New Zealand & New Caledonia (1942-43)

Fred B. Whitson served in the United States Army, 43rd Infantry Division, 743rd Ordnance Maintenance Company during World War II.

Combat Chronicle, 43rd Division, United States Army, World War II, 1941-1945 The 43d Infantry Division landed in New Zealand on 23 October 1942. The 172d Regiment arrived at Espiritu Santo, 26 October. The Division moved to Nouméa, New Caledonia, on Nov 4.

Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (1943)

Combat Chronicle, 43rd Division, United States Army, World War II, 1941-1945 The 43d Infantry Division advanced to Guadalcanal on 17 February, 1943.

Russell Islands

Combat Chronicle, 43rd Division, United States Army, World War II, 1941-1945 Russell Islands were occupied without opposition, 21 February, and training continued.

Munda

Combat Chronicle, 43rd Division, United States Army, World War II, 1941-1945 Elements landed on Vangunu and Rendova Islands against minor resistance, 30 June, but the enemy fought fiercely before relinquishing Munda and its airfield, 5 August.

Papua New Guinea (1944)

Combat Chronicle, 43rd Division, United States Army, World War II, 1941-1945 On 19 July 1944, the Division assumed defensive positions at Aitape.

Combat Chronicle, 43rd Division, United States Army, World War II, 1941-1945 The division engaged in patrols and reconnaissance at Tadji and along the Drinumor River, 25 July, and took the offensive, 8 August 1944, ending organized resistance on the 25th.

Philippines (1945)

Fred Beach Whitson served in the military on January 9, 1945, in Luzon, Pangasinan, Philippines, when he was 24 years old.

Combat Chronicle, 43rd Division, United States Army, World War II The 43d made an assault landing in the San Fabian area, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. Under enemy fire, the Division secured the beachhead and fought into the Lingayen Plain by 12 February.

Combat Chronicle, 43rd Division, United States Army, World War II, 1941-1945 After ending Japanese resistance in the Zambales Mountains, the 43d swung south against the Shimbu Line on May 6, 1945. Mop-up activities continued until 30 June 1945. The Division left Manila.

Fred B. Whitson sailed for home during July of 1945. The troops learned of the victory over the Empire of Japan as they entered San Francisco Bay in August, 1945.

FBW Philippines during WW II

Fred B Whitson