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164th Infantry Remembrance Association, 504 3rd Ave SE, Jamestown, ND (2026)

10/24/2026

October 23, 1942 – Guadalcanal
Day Eleven

For the North Dakota soldiers of the 164th Infantry Regiment, October 23 brought another day of Japanese air raids, artillery bombardments, and growing tension as a major enemy offensive approached.

Japanese aircraft regularly harassed American positions after dark. Two aircraft, according to Stannard's account, became particularly notorious among the defenders: "Louie the Louse" and "Washing Machine Charlie."

Louie, a single-engine floatplane, frequently appeared during Japanese naval bombardments, dropping flares to help direct enemy gunfire. Washing Machine Charlie, a twin-engine bomber named for the distinctive grinding sound of its engines, made nightly appearances over the perimeter, occasionally dropping bombs.

Company E's historical account describes one particularly memorable encounter on October 23.

Four soldiers of the 1st Platoon, Lang, Cartwright, Sommers, and Stannard, were sitting behind a bunker when they heard an approaching aircraft. Initially believing it was friendly, they remained outside until they heard the unmistakable whistle of a falling bomb.

All four scrambled into the nearest bunker at once, with Stannard diving in first and the others piling on top of him!

The bomb exploded farther down the line in the 1st Battalion's sector, leaving the four men unharmed. Stannard would recall, "They say there are two kinds of people on the battlefield – the quick and the dead. But, of course, there are also the lucky."

At approximately 18:00 hours, Japanese forces under General Sumiyoshi launched an attack across the Matanikau River, unbeknownst that General Hyakutake's attack on the American perimeter was postponed. Marine artillery responded with some of its heaviest concentrations of the Guadalcanal Campaign to that point.

The Japanese assault collapsed under devastating American fire. According to the Company E account, elements of the Japanese 4th Infantry Regiment suffered approximately 650 killed.

The thunder of Marine artillery could be heard by Company E soldiers stationed on the opposite side of the American perimeter.

Unknown to many of the defenders, Japanese commanders were struggling to coordinate their larger offensive. Difficult jungle terrain, communication failures, and repeated postponements had disrupted their plans.

For the men of the 164th Infantry, the fighting along the Matanikau was a warning of what was coming. While the Marines held the western approaches, Japanese forces were preparing to strike the southern perimeter of Henderson Field.

The Battle for Henderson Field was about to enter its most critical phase.

NOTE: Soldier wearing helmet backwards, as they did from time-to-time as they said it was easier to look upwards.

Source: Source: John E. Stannard, "Battle of Coffin Corner," pp. 53-55, October 23, 1942.
Image: "164th Infantry Soldier Emerging from a Bunker." An unidentified soldier from the 164th Infantry Regiment emerges from a bunker. The solider is holding a r***e, while the bunker is surrounded by sandbags. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota

10/22/2026

October 22, 1942 – Guadalcanal: Day Ten of the 164th Infantry's Fight

As the men of the 164th Infantry Regiment continued defending Henderson Field alongside the Marines, October 22 brought preparations for expanded defenses, fierce aerial combat, and a frightening false alarm.

Company E was ordered to extend its defensive positions. A detail of soldiers dug foxholes approximately 100 yards from the jungle's edge, protecting a new fighter airstrip under construction by the Navy Seabees. Rumors circulated that Army Air Corps P-38 Lightning fighters would soon operate from the field, providing much-needed protection against Japanese aircraft.

Above the perimeter, American Grumman Wildcats battled Japanese Zeros almost daily. Company E soldiers frequently watched these dogfights from outside their bunkers, taking cover only when aircraft appeared headed directly toward them.

One particularly memorable encounter involved a damaged Wildcat trailing smoke as it passed near Company E's positions. A Japanese Zero pursued the crippled fighter, but another Wildcat intervened and shot down the enemy aircraft. The damaged American fighter managed to return to Henderson Field as the soldiers below cheered.

Among the Marine pilots operating from Henderson Field was Major Joe Foss, a native of South Dakota, who would become one of America's leading fighter aces of World War II.

A frightening moment came just before darkness.

