Post by rickthelibrarian on Jul 17, 2008 7:08:59 GMT -5
In 1941, when the War Department suddenly decided to reinforce the Philippines, and give MacArthur almost anything he wanted, he was offered a National Guard division, the U.S. 41st. He turned it down, preferring to train and equip more Filipino troops. He did accept the 161st Infantry Regiment, another National Guard unit, which was headquartered (before being activated in 1940) in my hometown of Spokane, WA. The 161st made it as far as the San Francisco docks before the move was cancelled, due to the start of war. They were later attached to the 25th Infantry Division and made it to the Philippines as part of the liberating forces in 1944-45.
Judging my the other National Guard units sent to the Philippines before the start of war, and the end results, there would have been a lot of widows and orphans in my hometown, had the 161st been sent. One of my best friend's father served with the 161st. He might never been born!
One of the little "what ifs" of history.
Judging my the other National Guard units sent to the Philippines before the start of war, and the end results, there would have been a lot of widows and orphans in my hometown, had the 161st been sent. One of my best friend's father served with the 161st. He might never been born!
One of the little "what ifs" of history.
