USAFFE Insignia Display

[friscohare]

Hi everyone,

Here's part of the display that I created last September to show at BAM (Bay Area Militaria Show) that presents the organizational hierarchy of the USAFFE in December 1941. I placed the respective DUIs with the units labeled on the boards. I hope these help in identifying some of the collar insignia of the American and Philippine Scout units serving with the USAFFE.

Board 1: Organization of the USAFFE



Please click here to enlarge. www.seanconejos.com/hobbies/p_dept/images/01USAFFE_Table.jpg

[friscohare]

Board 2: Organization of the Philippine Division
(Based on a ASMIC Trading Post's "Division Composition" table. Apr-Jun 1967.)



Please click here to enlarge. www.seanconejos.com/hobbies/p_dept/images/02PhilDiv_Table.jpg

*Some of my insignia on the board are just printed out on paper or are post-WWII stand ins. I hope to one day purchase the real DUIs and replace these stand ins, like the 12th Quartermaster Regiment or the Philippine Division DUIs.

I will also post the rest of my display at a later date. I moved back to Chicago so I need to reorganize things. Thanks for looking.

~Sean

[legionnaire]

Great work Sean on the Philippine Division Organization

Wow you have a PCA CMD DUI! Yes the 12th QM DUI is the rarest and hard to find. Why is your 45th DUI located below?

Now we need to have the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines and Philippine Constabulary Organizational units, as they were a huge major part of the USAFFE.

Thank you for Posting these display!

Philip

[oklahoma]

Hey Frisco...You may be just the party that can answer a question that has been bugging me for quite some time. It's not important, but neverless it nags at me. My niece in law (married to my nephew) had grandfather who served with the 31st Infantry Regt (US), Company G & H. He was liberated from Bilibid in 1945 when Manila was retaken, returned stateside and lived until the 1980s. In his personal effects there were three shoulder patches. Two, were of course, the blue and white Seahorse of the Philippine Dept and the Red and Gold Carabao shield of the Philippine Division. The third patch is the one that I cannot identify. It is circular, divided equally, half a red semi circle and half a black (maybe Navy blue) semi circle. The usual water buffalo skull/head is centered on this red and black, round patch. I am wondering if this might be the 31st Regimental Insignia. I have seen photos of their Regimental Flag and as nearly as I could detect the flag was half red, half black with this same Carabao head/skull centered thereon. Am I on the correct tract here? Postscript...I realize that the Polar Bear is usually associated with the 31st, but that is a Carabao head displayed on some of the pennants I have seen pix of that are being carried in parades/ceremonies involving the 31st. Cheers

[friscohare]

Feb 6, 2011 11:31:44 GMT -5 oklahoma said:

The third patch is the one that I cannot identify. It is circular, divided equally, half a red semi circle and half a black (maybe Navy blue) semi circle. The usual water buffalo skull/head is centered on this red and black, round patch. I am wondering if this might be the 31st Regimental Insignia. I have seen photos of their Regimental Flag and as nearly as I could detect the flag was half red, half black with this same Carabao head/skull centered thereon. Am I on the correct tract here? Postscript...I realize that the Polar Bear is usually associated with the 31st, but that is a Carabao head displayed on some of the pennants I have seen pix of that are being carried in parades/ceremonies involving the 31st. Cheers

Hi oklahoma,
Based on the information above, I made a quick rendition of what the patch might look like. Does it match any of the ones below? (or am I off?)



If so, based on the colors and the information provided, I wonder if the patch/insignia has more to do with the Philippine Division rather than the 31st Infantry Regiment.

The colors match the Division's flag like the one Philip is holding:

Do you have any pictures of the patch that you can post?

Also, I think the the flags and banners with the carabao were there because the 31st was part of P Div. They had been with the Division since its inception in 1921 until 1946. The 31st's Regimental Flag and Crest do not have the carabao and feature the Sea Lion instead to commemorate its Philippine service.

31st Regimental Crest and Flag:


In my honest opinion, I think it could be a rare Philippine Division patch or could even be a post-war patch that celebrated those who served with the P Div. It's hard to know its age for sure but it sounds quite unique.

[friscohare]

Feb 6, 2011 2:39:42 GMT -5 legionnaire said:

Great work Sean on the Philippine Division Organization

Wow you have a PCA CMD DUI! Yes the 12th QM DUI is the rarest and hard to find. Why is your 45th DUI located below?

Now we need to have the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines and Philippine Constabulary Organizational units, as they were a huge major part of the USAFFE.

