43rd Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts

History

Lineage [2]

Interwar [1]

The 43rd Infantry’s commander, records, and colors arrived in the Philippines and the Army redesignated it as the 43rd Infantry (PS) on April 4, 1921. upon arrival, they were joined by the:

• 2nd Battalion (PS), which became the 1st Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) from Camp McGrath

• 7th Battalion (PS), which became the 2nd Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) from Camp Eldridge

• 13th Battalion (PS), which became the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) and guarded the National Civil prison at Ft. Mills

In September 1921, the 2nd Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) transferred to the newly organized 25th Field Artillery Regiment (PS).

The regimental headquarters moved to Ft. William McKinley in 1922 (less 1st and 3rd Battalions). The 1st Battalion was also split up: Battalion HQ, Companies A and B to Camp John Hay, Mountain Province; Companies C and D to Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga.

Shortly after that, the Army inactivated the entire regiment on September 30, 1922 and relieved it from the Philippine Division. Its inactive associate was the 45th Infantry (PS), with all records kept by the 45th Infantry (PS). The enlisted personnel of the 43rd Infantry’s 1st Battalion stationed at Camp John Hay became Companies A and B, 45th Infantry (PS). The personnel at Pettit Barracks became Companies C and D, 45th Infantry (PS).

Although inactive, the 43rd Infantry (PS) was reassigned to the Philippine Division on June 26, 1931.

As the Army expanded the Philippine Scouts, it redesignated the 1st Battalion, 45th Infantry (PS) as the new 1st Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) on April 1, 1941 based at Camp John Hay.

World War II [3]

The 43rd Infantry (PS) had some of the first Philippine Scout casualties of WWII. A brief account of the actions of the command was kept by Captain Charles Starnes, CO , "A" Company. The commander of the Battalion and also of the Post was Lt Col John P. Horan. He had a Major Warner as the Deputy Post CO.

"At 0845 hours on Monday, 8 December, 1941 12 high level bombers struck the camp inflicting dam-age and personnel losses. One bomb hit the corner of the "A" Company barracks and the nearby sidewalk. Killed were Pfcs F. Bautista and D. Castro and Pvt C. Page. Injured were PFCs Espejo and Gasolbang. Pvt Kivat, who also was wounded, would die the next night. In addition to setting up a perimeter defense around the camp, the company was ordered to guard the Irali Jun Per Stron Hydro Gas and Electric Power Company. Post and Battalion Headquarters were bivouacked on the golf course near the rest house.

The 9th and 10th passes without further enemy raids. On the 10th, the guard squads were relieved by the Philippine Constabulary and returned to Battalion control. Two squads with machine guns were sent to outpost the Naguilan Trail (Road from coast to Baguio). The period of 11-19 December saw no enemy activity other than an occasion observation plane. At 1630 hours on the 20th, Company "A" (minus the two squads guarding the Naguilan Trail) was moved to join the outpost.

The 23rd saw the initial landings of the Japanese in the vicinity of Damortis. Elements of the 71st Infantry Division (PA) that had been moved north along the coast to try to eject the Japanese troops that had been landed at Vigan found themselves threatened with being trapped, so they withdrew up the Naguilian Trail through the 43rd outposts. One of the American advisors with the 71st Infantry Regiment (PA) was Captain Edward Dale of the 57th Infantry (PS). who was wounded and evacuated to the Baguio City Hospital. Also withdrawn to Baguio was Troop C, 26th Cavalry (PS) under Captain Ralph E. Praeger.

The Post Headquarters staff and the 1st Bn., 43rd Infantry (PS) (minus companies "C" and "E") left Baguio on 23 December, and attempted to get through Balete Pass to join the Northern Luzon Force (NLF). They were unsuccessful as they moved slowly and the Japanese had them cut off by shortly after Christmas.

The next entry was on 1 January when the force "arrived Carangloan". On the 2nd they "departed by motor at 1430 hours to Bambang", which they reached at 1830 hours. The next day they moved on by motor to "Magat River, then by foot on other side of Bayombong. Arrived 1000 hours and departed 1630 hours for Lamat River, arrived 1830 hours." They continued on the 4th still by foot to Bulaan Gate. The next day they waited until 1630 hours, perhaps because of enemy air activity. The march continued until 07:35 hours when they reached Usangan Barracks. However, the next note says "Billeted Kiangan Barracks." Apparently, Col. Horan concluded that this was a good spot to remain until the situation was clarified. On the 7th he placed outposts of five men each at Mazzoc, Jusdoan and Antipolo. Patroling was conducted from 0700 until 1700 hours daily. There were no entrys until the 10th when a squad of 5 men were sent out at 0730 hours to outpost Tinoc. Since the Japanese had made no attempt to enter the area, the reports were nil until the 19th when another outpost, this time of 3 men was sent to Taworg.

