2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment (United States)

2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment
Active14 October 1942 – 27 March 1944
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
TypeInfantry
SizeRegiment
EngagementsWorld War II
Insignia
Shoulder Sleeve InsigniaOn a yellow disk 3 1/4 inches in diameter with a 1/8 inch edge, a conventionalized black volcano emitting smoke, the volcano charged with three yellow mullets in fess

The 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment was an American Army regiment composed of Filipino Americans that was active in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It was constituted at Fort Ord under the 1st Filipino Battalion in October 1942 and was activated the following month until its disbandment and reorganization in March 1944 into the 2nd Filipino Battalion (Separate). It went on to serve in New Guinea and was later stationed in the Philippines. The regiment never saw combat. It was constituted by request of Filipinos.[1][2][3]

History

On 21 December 1941, the United States Congress amended the Selective Training and Service Act by passing the Filipino Naturalization Bill to permit enlistment of all citizens and "every other male person residing in the United States" which enabled the recruitment of Filipino-Americans who were previously not able to enlist.[3][4]

The 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment was formed in July 1942 in response to the desire for an all-Filipino regiment. Its recruitment grew until a 2nd Regiment was needed to be formed to properly organize the manpower. When it was formed in October 1942 it was initially led by Colonel Charles Clifford at Fort Ord.[5] In 1943 the regiment was sent to Camp Cooke for several months of training. The regiment stayed at the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation during October 1943. There they underwent even more extensive combat training until returning to Camp Cooke. In March 1944, the regiment was reorganized to bring the 1st Filipino Regiment up to 125% strength and the 2nd Filipino Battalion (Separate) was formed to take their place.[3] The newly formed 2nd Battalion then experienced a brief one month long stay at Camp Stoneman in June 1944. On 4 July 1944 the unit was sent to Oro Bay in Papua New Guinea. From there it was sent to Manila where it stay until its disbandment in 1946.[1][3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Statement of Service: 2d Filipino Regiment". history.army.mil. United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  2. ^ "Asian Pacific Americans in the U.S. Army". history.army.mil. United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d Fabros, Alex S. "California's Filipino Infantry". The California State Military Museum. California State Military Department. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Filipino WWII Veteranas/os History". vetsequitycenter.org. Veterans Equity Center. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  5. ^ "On to Bataan". youtube.com. United States Army. Retrieved 12 May 2015.