On Saturday, June 18th the Maine Military Historical Society and Maine Veterans Services sponsored a recogntion day for the 103rd Infantry Regiment.
The Regiment was the largest Maine Army National Guard unit mobilized during World War II. They were 1500 strong when they left Maine in 1941. They fought in the Pacific theatre in such areas as Guadalcanal, the Russell Island, New Georgia, New Guinea and Luzon, Philippines.
Peter Ogden, Director of Veterans Sevices, and David Googins, President of the Maine Military Historical Society, presented the veterans and their families with awards in recognition of their service and sacrifice. The 133rd Engineer Battalion Commander, LTC Norman Michaud, and Battalion CSM Peter Kelley presented the veterans with “To The Last Man” crests, the same unit crests that the 103rd wore and which the 133rd wears today as part of their lineage.
The society had many displays such as campaign maps, pictures, books, unit boards with names, as well as the 103rd regimental flag and guideon.
The Maine Military Historical Society also published a history of the 103rd Infantry Regiment in World War II. This history was given to the veterans and their families. The society will be selling this publication shortly.
To view the news story that appeared on Channel 6, click on the link below:
http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1004710703001
If you have any information on the 103rd in World War II, please let us know. We would like to get personal stories, copies of newspaper clippings, addtional pictures etc.