Arizona’s 158th National Guard Unit was ordered to guard the Panama Canal and to become trained in jungle warfare. So good did they become in jungle warfare that they received the nickname “Bushmasters,” after a species of deadly snake. During the War in the Pacific, the Bushmasters fought under General Douglas MacArthur as he retook the islands of the Pacific Ocean, including the Philippine Islands, from the Japanese soldiers. General MacArthur said of these Arizona soldiers, “No greater fighting combat team has ever been deployed for battle.” On August 15, 1945 World War II came to an end. The Arizona 158th was with General MacArthur when he entered Japan for the surrender ceremonies. Arizona had many war heroes. Army Private First Class Sylvestre Herrera of Phoenix was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He received this honor for attacking a German machine gun nest and capturing eight German soldiers. He completed his mission even though both of his feet had been blown off by a land mine. This monument honoring  the Bushmasters is found  at Wesley Bolin Plaza near  the state capitol in Phoenix,  Arizona. “Rosie the Riveter” With so many men being called into the military, American industry was in need of workers. Arizona women and women all across America answered the call for factory workers. Their jobs were to work on the assembly lines in American factories to build tanks, airplanes, and other wartime machinery while the men were away at war. American newspapers began calling these women “Rosie the Riveter.” These American women played a crucial role in America’s success in World War II. This famous World War II poster of  “Rosie the Riveter” was used to recruit  and honor all women who worked in  American factories during the war. 132  Chapter 13 • Changing Arizona