Description: This photograph shows soldiers of the 37th Infantry Division celebrating Christmas, probably at Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, in 1943. The 37th served in the Pacific theater during World War II under the command of Major General Robert Beightler. Known as the "Buckeye" Division, it was one of the most highly-decorated National Guard units in World War II. Seventeen Medals of Honor were awarded to National Guard troops during the war, and seven of them went to members of the 37th. The photograph measures 8" x 10" (20.32 x 25.4 cm). The 37th Infantry Division mustered in at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in October 1940. The division was sent to the Pacific theater in the spring of 1942. The division's first battle was in July 1943 in the Solomon Islands. It participated in fierce jungle fighting at New Georgia, Bougainville, and Guadalcanal. Also serving in the Philippine campaign, the division spent 592 days in combat zones, killed 33,590 Japanese soldiers, and captured 2,161 enemy prisoners. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3218_3813101_001
Subjects: Military Ohio; World War II; Soldiers; Holidays; Christmas trees
Places: Ohio; New Guinea
 

Description: Photograph of a newly wounded soldier of the 37th Infantry Division after being bandaged by the medics of 2nd Battalion 129th Infantry Regiment, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, ca. 1943-1944. The 37th Infantry was nicknamed the Buckeye Division because it was originally comprised of Ohio National Guard units. The division went into combat in April 1943 on Guadacanal, Solomon Islands and spent over 600 days in action before the end of the war, more combat time than any other division. The 37th Infantry played a significant role in the invasion of the Phillippines. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03401
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; Ohio History--Military Ohio; Soldiers--Ohio
Places: Bougainville Island, Papua (New Guinea)
 

Description: Photograph of the 37th Signal Company, 37th Infantry Division playing basketball, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, April 18, 1944. The 37th Infantry Division was a National Guard division from Ohio, nicknamed the "Buckeye Division". View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03403
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; Cultural Ohio--Ohio Sports; Ohio. National Guard
Places: Bougainville Island, Papua (New Guinea)
 

Description: B-24 Bomber taking off over Piva Bomber Strip, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, while the 145th Infantry Regiment prepares for medal ceremony, May 13, 1944. The 145th was part of the 37th Infantry Division and was stationed in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The 37th Infantry Division was a part of the Ohio National Guard, nicknamed the "Buckeye Division." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03404
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; Ohio History--Military Ohio
Places: Bougainville Island, Papua (New Guinea)
 

Description: Photograph of the 136th Field Artillery of the 37th Infantry Division and 21st Marines landing at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, November 11, 1943. The 37th Infantry was an Ohio National Guard division, nicknamed the "Buckeye Division." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03416
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; Ohio History--Military Ohio; Ohio. National Guard
Places: Bougainville Island, Papua (New Guinea)
 

Description: Actor Randolph Scott photographed shaking hands with Major General Robert Beightler, Commanding General, 37th Infantry Division, Bougainville Island, August, 1944. The 37th Infantry Division was an Ohio National Guard division, nicknamed the "Buckeye Division." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03420
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; Ohio History--Military Ohio
Places: Bougainville Island (Papua New Guinea)
 

Description: 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division during the Battle of Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 1944. The 37th Infantry Division was nicknamed the Buckeye Division since it was made up of Ohio men. Two of the heroes of the battle were Private Rodger Young of Clyde, Ohio, and Pfc. Frank J Etrarca of Cleveland, Ohio. On August 22, 1974, a concrete monument honoring the veterans of the 37th Division was unveiled in Centerburg, Ohio, which is the geographical center of the state. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03423
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; Ohio History--Military Ohio; Ohio. National Guard
Places: Bougainville Island, Papua (New Guinea)