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26th Cavalry Regiment (PS)
Encyclopedia
The 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) (26th CAV (PS)) was part of U.S. Army Forces Far East's
Philippine Department
, during World War II
. The 26th engaged in the last cavalry charge in the history of the U.S.
cavalry
. The American Battle Monuments Commission
list 301 dead who were members of this regiment interred at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
.
, from elements of the 25th Field Artillery Regiment and the 43d Infantry Regiment (PS)
. The regiment was based there, with the exception of Troop F (which was based at Nichols Field
). As of 31 July 1941, the regiment had 784 enlisted men and 52 officers.
. In doing so, the unit conducted a classic delaying action that allowed other, less mobile, units to safely withdraw to the peninsula. The 26th Cavalry Regiment, consisting mostly of Philippine Scouts
, was the last U.S.
cavalry
regiment
to engage in horse-mounted war
fare. This charge occurred at the town of Morong
on 16 January 1942.
by Major General
Wainwright
in late December 1941. In January 1942, the unit, with assistance from 71st Infantry and elements of the 11th Infantry, raided Tuguegarao Airfield, destroying several planes, and killing multiple Japanese soldiers. Eventually the unit was supplemented by other soldiers and guerrillas, and remained an effective fighting force well into 1943. The remnants of Troop C would later be integrated into the United States Army Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon, which due to deaths and captures would be led by Volckmann
. Other guerrilla organizations were led by officers of the regiment, who ignored the surrender orders, or by enlisted men who escaped from Bataan. However, those organizations did not have a direct connection to the regiment, as the Cagayan-Apayao Forces did.
within the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS). Reorganized in 1967, allotting Troop C to the Connecticut Army National Guard
(CTNG), again in 1971 allotting Troop D to the Rhode Island Army National Guard
(RING), and once more in 1986 allotting Troop A to CTNG. In 1988, the regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 110th Cavalry Regiment
; later, in 1989, the regiment was withdrawn from CARS and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System. The regiment, as the 110th Cavalry, was relieved from the 26th Infantry Division in 1993.
173rd Infantry Detachment (LRS) of the Rhode Island Army National Guard states that it was formed from the existing troops of Troop D, 1/26th Cavalry in October 1986.
U.S. Army Forces Far East
USAFFE included the Philippine Department, Philippine Army , and the Far East Air Force. USAFFE Headquarters was created on July 26, 1941, at No.1, Calle Victoria, Manila, Luzon, the Philippines, with Major General MacArthur as commander. The Chief of Staff was Lieutenant General Richard K...
Philippine Department
Philippine Department
The Philippine Department was a regular US Army unit, defeated in the Philippines, during World War II. The mission of the Philippine Department was to defend the Philippine Islands and train the Philippine Army...
, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The 26th engaged in the last cavalry charge in the history of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
. The American Battle Monuments Commission
American Battle Monuments Commission
The American Battle Monuments Commission is a small independent agency of the United States government. Established by Congress in 1923, it is responsible for:...
list 301 dead who were members of this regiment interred at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City in Metro Manila, Philippines.The cemetery, or 615,000 square metres in area, is located on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west. With a total of 17,206 graves, it is the largest...
.
Formation of the 26th Cavalry Regiment
The 26th CAV was formed in 1922, at Fort StotsenburgFort Stotsenburg
Fort Stotsenburg, during the World War II era, was the location of the Philippine Department's 26th Cavalry Regiment, 86th Field Artillery Regiment, and 88th Field Artillery Regiment; along with the Philippine Division's 23rd and 24th Field Artillery Regiments...
, from elements of the 25th Field Artillery Regiment and the 43d Infantry Regiment (PS)
43d Infantry Regiment (PS)
The 43d Philippine Scout Infantry Regiment was part of USAFFE's Philippine Division, during World War II.-History of the 43d Infantry Regiment:...
. The regiment was based there, with the exception of Troop F (which was based at Nichols Field
Nichols Field
Nichols Field was a U.S. military airfield located south of Manila in Pasay City and Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Luzon, the Philippines. During the World War II era, it was the location of the Far East Air Force's U.S. 20th Air Base Group. Also, based here was Troop F of the U.S. 26th Cavalry...
). As of 31 July 1941, the regiment had 784 enlisted men and 52 officers.
