More info

The 366th Infantry Regiment was organized in February 1941 and was a “separate” infantry regiment. Separate not in the context of being colored but separate meaning this was one of only 50 regiments during WWII that were under the command of Corps rather than Divisions. These separate regiments, often referred to as orphans, were organized to function completely on their own. They had their own transportation, their own medical, dental and general services, an artillery company, and in the case of the 366th, even a band. 

Within days of Pearl Harbor and Germany’s declaration of war on the United States, there was widespread military concern that infrastructure in the eastern United States was exposed to enemy sabotage. The 366th was fully ready and available to respond and elements of Company B were dispersed all over New England to provide 24-hour duty to sensitive installations, including a secret radar research facility at MIT. PFC Chapman’s surviving compatriots served this duty until the end of 1942 and subsequently joined the combat in Italy in early 1944.