The Philippine Department (Filipino: Kagawaran ng Pilipinas/Hukbong Kagawaran ng Pilipinas) was a regular United States Army organization whose mission was to defend the Philippine Islands and train the Philippine Army. On 9 April 1942, during World War II, the organization surrendered to the Japanese. The department and its sub-units were predominantly under the command of American officers, including an American general, while the majority of the troops were enlisted Filipinos, known as the Philippine Scouts (PS). The primary force of this department was the Philippine Division. Of the 22,532 troops, 10,473 were members of the Philippine Division itself.
This unit was formally organized in 1913 and, on 26 July 1941, was attached to US Army Forces – Far East (USAFFE). Following the creation of USAFFE, the Philippine Department became, in effect, a corps area service and logistical command. Tactical command was permanently transferred to USAFFE's control.
General Headquarters:
Fort Santiago, Manila, Luzon
Troops:
Field Hospital No. 4
Ambulance Company Number 4
Headquarters, Company K, 3d Engineers
Headquarters, Company L, 3d Engineers
Company F, Signal Corps
Company L, Signal Corps
7th Cavalry Brigade
8th Cavalry Brigade
2nd Field Artillery Regiment (United States)
Coast Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays
8th Infantry Regiment
13th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
China Expedition - 15th Infantry
At the time of USAFFE's formation the force consisted of 22,532 troops. Of the 1,340 officers, 775 were reservists. 7,293 troops were assigned to the infantry and 4,967 were assigned to the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays. About 2,500 troops served in a service or supply position, mainly quartermaster or medical units. The majority of the department's troops were stationed on Luzon.
Total Strength: 22,532 (1,434 officers, 21,098 enlisted, including 11,937 Philippine Scouts).