A lone Japanese aircraft dropped a bomb near the 1st Battalion's sector. Word quickly spread that the bomb might contain poison gas, sending soldiers scrambling for their gas masks. Some men who had discarded their masks even considered climbing trees to escape the suspected gas.

Fortunately, the alarm was canceled within an hour. The device had apparently been an incendiary bomb, producing smoke and an unusual odor rather than poison gas.

Meanwhile, Japanese forces under General Maruyama struggled through the dense jungle along the Maruyama Trail. Difficult terrain, weather, and poor planning continued delaying their advance toward the American perimeter.

By October 22, the planned Japanese assault had been postponed yet again, this time to October 23.

For the North Dakota soldiers of the 164th Infantry, the relative quiet on the ground was deceptive. A major Japanese offensive was approaching, and the men defending Henderson Field would soon face one of the most important battles of the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Source: Source: John E. Stannard, "Battle of Coffin Corner," pp. 50-52, October 22, 1942.
Image: "Navy fighter taking off. Henderson Field." (from back of photograph). Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota

10/22/2026

October 21, 1942
Guadalcanal- Day Nine

For the North Dakota soldiers of the 164th Infantry Regiment, the dangers of Guadalcanal extended far beyond Japanese bullets and artillery shells. The island itself was becoming an enemy.

On October 21, Japanese bombers continued their daily attacks against Henderson Field, often striking twice during daylight hours and again at night. American Wildcat fighters and antiaircraft batteries fought to disrupt these formations, but bombs still fell across the perimeter. The 1st Battalion of the 164th suffered casualties, although Company E's positions were spared.

Meanwhile, the Japanese artillery piece nicknamed "Pistol Pete" continued its relentless shelling of Henderson Field, frequently firing around reveille, retreat, and noon.

But another battle was taking place, one against the tropical environment.

The men of Company E endured oppressive heat, torrential rains, and constant humidity. Their uniforms remained soaked, their feet rarely dried, and even minor scratches could develop into painful tropical ulcers. Fungal infections, leeches, and insects became part of everyday life.

Heat exhaustion was a constant threat, and the combination of inadequate rations and harsh conditions caused rapid weight loss. "Every man had to take up his belt a notch or two, or stand to lose his trousers." according to Stannard.

Malaria-carrying mosquitoes presented an equally serious danger. Soldiers received quinine and Atabrine to help suppress the disease, but many would eventually suffer from malaria during their service on Guadalcanal.

To the west, Japanese infantry and tanks under General Sumiyoshi again attempted to cross the Matanikau River, only to be driven back by determined Marine resistance.

Nine days after arriving on Guadalcanal, the men of the 164th Infantry were already learning that survival required more than courage under fire. They had to endure the jungle, disease, exhaustion, and an enemy preparing for a much larger offensive.

Their greatest test was still ahead.

Source: Source: John E. Stannard, "Battle of Coffin Corner," pp. 48-49, October 21, 1942.
Image: "Three Unidentified Soldiers in the Jungle," Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota

10/21/2026

October 20, 1942
Guadalcanal Day Eight

As the men of the 164th Infantry Regiment continued defending Henderson Field alongside the Marines, October 20 brought another day of patrols, enemy bombardments, and preparations for the Japanese offensive.

According to an account of Company E, the 1st Platoon ventured approximately three miles beyond the perimeter along Trail 3, crossing the Tenaru River and searching the dense jungle for signs of Japanese activity. The patrol returned without encountering the enemy.

Meanwhile, Japanese aircraft continued bombing Henderson Field, and the infamous Japanese artillery piece known as "Pistol Pete" shelled American positions. Fortunately, Company E's sector suffered no damage.

The greatest danger often came after sunset.

With approximately 12 hours of darkness each night, soldiers maintained constant vigilance against Japanese infiltration. R***e squads posted three or four men on guard, while machine-gun and antitank crews maintained their own sentries. Guards rotated every two hours, and communication lines remained continuously manned.

Company E demonstrated exceptional fire discipline. Despite the tension and uncertainty of jungle warfare, the account records that not a single false round was fired in the company's sector.

To the west, Japanese forces under General Sumiyoshi probed Marine positions along the Matanikau River, but American fire turned them back.