Thank you for Posting these display!

Philip

Thanks Philip. I realize that I am missing a bunch of USAFFE units... I just ran out of space. I had trouble fitting all of them in so I just put in what I could.

As for the 45th DI at the bottom, I placed it there because it is in its original packaging and it takes up a lot of space. I wanted to leave room by the 45th DIs at the top just in case I find more variations.

[oklahoma]

Hey Frisco....The patch on the right would be close, if not identical to the patch that I have the question about. My niece in law is in the process of restoring her grand fathers uniform and knowing that I was a history buff, and especially literally "ate up" with the Bataan/Corregidor phase of the Pacific War, she enlisted/coerced (I was tickled to death to help her) me into her project. I put icing on the cake by giving her a fairly complete summary of the Abucay Line fight since her grandfather was involved (at least his Company G and/or H was up to their eyeballs in the fight). I have never been able to determine which Company he was with during this engagement, but since both were heavily involved I gave her and her mother (the man's daughter) maps of what units were where etc during the whole mini-campaign. This soldier was captured while in hospital either at Hosp # 1 or #2 when Bataan surrendered and didn't endure the Death March. We have never been able to determine whether he was wounded or hospitalized for malaria,etc. Whatever, he ended up at Cabanatuan, worked at Clark Field doing forced labor in it's reconstruction and eventually was liberated at Bilibid Prison. For years they assumed he was a participant in the trek to San Fernando/Capas, but I was able to show them from his interviews with local newspapers, his VWF/American Legion/Vets Administration records and info that he had never claimed or said that he survived the "Death March". His relatives never were that interested in learning of what he did/did not do during his military service, but this grand daughter got the ball rolling and I was happy to "fill them in" as best I could. I have babbled too long and gotten away from the essential reason I asked for your help concerning the shoulder patch. I wonder if what I was questioning is a patch he might have picked up at the PX or maybe some shop in peacetime Manila. An emblem not actually authorized, but something most of the GIs purchased to maybe send back to the folks at home. I know that when I was in Korea in 1952-53 I bought a unit insignia, not authorized, but still in use by our USAF Wing "Alumni Assn". It was never to be worn on a Class A uniform, but we sported it on fatigue jackets, etc. Mine is now framed and hanging on my den wall. Nice talking to you and thanks for clearing this little question up for me. I think we have it right, at least to my satisfaction. Cheers.

[friscohare]

Feb 6, 2011 15:53:45 GMT -5 oklahoma said:

I have never been able to determine which Company he was with during this engagement, but since both were heavily involved I gave her and her mother (the man's daughter) maps of what units were where etc during the whole mini-campaign. This soldier was captured while in hospital either at Hosp # 1 or #2 when Bataan surrendered and didn't endure the Death March. We have never been able to determine whether he was wounded or hospitalized for malaria,etc. Whatever, he ended up at Cabanatuan, worked at Clark Field doing forced labor in it's reconstruction and eventually was liberated at Bilibid Prison.

Hey oklahoma,
Here's a website that lists Pacific POWs. It has been helpful in my research, especially in finding which unit a person served in. Maybe her grandfather's name might be on the list... and it could possibly list the company that he served in as well.

I hope it helps: home.comcast.net/~winjerd/PacRostr.csv

[VeeVee]

FriscoHare,
Great display, very inspiring. Keep updating us with your displays.


Okla,
You had described that patch to me a long time ago but never put two and two together. I'm glad Friscohare was able to graphically recreate the patch.

[oklahoma]

Hey Vic....Yes, I think the "mystery" may well be solved at last. The patch that is in possession of my "niece in law" is a bit faded and the carabao head looks almost white in color, but I betcha when new it was gold. I, literally, love the good stuff that comes up on this and the Corregidor forum. Sometimes I feel as if I have actually been there in person. Vic, you get a lot of the credit for the information I passed along to this girl as pertains to the Abucay Line. You can bet your "bippy" that she has viewed, many times, your Abucay Line postings. I cannot fathom why my niece's mother and uncle, the two children of the ex-31st Infantry GI, were never interested enough in his military experiences to make a concerted effort to check it out. People never fail to mystify me. Cheers.

[indiosbravos]

Sean,

Great diplay.... Well done... Loved your 12th medical DUI...

Philip,

If anyone can pull off a Commonwealth and PC that will be a great achievement and resource for people...