Philippine Islands
Following the 1941 Japanese invasion, the 26th participated in the Allied withdrawal to the Bataan PeninsulaBataan Peninsula
The Bataan Peninsula is a rocky extension of the Zambales Mountains, on Luzon in the Philippines. It separates the Manila Bay from the South China Sea...
. In doing so, the unit conducted a classic delaying action that allowed other, less mobile, units to safely withdraw to the peninsula. The 26th Cavalry Regiment, consisting mostly of Philippine Scouts
Philippine Scouts
The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of native Filipinos assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, these troops were generally enlisted and under the command of American officers, however, a...
, was the last U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
to engage in horse-mounted war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
fare. This charge occurred at the town of Morong
Morong, Bataan
Morong is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 27,119 people in 4,204 households. Subic Bay International Airport is located in this town...
on 16 January 1942.
Guerrilla activities
Following the delaying action down the central Luzon plain, Troop C was cut off from the rest of the Regiment, having been ordered into Northern Luzon in an attempt to defend BaguioBaguio City
The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway...
by Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Wainwright
Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV
Jonathan Mayhew "Skinny" Wainwright IV was a career American army officer and the commander of Allied forces in the Philippines at the time of their surrender to the Empire of Japan during World War II...
in late December 1941. In January 1942, the unit, with assistance from 71st Infantry and elements of the 11th Infantry, raided Tuguegarao Airfield, destroying several planes, and killing multiple Japanese soldiers. Eventually the unit was supplemented by other soldiers and guerrillas, and remained an effective fighting force well into 1943. The remnants of Troop C would later be integrated into the United States Army Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon, which due to deaths and captures would be led by Volckmann
Russell W. Volckmann
Russell W. Volckmann was a West Point graduate and a leader of guerilla resistance to the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II. After the fall of Bataan in 1942, he retreated into the hills and organized a resistance force among the Ilocanos...
. Other guerrilla organizations were led by officers of the regiment, who ignored the surrender orders, or by enlisted men who escaped from Bataan. However, those organizations did not have a direct connection to the regiment, as the Cagayan-Apayao Forces did.
Descendant units
The regiment was deactivated in 1946 and completely disbanded in 1951. In February 1963 the regiment was constituted, again, in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, and organized in March 1963 to consist of the 1st Squadron, all being assigned to the 26th Infantry Division26th Infantry Division (United States)
The 26th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the United States Army. As a major formation of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, it was based in Boston, Massachusetts for most of its history...
within the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS). Reorganized in 1967, allotting Troop C to the Connecticut Army National Guard
Connecticut Army National Guard
The Connecticut Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
(CTNG), again in 1971 allotting Troop D to the Rhode Island Army National Guard
Rhode Island Army National Guard
The Rhode Island Army National Guard is the land force militia for the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It was established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the United States Code and operates under the command of the state governor...
(RING), and once more in 1986 allotting Troop A to CTNG. In 1988, the regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 110th Cavalry Regiment
110th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
The 110th Cavalry Regiment is a regiment in the United States Army National Guard.-History:Unfortunately this number has had two different lineages started under it...
; later, in 1989, the regiment was withdrawn from CARS and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System. The regiment, as the 110th Cavalry, was relieved from the 26th Infantry Division in 1993.
173rd Infantry Detachment (LRS) of the Rhode Island Army National Guard states that it was formed from the existing troops of Troop D, 1/26th Cavalry in October 1986.
Decorations of the 26th Cavalry Regiment
- Philippines Islands Campaign streamerCampaign streamerCampaign streamers are decorations attached to military flags to recognize particular achievements or events of a military unit or service. Attached to the headpiece of the assigned flag, the streamer often is an inscribed ribbon with the name and date denoting participation in a particular battle,...
- Three Presidential Unit Citations
- Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
See also
- Horses in World War IIHorses in World War IIHorses in World War II were used by the belligerent nations for transportation of troops, artillery, materiel, and, to a lesser extent, in mobile cavalry troops. The role of horses for each nation depended on its military strategy and state of economy and was most pronounced in German and Soviet...
- Military history of the Philippines during World War IIMilitary history of the Philippines during World War IIThe Commonwealth of the Philippines was invaded by the Empire of Japan in December 1941 shortly after Japan's declaration of war upon the United States of America, which controlled the Philippines at the time and possessed important military bases there. The combined American-Filipino army was...
External links
- 26 Cav at philippine-scouts.org
- Edwin Price Ramsey Web site Lt. Ramsey led the cavalry charge at Morong, mentioned in this article.