128th Infantry Regiment (128th IR)
32nd Infantry Division (32nd ID) "Red Arrow Division"
U.S. Army (USA)

Background
The 128th Infantry Regiment was a National Guard unit in the 32nd Infantry Division (32nd ID) "Red Arrow Division" in the U.S. Army.

During October 1942 staged at Wanigela on the north coast of New Guinea.

Battle of Buna
In early January 1943, three dead from 128th Infantry Regiment, F Company and E Company were killed on the beach at Buna and photographed by George Strock and later published in LIFE Magazine September 20, 1943 with the caption "Three dead Americans on the beach at Buna" as the first photograph published in the American press depicting dead U.S. servicemen.

On January 5, 1943 the 128th Infantry Regiment begins advancing from Buna northwest along the coast toward Tarakena as preliminary moves for an assualt against Sanananda.

Battle of Driniumor River
During July 1944 the 2nd Battalion defended the western side of the Driniumor River on the north coast New Guinea. During the night of July 10, 1944 to July 11, 1944 the Japanese attacked across the river and broke their line between F Company on the north nearest to the noth coast and G Company further to the south.

Battle of Villa Verde Trail
On March 15, 1945 the 2d Battalion advanced to within 500 yards of Imugan; where it was stopped by the defending Japanese.

On March 22, 1945 the 128th Infantry Regiment relieves the 127th Infantry Regiment on the front line of the Villa Verde Trail and continues to advance eastward.

On April 10, 1945 the 128th Infantry Regiment captures the Salacsac Pass No. 2 on the Villa Verde Trail after a prolonged and costly battle.

References
U.S. Army in World War II The War in the Pacific Victory in Papua Chapter XIX The Victory pages 369-378
Red Arrow Across the Pacific: The Thirty-Second Infantry Division during World War II (2024) by Mark D. Van Ells

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