Lawrence

[VeeVee]

Feb 7, 2011 16:01:16 GMT -5 oklahoma said:

Hey Vic....Yes, I think the "mystery" may well be solved at last. The patch that is in possession of my "niece in law" is a bit faded and the carabao head looks almost white in color, but I betcha when new it was gold. I, literally, love the good stuff that comes up on this and the Corregidor forum. Sometimes I feel as if I have actually been there in person. Vic, you get a lot of the credit for the information I passed along to this girl as pertains to the Abucay Line. You can bet your "bippy" that she has viewed, many times, your Abucay Line postings. I cannot fathom why my niece's mother and uncle, the two children of the ex-31st Infantry GI, were never interested enough in his military experiences to make a concerted effort to check it out. People never fail to mystify me. Cheers.

Hi Okla,
I guess sometimes it skips a generation... let me know if I could provide anymore info. By the way, the river labeled as Balantay river in the maps and satellite view screen shots I posted before turned out to be the Labangan river. It was mislabeled in history books and most likely in the US Army maps as well back in 1942.

[oklahoma]

Hey Frisco/Vic....Talked long distance with the niece in law and the patch in question is circular, half red, half navy blue and has a white carabao head in the center. I stated in prior posting that the carabao looked to be a pale yellow or gold. I guess it was just soiled or dirty and gave a yellowish tint when it actually was white originally. Nobody knows whether it was sent to the home folks prior to hostilities (this GI arrived in Manila in June 1941 aboard the USAT Republic)) or was acquired later. I can't conceive of any circumstance where the POW camp survivors would be issued an unauthorized shoulder patch. If an authorized regimental patch, would any be remaining in 1945??? I just gotta believe it was something purchased at some novelty store (the kind that catered to service men as you would find stateside in San Diego, San Antonio,etc dealing in those satin, fringed cushions with a picture of an anchor, battleship, bomber,etc emblazoned in the center, "quickie" photo booths, tatoos, all that type junk that the troops purchase/send home to their family and girl friends). I will just go with the belief that this particular shoulder insignia falls into the category already described. Niece in law was advised by yours truly to place the Philippine Dept patch on the right shoulder and the red/gold Divisional insignia on the left, but to keep the "mystery" patch with her grand father's other stuff, including the post card from the Red Cross stating that he was being held in a Japanese POW facility and was in good physical condition (Yeah, right!!!!).

[VeeVee]

Okla,
It would be nice if your niece could spare a corner of her house displaying some mementos of her grandfather. Let me know if I could provide any information to help her out.

[oklahoma]

Hey Vic....Thanks for the kind offer of assistance. As we speak things are in a bit of upheaval at her and my nephew's domecile. New house, moving problems and a new little girl has arrived. If I live long enough and the little one comprendos, I will make it my last project in this life to see to it that she knows and appreciates what her Great grandfather was involved in. I am just glad her mom, at least at present, is "gung ho" about her forebearer's military experiences. Thanks again, Vic.

[friscohare]

@ oklahoma: Hey okla, I completely agree with Vic... if they have time, they could set aside some room for a neat display.

Also, as for the patch, it would be interesting to see if it is theater made. I bought a post-war Philippine Department patch that was bought at a PX in Clark Field. I'm absolutely certain that it was made just for collectors as a souvenir or for veterans who served in the unit. As you said earlier, that could be the case with that patch. I would still love to see it though.


@ VeeVee: Hey Vic, in post #11 you said that maybe interests in history "skips a generation." You're right. My dad said today, "Lucky for you... you care about that history... I don't." I guess we just need to keep that memory alive for the future generations then.

[oklahoma]

