Philippine Department
Encyclopedia
The Philippine Department (Philippine Garrison -- The Battling Bastards of Bataan) 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
, on April 9, 1942, the unit surrendered to the Japan
ese.
The Department and its sub-units were predominantly under the command of American
officers, including an American general
, while the majority of the troops were enlisted Filipino
s, known as the Philippine Scouts
(PS).
The primary force of this Department was the Philippine Division. Of the 22,532 troops, 10,473 were members of the Philippine Division itself.
All units of the Department wore the Philippine Department shoulder sleeve insignia, with the exception of the Philippine Division, which wore their own patch: a golden carabao on a red shield.
Officially, the Philippine Department’s insignia featured the Philippine Sea Lion, in white, superimposed on a blue oval with a height of 2.5 inches. The Sea Lion is derived from the coat of arms
of Manila
. The Philippine Department and Philippine Division insignia were both approved on July 8, 1922.
service command. Tactical command was thenceforth under USAFFE's control.
At the time of USAFFE's formation the unit consisted of 22,532 troops. Of the 1,340 officers, 775 were reservists. 7,293 troops were assigned to the infantry
and 4,967 were assigned to the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays
. ~2,500 troops served in a service or supply position, mainly quartermaster or medical units. The majority of the department's troops were stationed on Luzon
.
)
Troops:
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
unit, defeated in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, 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 mission of the Philippine Department was to defend the Philippine Islands
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and train the Philippine Army
Military history of the Philippines
-Battle of Mactan:The Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, is celebrated as the earliest reported resistance of the natives in the Philippines against foreign invaders. Lapu-Lapu, a Chieftain of Mactan Island, defeated Christian European explorers led by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand...
. 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...
, on April 9, 1942, the unit surrendered to the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese.
The Department and its sub-units were predominantly under the command of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
officers, including an American general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
, while the majority of the troops were enlisted Filipino
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
s, known as the 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...
(PS).
The primary force of this Department was the Philippine Division. Of the 22,532 troops, 10,473 were members of the Philippine Division itself.
Patch of the Philippine Department
Officially, the Philippine Department’s insignia featured the Philippine Sea Lion, in white, superimposed on a blue oval with a height of 2.5 inches. The Sea Lion is derived from the coat of arms
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. The Philippine Department and Philippine Division insignia were both approved on July 8, 1922.
Commanders of the Philippine Department
- January 13, 1911 - March 5, 1914 -- Major General J. Franklin BellJ. Franklin BellJames Franklin Bell was Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1906 to 1910.Bell was a major-general in the Regular United States Army, commanding the Department of the East, with headquarters at Governors Island, New York at the time of his death in 1919...
- March 5, 1914 - April, 1916 -- Major General Thomas H. BarryThomas Henry BarryThomas Henry Barry was a former United States Army Major General and Superintendent of the United States Military Academy from 1910–1912.-Early life:...
- April, 1916 - April, 1917 -- Major General Hunter LiggettHunter LiggettHunter Liggett was a lieutenant general of the United States Army. His forty-two years of service spanned the period from the Indian campaigns to trench warfare.-Biography:...
- April, 1917 - August 5, 1917 -- Major General Charles J. BaileyCharles Justin BaileyCharles Justin Bailey was an American soldier, born in Tamaqua, Pa. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1880 and in the same year was appointed third lieutenant. He was promoted through the various grades and became colonel in 1911 and brigadier general in 1913...
- August 5, 1917 - August 5, 1918 -- Brigadier General Robert K. Evans
- 1919 - 1922 -- Major General Francis J. Kernan
- 1922 - 1924 -- Major General George W. ReadGeorge Windle ReadGeorge Windle Read was a Major General in the United States Army who was prominent as a corps and division commander in World War I. Read also oversaw the departure of US forces from Europe at the end of World War I as commander of the American Embarkation Center at Le Havre, France.-Early...
- 1924 - 1925 -- Major General James H. McRae
- 1925 - 1926 -- Major General William WeigelWilliam WeigelWilliam Weigel was an American general, known for commanding the 88th Division in World War I.-Early career:...
- 1926 -- Major General Frederick W. SladenFred Winchester SladenFred Winchester Sladen was career United States Army officer who rose to the rank of Major General and became Superintendent of the United States Military Academy.-Education:...
- 1926 - April 26, 1927 -- Major General William WeigelWilliam WeigelWilliam Weigel was an American general, known for commanding the 88th Division in World War I.-Early career:...
