Memo to Guerrilla Commanders on Induction into the Philippine Army, February 1945

The Fil-American Irregular Troops or FAIT was a guerrilla organization founded in 1942 by the retired American Colonel Hugh Straughn, who would unfortunately be captured and executed by the Japanese. The FAIT had many units operating in Batangas, including Nasugbu, where its 1^st Regiment would be attached to the 11^th Airborne Division of the United States Army after the Nasugbu Landing of 31 January 1945. In this February 1945 ¹, Major Jay D. Vanderpool of the U.S. Army’s Guerrilla Affairs Branch issued instructions to Commanders of Guerrilla units in Batangas regarding the induction of their men to the Philippine Army and the U.S. Army’s 11^th Airborne Division. The Nasugbu Fil-American Troops were just one of the outfits sent a copy of this memo.

[p. 1]

GENERAL GUERRILLA HEADQUARTERS
CENTRAL LUZON

19 February 1945

SUBJECT
TO

: Induction in Philippine Army
: CO's, Guerrilla Units

1. You will immediately organize from your Organization a Company of Volunteers for the Philippine Army according to attached Table of Organization. These volunteers will be inducted into the Philippine Army but will be attached temporarily to a Battalion of the 11^th Airborne Division for Administration and Supply.

2. These volunteers will be equipped with the best of arms now available in your organization irregardless of the source of procurement of these arms.

3. These volunteers will be carefully selected to insure that only the highest caliber of men are inducted.

4. If the volunteers are former members of the Philippine Scouts or USAFFE, that will not affect their re-induction.

5. Officers who are not members of the USAFFE will be given temporary ranks. Those ranks will be subject to the confirmation by the Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

6. The roster of second identical company will be prepared.

7. The first company will be subject to call with twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of Roster by this Headquarters.

8. Additional companies will be called as required by the Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

9. The Roster of this company [unreadable words] within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of this communication.

10. Companies will retain the names of their Parent Organizations until assigned to a Philippine Regiment.

J. D. VANDERPOOL
Major, GSC, U.S. Army
Guerrilla Commander

Distribution:

1 CO, HUNTERS (ROTC)
1 CO, Fil-Americans (Castañeda)
1 CO, PQOG (Valenzona)
1 CO, Nasugbu Fil-Americans
1 CO, 11th Airborne Division

1 CO, Saulog Guerrillas
1 CO, Taparan's Unit
1 CO, AUSA
1 CO, Erne's Unit
1 14th Corps, U.S. Army
1 File

A TRUE COPY:

ORIGINAL SUBMITTED TO PHILRYCOM:

[Sgd.] Maj. JUAN M. VILLEGAS

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TABLE OF ORGANIZATION
1 CAPTAIN (Commanding Officer)

1 1^st Lt. (Executive Officer)

3 2^nd Lt. (Platoon Leaders)

1 Medical Officer (1^st Lt.)

6 Officers

1 1^st Sergeant

2 Runners (Orderlies)

1 Supply Sergeant

1 Mess Sergeant

2 Cooks

1 Company Clerk

2 First aid men

____
10

3 Platoon Leaders (Sgts.)

9 Squad Leaders (Cpls.)

_____
108 Privates

TOTAL OFFICERS                                                          –     6
TOTAL Non-Commissioned and Enlisted Men – 130
                                                                   _________
                                                                               136

A TRUE COPY:

ORIGINAL SUBMITTED TO PHILRYCOM:

[Sgd.] Maj. JUAN M. VILLEGAS

Notes and references:
¹ “1^st Regiment, Nasugbu, Fait” File No. 110-52, downloaded from PVAO.