Devils Lake in Ramsey County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The 164th Infantry Memorial Highway
US Highway 2 within North Dakota
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2023
1. The 164th Infantry Memorial Highway Marker
The 164th Infantry Regiment, North Dakota Army National Guard
☆ The 164th Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division was the first US Army unit to take offensive action against the enemy (in either Theatre of Operation) during World War II on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, when they reinforced the First Marine Division on 13 October 1942. Men of the 164th Infantry Regiment were awarded the US Navy Presidential Unit Citation for their part in the battle of Henderson Field on 23-26 October 1942. The 164th Infantry Regiment spent nearly 600 days in combat and suffered 325 killed in action, and 1193 wounded. Regimental soldiers earned the following decorations: 1 Navy Cross, 6 Distinguished Service Crosses, 89 Silver Stars, 199 Bronze Stars, 7 Legions of Merit, 10 Soldier's Medals, and approximately 2000 Purple Hearts. The Regiment also earned the Republic of the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.
• Mustered
this page online
• The First North Dakota Infantry Regiment was called into federal service on 18 June 1916 for service on the Mexican Border.
• Redesignated the 164th Infantry Regiment on 4 October 1917, it was assigned to the 41st Division for service in World War I, as a replacement Division in the European Theatre of Operations.
• 1941-1945 — World War II ☆
• Ordered to federal service on 16 January 1951 for service for the Korean War, and was assigned to Ft. Rucker, AL, as a training regiment. Individuals transferred to other units for service in Korean Theatre of Operations.
• "Disbanded" and reorganized into Engineer Units in 1955.
War with Spain — Manila
Philippine Insurrection — Manila, Laguna de Bay, San Isidro
World War I
World War II — Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, Leyte, Southern Philippines
41st Infantry Division (The Sunset Division)
The 164th was assigned the 41st Division for service during World War I. The 41st deployed to the European Theatre of Operations and served as a replacement
2. Marker detail: Combat Infantry Badge
The most coveted award an infantryman can receive.
34th Infantry Division (The Red Bull Division)
Prior to World War II; the 164th was one of four infantry regiments assigned to the Seventh Service Command, 34th Infantry Division. Members of the regiment wore this shoulder patch until 8 December 1941, when divisions were reorganized with only three regiments instead of four.
Americal Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
The four white stars on the blue Norman shield are symbolic of the Southern Cross constellation under which the organization served. "Ameri-" was derived from the American Troops forming the Division and "cal" from New Caledonia where it was organized in 1942. It was the only unnumbered Division in World War II. It was later retitled the 23rd Division for post-Korean war service and service in the Vietnam War.
Marine Guadalcanal Patch
The Marines 1st Division shoulder patch was authorized for wear by members of units that were organic or attached to the Division (including the 164th) in its four landings in the Pacific War.
47th Infantry Division (The Viking Division)
In 1946, the 47th "Viking" Infantry Division was
3. Marker detail: JE SUIS PRET means "I Am Ready"
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 164th Infantry Regiment on 11 January 1933. The blue shield is for Infantry, with the Spanish castle taken from the Campaign Medal representing service in the Spanish-American War, The Philippine Insurrection service is indicated by the three mullets (stars) from the Philippine Island flag. The sun in the base, from the 41st Division shoulder sleeve insignia, denotes World War I service with that Division.
North Dakota Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
The shield is blue for infantry. The three arrows and bow are from the Great Seal of the State of North Dakota and allude to the Sioux Indian tribes that roamed the territory of North Dakota and signify mighty warriors and great hunters. Red represents Artillery, red and white represent Engineers, and the yellow represents Quartermaster and Cavalry which were once major units of the ND National Guard. This blue and yellow wreath reflects the history of the territory as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, Spanish-American • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 48° 3.036′ N,
4. Marker detail: Soldiers in the Sun by Donna Neary
Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Red River Valley. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 8.3 miles away); Downtown Devils Lake Historic District (approx. 8.3 miles away); St. Olaf Lutheran Church (approx. 8.3 miles away); Flynn & Traynor Building (approx. 8.3 miles away); Lake Theater (approx. 8.3 miles away);
5. Marker detail: 164th Infantry Regiment Units, WWII
Bismarck, Bottineau, Cando, Carrington, Cavalier, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Edgeley, Fargo, Grafton, Grand Forks, Harvey, Hillsboro, Jamestown, Minot, Rugby, Valley City, Williston
Additional locations Korean War Era:
Mott, Hettinger, Oakes, and Linton.
Additional locations Korean War Era:
Mott, Hettinger, Oakes, and Linton.
Also see . . . The 164th Infantry Regiment (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The 164th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) is a training unit of the North Dakota Army National Guard. As the 164th Infantry Regiment, it was formed in the 1920s but traced its history to North Dakota units formed in the 1900s. Arriving at Guadalcanal on 13 October 1942 ahead of its brother regiments as emergency reinforcement for the 1st Marine Division, the Regiment was the first U.S. Army unit to engage in offensive action during World War II in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Between 24 and 27 October, elements of the regiment withstood repeated assaults from Japanese battalions and inflicted some two thousand enemy casualties.(Submitted on February 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
6. Marker detail: Presidential Unit Citation - Navy
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2023
7. The 164th Infantry Memorial Highway Marker
Looking west; Minnie H Rest Area Facility in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 976 times since then and 153 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
