Michele G. Lombardo

August, 2002

I currently live in Cape Coral, FL. I am formerly from Concord, MA. I was born there on May 18, 1919. My name is Michele, an old Italian name that is pronounced as Michael. I am also known as Mike.

When it became apparent that my number was up in the draft (Selective Service) I enlisted in the National Guard. On October 28, 1940 I went into Company H of the 182^nd Infantry Regiment of the 26^th Division in Concord, MA. I was inducted into federal service on January 16, 1941. I was to serve one year at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod, MA and then be discharged.

I had previously enlisted in the National Guard on April 14, 1936 at the age of 16. I was honorably discharged on April 13, 1939 with the rank of Corporal.

Most of my military heavy weapons training was at Camp Edwards with other exercises at Ft. Bragg, NC. I also had training in other locations and was a squad leader.

When the quadrangular 26^th (Yankee) Division became a triangular division the 182^nd Infantry Regiment was set aside. (This means that the 26^th Division went from four regiments to three regiments. The 182^nd Regiment was no longer assigned to the 26^th Division.) On January 23, 1942 the 182^nd Regiment departed Brooklyn Harbor on the Santa Elena for parts unknown. The Santa Elena was formerly a cruise ship that was now a troop ship.

On February 26, 1942 we finally arrived at Melbourne, Australia. The next day we were billeted in private homes in Ballarat, Australia. I stayed with a returned soldier of WWI and his wife. After a delightful visit of one week we departed for New Caledonia, a French island in the Pacific. We arrived in Noumea, New Caledonia on March 12, 1942.

During this time I was promoted to Reconnaissance and Communications Sergeant. I did exactly what the name implies.

New Caledonia was memorable as to the places, things, and people that I saw and met. The most memorable was a family that lived close to our bivouac area. My high school French came in handy with the mother, father, son, and daughter. There were also brothers and sisters and grandparents. The grandparents lived in a thatched house that was simply unbelievable. It even had a swimming pool out back. The grandfather was the manager of a nickel mine in nearby St. Louis. We became real close since they felt that we Americans were saving them from Japanese occupation.

The Americal Division was formed while we were on New Caledonia. The 182^nd Inf. Regt. from the Boston area, the 132^nd Inf. Regt. from the Chicago area, and the 164^th Inf. Regt. from North Dakota and related support troops came under the command of General Alexander Patch. The Americal Division was the only division without a number. The name came from Americans in New Caledonia.

Just after the first of November 1942 we boarded the cargo ship McCawley and sailed to Guadalcanal. We landed on November 12, 1942 and reinforced the Marines who landed there three months earlier.

In reinforcing the Marines on Guadalcanal, the Americal Division, composed primarily of National Guard troops, proved that they were as capable as the Marines. Our units received both the Navy and Army Presidential Unit Citations.

While on Guadalcanal I was awarded the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit in the degree of Legionnaire for meritorious service, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. The highest rank I achieved was that of Tech Sergeant.

After Guadalcanal became secure a number of men were sent back to the United States to form a new fighting unit. We landed in San Francisco harbor and for three days we were quarantined on Angel Island. This was next to Alcatraz Island. I guess they were afraid of us contaminating the United States with something or another.

We went on to Camp Cook in California. We were attached for rations and quarters with the 69^th Armored Regiment of the 6^th Armored Division. Twenty-five men from heavy weapons companies were sent to Oregon to school for a new weapon. When we arrived we were told that we were not to be students but instead be instructors. We were in the new cannon companies of the 91^st Infantry Division. I was now in the 362^nd Inf. Regt.

I served in North Africa and Italy with the 91^st Division. I participated in the liberation of Rome. My rank was Technical Sergeant. As Platoon Sergeant I directed fire control for two cannons (infantry artillery).

I was finally discharged on August 12, 1945, four years and nine and one half months after enlisting for one year. I was discharged at Ft. Devens, MA and I returned home to Concord, MA. On October 5, 1945 I became employed as an agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and served in agency and management until I retired on July 31, 1977.

I served on many civic committees and boards. I was elected to the school committee in Concord and was its Chairman. Chairmen of school committees from two other towns and I planned a vocational school which eventually became a twelve town vocational-technical school with 1,200 pupils. It is called The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School.

In August 1977 I became the school's Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. In 1987 I retired and moved to Cape Coral, FL with my wife Eleanor. We have four children, all married. They are Patricia, Jeanne, David, and Mariellen. We have seven grandchildren.

My wife and I have traveled to many foreign countries and around the United States. For many years I was an active member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I am a member of the Americal Division Veterans Association and I am active in the Co. H Veterans Association.

Along with staying in communication with many of my army buddies I stay active in Patriots Day and Memorial Day ceremonies in Concord, MA. I travel back to Concord to participate in local services commemorating Concordians who lost their lives in all the wars since the Revolutionary War.

In 1992 I returned to Guadalcanal with four other members of Company H to participate in dedicating a new memorial there. I also went back to New Caledonia and renewed my acquaintance with all my old friends from 1942.