The 31st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).
31st Division | |
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Active | 18 November 1941 - 9 April 1942 |
Country | Commonwealth of the Philippines |
Branch | Philippine Army |
Type | Infantry Division |
Size | 6,000 |
Part of | North Luzon Force (I Philippine Corps) |
Garrison/HQ | Camp Dau (Del Pilar), Mabalacat, Pampanga |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
Commander | BGen Clifford Bluemel |
Senior Instructor | Col. Edwin Aldridge, USA |
Chief of Staff | LCol. Pastor Martelino, PA |
It was active from November 18, 1941 to April 9, 1942, whereupon it surrendered when Bataan fell. It was organized and trained in Zambales Province of Northern Luzon. Col. (later BGen.) Clifford Bluemel (USA) was the division's commander. Col. Pastor C. Martelino (PA), a 1920 U.S. Military Academy graduate, was his chief of staff.[1][2]
At the opening of hostilities, 8 December 1941, the 31st Division formed a part of BGen. (later LGen.) Jonathan M. Wainwright's North Luzon Force of the Philippine Army (later renamed I Philippine Corps), alongside the 11th and 21st Divisions, and the 26th Cavalry Regiment. The 31st was initially headquartered at San Mateo, Rizal, but most of its personnel were training at San Marcelino, Zambales, near Subic Bay, when hostilities broke out.