Norman C. Strand
Awarded Combat Infantryman Badge for Duty in Action
With the American Division Somewhere in the Southwest Pacific -- For his performance of duty in action against the enemy on Guadalcanal, Pfc. Norman Strand, of Lowell, has been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge.The badge, worn above the left breast pocket, is a silver rifle on a field of infantry blue within a silver border, an elliptical wreath in the background.
Strand has been overseas for 30 months in a veteran infantry regiment which fought at Guadalcanal with other units of the American Division, securing the island on Feb. 9, 1943. Again on Bougainville, the regiment distinguished itself in the bloody battle for Hill 260.
Major General Robert B. McClure of Palo Alto, Calif., commanding the Americal Division, saw action on Guadalcanal and led the amphibious attack that took Vella Lavella in the Solomons.
The division, formed in New Caledonia, is the only division in the U.S. Army having a name instead of a number.
This Lowell Tribune article was found in the March 22, 1945, issue (page 2, column 2):
- With the American Division Somewhere in the Philippines -- Now operating in the Philippines with a veteran front line infantry regiment of the American Division and participating in his third major campaign against the Japs, is Pfc. Norman C. Strand, route 1, Lowell.
- Veteran of the battles of Guadalcanal and Bougainville and holder of the Combat Infantryman Badge for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy, the Lowell soldier has been overseas 37 months. He also wears the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Drivers and Mechanics Award and the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with three battle stars.
- In civil life an employee of the Continental Can Co., Strand serves as a messenger in this combat area, where remnants of once-strong Japanese forces are being liquidated by hard-driving doughboys.
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