For the North Dakota soldiers of the 164th Infantry, the battle was far from over. Each passing day brought them closer to the major Japanese assault that would soon test the Henderson Field perimeter.

Source: John E. Stannard, "Battle of Coffin Corner," pp. 45-47, October 20, 1942.

10/20/2026

October 19, 1942
Life on the Line with the 164th Infantry
Day 7

By their seventh day on Guadalcanal, the men of Company E, 164th Infantry Regiment, were settling into the routine of Guadalcanal. Japanese aircraft and naval bombardments remained a constant threat, supplies were limited, and even a hot meal was something to appreciate.

Pancakes, C-Rations, and Coffee

Company E received two meals daily, at 0700 and 1700 hours. Breakfast usually consisted of pancakes and coffee, while supper was whatever C-rations the cooks could provide. Soldiers supplemented their meals with hard, grayish D-ration chocolate bars, often breaking off pieces and letting them dissolve in their mouths.

Coffee was available around the clock, although the men suspected the cooks sometimes reused the grounds to stretch their limited supplies.

Serving alongside the 7th Marines, the North Dakota soldiers developed a close relationship with their Marine counterparts. Marines frequently visited Company E's positions, swapping stories, equipment, and occasionally joining Army patrols.

The Marines were particularly interested in the Army's M1 Garand r***es, which offered a significant advantage over the older bolt-action Springfield r***es still carried by many Marines.

Some Company E soldiers even acquired Reising submachine guns from the Marines.

One thing to note, Company E's pancakes became so popular that Marines began showing up in large numbers, straining the company's limited food supplies. The solution came from a Marine named Corporal Wilson, nicknamed "Machete" for his actions during the Battle of the Tenaru. Borrowing a lieutenant's collar insignia, Wilson impersonated an officer and ordered the visiting Marines back to their own units. The Marines complied, and Company E's breakfast problem was solved!

Despite the hardships, October 19 passed without enemy bombs or artillery shells landing in Company E's immediate area.

These everyday experiences remind us that the Guadalcanal Campaign was not only a struggle against the Japanese, but also a daily battle against hunger, exhaustion, and shortages. Through it all, the soldiers of the 164th Infantry maintained their resourcefulness, humor, and camaraderie.

Source: John E. Stannard, "Battle of Coffin Corner," pp. 42-44, October 19, 1942.
Image: "Chow Time" Image Description: "Troops of the 164th grab plates to eat after a long day in the sun. Title taken from photographer's original album." Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota.

10/19/2026

October 18, 1942 Guadalcanal
Day Six

As the 164th Infantry Regiment settled into its defensive positions along the Lunga Perimeter, the men of Company E continued preparing for the Japanese attack they knew was coming.

Every soldier had a responsibility. Machine guns were positioned to establish overlapping fields of fire, barbed wire entanglements were inspected and repaired, and bunkers were reinforced against the relentless tropical rains.

Life on the perimeter was a constant struggle against mud, humidity, deteriorating equipment, and the rapidly growing jungle. Weapons required daily cleaning, am******on had to be protected from moisture, and patrols traveled to the Tenaru River to collect water for drinking, bathing, and laundry.

Communication between positions relied heavily on field telephones and runners. Even the ringing of a telephone at night was considered dangerous, as it could reveal a position to Japanese infiltrators.

Meanwhile, Japanese troops under General Masao Maruyama were struggling through Guadalcanal's unforgiving jungle, hauling artillery, am******on, and equipment along the difficult Maruyama Trail. Their planned offensive was postponed until October 22.

On October 18, Japanese aircraft passed overhead, and the familiar sound of Japanese artillery, nicknamed "Pistol Pete," echoed across Henderson Field.

For the men of the 164th Infantry, the coming battle was drawing closer with each passing day.

Source: John E. Stannard, "Battle of Coffin Corner," pp. 39-41, October 18, 1942.
Image: "Soldier from Company E on Patrol, 1942," Description: An infantry soldier checks the barb wire entanglements that protect the front line positions. Co E, 164th Inf. October 1942. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota

10/18/2026

OCTOBER 17, 1942
Guadalcanal – Day Five for the 164th Infantry Regiment

On October 17, 1942, soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard’s 164th Infantry Regiment continued their dangerous patrols beyond the Lunga Perimeter on Guadalcanal.

