The 32nd “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 September 1940. Their report date was October 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. They were stationed at Camp Woodside and Camp Sandy Creek near Adelaide. In July of 1942 they moved to Camp Tamborine (later called Camp Cable) near Brisbane.

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. When the war with Japan ended on August 15, 1945, the division remained to service occupation duty.

Juda soldier Raymond Matzke served with Company K, 123rd Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division of the U.S. Army. 

Raymond Ervin Matzke was born November 22, 1920 in Green County, Wisconsin. His parents were Elmer and Myrtle (Raymond) Matzke.

From the 1930 and 1940 U.S. Census, the Matzke family lived in Juda, Jefferson Township in Green County. The household included father Elmer, mother Myrtle, and children Raymond, Wendel and Donna Jean. In 1940, father Elmer was a silo salesman, mother Myrtle was an operator at the telephone exchange and son Raymond was a laborer in the silo building industry.

On October 15, 1940, Raymond E. Matzke enlisted for WWII in Monroe as a Private in the Infantry of the National Guard. He was a skilled mechanic and repairman and was single, without dependents. 

From the WWII Hospital admission records, Matzke was admitted in New Guinea in November of 1942 and was injured in the line of duty. The injury location was skull and the causative agent was “boat, sinking, by mine or result of other and unspecified enemy action.”

From the December 24, 1942 The Capital Times article titled “Juda Soldier is Killed in Pacific,” the article stated “Pfc. Raymond Matzke, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Matzke, who lived on a farm near Juda, was killed recently in the Southwest Pacific war area, members of his family have been informed by the war department.

Pfc. Matzke is the first known casualty of Company K, national guard company. He was a member of the company when it was mustered into service in October, 1940.

A number of weeks ago, the Matzke family was informed that Pvt. Matzke was confined to a hospital in New Guinea, but that his condition was not serious.

Pvt. Matzke was a graduate of Juda high school and a member of the Juda Evangelical church. Survivors, besides his parents, are one brother, Wendell, and one sister Donna Jean.”

From the May 28, 1947 The Janesville Daily Gazette article titled “Plan Memorial Rites at Juda,” the article told of a memorial service to be held for Juda fallen soldiers. The article stated, “The World War II veterans who lost their lives are buried in the cemeteries on the field of combat: Raymond Matzke in New Guinea, David Riley at Pearl Harbor, and Glen Rice in the Pacific.”

PFC Raymond E. Matzke died on December 1, 1942 in New Guinea. Matzke was buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines. He received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously.

Thank you, Private First Class Raymond Ervin Matzke, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.