"We Have Returned"
This remarkable print is taken from an original oil painting which was
unveiled during the 117th General Conference of the National Guard
Association of the United States which convened in Cleveland, Ohio, in
September of 1995. The painting was commissioned by the Ohio National
Guard to commemorate the role of the 37th Infantry Division in the
liberation of Manila in March of 1945.
The 37th "Buckeye" Division was organized during World War I and fought
in the Meuse-Argonne offensive as well as in Flanders, earning three
campaign streamers (Meuse-Argonne, Lorraine 1918, and Ypres-Lys).
During the postwar years, this National Guard Division remained a pure
Ohio unit.
On 15 October 1940, the 37th was mobilized by President Roosevelt to train
during the period of "emergency" brought on by the war in Europe. Within
weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Division was alerted
for possible deployment to Europe, but the orders were changed, and the
Ohioans found themselves moving by train to San Francisco where they
sailed in May of 1942 for the Fiji Islands. Their training continued until they
were transported to Guadalcanal in April of 1943.
In July, 1943, the 129th Infantry Regiment from Illinois joined the Division as
they began offensive operations in New Georgia, followed by Bougainville
Island in November. On 9 January, the Division arrived at its moment in
history, going ashore at Lingayen Gulf on the island of Luzon in the
Philippines. They moved to the outskirts of Manila, and for the next month
fought house-to-house to liberate the city. In freeing Bilibid Prison, they
found members of the "Battling Bastards of Bataan," from the 200th Coast
Artillery of the New Mexico National Guard, who earned the reputation as
the first unit to fight in World War II.
On 3 March 1945, the 37th had liberated Manila and fulfilled the words of
General Douglas MacArthur. The fighting had taken its toll on the city and
one official stated, "Manila is dead!" The Buckeye Division continued its
offensive into the Cagayan Valley of northern Luzon and rested only briefly
before beginning preparations for the invasion of Japan. It was many a
relieved Buckeye when the news of the Japanese surrender reached the
Division and their families anxiously waiting at home.
The artist and publisher wish to express their gratitude to LTC Craig G.
Nannos for his research and support of this painting. In addition,
considerable thanks are due MG Richard Alexander, the Adjutant General of
Ohio, Major Al Faber and CW4 (Ret.) Jerry Wilson of the Ohio National
Guard Association who made this project a reality.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
unveiled during the 117th General Conference of the National Guard
Association of the United States which convened in Cleveland, Ohio, in
September of 1995. The painting was commissioned by the Ohio National
Guard to commemorate the role of the 37th Infantry Division in the
liberation of Manila in March of 1945.
The 37th "Buckeye" Division was organized during World War I and fought
in the Meuse-Argonne offensive as well as in Flanders, earning three
campaign streamers (Meuse-Argonne, Lorraine 1918, and Ypres-Lys).
During the postwar years, this National Guard Division remained a pure
Ohio unit.
On 15 October 1940, the 37th was mobilized by President Roosevelt to train
during the period of "emergency" brought on by the war in Europe. Within
weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Division was alerted
for possible deployment to Europe, but the orders were changed, and the
Ohioans found themselves moving by train to San Francisco where they
sailed in May of 1942 for the Fiji Islands. Their training continued until they
were transported to Guadalcanal in April of 1943.
In July, 1943, the 129th Infantry Regiment from Illinois joined the Division as
they began offensive operations in New Georgia, followed by Bougainville
Island in November. On 9 January, the Division arrived at its moment in
history, going ashore at Lingayen Gulf on the island of Luzon in the
Philippines. They moved to the outskirts of Manila, and for the next month
fought house-to-house to liberate the city. In freeing Bilibid Prison, they
found members of the "Battling Bastards of Bataan," from the 200th Coast
Artillery of the New Mexico National Guard, who earned the reputation as
the first unit to fight in World War II.
On 3 March 1945, the 37th had liberated Manila and fulfilled the words of
General Douglas MacArthur. The fighting had taken its toll on the city and
one official stated, "Manila is dead!" The Buckeye Division continued its
offensive into the Cagayan Valley of northern Luzon and rested only briefly
before beginning preparations for the invasion of Japan. It was many a
relieved Buckeye when the news of the Japanese surrender reached the
Division and their families anxiously waiting at home.
The artist and publisher wish to express their gratitude to LTC Craig G.
Nannos for his research and support of this painting. In addition,
considerable thanks are due MG Richard Alexander, the Adjutant General of
Ohio, Major Al Faber and CW4 (Ret.) Jerry Wilson of the Ohio National
Guard Association who made this project a reality.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints mainly
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All sales are subject to availability.
All sales are subject to availability.
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be reproduced
without their consent.
without their consent.
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