Contributor: Gravehound Club

WWII: Willis Archibald Howard, Born: 14 Feb 1923, Son of Archie Howard and Edna Smith, Married: 13 Jun 1942, Vera Braley, Midland, Michigan, Enlisted 25 Feb 1943, Company B, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division, “Purple Heart” Released: 15 Nov 1945, Died: 2001, Buried: Homer Township Cemetery, Midland County, Michigan.

Record Staff Reporter
Last Wednesday was a day of pride for all American veterans, but
for Beaverton's Willis A. Howard this Veterans Day was extra special.
Howard, a member of the U.S. Army's 20th Infantry, B Company
during World War II, received four meritorious awards in honor of
his time served in the Pacific theatre, where he was wounded. In a
ceremony held at Gladwin County V.F.W. Post #7303, Howard
received the Purple Heart for injuries incurred in the face of enemy
fire, the Victory Medal for service during the Japanese surrender, the
Philippine Liberation Medal in appreciation of his helping liberate
the Philippine Islands, and the Combat Infantryman Badge for
exceptional service in the U.S. Army Infantry.
Joe Klesney, a representative of U.S. Congressman Dave Camp,
presented the medals to Howard before a large gathering. "Let us all
extend a round of applause to this American hero," Klesney told
onlookers.
'It was a long time getting (these medals)," said an obviously
pleased Howard, who was accompanied by his wife Vera. "When I
used to read about other people getting these, I always told (my
wife), 'I'll get mine yet' This is all a surprise to me, though."
Following the medal ceremony, the symbolic placing of wreaths
was undertaken by several area veterans' groups, a 21-gun salute
was provided, and a prayer was offered and 30 black balloons were
released in remembrance of American veterans killed, missing in
action, or taken prisoner in combat. Commander Ralph Darby of
V.F.W. Post #7303 presided over the event. GCR 11/18/1998

During World War II, as part of the 6th Division, the 20th Infantry was engaged in bitter jungle and mountain fighting throughout the campaigns of New Guinea and again the Philippines, their fourth assignment there.

“Sykes’ Regulars” arrived at Maffin Bay New Guinea, on 11 June 1944. They fought through taking and holding Lone Tree Hill until final resistance was completely destroyed in December of the year. They inflicted punishing loses on the Japanese, destroying their supplies and causing many casualties.

In January they were on their way to a new zone of combat on Luzon Island. General MacArthur had said that he would return, and Sykes’ Regulars went with him to liberate the same people they had policed forty years earlier. On 9 January 1945, the Regulars hit Blue Beach in Lingayen Gulf on Luzon. Before them were 250,000 well equipped and well fed enemy troops, and the strongest collection of armor in the entire Pacific Theater. The Japanese had three years to make the position impregnable Sykes’ Regulars took the beaches, took Purple Heart Valley, the bloodiest 6,000 yards in the world.

They then consolidated, regrouped and moved out to the Island of Munoz. The 20th Infantry Regiment, along with other members of the 6th Division, was the most heavily engaged unit in the United States Army, facing the last groups of organized resistance in the Pacific War, when the cease fire was ordered on 15 August 1945. The “Sykes’ Regulars” had 219 days of continuous combat.

In November 1945 the 20th found itself on occupation duty in Korea, where it remained until its inactivation in January 1949.