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Our Division was activated in June 1942, at Camp Rucker, Alabama. There the majority of us received our basic training and our first touch of army life, including the hazards of field life, fighting chiggers, mosquitoes, gnats and NCO's. In February of 1943 we left for a two week problem in lower Alabama and Florida, our first taste of extended field maneuvers.

In March of 1943 we motor marched to the vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee. From this location we maneuvered in many parts of Tennessee. Our field work was not the best thing in life, but our passes to Nashville on weekends and between problems was a great relief. It was obvious that a great time was had by all. At the end of our maneuvers we were given furloughs. Upon returning from our vacations, on the 10th of July 1943 we boarded a train for the desert of Arizona. After an enjoyable train ride we reached our destination on the 16th of July 1943. For the next four months we underwent extensive training in the desert. In between work we were sent to Phoenix, Arizona on three passes, and some were given furloughs. The climax was reached with a month maneuver. At the end of November we were packing up heading for a new destination and new fields to overcome.

On December 1, 1943 we arrived at Camp San Luis Obispo, California from the desert land of Camp Horn, Arizona to the beautiful green fertile hills and valleys of San Luis Obispo, California. How well satisfied we were with our pleasant surroundings. Here we were given amphibious training at Morro Bay. At the end of our training we were again given furloughs. After everyone had returned from furlough we then had a new experience waiting for us, and one that was to become second nature to all of us. Although we hated to leave Camp S.L.O., Calif, the future promised to be full of exciting adventure. After once again packing our equipment and in April 1944 we boarded our first ship, the Hunter Liggett, for dry run amphibious landings. We made our landings off the coast of San Diego, Calif. After completing this landing, we then motor marched to Camp Beale, Calif. arriving the first of May 1944. Here we enjoyed passes to Frisco, Marysville, Oroville, and many other interesting cities. Here we began to pack our equipment for an ocean voyage, and the rumors as to where we were going were many.

Our stay at this pleasant camp ended in the latter part of June 1944 when we again boarded a train for Camp Stoneman, Calif., and incidentally a Port of Embarkation. Here we received instructions as to letter writing, and what to do in general overseas. The big day arrived when on the 8th of July 1944 we boarded a river boat and sailed to San Francisco. We then transferred to the "Kota Baroe" a Dutch Ship and on the morning of the 9th of July we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. On our way at last.

After being sick, and undergoing several other things caused by the Pacific Ocean we arrived and docked at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, on the 16th of July 1944. We disembarked the same day and proceeded to Ft. Hase, Hawaii, our camp while in Hawaii.While there we were given jungle training, and I don't think many of us will ever forget this part of our training. Also we were given passes to look over the City of Honolulu, and do whatever we wanted. Meanwhile preparations were being made for our next move, and we were sweating it out. On August 10, 1944 we boarded the USAT Herald of the Morning, and some aboard the LST 689. We sailed on Aug 12 from Pearl Harbor enroute to Guadacanal and underwent our final dry run landing for the real thing. After refueling and resupplying we sailed on Sept 7, 1944 for our first operation.

Enroute we transferred to the USAT James O'Hara from the Herald of the Morning. On Sept 17, 1944 was "D" day in the Palua Island group. Our battalion landed at 1000 hours, and fired the first mission of Div. Artillery. After 48 hours of sweating it out on Anguar Island we departed on the Herald of the Morning on the 19th of September, and sailed on the 21st for the Ulithi Group. On Sept 23, 1944 we landed on Sorlen and Mog-Mog in the Ulithi group. On the 16th of October we completed the occupation of the Ulithi group and sailed for the Palau Islands board the USAT Willard A. Holbrook. We sailed from the Ulithi Group on the 18 of October and arrived at Peleliu, in the Palua Group on the 20th of October with a landing in Peleliu on the 22nd of October. By November 1944 Peleliu was secured. On December 30, 1944 we boarded the USS Retanin and sailed for New Caledonia on the 11th of January 1945. On Jan 15, 1945 we arrived at Admiralties, where we refueled. The following day we continued on our way.

On January 23, 1945 we arrived at New Caledonia. Our stay here was enjoyed by all, but all good things must end. On the 2nd of May 1945 we boarded the USS Feland, and sailed on the 3rd for Leyte Island, Philippines. We arrived on the 16th of May 1945. On July 8th 1945 we boarded the USS Rutland and sailed for Cabugan Chico Bay for a dry run landing, and completed the problem and returned to Leyte Gulf July 12, 1945. On July 29, 1945 we moved to Ormoc (Leyte Island) for extended field problems, and returned August 23, 1945. This brings our story up to date, Japan will be our next move, and then the Golden Gate Bridge again!!!