| Unit Name: | 71st Division |
| Dates: | 1941 - 9 April 1942 |
| Allegiance: |  Philippines |
| Branch: | Philippine Army |
| Type: | Infantry Division |
| Size: | Division |
| Command Structure: | South Luzon Force |
| Garrison: | Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac |
| Commander2 Label: | Division Chief of staff |
| Colonel Of The Regiment: | Chief of Staff - LCol. Salvador Reyes Assistant Chief of Staff - Capt Juan RelosaADC - 3Lt. Francisco Gallego 2Lt. Juan F. Fernandez |
| Commander3 Label: | Division Staffs |
| Commander4: | ACS Personnel G1 & Adjutant - Maj Juan Relosa ACS Intelligence G2 - Maj. Felix Maniego ACS Operations G3 - LCol. Pedro San Diego ACS Supply G4 - Maj Severino Obana Quartermaster - LCol. Daniel Victoria Surgeon - LCol. Manuel De Luna Judge Advocate - Capt. Leonardo Lucena Chaplain - Capt. Jose Miranda Supply - Capt Artemio Malabayabas Engineer - Capt. Hector R. Franco Provost Marshal - Capt. Santiago Ledesma Veterinarian - 1Lt. Cipriano Flores Communications - Capt. Luis Alba |
| Commander4 Label: | Support Staffs |
| Commander5: | Maj. William D. Collins, USA |
| Commander5 Label: | Military Adviser |
| Battles: | World War II |
| Notable Commanders: | Col. (later BGen.) Clyde A. Selleck BGen. Clinton A. Pierce |
| Equipment: | M1917 Enfield Rifles, M1917 Browning Machineguns, M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles, M1923 Thompson Submachineguns, 3inch Stokes Mortar, M1935 37mm Carriage Guns, M1918 75mm Guns, M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzers |
The 71st Infantry Division was a reserve division of the Philippine Army that fought under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). It was known for its fight with Japanese invading forces in Layac Junction, that was ordered to hold until all retreating Fil-American forces of crossed into Bataan Peninsula.
The division was activated in Negros and transferred to Luzon to augment the North Luzon Force. It was active from 1941 to April 9, 1942, whereupon it surrendered when Bataan fell. Previously it was active in Southern Luzon. Initially Lieutenant Colonel Donald Van Bonnett was appointed to start organizing its troops. Then few days later Col. (later BGen.) Clyde A. Selleck (USA), a 1910 U.S. Military Academy graduate, arrived in Negros to assumed command as the division commander. The division was inducted to USAFFE on September 1, 1941. General Selleck commanded the division until February 1942, when BGen. Clinton A. Pierce (USA) took over the command. Pierce had previously been in command of the U.S. 26th Cavalry Regt. (PS) since before the Japanese opened hostilities. Col. Salvador F. Reyes (PA), a 1917 U.S. Military Academy graduate, was the division's chief of staff.[1] [2] Initially activated on Negros island were 71st and 72nd Infantry regiments are formed. The division was transferred to Luzon on September 1, 1941. leaving its third regiment the 73rd Infantry as it was still being mobilized.[3]
The division was designated as a reserve force USAFFE initially attached to South Luzon Force. However, on November 25, 1941 it was transferred to North Luzon Force only to be committed if permitted by USAFFE headquarters. It saw little action at the start of the hostilities.
General Wainwright attached 26th Cavalry Regiment to 71st Infantry Division and ordered BGen. Selleck to move his division from Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Damortis and prevent Japanese from moving south. 72nd Infantry Regiment of Col. Lloyd Biggs and 71st Infantry Regiment under LCol. Halstead Fowler accompanied by General Selleck arrived at Rosario. 26th Cavalry was to cover the right flank of 71st Division and hold the junction of Rosario-Baguio road, east of Rosario in order to permit the 71st Infantry Regiment (less 1st Bn) under LCol. Donal Van Bonnett then at Baguio to clear that point and join North Luzon Force.
On January 6, 1942, the 71st Infantry Division under Brigadier General Selleck was posted at Layac Junction in Dinalupihan, Bataan supported by the 31st US Infantry Regiment under Colonel Charles Steele, 26th US Cavalry (Motorized) Regiment of Colonel Clinton Pierce with supporting units of artilleries, Light tanks, and self-propelled guns fought Imai detachment of 48th IJA Division. The junction was a key position based on WPO 3 and designated as a first line of resistance (MLR) of the combined Fil-American forces.
In this battle, Sergeant Jose Calugas (MOH) eluded bullets to take over a fallen comrade's machine gun and led a group of volunteers, and engaged the Japanese in a shootout thus enabling other soldiers to take advantageous positions to defend the line. For this extraordinary bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Lts. Julian Chua and Cecilio Garcia were also awarded Distinguished Service Cross for exhibiting exceptional courage.[4]
The division saw action in defending Quinauan Point from the Japanese landings in the western coast of the Bataan peninsula. The division was never utilized as one unit as it was downsized due to casualties and desertions of Filipino soldiers.
On April 9, 1942, General Edward P. King surrendered the entire Bataan Force and the entire 71st Infantry Division fell to captivity and suffered more casualties during the dreaded Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga.
73rd Infantry Regiment was left in Negros island as it was still activated by the time division was ordered to Luzon. Eventually the regiment was attached to 81st Infantry Division under BGen. Guy O. Fort and saw action at Malabang, Lanao engaging Kawaguchi detachment.
To cover the defense of Negros island LCol. Gabriel Gador commander of 7th Military District requested to call to arms all reserve soldiers and activated 74th Provisional Infantry Regiment under the command of Major Sam Jones to defend Negros Occidental and later 75th Provisional Infantry Regiment under LCol. Teburcio Ballesteros to defend Negros Oriental. Colonel Roger Hilsman arrived to take matters on Negros defense and became a component of Visayan Force of BGen. Bradford Chynoweth. When General Wainwright surrendered Corregidor in May 1942 all units in Visayas and Mindanao also surrendered as part of the condition by General Homma.
| Branch: | Philippine Army |
Negros Force - Colonel Roger Hilsman | Colonel Carter McClennan | Colonel Roger Hilsman
73rd Infantry Regiment (PA)(LCol. Robert H. Vesey) (attached to 81st ID in Lanao sector Mindanao)