenades, rifles and pistols.
Sgt. Lynch immediately directed the fire of his men upon the enemy, while a portion of the patrol maneuvered around to the enemy’s flank and attacked. In the ensuing fight all the Japanese were killed and their weapons and maps captured without a single casualty in Sgt. Lynch’s patrol. His citation states that “his aggressive action. is a credit to his unit, and a reflec- tion of the highest standards of military tradition.”
Sgt. Lynch was inducted into the Army in January, 1942, and sent to take Infantry training at Camp Wolters, Texas. After completing basic training he was sent to Fort Hpachuca, Arizona. He was among the first men to join the 369th Infantry of the 93rd Infantry Division.
Leonard Dowden's registration card. (Records courtesy of the National Archives)
In comparison to other African American units from World War II, the 93rd Infantry Division isn’t as well known. This, along with the fact that it was an Army division that served in the Pacific theater and did not see the same level of harsh combat that other units experienced, often resulted in the 93rd being overlooked in terms of contributions to the war effort. Nevertheless, the unit did have some major accomplishments.
The 368th Regimental Combat Team has the distinction of having the only soldier to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross among all the units in the 93rd Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Leonard E. Dowden from New Orleans, Louisiana was a squad leader in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 368th Infantry Regiment leading a patrol on Jolo in the Philippine Islands on July 17, 1945.
According to the citation, his squad was advancing when they came under heavy fire from Japanese forces. SSgt. Dowden moved his squad closer to the enemy for them to counter the heavy fire. He halted his men and moved up to the enemy’s position alone to identify the source of the fire to neutralize it and minimize casualties from his squad.
As SSgt. Dowden searched, he was shot in the chest by hostile fire. Although his comrades attempted to render aid, he refused so as to avoid risking their lives. He continued to advance. When he was within ten yards of the enemy position and in great pain, he raised himself up to throw a grenade, exposing himself to enemy fire. He was struck in the neck and fatally wounded. Dowden upheld the finest traditions of military service for his fearless leadership under fire and dauntless heroism that cost him his life. On December 20, 1945, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest medal in the U.S. Military after the Medal of Honor.
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES, PACIFIC
GENERAL ORDERS
20 December 1945
I. DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE, CROSS POSTHUMOUS AWARDS. By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved 9 July 191 (Bulletin 43, WD, 1918), the Distinguished-Service Cross is posthumously awarded by the Commander-in-Chief, United States Army Forces, Pacific, to the following-named officers and enlisted man:
Staff Sergeant LEONARD E. DONDEN, 38315204, Infantry, United States Army For extraordinary heroism in action in the Southwest Pacific Area, on 17 July 1945. When the small patrol of which his squad was a part was subjected to heavy machine gun and rifle fire during an advance in Jolo, Philippine Islands, Sergeant Dowden, Company I, 368th Infantry Regiment, moved his squad to a position within 30 yards of the numerically superior hostile force. After halting his men, he crawled forward in a singlehanded assault. As he advanced, ho was struck in the chest by an enemy bullet, but he steadfastly continued forward and with complete self-sacrifice refused to risk the life of a comrade who sought to aid him, ordering him to remain under cover. Ten yards, from the foe, he raised himself with great effort, exposing himself to the enemy in order to throw a hand grenade, but as he did so he suffered a mortal wound in the neck and soon died. By his fearless leadership and dauntless; heroism at the cost of his life, Sergeant Dowden upheld the finest traditions of the military service,
First Lieutenant WALTER L. NORTHBY, 0890216, Corps of Engineers, United States: Army. For extraordinary heroism in action in the Southwest Pacific Area, from 15 April to 6 May 1942. During the siege of Corregidor, Head quarters, Harbor Defenses, Manila and Subic Bays, Philippine Islands, sent out a call for volunteers to man fixed-artillery fire-control observation stations at strategic points in the island. Lieutenant Northby, with utter disregard for his personal safety, volunteered and was assigned to the station on Malinta Hill, Corregidor. Although the post was the target of relentless artillery, and aerial bombardment, he served on alternate twenty- four hour tours with marked skill and efficiency. Despite the fact that his alternate was killed while on duty at the station, he continued to perform his tasks in an exemplary manner. Throughout his extended service, which was terminated by the fall of Corregidor on 6 May, he procured a wealth of vital information concerning enemy coastal activities which proved invaluable to personnel engaged in counter battery fire. Through outstanding loyalty and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Northby made a distinct contribution to the defense of Corregidor and set an example of heroism which is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
(Records courtesy of the National Archives)
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