US Army Letter Informing the 6th Infantry Regiment McKinley Division of Non-Recognition
[TRANSCRIPTION]
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
Notes and references:
1 “6th Infantry Regt, McKinley Division, FAIT,” File No. 275-13, online at the United States National Archives.
The Fil-American Irregular Troops or FAIT was a large guerrilla organization founded by the retired United States Army Colonel Hugh Straughn and had many affiliate units in Southern Luzon, including Batangas. The 6th Infantry Regiment, McKinley Division, which operated in the town of Lemery, was one of these. In this page is a transcription1 of a letter sent by one Lt. Col. W. P. Moore of the United States Army to Dominador Encarnado informing the latter of the non-recognition of the 6th Infantry Regiment, McKinley Division.
[p. 1]
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
APO 707
Mr. Dominador R. Encarnado
Lemery, Batangas
Dear Mr. Encarnado:
The “6th Infantry Regiment, McKinley Division, FAIT,” purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control, has not been favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army.
A set of general requirements for guerrilla recognition, established by General MacArthur during the liberation of the Philippines, has been used as guide in considering the record of this unit. After careful investigation and full consideration of all available substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of reasons mentioned below:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
c. Performance of the unit did not indicate adequate control of its leaders, because of desertion of personnel to join other units.
d. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
e. Members of the unit did not devote their entire effort to military activities in the field to the exclusion of normal civilian occupation and family obligations.
f. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
It is requested that you comply with the provisions of Executive Order No. 68, by the President of the Philippines, dated 26 September 1945, copy attached.
Sincerely yours,
W. P. MOORE
Lt Col, AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen
Lt Col, AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen
1 Incl: Executive Order No. 68
[p. 2]
Lt. Col. Hugh L. Carnahan:
1. The “6th Inf Regt McKinley Div FAIT,” Lemery, Batangas, consisting of 2252 members under the command of Faustino E. Vargas, has not been favorably considered for recognition. No members of this unit have previously been recognized.
2. Col Marking Agustin, PA, former overall commander of the Fil-American guerrillas, states that the 6th Inf Regt never exceeded a strength of two companies.
3. Basis for non-recognition:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
c. Performance of the unit did not indicate adequate control by its leaders, because of desertion of personnel to join other units.
d. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
e. Members of the unit did not devote their entire effort to military activities in the field to the exclusion of normal civilian occupation and family obligations.
f. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
4. Concurred in by Chief of Investigation Section.
LEONARD J. AUBUCHON
2d Lieutenant, FA
0-1185963
Notes and references:
1 “6th Infantry Regt, McKinley Division, FAIT,” File No. 275-13, online at the United States National Archives.