112th Cavalry Regiment
Known as the "Little Giant of the Pacific," the 112th Cavalry Regiment, part of the 56th Cavalry Brigade, Texas National Guard, was mobilized for active duty on 18 November 1940. The regiment was stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, and in February 1941 was sent to Fort Clark at Bracketville, to relieve the 5th United States Cavalry. The regiment participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers and patrolled the border with Mexico until shipped overseas on 8 July 1942. The regiment disembarked at Noumea, New Caledonia, on 11 August 1942, where it was attached to the Americal Division. The Regiment, after turning in its horses, landed on Woodlark Island without opposition and provided security for Navy Seabees while the Seabees built an airstrip.
In November 1943 the regiment plus the 148th Field Artillery Battalion was designated Director Task Force under Brigadier General Julian W. Cunningham. The 2nd Battalion of the 158th Infantry Regiment as reinforcing element for the task force was dropped in late December. The first action of the regiment was the landing at Arawe, New Britain. After linking up with the 1st Marine Division, the Regiment was sent to Aitape, New Guinea, and attached to the 32nd Infantry Division, where it fought in many battles along the Driniumor River. The new activated (1 October 1944) 112th RCT consisting of the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) and the 148th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer) departed Aitape for Leyte, Philippine Islands on 31 October 1944 and immediately attached to the 1st Cavalry Division. On 16 January 1945, the 112th RCT moved from Leyte to Luzon in the Philippines, where it fought until the end of the war.
The 112th Cavalry Regiment saw occupation duty in Japan beginning on 3 September 1945, and then was deactivated on 17 January 1946 at Tateyama, Japan. The Regiment was reactivated in the Texas National Guard on 2 July 1946.
World
War II |
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| Dec 7, 41 to July 3, 42 |
Provided security for the Southern Pacific railroad from Del Rio to Sanderson, Texas; provided patrols for the Mexican border |
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| Aug 11, 42 |
Arrived New Caledonia; served as island security force mounted on Australian horses. |
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| May 17, 43 |
Arrived Australia to be utilized as infantry assigned to MacArthur’s VI Army. |
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| June 21, 43 |
Arrived New Guinea en route to first amphibious landing by MacArthur’s forces. |
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| July 1, 43 |
Made unopposed landing on Woodlark Island providing security for air strip construction. |
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| Dec 1, 43 |
Arrived Goodenough Island, 112th Regimental Combat Team formed with 148th Field Artillery Battalion for attack on Arawe, New Britain. |
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| Dec 15, 43 |
Landed at three locations in Arawe area, New Britain, meeting minor resistance on two beaches while being repulsed by devastating enemy fire on the third. Peninsula secured on Dec 15th. Reinforced by elements of 158th Infantry Battalion and Marine Corps tanks broke main enemy resistance by Jan 16, 1944. |
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| June 9, 44 |
Arrived New Guinea for rest and refitting. |
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| June 26, 44 |
Arrived Aitape, New Guinea as reinforcements to 32nd Infantry Division. Engaged in close combat successfully defending Driniumor River line. Resupply by air for 45 days |
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| Nov 14, 44 |
Landed on east coast of Leyte, Philippine Islands. Went into immediate combat attached to 1st Cavalry Division to open Ormac highway. Engaged in bitter fighting over very difficult terrain in Mt. Minoro-Sinayawan area and assisted in capture of Loney and Cananga. Leyte declared secure on Dec 25th. |
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| Jan 27, 45 |
Landed at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Island. Covered the left flank of the VI Army advance to Manila. Took part in the battle for Manila. Helped clear the Ipo dam area and assisted in the capture of Tatay and Antipola. Helped turn the southern flank of the Shimbu Group’s fortified mountainous line of defenses in the Antipola-Santa Inez area. Assisted in clearing the Morang and Bicol Peninsulas. Concentrated at Antipola after the surrender of Japan on Aug 15, 1945. |
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| Sep 3, 45 |
Arrived in Tokyo Bay for surrender ceremony then landed at Tateyama Naval Base where occupation duties were initiated. The regiment disarmed and demobilized 70 Japanese combat units and bases without incident. |
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| Jan 17, 46 |
The regiment was deactivated. The colors of the regiment were returned to the Governor of Texas by the last commanding officer, Col. Philip L. Hooper. |
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WWII REGIMENTAL COMMANDERSColonel Julian W.
Cunningham Colonel Alexander M. Miller,
III Colonel Philip L. Hooper
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WWII STATISTICSDays in combat: 434 Troopers killed during WWII: 224 Enemy killed: 7200 (estimated)
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AWARDSCongressional Medal of Honor: 2 (both posthumously) Distinguished Service Cross: 2 Distinguished Service Medal: 1 Legion of Merit: 3 Silver Star: 56 Bronze Star: 111 Air Medal: 6 Purple Hearts:over 1,200
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Medal of Honor Recipients:
Second Lieutenant Dale Eldon Christensen
Second Lieutenant George W. G. Boyce, Jr.
To contact the 112th Cavalry Association, send email to [email protected]
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