164th Infantry Regiment (164th IR) "Je Suis Pret" (I Am Ready)
23rd Infantry Division (23rd ID) "Americal Division"
U.S. Army (USA)

Background
In 1921, the 164th Infantry Regiment (164th IR) was reconstituted in the Nation Guard allocated to North Dakota assigned to the 34th Division (34th ID). Motto: "Je Suis Pret" French meaning "I'm Ready". On May 16, 1923 reorganized with the regimental headquarters at Valley City, North Dakota. On December 14, 1928 the regimental headquarters moves to Fargo, North Dakota. During the 1930s, the regiment or elements were called up twice to respond to worker strikes at Bismarck, North Dakota.

Wartime History
On February 10, 1941 the 164th Infantry Regiment (164th Inf Reg) was inducted into Federal service as part of the 34th Infantry Division (34th ID). On December 8, 1941 relieved from assignment to the 34th Division (34th ID) and began to prepare for a movement overseas to the South Pacific.

During March 1942 embarked aboard ship bound for New Caledonia and were joined by the 132nd Infantry Regiment (132nd IR) and 182nd Infantry Regiment (182nd IR) plus artillery, engineer and other support units to form a new Division. On May 27, 1942 assigned to the newly activated 23rd Infantry Division (23rd ID) "Americal Division". Afterwards, underwent five months of training. The 164th was selected to be emergency reinforcements for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) on Guadalcanal.

On October 8, 1942 at 8:00am the regiment plus weapons, supplies and other reinforcements were embarked aboard USS Zeilin (APA-3) and USS McCawley (APA-4) at Noumea. On October 9, 1942 departs Nouméa Harbor as part of Task Force 67 (TF-67) bound for Guadalcanal waiting for the conclusion of the Battle of Cape Esperance during the night of October 11-12, 1942.

On October 13, 1942 at 5:47am both transports arrive off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal and unload their men and supplies, despite being interrupted by two Japanese air raids. While unloading. Corporal Kenneth S. Foubert was Killed In Action (KIA) by shrapnel and was the first U.S. Army soldier to die in combat since the attack on Pearl Harbor. When completely unloaded, both transports embarks the 1st Raider Battalion then before dark departs via the Sealark Channel bound for Noumea.

164th Infantry Regiment arrived on Guadalcanal as the first U.S. Army unit to conduct offensive operations in World War II as reinforcements for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), 1st Marine Division (1st Mar Div). Immediately, sent to reinforce the 7th Marines,  1st Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. Lewis "Chesty" Puller defending Bloody Ridge and were mixed in with the Marines and further east at the area nicknamed "Coffin Corner". For his actions October 24-25, 1942 Lt. Col. Robert “Robin” K. Hall commander of the 3rd Battalion earned the Navy Cross, a rare honor for a soldier in the Army.

Earning the respect of the Marines, they were affectionately nicknamed the "164th Marines" due to their special relationship with the Marines and respect earned from the seasoned veterans. Chesty Puller famously praised them saying "they are almost good enough to be Marines".

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Colonel David S. Ritchie (May 16, 1923–November 1, 1928)
Colonel La Roy R. Baird (November 1, 1928–October 1940)
Colonel Earl R. Sarles (October 1940–September 1942)
Colonel Bryant E. Moore (September 1942

References
U.S. Army in World War II: Guadalcanal: The First Offensive Chapter VI: The October Counteroffensive pages 141-142 (Guadalcanal landing), 143, 144, 146, 160, 161,162, 164-165 footnotes 19, 23, 26, 82, 85, 91, 94, 95
Hall of Valor: Robert “Robin” Kerr Hall (Navy Cross citation)

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