US Army Reconsideration Report on Cos A, B, C, D 38th Regt, 35th Div, I Corps PQOG
[TRANSCRIPTION]
Report on Reconsideration of A, B, C and D Companies
38th Regiment, 35th Division, PQOG
Recapitulation
Findings
Political Aspects
Recommendations
Notes and references:
1 “Co’s A, B, C, D, 38th Inf Regt, 35th Div, I Corps, PQOG,” File No. 271-14, online at the United States National Archives.
The President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas or PQOG was one of the large guerrilla organizations that operated in Southern Luzon during the Japanese occupation and into the liberation of Batangas. It had many affiliated outfits in Batangas, many of which filed for official recognition by the United States Army that they were elements of the Philippine Army in the service of the U.S. Armed forces during the liberation. Among these were Companies A, B, C and D of the 38th Regiment, 35th Division, I Corps of the PQOG. In this page is a transcription1 the official U.S. Army report on these companies’ request for reconsideration after their initial recognition request was denied.
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38th Regiment, 35th Division, PQOG
Recapitulation
On 15 July 1946, 2nd Lt Victor Smolen, unit investigator of the Guerrilla Affairs Branch, completed an investigation of A, B, C and D Companies, 38th Regt, 35th Div, PQOG, and recommended that the unit be not favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army (See Tab A).
On 27 August 1946, a letter was sent to Mr. Alodio Reyes, the Commanding Officer of the A, B, C and D Co’s 38th Regt, 35th Div, PQOG, informing him that his unit had not been favorably considered for recognition.
On 17 Sept 1946, Mr. Alodio Reyes wrote a letter (See Tab B) contesting the decision of this headquarters and requesting reconsideration of his unit. No reply was sent to Mr. Alodio Reyes to acknowledge receipt of his letter.
1st Lt Charles L. Homewood, on 9 July 1947, made a thorough and detailed study of all available information pertaining to A, B, C and D Co’s, 38th Regiment, 35th Division, PQOG, and the letter submitted by Col Vicente S. Umali, Commanding Officer PQOG, requesting withdrawal of all non-casualty units under his command.
Col Umali submitted a letter (See Tab C) dated 30 Jan 1947 requesting that all non-casualty guerrilla claims of the PQOG be withdrawn after the announcement of official recognition of the PQOG General Headquarters and the 2nd Infantry Regiment, PQOG (composite unit). The official announcement of the above was 26 February 1947 for the PQOG General Headquarters and 14 February 1947 for the 2nd Infantry Regiment, PQOG (composite unit).
The Commanding Officer, in his letter requesting reconsideration, makes nothing but claims that are absolutely contradictory to the findings in Lt Smolen’s TLR (See Tab A). He did not submit any evidence to substantiate these claims, therefore, they are not regarded as sufficient evidence to change the previous decision of non-recognition.
This unit does not appear to have any political affiliations or aspirations.
1. That the original decision of this headquarters dated 27 Aug 1946, not favorably considering A, B, C and D Co’s, 38th Regt, 35th Division, PQOG for recognition be sustained.
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2. That this report constitute the final action by this headquarters on A, B, C and D Companies, 38th Regiment, 35th Division, PQOG.
[Sgd.] CHARLES L. HOMEWOOD
1st Lt, CAV
1st Lt, CAV
Notes and references:
1 “Co’s A, B, C, D, 38th Inf Regt, 35th Div, I Corps, PQOG,” File No. 271-14, online at the United States National Archives.