# 101st Infantry Regiment (PA)

Philippine Commonwealth Army Infantry Regiments :
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101st Infantry Regiment is military unit and formation activated by Philippine Army during the early days of World War II. It was composed of Filipinos who resided in Mindanao, few officers from Luzon, Moros, and American soldiers assigned to command and train the regiment. It is known for his action in Davao province during the early days of war. It is credited for holding Japanese forces from reaching Kabacan for December 1941 to April 1942. It held them beyond Digos sector for 4 Months, that it needed reinforcements in April to reach Kabacan.

## Background

It was organized in August 1941 in Malaybalay, Bukidnon as part of the 101st Infantry Division under Colonel Joseph Vachon. On September 1, 1941, it was inducted to USAFFE and continue to train in infantry tactics despite lack of ammunition, broken rifles, and lack of equipment. 1st Battalion under the command of Captain Abellana with its military instructor Major John H. McGee was sent to Del Monte field to secure it. 2nd Battalion under Captain Nicolas Gabutina with its military instructor 1Lieutenant John R. Richardson.
Lieutenant Colonel Roger Hilsman Sr., took over the command in November 1941 but he was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Howard Frissell in January 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Howard Perry took over after Colonel Frissell was transfer to Cagayan sector to command reserve force on January 18, 1942. Lieutenant Colonel John McGee took the command including Digos sector on February 19 as Colonel Perry was transfer to Force HQ, he commanded the regiment until he was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Reed Graves as the sector commander in April 26 until its surrender in May 1942.
Filipino Army Captain Corvera was assigned as regimental operations officer S3 later he will be regimental executive officer under Lieutenant Colonel John McGee, Lieutenant Doak a non-com from 31st US Infantry was appointed as motor officer. Lieutenant Leon Tan is regimental engineer. Lieutenant Felipe, Ong ping, and Avis are officers of engineer detachment attached to the regiment
Made invaluable service. Captain Bernardo is the medical officer of the regiment.
There were several changes of battalion commanders since its activation. On August 28, 1941 to December 1941 1st Battalion was commanded by Captain Abellana with Major John H. McGee as its senior instructor, it was posted in Tankulan to guard Del Monte Field for time being it was the only combat unit in Cagayan sector until January 1942 when it bolstered with the transfer of 61st & 81st Field Artillery Regiments. 2nd Battalion was commanded to Captain Nicolas Gabutina with its senior instructor Lieutenant Colonel Roger Hilsman Sr., when it was ordered to moved to Davao and Major Frank McGee, (Ret.) took command few days before battle of Davao on December 20, 1942. 3rd Battalion was under Captain Vicente Marabol it was still n Malaybalay as it was still training with its senior instructor Major Arlie Higgins. It was ordered to Digos along with 3rd Battalion, 102nd Infantry to setup defensive sector in Digos under Lieutenant Colonel Howard Frissell on December 24, 1941.
In January 1942 Major McGee was replaced by Major Reed Graves as senior instructor of 1st Battalion in January 1942 after he moved to Digos sector to command 101st Infantry Regiment and also the executive officer of Colonel Perry. The battalion transferred back to Cotabato-Davao Sector to replace 3rd PC Regiment. Captain John Richardson became CO of 2nd Battalion in January 1942 after it was rested and rebuilt after Battle of Davao in December 1941.
In April, Captain Bradshaw replaced Graves as Military instructor of 1st Battalion after graves assumed command of 101st Field Artillery Regiment, Major Earl Frandsen assume command of the 3rd Battalion after Major Higgins was wounded.

## Combat Narratives

The regiment did not fought as a one unit due to the lack availability of a fighting unit within Mindanao. On December 10, 1941, General Vachon the 101st Division and Davao-Cotabato sector commander ordered Lieutenant Colonel Roger Hilsman Sr., to bring 2/101st Infantry under Captain Gabutina to Davao City and setup defense against Japanese invasion. Along with 2/82nd Infantry under 1Lieutenant Luis Jakosalem who came from Cebu, Davao PC Battalion under Major Gregorio Ferreols, and some volunteers that his force reached more than 2,000. Despite the large force, Colonel Hilsman don't have field artillery guns, coastal guns, and antiaircraft artillery pieces. Lack of training due to due limited supply of ammunition prevented soldiers to fire their rifles. To beefed up the leaderships Hilsman had Major Frank McGee who is retired Army officer turned planter in Malalag area, he also put Major Alvin T. Wilson in command of 2nd Battalion 82nd Infantry. On December 20, 1941 Muira and Sakaguchi detachments landed respectively in Tibungco in the northern part and Talomo in the southern part of the city. In less a day Colonel Hilsman's troops were routed and forced to retreat via Davao-Tigatto road. They undertook 15 days hiking through the thick jungle trek and deep ravine eating corn, monkey meat, and bananas.

