26th Cavalry Regiment (United States)

26th Cavalry Regiment
Coat of arms
Active	1922–51 1963–88
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Cavalry
Size	Regiment
Garrison/HQ	Fort Stotsenburg
Motto(s)	Our strength is in loyalty
Engagements	World War II Philippine Islands
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Commanders
Notable commanders	BGClinton A. Pierce
Insignia
Left & right distinctive unit insignia

110th Cavalry Regiment
110th Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
Active	1988–1993
Country	United States
Branch	Army
Type	Cavalry
Motto(s)	Yankee Eyes
Engagements	None

World War II

The 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) (26th CAV (PS)) was part of U.S. Army Forces Far East's Philippine Department, during World War II. The 26th engaged in the last cavalry charge in the history of the U.S. cavalry. The American Battle Monuments Commission list 301 dead who were members of this regiment interred at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

The 26th Cavalry was formed in 1922, at Fort Stotsenburg, from elements of the 25th Field Artillery Regiment and the 43d Infantry Regiment (PS). The regiment was based there, with the exception of Troop F (which was based at Nichols Field). In addition to horse mounted troops, the regiment had a HQ Troop, machine gun troop, and a platoon of six Indiana White M1 scout cars, and trucks for transporting service elements. On 30 November 1941, the regiment had 787 enlisted men and 55 officers, and its commander was Col. (later BGen.) Clinton A. Pierce (USA).

Following the 1941 Japanese invasion, the 26th participated in the Allied withdrawal to the Bataan Peninsula. In doing so, the unit conducted a classic delaying action that allowed other, less mobile, units to safely withdraw to the peninsula. During the delaying action the 26th provided the "stoutest" and only "serious opposition" of the withdrawal; the majority of the units sent north towards the Lingayen Gulf were divisions (11th, 21st, 71st, & 91st Infantry Divisions) of the untrained and poorly equipped Philippine Army. For instance, during the initial landings the regiment alone delayed the advance of four enemy infantry regiments for six hours at Damortis, and on 24 December repulsed a tank assault at Binalonan. However, the resistance was not without cost, as by the end of 24 December the regiment had been reduced down to 450 men. Following these events, the regiment was pulled off the line and brought back up to a strength of 657 men, who in January 1942 held open the roadways to the Bataan Peninsula allowing other units to prepare for their stand there.