Anniversary: "Only those who are willing to die are fit to live." The 26th Cavalry and the Battles for Bataan.

The 26th Cavalry Regiment, consisting mostly of Philippine Scouts, was the last U.S. cavalry regiment to engage in horse-mounted warfare. This charge occurred at the town of Morong on 16 January 1942. Following this, due to a shortage of food, their mounts were butchered and the regiment was converted two squadrons, one a motorized rifle squadron, the other a mechanized squadron utilizing the remaining scout cars and Bren carriers. -- Wikipedia.

26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts moving into Pozorrubio pass an M3 Stuart light tank.

Delaying actions were fought to permit withdrawal to Bataan, the bloodiest of which was fought by the 11th and 21st Divisions on the Porac-Guagua line. The 26th Cavalry Regiment protected the west flank of the 21st Division. As the entire USAFFE struggled from south and north toward the Layac junction, the only approach to Bataan, the delaying forces held their line on open and unprepared ground. From 1 January to 5 January they stood fast against massive enemy aerial and artillery bombardment, concentrated tank attacks and banzai charges. Casualties on both sides were heavy. The first defensive in Bataan was the Hermosa-Dinalupihan line, where on 6 January 1942 the 71st Division, the American 31st Infantry Regiment and the 26th Cavalry Regiment fought off the pursuing enemy.

The Last Cavalry Charge of the United States Army, Morong, P.I., 16 January, 1942.

I once interviewed by phone and email Colonel Edwin Ramsey who, when a young Lieutenant, led this charge. I was seeking more information about his comrade-in-arms, Joe Barker of Birmingham, who was executed by the Japanese for leading guerrillas after the fall of Bataan. Before he was beheaded, he told one of his cellmates, "Only those who are willing to die are fit to live."

Colonel Ramsey passed on to Fiddler's Green last year at the age of 95. I'm sure Joe Barker was waiting there with a canteen.

Coat of Arms of the 26th Cavalry Regiment, Philippine Scouts.