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'Avengers of Bataan' Indiana's 38th Infantry
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Bataan
It is 1945 in the Philippines. A short while earlier, American forces were made the Bataan Death March. Now the area between the shore and Zig Zag Pass were once again under U.S. Control. The 'Cyclones' looked at the area. The pass was a few pieces of ground combined to the same degree to roughness and dense jungle. The main road, Route 7 twists violently through the pass, following a line of least terrain resistance that wild pigs must originally have established. The jungle flora in the region is so thick that one can step five yards off the highway and not be able to see the road. The Japanese had honey-combed every hill and knoll at the Zig Zag with foxholes linked by tunnels or trenches; at particularly advantageous Points they had constructed strong points centered on log or dirt pillboxes. All the defenses were well camouflaged, for rich, jungle foliage covered most positions, indicating that many had been prepared with great care and had been constructed well.
The 38th Infantry truly started the mission here. After one day of marching and watching, the 152nd Regimen arrived at Horseshoe Bend. Here, they met the enemy. Because of the terrain and the unknown location of the Japanese defensive line, the two days of fighting caused massive casualties to the regiment. The regimental commander was relived of his command by Major General L C Jones.
The 34th RCT was ordered to take up the fight. After the air raids by the US Army Air Force and six days of battle, the 34th also was brought to a standstill. The 152nd was ordered to resume the fight north of Route 7. The 151st was ordered to relieve the 34th that was in the process of disengaging from the battle. On Feb 6, Maj. Gen. Jones was replaced, as commanding officer, by Brig. Gen. Chase.
The 149th was making its march to join up with the 151st and 152nd.On Feb. 11, the 151st was withdrawn to perform a mission at southern Bataan. On Feb. 14, the 152nd and the 149th linked up to finish mop up operations. The actions at Zig Zag Pass cost the Japanese 2400 dead and 25 captured, leaving approximately 775 fleeing.
The Southern force consisted of the 151st, a battalion of the 34th RCT, and others, all under the command of Gen. Chase. The Eastern force consisted of the 1st Inf. Regiment of the 6th Inf. Div. and the 38th, under the command of Gen. Spense of the 38th Artillery.
On Feb. 12th, the Eastern force, combined with members of the 149th, headed from Dinalupihan toward Pilar. The force divided at Pilar, with one group continuing south and the other heading west along Route 111. They met up at Bagac.
On Feb. 15th, the Southern force landed at Mariveles Harbor. The sight they encountered was horrendous. Peirced WWI helmets and the unburied bodies of Americans. The dead had been there for three years. The force split into two groups, one heading west toward Bagac and the other moving east toward Pilar. The night of the 15th the final major action took place. For another week, mop up duties continued. Three years from the start, on Feb 21st, Bataan was secured by American and Filipino forces.
Elements moved to Corregidor, 24 February, to clear the enemy from the Rock. Units assaulted and captured Caballo Island, 27 March, Fort Drum on El Fraile Island, 13 April, and Carabao Island, 16 April. The 38th engaged enemy forces in the mountainous terrain between Fort Stotsenburg and Mount Pinatubo, 10 March. Elements pushed north from San Felipe to Palauig Bay and east from Botolan along the Capas Trail cutting the enemy's withdrawal route. The Division moved to the area east of Manila, 1 May, and attacked enemy forces behind the Shimbu Line. By 30 June effective enemy opposition had been broken. The 38th continued mopping up enemy remnants in the Marikina area of eastern Luzon until VJ-day.
The 38th returned to the US in Oct. under the command of Gen. Irving and was inactivated in Nov. The 38th Infantry Division lost 270 men and had 420 wounded, while the 34th Regiment suffered 68 dead and 268 wounded.
Awards were as follows: 1 Distinguished Unit Citation (151st); 6 Distinguished Service Crosses; 1 Distinguished Service Medal; 225 Silver Stars; 9 Legion Medals; 25 Soldier Medals for Heroism; 1,283 Bronze Stars; 66 Air Medals. The Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to Pfc. William H Thomas, Company B, 149th Infantry Regiment, for 22 Apr 1945 action in the Zomballes Mountains, Luzon P.I.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur was so impressed with the 38th, that he named them 'The Avengers of Bataan.
Home footage of the 38th in Bataan
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