Dark clouds were on the horizons in many parts of the world in the late 1930's and into 1940 and 1941. Japan had marched into China and Korea and had become the dominant military power in Asia. Germany had built a huge military capability in Europe, annexed Austria, rolled over Poland and declared war on Great Britain by the beginning of the 1940's. Much of the world was at war. The war came to the United States on the morning of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
The Peace Time Draft had been in effect in the United States since September of 1940, a fact little known by most Americans. And, that would be a good place for us to start the beginning of the 440th. Many of the future 440th men - the 'Early Birds', as we will call them - had either been drafted well before Pearl Harbor, or, had already been in the military for many years as career soldiers.
Within days after war had been declared on Japan, Germany and Italy, the seeds for the future 440th signal battalion had been planted. Men and equipment from several existing Signal and similar battalions and companies were brought together and married to form the a new signal battalion. With little additional fanfare, the Battalion was formed and constituted on 18 March 1942. A week later it was designated as the 440th Signal Battalion. The men were ready to be trained and outfitted.
After months of training, the 440th was transported by train from Geiger Field, Washington, to San Francisco, to await boarding a ship. Everyone in the unit knew they would be shipped out to the war in the Pacific and most were eager to begin the journey. On the morning of 22 June 1942, they sailed south west aboard the Torrens, destination: Brisbane, Australia.
Their 'great adventure' had begun.
The Peace Time Draft had been in effect in the United States since September of 1940, a fact little known by most Americans. And, that would be a good place for us to start the beginning of the 440th. Many of the future 440th men - the 'Early Birds', as we will call them - had either been drafted well before Pearl Harbor, or, had already been in the military for many years as career soldiers.
Within days after war had been declared on Japan, Germany and Italy, the seeds for the future 440th signal battalion had been planted. Men and equipment from several existing Signal and similar battalions and companies were brought together and married to form the a new signal battalion. With little additional fanfare, the Battalion was formed and constituted on 18 March 1942. A week later it was designated as the 440th Signal Battalion. The men were ready to be trained and outfitted.
After months of training, the 440th was transported by train from Geiger Field, Washington, to San Francisco, to await boarding a ship. Everyone in the unit knew they would be shipped out to the war in the Pacific and most were eager to begin the journey. On the morning of 22 June 1942, they sailed south west aboard the Torrens, destination: Brisbane, Australia.
Their 'great adventure' had begun.
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