- April 26, 1927 - March, 1928 -- Major General Johnson Hagood
- March, 1928 - September, 1928 -- Major General William Lassiter
- September, 1928 - October 1, 1930 -- Major General Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthurGeneral of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
- October 1, 1930 - March, 1932 -- Major General John L. HinesJohn L. HinesJohn Leonard Hines was an American soldier who served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 1924 to 1926.-Biography:...
- March, 1932 - February 28, 1934 -- Major General E.E. Booth
- February 28, 1934 - December 11, 1935 -- Major General Frank Parker
- January 22, 1936 - February, 1938 -- Major General Lucius Roy HolbrookLucius Roy HolbrookLucius Roy Holbrook was a Major General who commanded of the United States Army's Philippine Department from 1936 to 1938....
- February, 1938 - July, 1939 -- Major General John H. Hughes
- July, 1939 - May 31, 1940 -- Major General Walter Grant
- May 31, 1940 - October 23, 1941 -- Major General George GrunertGeorge GrunertGeorge Grunert was a United States Army cavalry officer who retired as a Lieutenant General in a 47 year career that extended from the Spanish-American War to the end of World War II.-Education and early career:...
- October 23, 1941 -- December 30, 1941 -- Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthurGeneral of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
- December 30, 1941 - April 9, 1942 -- Brigadier General Allan C. McBride
USAFFE
This unit was formally organized in 1913 and, on July 26, 1941, was attached to US Army Forces - Far East (USAFFE). Following the creation of USAFFE, the Philippine Department became, in effect, a corps areaCorps area
A Corps area was a geographically-based organizational structure of the United States Army used to accomplish domestic administrative, training and tactical tasks from 1920 to 1942. Each corps area included divisions of the Regular Army, Organized Reserve and National Guard of the United States...
service command. Tactical command was thenceforth under USAFFE's control.
At the time of USAFFE's formation the unit consisted of 22,532 troops. Of the 1,340 officers, 775 were reservists. 7,293 troops were assigned to the infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
and 4,967 were assigned to the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays
Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays
The Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays were part of the Philippine Department of the United States Army prior to and during World War II....
. ~2,500 troops served in a service or supply position, mainly quartermaster or medical units. The majority of the department's troops were stationed on Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
.
US Army Troops - Philippines -- July 31, 1941
Total Strength: 22,532 (1,434 officers, 21,098 enlisted, including 11,937 Philippine ScoutsPhilippine 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...
)
- USAFFE Headquarters (5)
- ManilaManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
- Manila
- Philippine Department Headquarters (289)
- Fort William McKinleyFort William McKinleyFort William McKinley, was established in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War in 1901 when the whole land south of Pasig River down to Alabang was declared a U.S. Military Reservation. During the World War II era, it was where USAFFE had its headquarters for the Philippine Department...
- Fort William McKinley
- Philippine Division (10,473)
- 26th Cavalry Regiment (PS)26th Cavalry Regiment (PS)The 26th Cavalry Regiment 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...
(838) - 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:...
(329) - 86th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (388)
- 88th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (518)
- 808th Military Police Company (69)
- Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic BaysHarbor Defenses of Manila and Subic BaysThe Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays were part of the Philippine Department of the United States Army prior to and during World War II....
(5,360) - Philippine Army Air CorpsPhilippine Army Air CorpsThe Philippine Army Air Corps was created by the Philippine National Assembly's National Defense Act of 1935. By 1940, the corps had around 40 aircraft and 100 pilots, 500 personnel, and six squadrons...
(2,407) - Service Detachments (1,836)
- Other (20)
The Philippine Department in 1914
General Headquarters:- Fort SantiagoFort SantiagoFort Santiago is a defense fortress built for Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. The fort is part of the structures of the walled city of Intramuros, in Manila, Philippines. José Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was imprisoned in the fort before his execution in 1896...
, Manila, Luzon
Troops:
- Field Hospital and Ambulance Company Number 4
- Headquarters Company K, 3d Engineers
- Headquarters Company L, 3d Engineers
- Company F, Signal Corps
- Company L, Signal Corps
- 7th Cavalry Brigade
- 8th Cavalry Brigade
- 2nd Field Artillery Regiment (United States)2nd Field Artillery Regiment (United States)The 2nd Field Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment in the United States Army.-Lineage:Constituted 25 January 1907 in the Regular Army as the 2d Field Artillery...
- Coast Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays
- 8th Infantry Regiment
- 13th Infantry Regiment13th Infantry Regiment (United States)The 13th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment whose battalions are currently tasked as basic training battalions.- History :...
- 24th Infantry Regiment24th Infantry Regiment (United States)The 24th Infantry Regiment was a unit of the United States Army, active from 1869 until 1951, and again from 1995 until 2006. The regiment is notable for having a colorfully checkered history, with a record of mostly meritorious service and valorous combat performance interspersed with episodes of...
