Smestad, Erling Martin (Interview transcript and video), 2006

Goven, Jennifer (Interviewer)

Erling Smestad enlisted in the Michigan National Guard in 1938 and served in the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd (Red Arrow) Division until June of 1945. His unit trained in Louisiana and was shipped first to the East Coast and then back across the country and across the Pacific to Australia and New Guinea, where it fought in a series of battles before going on to the Philippines. Smestad's account covers all of this, and includes good descriptions of different aspects of training and of trying to fight a war in a jungle without adequate supplies. His interview is featured in the documentary Nightmare in New Guinea produced by Grand Valley State University.

2006-11-0

Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives

Veterans History Project (U.S.)

SmestadE

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