### Digos Sector

After losing contact with Hilsman, General Vachon sent Lieutenant Colonel Howard Frissell to Digos along with 1st Battalion 101st Infantry and 1st Battalion 101st Field Artillery, setup defenses in Digos area to prevent Japanese from reaching Kabacan the southern terminus of Sayre Highway. He also ordered Frissell to look for the missing unit and Hilsman, word reached him from moros and soldiers from the unit that straggled in Davao area that Hilsman has gone to Bukidnon via the Callawa. Upon knowing Japanese has made another landing in Malalag, Frissell posted 1st Battalion 101st Infantry at west of Digos towards Malalag and 2nd Battalion 101st Field Artillery to the north towards Davao City. From January to February 1942, Frissell attacked Japanese who landed in Malalag and their supply warehouses in Padada. A detachment of 2.95inch Mountain Guns under Captain Manuel Acosta was sent from Malaybalay to provide fire support. This small detachment made a moral booster to the Filipino – American defenders. Japanese naval fire and air support prevented Frissell troops in attacking Japanese in Padada and Malalag. In the engagement it destroyed 2 of the artillery battery guns and killed Captain Acosta. The unit and guns were withdrawn back to Malaybalay as ordered by the Force commander.
He sent commando unit 101st Reconnaissance Battalion under Captain Narciso Del Rosario raided Japanese warehouses in Padada, resulting to destroying supplies and burning the warehouses. Captain Del Rosario was found severely wounded in this raid and he died on his wounds 2 days later. In February 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Howard Perry replaced Colonel Frissell as sector commander he was moved to Dalirig to serve as commander of the reserve force. 3rd Battalion, 101st Infantry under Major John McGee was sent to reinforce the Digos sector.
2nd Battalion 101st Infantry now under Major John Richardson was brought to Makilala from Kabacan to prevent Japanese infiltrating from the jungles of Padada. In April Kawaguchi detachment landed in Cotabato City and Muira detachment received reinforcements and sent force from Davao to Digos, General Kawaguchi sent a force via Mindanao river with their moro guides, landed in Pikit and reaching Midsayap. General Vachon ordered all forces to retreat in Kabacan, 3rd Battalion 101st Infantry reached Kabacan from Makilala on May 2, 1942. Fighting was intense but Japanese failed to cross Carmen Ferry to reach Malaybalay.
Pulled Out to Kabacan
The regiment has been fighting since February without let up, Division Commander Brigadier General Joseph Vachon decided to pullout 101st Infantry Regiment to Kabacan. 1st Battalion under Captain John Richardson, 2nd Battalion under Major Arlie Higgins placed in Aroman, and 3rd Battalion under Major Earl C. Frandsen placed in Carmen Ferry subsector.

### Surrender

On May 10, 1942, General Vachon received orders to surrender from Mindanao Force headquarters at daybreak on May 11. All combat units of 101st Division including 101st Infantry Regiment now under Lieutenant Colonel John McGee cease their combat operations and assembled in Kabacan to surrender. However, not all soldiers and officers acknowledge the order. They run and hide to the hills, mountains, and jungles waited for the guerilla units to get organized and joined at the earliest opportunity.

## American Officers and Enlisted Personnel on Duty in the regiment

Regimental Roster
* Roger Hilsman Sr., Lieutenant Colonel, CO 2nd Battalion, commanded Davao subsector, later sent to command Negros Force, CS Visayan Force, POW, Released in 1945
* Howard Frissell, Lieutenant Colonel, CO 101st Infantry POW
* Howard Perry, Lieutenant Colonel, POW
* John McGee, Lieutenant Colonel, POW, escaped to Australia, returned with 43rd US Infantry Division. Served in Korean War.
* Edward R. Mason, 1Lt., Adjutant to Colonel Hilsman
* John R. Richardson, 1Lt., later commanded 2nd Battalion, 101st Infantry in Digos, POW
* Felix C. Sharp, 2Lt., assigned to 2nd Battalion
* M. B. Booth, 2Lt., assigned to 2nd Battalion
* Milton May, Corporal, later promoted to 2Lt., assigned to 2nd Battalion
* William R. Collins, Corporal, assigned to 2nd Battalion
* Allen A. Russell, Corporal, assigned to 2nd Battalion, KIA Battle of Davao
* Frank McGee, Major, a retired army officer, offered service to Hilsman, and became XO Davao, commanded 2/101st Infantry eventually, later commanded 2/82nd Infantry under Communication zone.
* Earl C. Frandsen, Major, CO 3rd Battalion, POW, KIA (Brazil Maru)