Greg saw action with the 33rd. Infantry Division, in New Guinea and The Philippines, and was also part of the Occupation Force that landed in Japan at the end of the war. He was an assistant gunner on a water cooled, .30 caliber, Browning machine gun. He was armed with a .30 caliber M1 Carbine, and an M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol. Greg was wounded by friendly artillery fire in the Philippines.

Baguio City, Luzon - 28 April, 1945 - A combat patrol of the 130th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division, makes its way through the ruins of the Pines Hotel, in this, the summer capitol of the Philippines. Photo: National Archives.

On the lookout for Jap snipers, a patrol of the 130th Infantry Regt., 33rd Div, moves up Sessions Road in Baguio, Luzon, past the ruins of a market place - 27 April 1945. Photo: National Archives

Combat Patrol - going after rear guard Japs in the approaches to Baguio, Luzon, Philippines.

Baguio, Luzon - last small rise before entering Baguio. Subject of the photo is photographer van Westrop.

Crouching while under fire. Soldier at left center is firing an M1917A1 Browning .30 caliber water cooled machine gun.

GIs in a defensive position somewhere on Luzon.

Map of the battle for Baguio, 1945.

Map of Honshu Island, Japan, showing disposition of 33rd Division Troops.

More information on the 33 Inf. Div. can be found here.

 

33rd Infantry Division
Combat Chronicle:

The 33d Infantry Division arrived in Hawaii on 12 July 1943. While guarding installations, it received training in jungle warfare. On 11 May 1944, it arrived in New Guinea where it received additional training. The 123d Infantry Regiment arrived at Maffin Bay, 1 September, to provide perimeter defense by aggressive patrolling for Wakde Airdrome and the Toem-Sarmi sector. The 123d was relieved on 26 January 1945. Elements of the 33d arrived at Morotai, 18 December 1944. Landings were made on the west coast of the island, 22 December, without opposition and defensive perimeters were established. Aggressive patrols encountered scattered resistance. The 33d landed at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, 10 February 1945, and relieved the 43d Infantry Division in the Damortis-RosarioPozorrubio area, 13-15 February. The Division drove into the Caraballo Mountains, 19 February, toward its objective, Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines and the headquarters of General Yamashita. Fighting against a fanatical enemy entrenched in the hills, the 33d took Aringay, 7 March, Mount Calugong, 8 April, and Mount Mirador, 25 April. Baguio and Camp John Hay fell on 26 April, under the concerted attack of the 33d and the 37th Divisions. Manuel Roxas, later President of the Philippines, was freed during the capture of Baguio. After mopping up isolated pockets of resistance, the Division broke up the last organized resistance of the enemy by capturing the San Nicholas-Tebbo-Itogon route, 12 May. All elements went to rest and rehabilitation areas on 30 June 1945. The Division landed on Honshu Island, Japan, 25 September, and performed occupation duties until inactivated.