History comes alive in February as the Oconto County Historical Society invites the community to an evening honoring the bravery and sacrifice of local soldiers.
The Speaker Series event, “The Red Arrow Division at Buna,” begins at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Beyer Home and Carriage Museum, 915 Park Ave., Oconto, and will delve into one of the most challenging and pivotal battles of World War II.
Capt. Florian Waitl, command historian of the Wisconsin National Guard, will provide a richly detailed presentation recounting the heroism of Oconto’s Company C, 127th Infantry, 32nd Red Arrow Infantry Division, during the bloody Battle of Buna in New Guinea in 1942-43.
This engaging presentation will take people back in time through an immersive combination of photographs, aerial imagery, modern drone footage, virtual terrain maps, and firsthand soldier accounts. Waitl will also share insights from members of today’s Wisconsin National Guard who visited Buna in September 2024, providing a unique connection between past and present.
The Battle of Buna was one of the most grueling campaigns of World War II, and its impact resonates deeply in northeast Wisconsin. Seven soldiers from Oconto and Marinette counties made the ultimate sacrifice in this campaign. This event offers a poignant opportunity to reflect on their courage and the enduring spirit of those who served.
The presentation is free, and light refreshments will be served.
Historical society looks back at Battle of Buna
