MG Section Leader D Company, 182nd Infantry Guadalcanal Bougainville

March 19, 20251 yr

#1

Boleslaw was born on January 4th, 1919, in Taunton, Massachusetts, where he spent his childhood. He attended school until his second year of high school before leaving to work alongside his father as a mill hand at a local cotton mill. On March 24th, 1941, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts. There, he trained as a machine gunner, learning to operate the M1917 Heavy Machine Gun. After extensive training, the regiment deployed for the Carolina Maneuvers in late September, gaining valuable hands-on experience. The men returned to Camp Edwards on December 6th, and many went on leave the following day—only to learn of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

After receiving news of the attack, the regiment swiftly prepared for deployment. On January 20th, they moved to the Brooklyn Port of Embarkation and set sail on January 23rd as part of Task Force 6814, bound for an unknown destination. The month-long voyage was cramped, as the hastily converted passenger ships lacked adequate facilities to accommodate the large number of men. Soldiers endured long daily waits for basic necessities. The ships arrived in Melbourne on February 28th, where the regiment was billeted at Camp Darley. Their stay was brief, as they shipped out again two weeks later, eventually landing in Nouméa, New Caledonia, on March 12th.

A week after arriving, the 182nd Infantry was assigned to the southern defensive sector, covering Nouméa, Tontouta Airfield, and the Boulopari-Thio Road. On May 27th, 1942, the task force was officially reorganized as the Americal Division, a name derived from "Americans in New Caledonia." The division began intensive training in night and jungle warfare. In October 1942, the 164th Infantry was deployed to reinforce the Marines on Guadalcanal, and the 182nd Infantry knew they would soon follow.

On November 12th, 1942, at 0600 hours, the men of D Company landed on Guadalcanal. During the initial unloading, the regiment endured two enemy air raids, though D Company suffered no casualties. On November 19th, the 1st Battalion crossed the Matanikau River, encountering scattered resistance until they reached Point Cruz, where they were halted by well-entrenched Japanese positions. Unable to advance further, the men dug in for the night. Throughout the night, they endured mortar shelling and sniper fire.In the early morning hours, the Japanese launched a massed counterattack, forcing the battalion into a retreat beyond Point Cruz. The inexperienced troops broke under pressure, with many fleeing in disarray, abandoning equipment and weapons. However, portions of the battalion managed to hold their ground, allowing the unit to regroup and reestablish a defensive line.

The following day, the battalion regrouped in an effort to recapture Point Cruz but was unable to gain ground against the entrenched Japanese defenses. On November 23rd, the 8th Marines attempted to advance through their lines but were quickly halted by the enemy’s strong resistance. On November 24th, the 1st Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion of the 164th Infantry. After being pulled back to the reserve line, they focused on reorganization following the intense fighting at Point Cruz.

In mid-December, the battalion was assigned to the southern defensive line, where they continued conducting six-man patrols. On January 15th, the company was withdrawn from the line to prepare for the next phase of the western assault. Two days later, the battalion advanced westward once again into the Matanikau line. On January 18th, C Company endured an intense enemy mortar barrage lasting four to five hours. The following day, January 19th, the regiment launched an attack, encountering some resistance but successfully advancing 1,000 yards.

On January 23rd, Corporal Gay fell ill and was evacuated to the hospital with an undiagnosed condition, likely malaria or a similar disease. While he was hospitalized, the 182nd Regiment advanced westward, reaching the Poha River on January 26th before being relieved. The Guadalcanal campaign concluded on February 9th with the Japanese evacuation of the island. On March 24th, the regiment departed Guadalcanal for Fiji. Gay was discharged from the hospital on April 6th, 1943, and rejoined D Company. During the regiment’s rest and training period in Fiji, he was promoted first to Sergeant and then to Staff Sergeant. In his new role, Gay was responsible for leading a machine gun section consisting of two guns and 15 men.

On December 21st, the regiment embarked on a new campaign, spending Christmas at sea before landing on Bougainville on December 28th. Upon arrival, the 182nd Infantry relieved the 21st Marine Regiment along the defensive perimeter, with the 2nd Battalion securing the left flank on Hill 260 and the 1st Battalion holding the right flank. On March 10th, 1944, the Japanese launched a major assault on Hill 260 within the 2nd Battalion’s sector. Following this offensive, elements of the 1st Battalion took part in the Conical Hill and East-West Trail Operations. Much of the Bougainville campaign involved patrolling along the main line of resistance. In September, the battalion participated in the Laruma Operations, which primarily consisted of patrols before engaging entrenched enemy positions.

In October 1944, Staff Sergeant Gay was placed on the rotation list. After departing the island, he traveled home and arrived in the United States on November 20th. Along with 103 other soldiers from the Americal Division, he was granted a 21-day leave from Fort Devens. Upon returning, he was assigned to the 419th Quartermaster Truck Company at Camp Swift, Texas, where he served until his discharge on June 3rd, 1945. Following his discharge, Boleslaw returned home and soon married Mary Czerwonka. He remained in Taunton until his passing on October 18th, 1987.