Philippine National Guard

The Philippine National Guard was a militia created by the Philippine Assembly in 1917.[1] It would serve under General John Pershing in Europe during World War I. The Philippine Legislature, led by Senate President Manuel Quezon, offered the United States some assistance during World War I. It had 25,000 soldiers when it was absorbed by the National Army.[2][3] The total cost of raising the unit was under three million dollars.[4] This unit, however, was not able to see action,[5][6] for it was only mustered into federal service on Armistice Day and would never leave the islands.[7]

Philippine National Guard
Founded1917 – 1921
Country United States
Allegiance Philippine Island
Branch United States Army
TypeNational Guard
RoleProvide soldiers to the U.S. Army in national emergencies or when requested by the President of the United States;
Size25,000 soldiers
Part ofNational Guard Bureau
United States Department of War
EngagementsWorld War I
Commanders
Commander-in-chiefGovernor General of the Philippines
Notable
commanders
Gen. John J. Pershing

After the war, the entire National Guard unit was deactivated, then formally disbanded in 1921. Its officers were placed on the reserve list.[8] It cost the Insular Government nearly 4.8 million pesos.[9]

Air operations

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The Philippine National Guard included elements of the United States Army Air Service. Those selected were sent to train at the Curtiss School of Aviation, flying Curtiss Jennys.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Act No. 2715". Official Gazette. Government of the Philippines. 17 March 1917. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  2. ^ Tucker, Spencer C., ed. (2005). World War I: A - D., Volume 1. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. p. 917. ISBN 978-1-85109-420-2. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  3. ^ Tucker, Spencer; Priscilla Mary Roberts (2005). World War I: A Student Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 1433. ISBN 978-1-85109-879-8. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  4. ^ Francis Burton Harrison (1922). The Corner-stone of Philippine Independence. Century Company. p. 167.
  5. ^ "History, page 2 of 17". Flight to the Future, Infinit-1. Philippine Air Force. 1997. Archived from the original on July 5, 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  6. ^ "REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2241" (Legislation). Philippine Supreme Court. 1959-06-18. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  7. ^ Kramer, Paul Alexander (2006). The blood of government: race, empire, the United States, & the Philippines. UNC Press. p. 384. ISBN 978-0-8078-5653-6. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  8. ^ "For Philippine Defense" (PDF). New York Times. 1921-12-07. p. 1.
  9. ^ Philippines. Gobernador-General; Philippines. Governor (1920). Report of the Governor General of the Philippine Islands to the Secretary of War. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 26.
  10. ^ Joseph T.N. Suarez (April 2001). "Philippine Air Service 1920-21". Skyways.
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