61st Field Artillery Regiment (PA)

The 61st Field Artillery Regiment was a reserve unit of the Philippine Army, activated in August 1941 as part of the 61st Infantry Division based in Panay. The regiment was initially organized to serve as an artillery unit in World War II. However, its artillery equipment was lost when the ''SS Corregidor'', the ship transporting their guns, sank after hitting a naval mine in Manila Bay. The regiment fought as infantry for the remainder of the war.

Organization

The regiment was formed from reserve soldiers and housed at the training camp in Dingle, Iloilo. Personnel were recruited from Panay, except for the officers who came from Luzon. Captain Gavino of the Philippine Army was the initial commander, and in September, USAFFE headquarters sent Major John Lewis along with four lieutenants to help with training. In November 1941, Lieutenant Colonel Hiram Tarkington assumed command, and Major Lewis became the executive officer.

Battalions

The 1st Battalion was commanded by Captain Albert Price, and later by Major Jacinto Gavino. The 2nd Battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Murphy, and later by Captain Trinidad in Mindanao. The 3rd Battalion was commanded by Captain Walter Wald, and later by Captain Senen Cleofe.

Transfer to Mindanao

In January 1942, a secret order was received by 61st Division Headquarters to transfer the 61st Field Artillery Regiment along with the 61st and 62nd Infantry Regiments. On January 5, the regiment left Panay for Negros Island and traveled by motor transport to Dumaguete port. On January 8, 1942, they arrived in Bugo, Misamis Oriental, in Northern Mindanao. A change of orders came, and they were posted in that area to defend against any landing of the Japanese.

A new headquarters, 102nd Infantry Division under Colonel William P. Morse, was activated to command all forces in the Cagayan Sector. The 61st Field Artillery, 81st Field Artillery, 62nd Infantry and 103rd Infantry were now under this division.

Japanese Landing in the Cagayan Sector

From Panay, the Kawamura Detachment entered the Macajalar Bay on May 6, 1942. The landing started right away at Bugo, Tagoloan, and Cagayan de Oro. The 61st Field Artillery Regiment had limited engagement but due to the farthest proximity of Bugo to Sayre Highway, Colonel Tarkington withdrew his regiment and moved to Alae. The regiment was ordered to the reserve area in Somilao Sector under Colonel William F. Dalton.

Puntian

The 61st Field Artillery moved to Puntian, deploying in Dalirig with the 93rd Infantry on its left and the 103rd Infantry on its right. At dusk, Colonel Tarkington conferred with Colonel Dalton on the defense plan and left Lieutenant Colonel Lewis in charge. Late in the evening, the Japanese launched an intrusion in the Puntian area, but the regiment repulsed it at a high cost. Tarkington hurriedly went back upon hearing of the intrusion and the news that Colonel Lewis had been killed. Early the next morning, he discovered that Lewis had only been wounded, and the regiment had held the line.

Surrender of the Somilao Sector

Colonel William F. Dalton, commander of the Somilao Sector, ordered all units within the sector to surrender on May 11, 1942, at daybreak. Despite his many frustrations and disappointment, Colonel Hiram Tarkington surrendered his troops. However, he allowed Filipino soldiers who refused to surrender to disperse into the mountains. He altered his unit's roster and allowed them to escape. The regiment was assembled and disarmed at Camp Casisang, Malaybalay, where American and Filipino soldiers were separated.

The regiment was disbanded after the war and was never reactivated.

See Also

* 61st Infantry Division
* 61st Infantry Regiment
* 62nd Infantry Regiment
* 63rd Infantry Regiment
* Mindanao Force
* Visayas-Mindanao Force
* Bradford Chynoweth

References

{{Reflist

External links

There Were Others
unpublished papers of Colonel Hiram Tarkington, CO 61st Field Artillery Regiment

Military units and formations established in 1941
Military units and formations disestablished in 1942
Philippine Army