21st Division (Philippines)
The 21st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).
| 21st Division | |
|---|---|
 21st Philippine Division Emblem 1941-42 | |
| Active | 1941 - 9 April 1942 |
| Country | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Commonwealth of the Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type | Infantry Division |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | North Luzon Force; I Philippine Corps |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | BGen Mateo M. Capinpin |
WWII Philippine Army Divisions | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Next |
| 11th Division (PA) | 31st Division (PA) |
History
It was active from 1941 to April 9, 1942, whereupon it surrendered when Bataan fell. It was organized and trained in Northern Luzon. Col. (later BGen.) Mateo M. "Matty" Capinpin (PA) was the division's commander; he and his staff took command on 18 Nov 1941. The division's Senior Instructor was Col. Ray M. O'Day, and like all of his counterparts in other units, his training task was monumental.
Combat Narrative
At the opening of hostilities, 8 December 1941, the 21st Division formed a part of BGen. Jonathan M. Wainwright's North Luzon Force of the Philippine Army (later renamed I Philippine Corps), alongside the 11th and 31st Divisions, and the 26th Cavalry Regiment.
Order of battle
| 21st Division | |
|---|---|
 21st Philippine Division Emblem 1941-42, more common version | |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
- 21st Infantry Regiment (PA) (LCol. Valentin Valasco)
- 22nd Infantry Regiment (PA) (Maj. Joachin D. Esperitu)
- 23rd Infantry Regiment (PA) (Maj. Liberato Littaua) (2/23 Hvy. Wpns. Co. C.O.: 1Lt. Avelino J. Battad)
- 21st Field Artillery Regiment (PA) (Col. Richard C. Mallonee, FA; LCol. Nemisio Catalan, on c. 7 Jan 42)
- 21st FA Regt HQ Company (PA)
- 1st Bn/21st FA Regt (PA) (75mm guns, 16x)
- 2nd Bn/21st FA Regt (PA) (2.95-inch pack howitzers, 4x)
- 3rd Bn/21st FA Regt (PA)
- 21st Engineer Battalion (PA)
- 21st Division Units (PA)
- 21st Division Headquarters & HQ Company (PA)
- 21st Medical Battalion (PA)
- 21st Signal Company (PA)
- 21st Quartermaster Company (Motorized) (PA)
- 21st QM Transport Company (Truck) (PA)
Sources
- Morton, Louis (1953). United States Army in World War II, The War in the Pacific: The Fall of the Philippines. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, United States Army.
- Whitman, John W. (1990). Bataan: Our Last Ditch : The Bataan Campaign, 1942. Hippocrene Books. ISBN 0-87052-877-7.
- Morton, Louis. The Fall of the Philippines (Publication 5-2). Retrieved on 14 Feb 2017.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.