The 102nd Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Organized in early 1942, the division was responsible for the defense of the Cagayan Sector of Mindanao during World War II.
History
The division was formed from the consolidation of troops already stationed in the Cagayan Sector of Mindanao, including the 61st and 81st Field Artillery Regiments (which had been relocated from Panay and Negros in January 1942 and were equipped as infantry due to a lack of artillery). United States Army Infantry Colonel William P. Morse was assigned commander of the Cagayan Sector on 12 January 1942. The formation of the 102nd Division was authorized by General Douglas MacArthur via USAFFE General Order No. 43 on 15 March 1942, during his passage through Mindanao en route to Australia. Due to shortages of ammunition, the untrained Filipino soldiers were unable to conduct live-fire exercises and had never fired their outmoded Enfield rifles, instead practicing simulated firing.
As of about 1 May 1942, the division numbered 4,713 men, including 19 American officers, 67 American enlisted men, 268 Filipino officers, and 4,359 Filipino enlisted men.
Japanese Invasion of Mindanao
On 2 May 1942, the division was alerted for combat after a Japanese invasion convoy was spotted north of Macajalar Bay. The Japanese Kawamura Detachment began simultaneous landings at Cagayan and Tagoloan around 01:00 on 3 May, supported by destroyer fire. The division engaged in the Battle of Mangima Canyon, attempting to block the Sayre Highway to prevent a Japanese advance into central Mindanao. After intense fighting from 6 to 9 May, including Japanese artillery bombardments and infiltration of the division's lines, the 62nd Infantry (attached to the division) became "tired and disorganized" and retreated toward Dalirig, with the retreat turning into a rout as Japanese forces attacked from three sides.
Surrender
Major General William F. Sharp, commander of the Visayan-Mindanao Force, surrendered his command on 10 May 1942, following the Fall of Corregidor. He had ordered the 102nd Division units in the Dalirig Sector at 21:30 on 9 May to surrender at daybreak. Including the 103rd Infantry, the division surrendered 16 American officers and 4 enlisted men, as well as 80 Filipino officers and 622 enlisted men. The remainder were listed as missing in action. Surrendered personnel were sent to the former 101st Division camp at Malaybalay. Personnel who remained unsurrendered disappeared into the hills of Mindanao, with many later fighting in the Philippine resistance against Japan.
Order of Battle
Earlier Period (before 3 May 1942):
- Headquarters, Special Troops, 102nd Division (PA)
- 102nd Maintenance Company (PA)
- 102nd Quartermaster Service Company (PA)
Later Period (4–10 May 1942):
- 103rd Infantry Regiment (PA) - Major Joseph Webb
- Provisional Battalion, 43rd Infantry (PS) (Companies "C" and "E")
- Headquarters, Special Troops, 102nd Division (PA)
- 102nd Maintenance Company (PA)
- 102nd Quartermaster Service Company (PA)
Key Commanders
- Commander: Colonel William P. Morse (USA)
- Executive Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Arden Boellner
- Chief of Staff: Lieutenant Colonel Wade D. Killen
