Prior to service in World War II, the 32nd division, the “Red Arrow” division, was originally established with National Guard members from Wisconsin and Michigan. Some of their training took place at Camp McCoy between Sparta and Tomah, Wisconsin. The entire National Guard was ordered into service in WWII by President Roosevelt in Sept. 1940. Their report date was Oct. 15, 1940. The 32nd Division first reported to Camp Beauregard in Louisiana.
On April 22, 1942 the division left San Francisco and was sent to Australia. The 32nd division was involved in the Papuan campaign from September of 1942 to January 1943, the New Guinea campaign from January 1944 to November 1944, the Leyte campaign from November 1944 to January 1945, and the Luzon campaign from January 1945 to August 1945.
The 32nd division was in combat for 654 days, longer than any other U.S. division in World War II. They were the first U.S. division to deploy for overseas service. When the war ended on Aug. 15, 1945 with Japan, the division remained to service occupation duty.
Lafayette County soldier, PFC Francis J. Dorsey, served with the Headquarters Company of the 128th Infantry regiment of the 32nd Division of the U.S. Army during World War II.
Francis Joseph Dorsey was born on April 25, 1915 in Shullsburg in Lafayette County to Thomas and Anna (Udelhofen) Dorsey.
From the 1920 U.S. Census, the Dorsey family lived in New Diggings in Lafayette County. The household included father Thomas, mother Annie, and children Jacob, Francis, and Mary. Father Thomas worked in the mines. {Note: The job title is hard for this researcher to decipher}.
From the 1930 U.S. Census, the Dorsey family was in Shullsburg Township in Lafayette County. The household was joined by additional children Eddie, Vern, Louis, and Margaret. Father Thomas was a janitor in a community building.
On the April 15, 1940 U.S. Census, Francis Dorsey was living in Shullsburg City as a lodger living with Hannah and James Bennett and their son Edwin. Francis worked as a trucker for a road contractor.
On Oct.16, 1940, Francis Joseph Dorsey registered for the WWII Draft. He was 24 years old. Dorsey was employed as a truck driver in Shullsburg for Mr. Forrest William Guesler.
On April 15, 1941, Dorsey enlisted for military service prior to U.S. entry in WWII in Milwaukee. He had a grammar school education. His civilian occupation was “semiskilled chauffeurs and drives, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor.”
Private First Class Francis Joseph Dorsey died while in service in the South Pacific on Sept. 9, 1943. His death status was DNB- died non-battle. {Note: This researcher could not find an obituary for this soldier at the time of his death.}
From the Feb. 10, 1948 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Bodies of 11 City, Area War Dead Return from Pacific on Thursday.” The article stated “The bodies of one Madison man and 10 men from the Madison area will be among the 2,792 Pacific theater war dead aboard the army transport Cardinal O’Connell when it arrives at San Francisco Thursday…”
Included in the list is Pfc. Francis J. Dorsey. His mother Annie Dorsey of Shullsburg was listed as his next of kin.
From the March 16, 1948 Wisconsin State Journal funeral notice, “Pfc. Dorsey Rites,” the notice from Shullsburg was “Services for Pfc. Francis J. Dorsey, first of the World War II dead to be returned to Shullsburg from the South Pacific, were held Friday in St. Matthew’s Catholic church…
Military rites were conducted by the McCann Brothers post of the American Legion and the Amvets organization in St. Matthew’s cemetery.
Pfc. Dorsey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dorsey, Sr., Shullsburg.”
Private First Class Francis J. Dorsey was repatriated and reburied in St. Matthews Cemetery in Shullsburg. PFC Dorsey is listed on the WWII Honor Roll with the National Archives for Lafayette County, Wisconsin.
Thank you, Private First Class Francis Joseph Dorsey, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.
