Offshore Patrol
| Off Shore Patrol | |
|---|---|
| Active | February 9, 1939 – June 30, 1946 |
| Country |
 Philippines
|
| Branch | United States Army Forces in the Far East |
| Size |
60+ personnel 5 Q-boats |
| Part of | United States Department of War (1941) |
| Headquarters | Muelle del Codo, Port Area, Manila, Philippines |
| Anniversaries | February 9, 1939 |
| Engagements |
World War II * Battle of Bataan * Battle of Corregidor |
| Decorations |
 Presidential Unit Citation (US)_Streamer.png){kind=small} Presidential Unit Citation (PH) |
| Commanders | |
| Flag Officer in-Command | Col. Enrique L. Jurado (1941-1944) |
| Ceremonial chief | Col. Jose V. Andrada (1945-1946) |
| U.S. Infantry Regiments | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Next |
| Philippine Army Air Corps | |
60+ personnel
The Offshore Patrol (OSP), also known as the Mosquito Fleet was a small naval branch of the Army, intended for inshore defense of the Philippines that was active from February 9, 1939 to June 30, 1946. The OSP became part of the United States Army Forces in the Far East in July 26, 1941, with General Douglas MacArthur as Commander. The Patrol engaged in limited patrol operations along the coastlines of Bataan and Corregidor, against the tight enemy blockade, to bring much-needed provisions to the beleaguered Filipino & American troops. Undaunted by enemy superiority, the ubiquitous patrol boats fought with zeal, courage and heroism hitting Japanese warships with torpedoes when given the opportunity. The unit relied on speed and surprise to attack larger vessels at close range.
During the course of the war, the unit was cited for gallantry by General MacArthur for actions against the shoot down of three of nine Japanese dive bombers, that was going to attack shore installations in Bataan.
After World War II, the OSP continued till June 30, 1946, which is when the USAFFE formally dissolved in the lead-up to the Philippine's independence. The OSP was changed into the Philippine Naval Patrol (PNP) which later changed into the Philippine Navy. This small unit was the first independent Philippine naval force which it's surviving OSP veterans personnel became the nucleus that shaped the beginnings of the Philippine Navy.
The OSP was called for by the Philippine National Assembly in its National Defense Act of 1935 that Offshore Patrol on 11 January 1936, the guidelines were denned by Executive Order No. 11 as follows:
"The Off-Shore Patrol shall comprise all marine equipment and personnel acquired by the Philippine Government and assigned either in peace or war to the control of the Chief of Staff (PA). It shall have such duties and powers as may be described by the Chief of Staff, PA."
This act called for the creation, by 1946, of a force of 36 fast torpedo boats (PT) as part of the Philippine Army. These were to be British designed 41 knot boats armed with two torpedo tubes; built by British shipbuilders. Two of the boats had been delivered by 1939, when the war in Europe began which curtailed any further supply. By October 1941, a third boat had been assembled locally. There were five boats built eventually and attached to United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) which had assumed overall control of military forces on the Philippines.
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Wikipedia