71st Division (Philippines)

71st Division
71st Philippine Division Emblem 1941-42
Active	1941 - 9 April 1942
Country	Commonwealth of the Philippines
Branch	Philippine Army
Type	Infantry Division
Size	Division
Part of	South Luzon Force
Engagements	World War II Battle of Bataan Philippines Campaign (1941-1942)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Col. (later BGen.) Clyde A. Selleck Col. (later BGen.) Clinton A. Pierce

71st Division
71st Philippine Division Emblem 1941-42, alternate version

World War II

Col. (later BGen.) Clyde A. Selleck

The 71st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

It was active from 1941 to April 9, 1942, whereupon it surrendered when Bataan fell. Previously it was active in Southern Luzon. Col. (later BGen.) Clyde A. Selleck (USA) was the division's commander, until around January 1942, when Col. (later BGen.) Clinton A. Pierce (USA) took command. Pierce had been in command of the U.S. 26th Cavalry Regt. (PS) since before the Japanese opened hostilities.

After the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in December 1941, it formed part of South Luzon Force (activated December 13, 1941) under BGen. George M. Parker Jr., HQ Ft. McKinley, Manila. The South Luzon Force controlled a zone east and south of Manila. Parker initially had the PA 1st, 41st, 51st, and 71st Infantry Divisions, and the 2nd Provisional Artillery Group of two batteries of the U.S. 86th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts).

When the Japanese began landing at Lamon Bay on December 24, 1941, South Luzon Force was badly dispersed.