The First Filipino Infantry Regiment was activated on July 13, 1942, at the Salinas California Rodeo Grounds, and the Second Filipino Infantry Regiment was activated on November 22, 1942, at Fort Ord. Their personnel were Filipinos living in the United States and American officers who trained in Salinas, Camp San Luis Obispo, Hunter Liggett, Camp Roberts, Camp Cooke, and Camp Beale. They departed for New Guinea on April 6, 1944, and fought in Leyte and Samar during the Philippine Liberation Campaign. The units supplied Gen. Douglas MacArthur with more than 3,000 officers and enlisted men for four specialized units: the Counterintelligence Corps, Commando Battalion, Alamo Scouts, and Philippine Civic Affairs. Many U.S. Army historians considered them among the most colorful, publicized, versatile, and decorated regimental combat-size units in the Pacific Theater of operations during World War II. Their personnel won more than 50,000 decorations, awards, medals, ribbons, certificates, commendations, and citations. The regiments returned to the Zone of the Interior on April 9, 1946, and were deactivated the following day at Camp Stoneman, Calif.

Photo: Manny Santos

Photo: Andrew Ruppenstein

Photo: Andrew Ruppenstein

Photo: Andrew Ruppenstein

Photo: Andrew Ruppenstein