Neil Emery, a lifelong North Dakota resident, served in the G Company, 164th Infantry of the North Dakota National Guard during World War II. From training in Louisiana to guarding the tunnels in Montana and eventually fighting in Guadalcanal, Emery’s service was marked by adventure , camaraderie, and the challenges of war. In this interview, he shares his experiences and memories from those formative years.

Interviewer: You said you lived here all your life except for the…How many years were you in the service?

Neil Emery: The total was four years, eight months, and sixteen days.

Interviewer: And where did you graduate from high school?

Neil Emery: 1939, from College High.

Interviewer: Did you go to college after that?

Neil Emery: I went to college for one year, and then the Army came along and gave us a free ride over to Louisiana. We spent our training time down in Louisiana. Then, when the Japanese struck Hawaii, we were put on trains almost immediately to go to that area of the world. But while we were getting there by train, the decision was made that we couldn’t make it, so we spent the winter out in Helena, Montana, guarding tunnels so the trains wouldn’t get blasted in a tunnel. Then we went to Australia for a day or two and then moved up to the New Hebrides.

Interviewer: It was quite an adventure, wasn’t it?

Neil Emery: Yeah. We ended up in Guadalcanal. That was G Company, 164th Infantry.

Neil Emery’s reflections offer a glimpse into the courage faced by North Dakotans serving in World War II. From local training in Louisiana and Montana to the battlefields of Guadalcanal, his story captures both the adventure and the sacrifice of military service. To hear more remarkable stories from the people of Valley City, including experiences shared by Brownie Cole and Irene Haugen, explore the Valley City Talking Trail.