The Red Arrow Stories is a place to share some of the historical information about the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division during WWII. The 32nd earned their Red Arrow insignia during WWI, where they pierced every German line they encountered.1 The 32nd Division was credited with many “firsts” in WWII. They were among the first American soldiers to met the enemy inWWII2, and they logged a total of 654 days of combat during WWII, more than any other U.S. Army division.3
This site is not meant to be a complete history of all the people involved, or all the battles and events that took place. It is only the small bit of history that I have information on. I am not a historian. I am not a professional writer. I am merely a person with access to a scrapbook of information about the 32nd Division because my grandfather was one of them.
His name was Carl Stenberg and, on October 14, 1940, at the age of 21, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. While the USA had not yet joined in the war, the country was preparing. The National Guard had been called to active duty so they could be made ready in the event the nation joined the war.
Carl had been in the Civilian Conservation Corps from October, 1936 to September of 1937, stationed at Camp Wells, Michigan and Camp Rock Harbor on Isle Royale in Michigan. His time in the CCC was most certainly good training for a future soldier. At the time of his discharge from the CCC, he was said to be “A very willing and able worker.”
Carl & Fran Stenberg, my grandparents
The Red Arrow Stories website is a labor of love for me, as it was a labor of love for my grandmother. While my grandfather was off in the Pacific, she created scrapbooks with all the information she could get. Newspaper clippings and pages of magazines, interspersed with items that reflect the hopes and fears of a young woman in love. Tucked in with these faded pages I also have official documents, personal photographs, and more.
Later in life, my grandfather often shared war stories. I am continuing what he started by sharing them here.
Following in his footsteps
My grandfather marched with the 32nd Division over the Owen Stanley Mountains and was wounded at Buna. Someday I hope to visit those places: Port Moresby, the Owen Stanley Mountains, Buna. Faraway places that I only know from his stories and the books that have been written about them. In 2018 I am hoping to hike the same route that he took so long ago. I plan to spend the next year using this website to document the events that brought him to such a faraway place, using the information so meticulously compiled by my grandmother.
More information
I try to cite the information I have when I can, and try to be as accurate with dates as possible. Undoubtedly I will make mistakes, but this is my honest effort to be as accurate as I can. If you want to learn more about the 32nd Division and their march to Buna, be sure to read the book The Ghost Mountain Boys: Their Epic March and the Terrifying Battle for New Guinea
For many years, many of the Red Arrow felt overlooked. The battles they fought are often referred to as “forgotten”. James Campbell’s book changed that for them. It was that book that started many conversations and brought out many war stories that had never been heard. My grandfather began speaking at high schools, sharing his stories with younger generations. This book, and the bit of celebrity it brought him, gave him much joy in the twilight of his life. On top of that, it’s a great book.
Camps Beauregard and Livingston
Camp Beauregard and Camp Livingston in Alexandria, LA were where the 32nd Division was sent for training when they left home in October of 1940. Today there is a Louisiana Maneuvers Military Museum located on the grounds of Camp Beauregard. It is housed in a replica WWII barracks. Visit the museum website.
The museum curator, Richard Moran, is interested in any photos that others may have of the camp. You can contact him at 318-641-5733 or richard.b.moran.nfg@mail.mil.
32nd Division Creed
To foster and perpetuate the spirit of comradeship which has been the greatest single factor in the success of the 32nd Division, and to perpetuate in act and deed, by strong Americanism, the memory of our dead comrades who, by their supreme sacrifice, have permitted us to return in honor. The spirit of the 32nd Division never dies. As we gained every objective and demonstrated our ability to lead and carry on in spite of War’s constant demand for tremendous effort, so must we gain our peace time objectives and unselfishly develop ourselves in Civic leadership to become outstanding Citizens.
- Chubbuch@lacrossetribune.com, C. H. (2008, November 11). Remembering Wisconsin’s citizen soldiers. Retrieved October 22, 2017, from http://lacrossetribune.com/news/remembering-wisconsin-s-citizen-soldiers/article_96549258-8b36-5e40-a5c7-cdbe50c5aa9b.html
- “Michigan National Guard in World War II.” Michigan Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. State of Michigan, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2017.
- chubbuch@lacrossetribune.com, CHRIS HUBBUCH |. “Remembering Wisconsin’s Citizen Soldiers.” La Crosse Tribune, 11 Nov. 2008, lacrossetribune.com/news/remembering-wisconsin-s-citizen-soldiers/article_96549258-8b36-5e40-a5c7-cdbe50c5aa9b.html.