- China Expedition (15th Infantry)
Casualty count
Ref: American Battlefield Monuments Commission- {For reference only. PS=Philippine Scouts}
Philippine Forces
| Unit | 1941-1945 | 1946 |
| 1st Training Squadron | ||
| 1st Philippine Coast Artillery Regt | 1 | |
| 2nd Philippine Coast Artillery | 5 | 1 |
| 1st Philippine Regular Division: | ||
| • 1st Philippine Infantry Regiment | ||
| • 2nd Philippine Infantry Regiment | ||
| • 3rd Philippine Infantry Regiment | 3 | |
| 2nd Philippine Division (Philippine Constabulary): | ||
| • 1st Regiment Philippine Constabulary | ||
| • 2nd Regiment Philippine Constabulary | ||
| • 3rd Regiment Philippine Constabulary | ||
| • 4th Regiment Philippine Constabulary | ||
| • 4th Veterinary Company (PS). | 5 | |
| 5th Photo Detachment | ||
| 6th Pursuit Squadron | 1 | |
| 9th Observation Squadron | ||
| 10th Fighter-Bomber Squadron | ||
| 1st Philippine Division: | ||
| • 11th Infantry Regiment | ||
| • 12th Infantry Regiment | 2 | |
| • 13th Infantry Regiment | ||
| 12th Ordnance Company (PS) | 45 | |
| 12th Signal Regiment (PS) | ||
| 12th Signal Company (PS) | 77 | |
| 12th Medical Regiment(PS) | 13 | |
| 12th Medical Battalion(PS) | 12 | |
| 12th Military Police Company (PS) | 40 | |
| 12th Quartermaster Regiment (PS) 12th Quartermaster Regiment (United States) The 12th Quartermaster Regiment was a regiment of the United States which was charged with quartermaster duties such as supplying all necessary ordnance, food, clothing, and supplies to the Philippine Division... |
90 | |
| 12th Quartermaster Battalion(PS) | 73 | |
| 14th Engineer Regiment (PS) | 324 | |
| 21st Philippine Division | 1 | |
| • 21st Engineer Battalion | 2 | |
| • 21st Field Artillery Regiment | 3 | |
| • 21st Infantry Regiment | 3 | |
| • 22nd Infantry Regiment | 3 | |
| • 23rd Infantry Regiment | 3 | |
| 23rd Field Artillery Regiment (PS). | 161 | |
| 24th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) 24th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) The 24th Philippine Scout Field Artillery Regiment was part of the US Army's Philippine Division, formed in 1922 and active until April 1942. Antecedent units dated back to 1899.... |
310 | |
| 25th Field Artillery Regiment | ||
| 26th Cavalry Regiment (PS) 26th Cavalry Regiment (PS) The 26th Cavalry Regiment 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... |
264 | 37 |
| 26th Infantry Regiment (PS) | 1 | |
| 31st Philippine Division: | ||
| • 31st Engineer Battalion | 1 | |
| • 31st Field Artillery Regiment | 2 | |
| • 31st Infantry Regiment | 6 | |
| • 32nd Infantry regiment | 3 | |
| 34th Quartermaster Co (PS) | 6 | 2 |
| 41st Philippine Division: | ||
| • {General Officers} | 1 | |
| • 41st Engineer Battalion | 1 | |
| • 41st Infantry Regiment | 5 | 1 |
| • 42nd Infantry Regiment | 4 | |
| 43rd Infantry Regiment (PS) | 28 | 3 |
| 45th Infantry Regiment (PS) | 983 | 58 |
| • 47th Infantry Regiment (Provisional) | 1 | |
| 47th Motor Transport Co | 1 | |
| 51st Philippine Division: | ||
| • 51st Field Artillery Regiment | 4 | |
| • 51st Infantry Regiment | 4 | |
| • 52nd Infantry Regiment | 4 | |
| • 53rd Infantry Regiment | 4 | |
| • 54th Infantry Regiment (Provisional) | 1 | |
| • 57th Infantry Regiment (PS} | 878 | 105 |
| 59th Coast Artillery Regiment | 1 | |
| 61st Philippine Division: | ||
| • 61st Field Artillery Regiment | 3 | |
| • 62nd Infantry Regiment | 4 | |
| • 63rd Infantry Regiment | 1 | |
| 65th Quartermaster Troops {PS} | 18 | |
| 66th Quartermaster Troops {PS} | 18 | 3 |
| 71st Philippine Division: | ||
| • 71st Engineer Battalion | 10 | |
| • 71st Field Artillery Regiment | 1 | |
| • 71st Infantry Regiment | 2 | |
| • 72nd Infantry Regiment | 6 | |
| • 73rd Infantry Regiment. | 3 | |
| • 75th Infantry Regiment (Provisional) | 1 | |
| 74th Philippine Infantry Regiment (Provisional) | 1 | |
| 74th Quartermaster Baking Co {PS} | 17 | |
| 76th Ordnance Company | ||
| 81st Philippine Division: | ||
| • 86th Field Artillery Battalion (PS) | 154 | 7 |
| • 86th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) | 8 | |