That morning, the 1st Platoon of Company E ventured approximately three miles beyond American defensive lines, following jungle trails, crossing branches of the Tenaru River, and moving through kunai grass toward Crash Field.

Although the patrol encountered abandoned Japanese equipment, there were no fresh signs of enemy activity. The men returned to their positions around 2:00 p.m., stopping briefly for a swim in the Tenaru River.

But patrolling Guadalcanal was anything but routine.

The dense jungle presented a constant threat of ambush. Soldiers moved in single file, often separated by no more than 20 yards, with scouts leading the way. Every man watched the trees for snipers, listened for movement, and remained alert for enemy attacks.

To reduce their vulnerability, soldiers traveled light, concealed their rank insignia, and sometimes wore their helmets backward to better observe the jungle canopy.

Communication remained a serious challenge. Without portable radios, patrol leaders relied on runners to carry messages back to company headquarters. If a patrol encountered the enemy, immediate artillery or air support was often impossible to obtain.

Meanwhile, the war continued overhead. Japanese dive bombers attacked American destroyers operating west of the Matanikau River, while enemy aircraft also targeted Henderson Field. Marine fighter pilots intercepted several attackers, and Japanese artillery known as "Pistol Pete" continued its intermittent bombardment of the airfield.

For the men of the 164th Infantry, their fifth day on Guadalcanal was another lesson in jungle warfare, where discipline, vigilance, and teamwork could mean the difference between life and death.

Je Suis Prêt – I Am Ready. 🇺🇸

Source: John E. Stannard, "Battle of Coffin Corner," pp. 36-38, October 16, 1942.
Image: "The Beginning of a 5 Day Patrol," Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota.

10/17/2026

OCTOBER 16, 1942 | GUADALCANAL
Day Four: Patrols, Jungle, and a Gathering Storm

On October 16, 1942, Company E of the 164th Infantry Regiment conducted its first patrol beyond the American defensive perimeter on Guadalcanal.

Approximately 50 soldiers, drawn from the company's three r***e platoons and weapons platoon, departed the perimeter accompanied by two Marines of the 1st Marine Division who served as guides.

Their mission was to investigate possible Japanese activity along Trail 1, leading toward an area known as "Crash Field," approximately three miles from the perimeter.

The patrol pushed through dense jungle before reaching an enormous field of kunai grass, standing nearly eight feet tall. Movement was exhausting, and the grass was so thick that soldiers had to trample it underfoot to advance.

Along the trail, the men encountered abandoned Japanese equipment, including packs, gas masks, and machine-gun magazines. They also discovered the remains of three Japanese soldiers, apparently casualties of an earlier engagement.

Finding no evidence of recent enemy activity, the patrol returned to American lines by mid-afternoon. During their return, the soldiers stopped to swim in the Tenaru River, washing away the sweat and grime of the tropical jungle.

Stannard recalls, "It was the best part of the day."

Elsewhere on Guadalcanal, however, the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous.

Japanese dive bombers attacked an American barge unloading aviation fuel, setting it ablaze. Meanwhile, Japanese General Harukichi Hyakutake was preparing a major offensive intended to recapture Henderson Field and destroy the American beachhead.

Thousands of Japanese soldiers were moving through the island's interior along a newly constructed jungle trail. Supported by artillery, tanks, and additional reinforcements, they were preparing for what would become one of the most consequential battles of the Guadalcanal Campaign.

For the soldiers of the 164th Infantry, October 16 was relatively quiet. But beyond the American perimeter, an enemy offensive was taking shape.

The men of North Dakota's 164th Infantry had been on Guadalcanal only a few days. Their greatest test was still ahead.

Source: John E. Stannard, Battle of Coffin Corner, pp. 32–35, October 16, 1942.
Image: "Another view of 'No Man's Land.'" (from back of photograph). Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota

10/15/2026

OCTOBER 15, 1942 — THE 164TH INFANTRY TAKES THE FRONT LINE AT GUADALCANAL

Day Three: Reporting for Duty on the Lunga Perimeter

On the morning of October 15, 1942, the North Dakota National Guardsmen of the 164th Infantry Regiment moved into their first defensive positions on Guadalcanal, relieving elements of the battle-hardened 1st Marine Regiment along the eastern portion of the Lunga Perimeter.

