From the Dakotas to The Pacific: The 164th Infantry Regiment in WWII

From the Philippines to Victory: The Final Campaigns of the 164th Infantry

In this episode of The Past Less Travelled, we continue the story of North Dakota’s 164th Infantry Regiment as the Pacific War moves toward its final chapters.After enduring some of the harshest combat conditions of the war on Guadalcanal, the men of the 164th arrive on Bougainville hardened, experienced, and adaptable. No longer raw troops, they apply hard-earned lessons from earlier campaigns—embracing jungle patrolling, coordination with artillery and air support, and constant adaptation to terrain, enemy tactics, and operational tempo. Bougainville marks a turning point where American ingenuity, endurance, and combined-arms warfare steadily tighten the noose around Japan’s Pacific defenses.As the war progresses, the conversation traces the 164th’s role in the broader island-hopping campaign of the Philippines, the grinding reality of disease and exhaustion, and the high cost paid even as victory comes into view. We also reflect on the closing months of the war and what “the end” truly meant for soldiers who had spent years in combat zones far from home.With no surviving North Dakota veterans of the regiment remaining, this episode underscores why preservation and interpretation matter now more than ever. That mission continues through the work of the 164th Infantry Remembrance Association, whose living history efforts aim to give families, descendants, and the public a clearer picture of what these men experienced.The episode concludes with a look ahead to our upcoming living history event, February 27–March 1, where the stories of the 164th will be brought to life through authentic interpretation, material culture, and firsthand storytelling—ensuring their legacy endures beyond the last living memory.

The 164th on Bougainville

Host Brandon Delvo and guest Casey Beck dive deep into the 164th Infantry Regiment’s fierce campaign on Bougainville — a turning point where lessons from Guadalcanal met new challenges in jungle warfare. 🌴💥 From mud-choked trails to coordinated air and artillery strikes, the 164th adapted, overcame, and proved again why they were among the finest National Guard units of WWII. This episode also highlights the creation of the 164th Infantry Remembrance Association, dedicated to preserving the legacy of these North Dakota soldiers for generations to come.

Now’s the Time: Preserving the Story of the 164th Infantry with Casey Beck

🎙️ Episode Background In this powerful new episode of The Past Less Travelled, host Brandon Delvo sits down with Casey Beck to discuss the remarkable story of North Dakota’s own 164th Infantry Regiment — a unit whose legacy stretches from the prairies to the jungles of Guadalcanal. 🇺🇸 As the first U.S. Army regiment to engage in offensive combat against the Japanese in World War II, the 164th Infantry earned its place in history through grit, courage, and unbreakable brotherhood. But with the passing of the last North Dakota veteran, their story is now in the hands of a new generation. Together, Brandon and Casey reflect on the regiment’s sacrifices, its deep connection to the state, and their shared mission to preserve its history through The 164th Infantry Remembrance Association — a new living history initiative dedicated to honoring, interpreting, and sharing the stories of these soldiers before they fade from living memory. This episode offers a rare look behind the scenes of how storytelling, education, and historical preservation come together to keep the spirit of the 164th alive for future generations.

From the Dakotas to The Pacific: The 164th Infantry Regiment in WWII

Description: In this 45-minute episode of The Past Less Travelled, we follow the North Dakota National Guard’s 164th Infantry Regiment from prairie drills to brutal island warfare—becoming the first U.S. Army regiment to reinforce the Marines at Guadalcanal, being the first U.S. Army unit to fight the Axis in WWII, and later fighting across Bougainville and the Philippines. What You’ll Hear: * Origins & Mobilization — Territorial militia roots, interwar training, and 1941 federalization. * Americal Division — Forming in New Caledonia and preparing for jungle combat. * Guadalcanal — October 1942 landings, Henderson Field defense, Point Cruz actions, and a Navy Presidential Unit Citation. * Bougainville & the Philippines — Hard lessons of small-unit jungle warfare and island operations. * People & Valor — Woodrow W. Keeble, Robert K. Hall, Douglas “Doug” Burtell, and unit decorations. * Legacy — Postwar reorganization, memorials, and how North Dakota remembers the 164th. Additional Sources: "Citizens as Soldiers: A History of the North Dakota National Guard" by Jerry Cooper "They Were Ready: The 164th Infantry in the Pacific War, 1942-1945" by Terry Shoptaugh "Combat Officer: A Memoir of War in the South Pacific" by Charles Walker "The Battle of Coffin Corner: and Other Comments Concerning the Guadalcanal Campaign" by Ret. Brig. General John E. Stannard

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1. A Review

In this latest episode I took the time the other night to sit down and watch "Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1." Overall, a great movie with a great story, but there are a few things I wanted to discuss regarding authenticity and the need for proper technical advising, especially when it comes to the Frontier Army in the 19th century. I base this on having 15+ years of military living history under my belt covering the Civil War and Indian Wars. If you want to know more about my technical advising, visit my business page at www.bonetraillconsulting.com, or email bdelvo@bonetraillconsulting.com