Hey Frisco....I have been remiss in thanking your for the link to the listings of the Pacific POWs. I have let a year slip by since you, so kindly, furnished me with this information. Please overlook my transgression. Time she does fly. I had computer problems for over a month in the fall, a few medical (both my wife and myself),etc and here we are one year later with no "thank you" coming from my end. I now say, again, Thank You. I also wanted you to know that out of the 6 ex-POWs that I served with in the USAF or have been aquaintted with in civilian life, 5 were on this extensive list. That's a pretty fair indication that this "humongous" collection of information is rather accurate. Some of the abbreviations were not understood, but enough dope was included for each man that it matched up fairly well with the stories related by these former POWs. The one lone soldier not included was a former Scout, Warrant Officer Lono (when I was stationed with him in Texas after returning from Korea), my Squadron Supply Officer. According to what I learned, back then, he surrendered when Bataan fell, but escaped from the clutches of the Japanese before they reached San Fernando and was with the Guerrillas in the Zambales Mountains till the Lingayen landings. I suppose he wasn't in the listings because he wasn't present when the Japs made an accounting of just what they had assembled behind the wire. My old quonset hut chief in Korea, a former aircrewman on one of the destroyed B-17s at Clark was listed with his unit information, confirming his story. He served out the Bataan fight with the Air Corps Provisional Unit. One POW included, who I worked with at Great Falls AFB, Montana in 1951, has me puzzled. He definitely was captured on Corregidor, but his info says he was GMC BG. The BG means nothing to me. The QMC part makes perfect sense. I suppose the BG is some Army abbreviation and of course the QMC part is self explanatory. Both these men survived the "Hell Ships" and worked as slave laborers at two different camps in Japan. I was pleasantly pleased to discover my "Niece in Law's" grandfather in the listings. Just as she said, he was a Corporal in the 31st Infantry (US). Released from Bilibid in Feb 1945. I think I mentioned that he didn't make the Death March since he was in Hospital with either malaria or wounds when he was captured. I have rattled on much too long. A very belated Thanks, again, for steering me on to this great bit of information. As I said, it does appear to be rather extensive and accurate if my little sampling means anything. Cheers.

[friscohare]

Jan 31, 2012 15:04:53 GMT -5 oklahoma said:

Hey Frisco....I have been remiss in thanking your for the link to the listings of the Pacific POWs. I have let a year slip by since you, so kindly, furnished me with this information. Please overlook my transgression. Time she does fly. I had computer problems for over a month in the fall, a few medical (both my wife and myself),etc and here we are one year later with no "thank you" coming from my end. I now say, again, Thank You. I also wanted you to know that out of the 6 ex-POWs that I served with in the USAF or have been aquaintted with in civilian life, 5 were on this extensive list. That's a pretty fair indication that this "humongous" collection of information is rather accurate. Some of the abbreviations were not understood, but enough dope was included for each man that it matched up fairly well with the stories related by these former POWs. The one lone soldier not included was a former Scout, Warrant Officer Lono (when I was stationed with him in Texas after returning from Korea), my Squadron Supply Officer. According to what I learned, back then, he surrendered when Bataan fell, but escaped from the clutches of the Japanese before they reached San Fernando and was with the Guerrillas in the Zambales Mountains till the Lingayen landings. I suppose he wasn't in the listings because he wasn't present when the Japs made an accounting of just what they had assembled behind the wire. My old quonset hut chief in Korea, a former aircrewman on one of the destroyed B-17s at Clark was listed with his unit information, confirming his story. He served out the Bataan fight with the Air Corps Provisional Unit. One POW included, who I worked with at Great Falls AFB, Montana in 1951, has me puzzled. He definitely was captured on Corregidor, but his info says he was GMC BG. The BG means nothing to me. The QMC part makes perfect sense I suppose the BG is some Army abbreviation and of course the QMC part is self explanatory. Both these men survived the "Hell Ships" and worked as slave laborers at two different camps in Japan. I was pleasantly pleased to discover my "Niece in Law's" grandfather in the listings. Just as she said, he was a Corporal in the 31st Infantry (US). Released from Bilibid in Feb 1945. I think I mentioned that he didn't make the Death March since he was in Hospital with either malaria or wounds when he was captured. I have rattled on much too long. A very belated Thanks, again, for steering me on to this great bit of information. As I said, it does appear to be rather extensive and accurate if my little sampling means anything. Cheers.

Hi Okla,

No problem. I just posted it up in the "POW Search Tool" topic to share with everyone as well.

That list has been EXTREMELY helpful. When I write up bios on the Fil-Am soldiers of Bataan, I reference that list for his unit, rank POW camp, and most importantly their serial number. It makes it WAAAAY easier to request their files from NARA with their ASN.

As you have noted, there are some flaws though. There are a bunch of Philippine Commonwealth Army Death March survivors that are not on there. (I don't know if there are any) Sometimes the rank listed is the rank from when they were captured. Other times, it is the rank they were given when they were liberated (All POWs were elevated by one grade, assuming that they would have been promoted had they not been captured)

All-in-all though it is a great reference tool and I am glad to share it.

[Percie]

My Grand Father past away two weeks ago. Before he passaway, he was talking about how he world war two and he is part of the USAFFE. He is 94 year old. I not to sure what company he was station but can anyone help me. His name is Benjamin Sr. Salmo.

Thank you in advance.

[VeeVee]

Condolences.

Was he a POW by any chance? You could search in this link:

pinoyhistory.proboards.com/thread/249/ww2-pow-research-tool