Due to actions conducted in the fall of 1918 during WWI fighting in France, five men from the regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor: Johannes Anderson, Sydney Gumpertz, Berger Loman, George H. Mallon, and Willie Sandlin.

The 132nd Infantry arrived at the port of New York on 17 May 1919 on the USS Mount Vernon and was demobilized on 31 May 1919 at Camp Grant, Illinois.

It was relieved from the 33rd Division on 14 January 1942, and assigned to Task Force 6814, an assemblage of units gathered for immediate transfer to Australia to defend against threatened Japanese invasion.

On the morning of 17 January 1942, the last train car pulled away from Camp Forrest carrying the 123 officers and 3,325 enlisted men.

On 6 March it sailed again, arriving in New Caledonia, where it became an infantry component of the newly created Americal Division on 24 May 1942.

The 132nd Infantry took over that portion of the perimeter paralleling the Torokina on the extreme right flank and engaged in patrolling and in strengthening defensive positions.

On 5 April 1944, after establishing patrols along Empress Augusta Bay, the 132nd successfully launched an attack to capture Mavavia Village.

It was reorganized and federally recognized on 11 February 1947, at Chicago as a component of the Illinois Army National Guard.

A Gold color metal and enamel device 1+1⁄4 inches (3.2 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent, a pairle Azure between chief an oak tree Proper within a circle of five mullets Gules, a palm tree to dexter and a prickly pear cactus to sinister both of the third.

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Illinois Army National Guard: From a wreath Argent and Azure, upon a grassy field the blockhouse of old Fort Dearborn Proper.

The green oak tree is for Forges Wood and the stars represent the five major operations in which the Regiment took part in France.