U.S. Army units based on Kauai during World War II were the 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments, elements of the 27th Infantry Division, the 40th Infantry Division, two regiments of the 98th Infantry Division, and the 123rd and 130th Regimental
U.S. Army units based on Kauai during World War II were the 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments, elements of the 27th Infantry Division, the 40th Infantry Division, two regiments of the 98th Infantry Division, and the 123rd and 130th Regimental Combat Teams of the 33rd Infantry Division.
In July of 1943, the 33rd Infantry Division deployed to Oahu from the Mainland with the mission of guarding installations in the Hawaiian Islands and training for combat operations in the Western Pacific.
Soon after its arrival, the division’s 123rd RCT was sent to Kauai for a tour duty that would last until April of 1944, when it transferred to New Guinea prior to engaging in combat in the Philippines.
Its first assignment on Kauai was to man over 100 concrete pillboxes that had been constructed along Kauai’s shoreline in defense against invasion by Imperial Japanese military forces.
In December of 1943, it was joined on Kauai by the 130th RCT, which had previously been stationed on the Big Island and would complete its training on Kauai with the 123rd RCT in April 1944.
By Jan. 1, 1944, the mission of the two RCTs had shifted almost entirely from defense to combat training.
Camps were established at Barking Sands and at Wailua, and both RCTs commenced training in jungle warfare — with stress placed on night exercises.
A ranger training school was conducted near Knudsen’s Gap. Soldiers completing the grueling course then trained other soldiers in the RCTs in commando tactics.
Beginning in February of 1944, the RCTs trained for amphibious operations at Port Allen, which was followed by exercises in assaulting fortified positions, and tank and infantry tactics.
During their free time, the units’ soldiers visited Kauai’s towns and scenic spots — pleasant duty for GIs far away from home. A few were even privileged to spend a week on Niihau as guests of the Robinson family and the residents of Niihau.
