Philippine Expeditionary Forces To Korea
Encyclopedia
The Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) (Filipino
: Puwersang Expedisyonarya ng Pilipinas sa Korea or PEPK) was the Philippine contingent of the United Nations forces that fought in the Korean War
(1950–1953). The unit arrived in Korea
in August 1950. It was composed of 7,500 troops, and was the fourth largest force under the United Nations Command
. The PEFTOK took part in the Battle of Yultong Bridge and the Battle of Hill Eerie
. The unit operated with the United States 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, and 45th Infantry Division.
(KIA), 14 Missing in action
(MIA), 26 Wounded in action
(WIA), and 5 additional KIA in rescue efforts for UN. The total 10th BCT casualty tally for the war was 43 KIA, 9 MIA, 58 captured. It served from September 1950 to September 1951.
Over a four-day period , from May 18 to 21, 1952, this team of wiry Filipino fighters saw action in the epic battles of Eerie Hill . Six officers and 22 enlisted men were honored for meritorious services by the Philippine and American governments.
Gold Cross Medals were conferred to three officers, namely: Lt. Benjamin G. Santos, Lt. Cezar Batilo and Lt. Rodolfo Maestro. The latter also received a Bronze Victory Star from the US for leading the first successful assault on May 18. Lt. Leopoldo Regis received a Distinguished Conduct Star and US Silver Star for leadership in the assault on May 19. Lt Fidel Ramos, who led the assault on May 21, was conferred the Military Merit medal. Capt. Rodrigo Sarmiento of the medical detachment was also given the Military Merit medal for meritorious services for the period September 12, 1951 to May 15, 1952.
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
: Puwersang Expedisyonarya ng Pilipinas sa Korea or PEPK) was the Philippine contingent of the United Nations forces that fought in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
(1950–1953). The unit arrived in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
in August 1950. It was composed of 7,500 troops, and was the fourth largest force under the United Nations Command
United Nations Command (Korea)
The United Nations Command is the unified command structure for the multinational military forces supporting the Republic of Korea during and after the Korean War...
. The PEFTOK took part in the Battle of Yultong Bridge and the Battle of Hill Eerie
Battle of Hill Eerie
The Battle of Hill Eerie refers to several Korean War engagements between the United Nations forces and the Chinese Communist Forces in 1952 at the infamous Hill Eerie....
. The unit operated with the United States 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, and 45th Infantry Division.
10th Battalion Combat Team (BCT)
10th BCT Tank Co Motorized (AKA "The Fighting Filipinos") received the U.S. Gallantry Award for the April 22-23 Battle of Yultong Bridge where it suffered 10 Killed in actionKilled in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
(KIA), 14 Missing in action
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
(MIA), 26 Wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
(WIA), and 5 additional KIA in rescue efforts for UN. The total 10th BCT casualty tally for the war was 43 KIA, 9 MIA, 58 captured. It served from September 1950 to September 1951.
14th Battalion Combat Team (BCT)
The 14th BCT received the following awards: South Korea Presidential Unit Citation and Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. It served from March 1953 to April 1954.19th Battalion Combat Team (BCT)
The 19th BCT (AKA “Bloodhound”) received the following awards: South Korea Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation and U.S. X Corps Battle Citation. It served from April 1952 to March 1953.20th Battalion Combat Team (BCT)
The 20th BCT suffered 13 KIA, 100 WIA, and 1 MIA. It served from April 1951 to May 1952.Over a four-day period , from May 18 to 21, 1952, this team of wiry Filipino fighters saw action in the epic battles of Eerie Hill . Six officers and 22 enlisted men were honored for meritorious services by the Philippine and American governments.
Gold Cross Medals were conferred to three officers, namely: Lt. Benjamin G. Santos, Lt. Cezar Batilo and Lt. Rodolfo Maestro. The latter also received a Bronze Victory Star from the US for leading the first successful assault on May 18. Lt. Leopoldo Regis received a Distinguished Conduct Star and US Silver Star for leadership in the assault on May 19. Lt Fidel Ramos, who led the assault on May 21, was conferred the Military Merit medal. Capt. Rodrigo Sarmiento of the medical detachment was also given the Military Merit medal for meritorious services for the period September 12, 1951 to May 15, 1952.
See also
- Military History of the PhilippinesMilitary 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...
- Armed Forces of the PhilippinesArmed Forces of the PhilippinesThe Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
- Philippine ArmyPhilippine ArmyThe Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...