41st Infantry Division Association's legacy lives on at the Oregon Military Museum
CLACKAMAS, Ore.— The 41st Infantry Division Association commemorated the 77th anniversary of its creation and 70th reunion of the Association’s members during a ceremony this morning at the Oregon Military Museum, Camp Withycombe, Clackamas, Ore. Three of the Association’s members in attendance were World War II veterans, with the eldest member, Joseph Garcia, in his 103rd year of life. Other distinguished guests included Maj. Gen. Michael E. Stencel, The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard; Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Raymond F. Rees, former Undersecretary of the Army and Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard; Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Steven R. Beach, former Assistant Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard; Col. Philip DeMontigny, Commander, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and Command Sgt. Maj. Lee G. Smith, Land Component Sgt. Maj., Oregon Army National Guard.
The ceremony recognized the many accomplishments of the Association over the years and its commitment to keeping the 41st Infantry Division’s heritage and service to the community alive. They also recognized those who will continue to preserve its legacy in the future. After the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the museum and eat lunch together.
Association members who played an integral role in the preservation of the Division shared remarks and were recognized during the ceremony for their efforts. Those members include David Funk, 41st Infantry Division Association Ambassador; Bob Back, 41st Division Association Historian and Jungleer Editor and his wife Carolyn Back, 41st Infantry Division Association Webmaster and Archivist; Carl Gangl, Secretary and Treasurer; 41st Infantry Division Association and World War II Veteran; and Dan Sokol, National President, 41st Infantry Division Association and WWII Veteran.
“Many generations to come are going to benefit greatly from all of your effort,” Funk said. “But most importantly, we are fulfilling our obligation to promote the remembrance and perpetuity of the magnificent deeds of the Jungleers.”
The 41st Infantry Division, Oregon Army National Guard, entered into federal service on Sept. 16, 1940, after the start of World War II, and was inactivated just after the war ended on Dec. 31, 1945. To this date, the 41st Infantry Division has performed the longest overseas service of any Division in the United States. Not wanting their acts of selfless service and sacrifice to fade away, representatives from units of the 41st Division met in the Division’s chapel on Aug. 25, 1945, in the city of Zamboanga on Mindanao Island in the Philippines, and, at the proposal of the Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Jens A. Doe, the group became the organization known as the 41st Infantry Division Association.
The Association was created with the purpose of preserving the history and legacy of its Service Members through publishing a newsletter, holding reunions for its members, and gathering artifacts, now on exhibit at the Oregon Military Museum. The newsletter initially outlined the details of the Division’s history during its period of activation, and was distributed to each Association member, as well as to the next of kin of all Division men who lost their lives during World War II. The “Jungleer”, as the newsletter became known, continued over the years and included first-hand stories of veterans, battle casualties, and histories from each campaign. During the Association’s first year, the membership grew to almost 7,700.
With the numbers of the original Association members from World War II dwindling, Sokol passed the gavel of responsibility for maintaining the Division’s legacy to DeMontingny, current commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), Oregon Army National Guard, based out of Camp Withycombe, as well as to the Oregon Military Museum and The Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard.
“What an honor to know we are sharing in not only this momentous day, but to knowthat we, the caretakers of the Oregon Military Museum, were selected to carry this torch,” said Kathleen Sligar, director and curator, Oregon Military Museum. “We are honored to do so, not only for the public, our community, friends and family, but with the next generation of 41sters. That’s a huge responsibility and one we do not take lightly.” She added, “Your stories will carry on never to be forgotten. Your camaraderie and kindness in the face of such darkness will never be forgotten. Your acts of bravery and sacrifice will also never be forgotten. But, most importantly, you and your legacy will never be forgotten.”
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Photos for Release:
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Mr. Dan Sokol, National President of the 41st Infantry Division Association, handed off the gavel used throughout the history of the association to Col. Philip DeMontigny, Commander 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, at the final 41st Infantry Division Association meeting at the Oregon Military Museum, Clackamas, Ore. Aug. 24, 2022.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
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Distinguished participants of the 41st Division Association event with the 41st Infantry Division WWII veterans during the final 41st Infantry Division Association meeting at the Oregon Military Museum, Clackamas, Ore. Aug. 24, 2022.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
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WWII veterans and 41st Infantry Division Association members Carl Gangl, Secretary/Treasurer, Mr. Joseph S. Garcia, and Mr. Dan Sokol, National President, in front of an Amphibian 2 1/2 Ton Truck DUKV (Duck) from the pacific theater during the final 41st Infantry Division Association meeting at the Oregon Military Museum, Clackamas, Ore. Aug. 24, 2022.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
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Oregon Military Museum Directorate Kathleen Sligar and 41st Infantry Division National President Mr. Dan Sokol sign a proclamation during the final 41st Infantry Division Association meeting at the Oregon Military Museum, Clackamas, Ore. Aug. 24, 2022.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
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