Reinforcements of an unexplained nature were reported on the 20th when "9 EM joined 'A' Co". This was followed by "8 EM joined 'B Co". Probing to try to locate the enemy began on 24th when 2 officers and 6 EM left on reconnaissance. Whatever was learned, something energized Colonel Horan. On 1 February the force left Kiangan Barracks on foot at 1000 hours and in made the 8 kilometers to the Ibulao Pass by 1145. It seems that they stayed in Banawe Barracks (these were Constabulary barracks. Whether there were any PC personnel is not stated). On the 3rd, a patrol of 1 NCO and 4 Pvts were sent out to Pasan Dalaga. Near there they made their first contact with the enemy in the form of a 40 man group, so they withdrew. Later in the day the company got in a fire fight with the Japanese that lasted until 21:30 hours. One Scout was wounded in his leg. The company returned to Banawe Barracks at 2255 hours.

For reasons not stated, at 1300 hours the Battalion left their billets by truck and headed by Banaue to Bagasan Gate (25 Kms) and then by foot (19 kms) to Mayayo, Ifugao Province. After three days patrols sighted Japanese "elements at Bargasi and Doligan, so group leave. On the 9th the report lists 1 corporal and 1 private as AWOL. Numerous outposts were established on the 17th and 18th. No sightings. After a week 1 officer and 12 enlistedmen went to Natonen.

The next entry is on 17 March when an officer and unstated number of EM move to Natonen. The next day two officers and some enlisted men depart Natonen for Barlig via Davalon and thence Cadaslon. Barlig is reached on the 19th and then to Talobin on 20th.

An unexplained note dated the 31st stated that the following left Lubuagan: 2 officers and 53 enlistedmen of "A" Co; 1 enlisted man of the 14th Engineers (PS); 3 enlistedmen of 57th Infantry (PS); and 10 men of the Quartermaster Detachment. They went to Vebarm area at Sabanga River, but continued the next day to Basao.

With the Fall of Bataan, the officers of the 43rd knew that no relief would come to them. Exactly what they did for the next month is not known. Unquestionably, the Japanese pressure to run them down was building up. Once Corregidor was in the enemy hands, General Wainwright was required to send officers of his staff to contact the various units that were in the Northern Provinces. Colonel Horan and the officers under him surrendered. Most of the Scouts were persuaded by a Philippine Army officer, Captain Nakar, who had joined the command, to go with him into Infanta Province and operate as guerrillas. Later, when Major Russell Volkman, who escaped from Bataan set out to organize the various groups and bands that were hiding in the mountains, most of the Scouts of the 43rd joined him and carried on the resistance until the Liberation.

Post-WWII [1]

After WWII, the 43rd Infantry Regiment (PS) was reorganized and the ranks were filled on April 6, 1946. At the same time, the Army redesignated the 1st Battalion as the 79th Infantry (PS) and a new 1st Battalion was organized.

The Army split the regiment up on October 25, 1947 and reorganized and redesignated the regiment as follows:

• 1st Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) redesignated as the 96th Infantry Battalion (PS)

• 2nd Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) redesignated as the 97th Infantry Battalion (PS)

• 3rd Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) redesignated as the 98th Infantry Battalion (PS)

These battalions were inactivated in May 1949 and disbanded on October 10, 1951.

Regimental Commanders [2]

Insignia and Coat of Arms [4]

Bibliography

[1] “43rd Infantry (PS).” The Philippine Scouts, by John Olson, Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, 1996, p. 78-80.

[2] “43d Infantry Regiment (PS).” US Army Order of Battle, 1919-1941, by Steven E. Clay, vol. 1, Combat Studies Institute Press, 2010, pp. 391-392.

[3] Olson, pp. 298-299.

[4] “Philippine Division (PS).” American Society of Military Insignia Collectors: Trading Post, April-June 1967, p. 34.