For the men of Company E, the day began with a 2½-mile march toward the front, passing Henderson Field and Fighter Strip No. 1 before crossing the Ilu River. An air raid alert interrupted their movement, but no enemy aircraft appeared.

The 164th's 1st and 2nd Battalions assumed positions along the perimeter, while the 3rd Battalion remained in reserve. Company E occupied the regiment's right flank, adjoining the 7th Marines.

The Marines left behind an established defensive line of two-man bunkers, barbed wire, and machine-gun positions. Beyond the bunkers stretched an open field of tall kunai grass, bordered by dense jungle. A narrow corridor extending southward would become known as "Bowling Alley," with a prominent feature at its far end called "Grassy Knoll."

Throughout the day, the soldiers prepared for what might come. R***e squads were assigned defensive sectors, machine guns and antitank weapons were positioned, am******on and grenades were distributed, and fields of fire were established.

Meanwhile, Japanese aircraft attacked Henderson Field, and enemy reinforcements were landing farther west near Tassafaronga. That night, Japanese warships bombarded the airfield and surrounding area.

By darkness, Company E was firmly established on the front line.

The company history recorded the men's feelings in a simple but revealing passage:

"The men were glad to be away from the target area near Henderson Field and to be out on the front line. It was good to have a home again."

For these North Dakota soldiers, their first real test in ground combat was drawing closer. In just a matter of days, the 164th Infantry would play a critical role in defending Henderson Field against a major Japanese offensive.

Je Suis Prêt — I Am Ready.

Image and Source: John E. Stannard, Battle of Coffin Corner, pp. 27–31, “Day Three — Thursday, October 15th.”

10/14/2026

October 14, 1942 | Day Two: The 164th Infantry on Guadalcanal

On October 14, 1942, soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard's 164th Infantry Regiment awoke to the devastation left by one of the heaviest Japanese naval bombardments of Henderson Field during the Guadalcanal Campaign.

In his book Battle of Coffin Corner, John E. Stannard recounts the experiences of Company E as the regiment prepared to reinforce the exhausted Marines defending the island.

At 6:00 a.m., Stannard and a fellow soldier named [Lavern R.] Lang, of Williston, ND, walked toward Company E's position. Along the road, they encountered shell craters and widespread destruction from the previous night's bombardment. Marines told them it was the worst shelling they had experienced since they landed in August.

The Marines welcomed the arrival of the 164th Infantry but were disappointed to learn that the Army had brought no heavy artillery. Japanese guns at nearby Point Cruz, known to the Americans as "Pistol Pete," continued to threaten Henderson Field and the surrounding perimeter.

Company E had established its bivouac near Henderson Field, where soldiers had taken shelter in bunkers and foxholes during the bombardment. The protective positions likely saved many lives.

The destruction was staggering. Stannard recorded approximately 41 Americans killed, including six pilots, while more than half of the roughly 90 aircraft at Henderson Field had been destroyed. Runways, installations, and aviation fuel supplies had also suffered tremendous damage.

Throughout October 14, Japanese artillery continued firing on Henderson Field, while enemy aircraft conducted two bombing raids. One bomb reportedly struck a bunker occupied by soldiers of another 164th Infantry unit, killing those inside.

For Company E, the day was spent cleaning equipment, resting when possible, and preparing to move into defensive positions along the perimeter. Even these simple tasks were repeatedly interrupted by enemy attacks and alerts.

That night, Japanese cruisers again bombarded the Henderson Field area. An explosion and bright flash offshore brought the shelling to an end, allowing Company E some much-needed sleep.

But the danger was far from over.

Japanese reinforcements were approaching Guadalcanal, and the struggle for Henderson Field was entering a critical phase. For the soldiers of the 164th Infantry, their first days on the island were only the beginning of a campaign that would test their endurance, courage, and determination.

Je Suis Prêt — I Am Ready.

Image and Source: John E. Stannard, Battle of Coffin Corner, pp. 24–26, “Day Two — Wednesday, October 14th.”

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