25th Infantry Regiment
93rd Infantry Division (Colored) "The Blue Helmets"
United States Army (USA)
Background
During World War II, the 25th Infantry Regiment was part of the
93rd Infantry Division (Colored) and was racially segregated with African American enlisted men commanded by white officers.
Wartime History
On January 24, 1944 departs San Francisco for the South Pacific (SoPAC). On February 17, 1944 the first echelon under the command of Col. Everett M. Yon arrive on Guadalcanal with the remainder of the regiment arriving in echelons. They spend three weeks setting up camp with a portion working in the port area. By February 28, 1944 they began training with each battalion conducting roughly a week of jungle training. On
March 22, 1944 they were ordered to move northward to Bougainville.
On March 28, 1944 they arrive at Torokina unloading during intermittent Japanese shelling. Already on Bougainville was the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (Colored) and 2nd Battalion, 54th Coast Artillery Regiment (Colored) already engaged in combat. On March 30, 1944 attached to the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal Division) including the 5934 Field Artillery Battalion and the 25th Cannon Company.
On March 30, 1944 the 25th Regimental Combat Team (25th RCT) entered combat attacking enemy positions on the perimeter. On April 2, 1944 reconnoitered across the Laruma River. During April 7-12, 1944 operated in the Torokina River Valley. In May 1944 operated at Kuma Trail and the East-West Trail.
After six week of combat,
the XIV Corps commander concluded about the 25th Infantry Regiment:
(1) It is apparent that the unit had had little "jungle training";
consequently, as individuals or as a unit, they were not prepared to handle adequately
problems encountered in jungle operations. Most individuals showed willingness
to learn from white troops; however, their ability to learn, and to retain what
has been taught, is generally inferior to that of white troops.
(2) In general, morale of all soldiers was high. However, units as a whole seemed
to be unduly affected by reports of difficulties encountered by other elements
of the command. Morale of the officers, especially white, seems rather low. Much
of this attitude can be traced to the lack of responsibility demonstrated by
their junior colored officers and noncommissioned officers.
(3) In general, discipline seems satisfactory; however, there is a tendency on
the part of junior colored officers to make the minimum effort to carry out instructions.
This same tendency exists among the enlisted men when they receive instructions
from these junior officers. As a rule colored officers do not have control of
the enlisted men. On the other hand, those units having a large proportion of
white officers appear to be better controlled, trained, and disciplined.
(q) Initiative is generally lacking, especially among platoon commanders and
lower grades. The presence of higher ranking officers, especially whites, is
necessary to assure the tackling and accomplishment of any task.
(5) Field sanitation is generally inadequate.
(6) To date, the 25th Inf., though supposedly better trained than the 1st Bn
24th Inf, has not progressively improved to the extent of the latter unit.
The combat efficiency of the 25th Regimental Combat Team at the time was considered
fair for infantry units, good for the artillery unit.
During May 1944 and June 1944 moved to Nissan Island (Green Island) where they build defenses and and undergo further training. On June 8, 1944 the 93d Provisional Brigade was dissolved as the
last elements of the 25th Infantry Regiment left Bougainville. On November 1, 1944 to Finschafen on New Guinea where they continue training.
On April 12, 1945 moves to Morotai Island and were tasked with eliminating the remaining Japanese.
Later in the month, they land patrols on the west and north coast and engage in scattered skirmishes. On May 13, 1945 the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry north of Libano eliminated 7-8 Japanese who presumably arrived by barge. On August 2, 1945 a patrol from the 25th Infantry Regiment captured Colonel Ouchi C.O. 211th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, one of the highest ranking enemy officer captured.
Postwar
On October 21, 1945 moves to the Agusan Del Monte area on Mindanao in the Philippines. On January 13, 1946 moves to Tacloban on Leyte then departs for home. On February 1, 1946 arrives in the United States. On February 3, 1946 inactivated at Camp Stoneman, California.
References
U.S. Army "The Employment of Negro Troops" Chapter XVIII Ground, Air And The Asset Side pages 497-535
U.S. Army "The Employment of Negro Troops" Endnotes for Chapter XVIII endnotes 1-103
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