U.S. Philippine Division
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| Philippine Division | |
|---|---|
 Philippine Command Shoulder Sleeve Insignia |
|
| Active | June 8, 1921 - April 30, 1947 |
| Country | USA |
| Branch | Regular Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort William McKinley |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
MG Jonathan M. Wainwright BG Mason S. Lough |
The Philippine Division—officially the 12th Infantry Division—was the core of the US Army's Philippine Department. On July 31, 1941, the division consisted of 10,473 troops, mostly enlisted Filipinos, known as the Philippine Scouts. All of the division's enlisted men, with the exception of the 31st Infantry Regiment, and various military police and headquarters troops, were Philippine Scouts.
Contents |
[edit] Organization
- Philippine Division Headquarters (181)
- Philippine Division (10,473)
- 31st Infantry Regiment (2,131)
- 45th Infantry Regiment (PS) (2,265)
- 43d Infantry Regiment (PS) (329)
- 57th Infantry Regiment (PS) (2,279)
- 23d Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (401) (2.95in)
- 24th Field Artillery Regiment (PS) (843) (75mm)
- 14th Engineering Regiment (PS) (870)
- 12th Ordnance Company (PS) (142)
- 12th Signal Regiment (PS) (227)
- 12th Military Police Company (PS) (136)
- 12th Medical Regiment (PS) (421)
- 12th Quartermaster Regiment (PS) (592)
- 4th Veteran Company (11)
- Special Troops (5)
[edit] Combat Chronicle
The division was stationed at Fort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippines, as part of the US Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Units of the Philippine Division were on security missions at Manila, Fort McKinley, and Bataan prior to the declaration of war in the Pacific, 8 December 1941. After undergoing 2 days of bombings, the Division moved into the field to cover the withdrawal of troops to Bataan and to resist the enemy in the Subic Bay area. From 11 to 23 December, positions were organized and strengthened and on 23 December the Division was assigned to the Bataan Defense Forces. While the 31st Infantry moved to the vicinity of Zig-Zag to cover the flanks of troops withdrawing from central and southern Luzon, 30 December, the rest of the Division organized the main and reserve positions on Bataan. The 31st Infantry Regiment moved to a defensive position on the west side of the Olongapo Road near Layac Junction, 5 January 1942. This junction was lost on the 6th, but the withdrawal to Bataan had been successfully concluded. The Division was placed in reserve from 7 to 14 January 1942. This period was largely one of reconnaissance and development by the Japanese in preparation for their attack on the main battle position on the Abucay line. Elements repulsed night attacks near Abucay, 10-12 January,, and other elements of the Division counterattacked on the 16th. Strong offensive and defensive action was not able to prevent enemy penetrations and the Division withdrew to the Reserve Battle Position in the Pilar-Bagac area, 26 January. Until the latter part of March the enemy, made cautious by heavy losses, engaged in patrols and limited local attacks, and after a general retirement, 24 February, did not undertake any serious activity on this front until 28 March. During this period elements of the Division were shifted to assist in the defense of other sectors. The enemy attack on 28 March struck at a division weakened by malnutrition, sickness, and prolonged exposure to combat. The Division, no longer operating as a coordinated unit, was unable to counterattack against heavy enemy assaults. On 8 April, the 57th Infantry and the 31st Infantry were lost near the Alangan River, and the 45th Infantry surrendered, 10 April 1942. The victory over Japan ended the misery of Japanese prison camps for the survivors of the Philippine Division.
[edit] Honors
[edit] Campaigns:
- Philippine Islands.
[edit] Decorations
- Distinguished Unit Citations: 1 (all units).
- Medals of Honor-3.
[edit] Commanders:
- Maj. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright (November 1940-December 1941),
- Brig. Gen. Mason S. Lough (December 1941-May 1942).
[edit] References
- These combat chronicles, current as of October 1948, are reproduced from The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950, pp. 510-592.
