Westerfield, Hargis, 1909-1998

Hargis Westerfield was born in Richmond, Kentucky, on November 1, 1909. He received military training at Army Finance School at Ft. Harrison, Indiana. During World War II he served as a private first class in the Pacific Theater of operations, and earned, among other awards, a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Westerfield received a Ph.D. from Indiana State University, and served as a professor of English at the University of Nebraska. He was Division historian for the U.S. Army 41st Infantry Division from 1949 until his death in 1998, collecting diaries and reminiscences describing Division members' experiences in the Pacific Theater during World War II. These materials, in conjunction with his own research, form the basis for articles published in the Jungleer, a magazine produced by the 41st Infantry Division Association.

The 41st Infantry Division was composed of Army National Guard units from Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. These units were activated for service during World War II. During the war, recruits from around the nation were assigned to the various regiments of the 41st Infantry Division. The primary elements of the Division were its three infantry regiments: 162nd (Oregon), 163rd (Montana), and 186th (Idaho and Washington). The 41st also contained several smaller combat and support units including several Field Artillery Battalions, the 116th Engineer Battalion, the 116th Medical Battalion and the 163rd Combat Team.

The Division participated in many major battles and campaigns. Included among its major engagements were the battles of Salamaua and Sanananda during the New Guinea campaign; invasions of Wakde, Hollandia, Biak, Aitape and Jolo islands; conquest of Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindinao Island, in the South Philippine Archipelago; and occupation of Japan.

The entire 41st Division was deactivated on December 31, 1945.

From the guide to the Hargis Westerfield Research Collection : 41st Infantry Division, 1941-1994, (Montana Historical Society Research Center)