The 163rd Regiment was composed of Montana National Guard soldiers who served in both the European and Pacific Theaters.
Special thank you to Mike Connelly, a long-time volunteer at the Military Museum for compiling this data from many and various sources.
Though technically part of the US Army in World War II, the 163rd Infantry Regiment primarily fought in the Pacific theater, not Europe, engaging in battles against Japan in the South Pacific. The 163rd Infantry Regiment was recognized as the first U.S. unit to defeat Imperial Japanese Forces in the Battle of Sanananda, Papua, New Guinea in January 1943; subsequently recognized by the 28th Montana Legislative Assembly by resolution and the famous painting by Keith Rocco in April 1943.
The regiment was part of the 41st Infantry Division, also known as the “Jungleers”.
Campaign highlights
- Papuan Campaign: The 163rd fought in the Battle of Sanananda in 1943, which was the first land defeat of Japanese forces in World War lI
- New Guinea Campaign: The 163rd fought in the battles of Aitape, Wadke, and “Bloody” Biak in 1944
- Southern Philippines Campaign: The 163rd fought in the battles of Zamoanga, Sanga Sanga Island, and Jolo in 1945
OTHER DETAILS
- The 163rd was originally a National Guard unit from Montana, Oregon, and Washington
- The regiment departed San Francisco in March 1942 and arrived in Australia in April 1942
- The regiment was demobilized in Japan in January 1946 and sent home by ship
The 163rd Infantry Regiment was recognized as the first U.S. unit to defeat Imperial Japanese Forces in the Battle of Sanananda, Papua, New Guinea in January 1943; subsequently being recognized with a disguished unit citation by the 28th Montana Legislative Assembly in 1943 and the famous painting of the “Jungleers on Biak” by Keith Rocco in April 1943. Prints of this painting are available at the Montana Military Museum (montanamilitarymuseum.org).
