Country United States | ||
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Active January 13, 1911 – April 9, 1942 Garrison/HQ |
The Philippine Department (Filipino: Kagawaran ng Pilipinas/Hukbong Kagawaran ng Pilipinas) was a regular United States Army unit whose mission was to defend the Philippine Islands and train the Philippine Army. On April 9, 1942, during World War II, the unit surrendered to the Japanese. 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 Filipinos, 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.
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Patch of the Philippine Department
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.
Commanders of the Philippine Department
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 area 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.
US Army Troops – Philippines – July 31, 1941
Total Strength: 22,532 (1,434 officers, 21,098 enlisted, including 11,937 Philippine Scouts)
The Philippine Department in 1914
General Headquarters:
Troops:
Casualty count
Ref: American Battlefield Monuments Commission