- "MID-PACIFIC Quiet, since the Battle of Midway.
But Hawaii is still a logical strategic objective for the Japanese.
It is the key point in the Pacific and the one place that, if the Japanese were able to conquer it, might enable them to with the Pacific War.
But we hold it firmly; it is the nexus of our whole Pacific effort, and there is little doubt that 'The Islands' grow stronger day by day..."
In July 1943 Hawaii's strength will further increase on the arrival of the 33rd Infantry Division.
The 33rd had suffered 6,900 casualties in France in WWI, and would suffer another 2,400 in the Pacific in WWII.
In the mid 1930s it was the assigned unit of a certain Colonel George C. Marshall, who would move on to greater fame.
In September 1942, the 33rd moved from training at Camp (Nathan B) Forest in south-central Tennessee to Fort Lewis, Washington, where it "now" is being joined by over 100 freshly minted 90-day wonder lieutenants.
It will soon transfer to the Mohave Desert to train for North Africa.
But, eventually the 33rd will see combat in New Guinea and the Philippines before landing in Japan.
The 33rd includes a certain young lieutenant whose fate is of some importance to, ahem, yours truly... ;-)
