Barnes museum to host WW II author

The Barnes County Historical Society presents author Terry Shoptaugh who will discuss his recently published book, “They Were Ready: The 164th Infantry in the Pacific Wa,” on how the North Dakota National Guard’s 164th Infantry contributed to the United States’ World War II victory in the Pacific at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 29, in the Barnes County Museum in Valley City.

“The 164th Infantry In the Pacific War: 1941-1945” is the true story of an infantry regiment comprised largely of North Dakotans. It played a critical role in the struggle for Guadalcanal and other battles against the Japanese in the Pacific Theater. The 164th was the first U.S. Army unit engaged in offensive action and became one of the most decorated units in the Pacific.

Shoptaugh’s talk —“They Were Ready: The 164th Infantry in the Pacific War” — was recently published by the 164th Infantry Association. The association’s president, Bernie Wagner, is a resident of Valley City.

Shoptaugh, the archivist at Minnesota State University Moorhead since 1986, also teaches American history and humanities classes at the school. He is the author of three books, including “You Have Been Kind Enough to Assist Me: Herman Stern and the Jewish Refugee Crisis,” a 2008 finalist for the Minnesota Book Awards. He twice won the State Historical Society’s Annual Editor’s Award (1997 and 2005) for best article in the North Dakota History journal.

The 164th Infantry, one of three regiments in the Americal Division, was sent to the island of Guadalcanal in October 1942 to assist the 1st Marine Division, which was besieged by Japanese attacks from the air, land and sea. Members of the unit fought side by side with the Marines to defend and then clear the island in what became the first major U.S. victory against Japan on land.

As part of the Americal Division, the 164th received the Navy’s Presidential Unit Citation. The regiment’s members also earned 199 Bronze Stars, 89 Silver Stars, six Legions of Merit, 10 soldiers medals, six Distinguished Service Crosses, one Navy Cross and about 2,000 Purple Hearts.

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