| • 88th Field Artillery Battalion (PS) | 3 | |
| • 88th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) | 175 | 13 |
| 91st Philippine Division: | ||
| • 91st Infantry Regiment | 1 | |
| • 91st Coast Artillery Regiment(PS) | 198 | 5 |
| • 92nd Coast Artillery Regiment(PS) | 191 | 9 |
| 101st Philippine Division: | ||
| 102 Philippine Division: | ||
| 120th Ordnance Company (PS) | 1 | |
| 252nd Signal Const. Com. (PS) | 44 | |
| Special Troops |
US Army forces
| Unit | 1941-1945 | 1946 |
| 4th Chemical Co (Aviation) | 35 | |
| US 4th Composite Group | ||
| U.S. 20th Air Base Group U.S. 20th Air Base Group The 20th Air Base Group was part of the Far East Air Force, during World War II. The 20th ABG was based at Nichols Field, in the Philippines.-Organization of the 20th Air Base Group:*U.S. 27th Material Squadron*U.S. 28th Material Squadron... |
||
| • 27th Air Material Squadron | 73 | 2 |
| • 28th Air Material Squadron | 90 | 2 |
| • 19th Air Base Squadron | 1 | |
| 28th Bomber Squadron | 124 | 8 |
| US 31st Infantry Regiment | 914 | 24 |
| 50th Coast Artillery Regiment | 7 | |
| 59th Coast Artillery Regiment | 307 | 6 (+1, 1948) |
| 60th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiment 60th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiment The 60th Coast Artillery , during the World War II era, was part of USAFFE's Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays, under the Philippine Coast Artillery Command. This anti-aircraft unit was to provide air defense over Manila Bay and the southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula... |
387 | 3 |
| 75th Ordnance Deport Company | 3 | |
| 75th Ordnance Company | 35 | |
| 192nd Tank Battalion 192nd Tank Battalion The 192nd Tank Battalion of the United States Army was a federalized Army National Guard unit activated in November 1940. Deployed to the Philippines, the battalion was engaged in combat during the Japanese invasion and the US retreat to the Bataan Peninsula; being part of the force that... |
188 | 1 |
| 194th Armour Regiment | 183 | |
| 200th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiment 200th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiment The 200th Coast Artillery was a United States Army unit during the first half of World War II. Today descendant elements serve with the New Mexico Army National Guard as the 200th Infantry.-History:... |
374 | |
| 515th Coastal Artillery | 206 | 1 |
| 803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion | 232 | |
| 808th Military Police Company | 89 | 1 |
US Navy and USMC
| Type | Navy | USMC |
| KIA | 337 | 89 |
| Wounded died later | 2 | |
| Died POW | 630 | 413 |
| Invalided from Service | 3 | 1 |
- Source:
- Note: Marines were 4th Marines
US Navy casualties/losses
Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron ThreeMotor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three was a United States Navy squadron based at Cavite, Philippines, from September 1941 to mid-April 1942. It was commanded by then-Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley and made up of six motor torpedo boats: PT 31, PT 32, PT 33, PT 34, PT 35, and PT 41, the last as the...
:• PT-34: 2 killed 3 wounded • Houston (CA-30) USS Houston (CA-30)USS Houston , nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast", was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy...
: 693 fatalities• USS Asheville (PG-21) USS Asheville (PG-21)USS Asheville was a gunboat that served in the United States Navy during the early days of America's participation in World War II...
: 160 fatalities {No survivors by Wars end}• USS Oahu (PR-6) USS Oahu (PR-6)The first USS Oahu , a Yangtze River gunboat, was laid down by Kiangnan Dock and Engineering Works, Shanghai, China, 18 December 1926; launched as PG–46 on 26 November 1927; sponsored by Mrs. Bryson Bruce, wife of Comdr. Bruce; and commissioned 22 October 1928, Lt. Comdr. A. C...
: 55 fatalities {No Survivors}
US Merchant Marine casualties - Philippines 1941)
- See