LUZON

Back to History Index

The assault echelon of the 25^th Division, initially in Sixth Army Floating Reserve, sailed into Lingayen Gulf on 11 January 1945. In accordance with Field Order #1, 25^th Infantry Division, 8 December 1944, the 35^th Infantry was prepared upon arrival to carry out any of three alternative plans:

Plan A: Land in I Corps zone of action when ordered by CG 25 Division. Prepared to move to a Division assembly area in the vicinity of Binalon.

Plan B: Remain initially in 25^th Division Reserve afloat, land in zone action of either I Corps or XIV Corps when ordered by CG 25 Division at any time between S+2 and S+4.

Plan C: Reinforce 158 RCT in objective area on S+2. (Note: S day was the scheduled US invasion date of the island of Luzon)

It was the second day after the initial landing, so we knew we were to disembark on a friendly beach. The Gulf seemed more like a peaceful busy harbor then a military beachhead. The only warlike element was provided by a single destroyer, lofting leisurely broadsides over the beachhead perimeter.

The Laurens dropped anchor in Lingayen Gulf at 0830. At 0832, the first assault boat hit the water, and at 0930, the Regimental Commander and his staff debarked, landing on White Beach Three at 1025. By 1045, the initial Regimental CP was in operation. Communications were established with Battalion CP’s, and Battalion assembly areas on the beach were assigned.

The 3^rd battalion began debarkation at 0900. By 1100, all elements had completed landing, work details were organized, and the Battalion began unloading ship’s cargo.

The 1^st and 2^nd Battalions (less Co A, which was assigned to the 3^rd Battalion and remained on the beach) were in their assembly areas on the beach by 1330, ready to move out. A billeting party had left the beach at 1230, and at 1400 the 2^nd Battalion headed the march to the Regimental bivouac area at Baloling, eight miles inland. It was long after dark before all elements had arrived at the bivouac. An all-around Regimental perimeter was set up and the regiment settled down for the night. To the Regiment’s veterans, whose previous combat experience had taught them to assume that all planes heard were enemy, and to act accordingly, it was unusual and pleasant to know that those they heard this night were friendly. On 12 January, all units patrolled to the front and flanks. Information on road conditions and bridges or fords across the Agno and other rivers were first priority. The regimental perimeter was tied in with other units of the 25^th Division, and with the Sixth Division’s 1^st and 103^rd regiment(s) of the 43^rd Division.

On 13 January, patrols were again dispatched to the front and flanks. The road through Manaoag was patrolled as far as Santa Inex. Co A was released from the beach and joined the 1^st Battalion. The tentative Division mission was announced: to take San Jose, with the 13^th Armored Group as spearhead.

The Regimental Commander and his subordinate commanders, meanwhile, were orienting themselves on the general situation and, with the first-hand knowledge of the terrain and the problems before them, determining policies of supply, evacuation, and administration, as well as tactics.

Patrolling continued on the 14^th, probing through Santa Barbara as far as Urdanetta. It was learned that the 1^st and 3^rd Battalions would be employed initially as cargadores and supply troops, with the 2^nd Battalion as Division Reserve prepared to move out on one days notice. Anti-Tank Company, the Engineer Battalion, and the 64^th artillery Battalion passed to the direct control of the Division Commander.

The next day (15^th) C and E Companies joined the 3^rd Battalion on the beach at San Fabian, to expedite unloading of the Division cargo. The remaining elements of the 1^st and 2^nd Battalions continued active patrolling, as well as providing details for the various Division supply dumps.

It had become evident, meanwhile, that the Japanese intended to yield the Central Plains of Luzon, leaving only suicidal forces and retreating with their main strength to the mountains to the north, from which they could threaten American Supply Lines and rear installations. As early as November, the enemy had moved into the Baguio area, and established heavy defenses at Balete Pass and along its upper approaches.

Upon landing, the 25^th Infantry division had been in Sixth army Reserve. On 16 January, the division was released to I Corps, while the 35^th Infantry was retained in (Sixth) Army Reserve. Company E was called back to the beach, and the 2^nd Battalion was again alerted. The 3^rd Battalion, with Company C attached, unloaded cargo on the beach, while the remaining companies of the 1^st Battalion provided work details for Division supply dumps. It was then that the long and weary months spent unloading boats on Guadalcanal during March-July 1943 paid off, for the Division cargo’s were unloaded off the beach in record time.

The remainder of the Division, meanwhile, advancing toward Highway 5 and San Jose, found their progress hampered by the harassing activity of a by-passed group of Japs near Pao, 6 miles east of Baloling. On the 18^th, the 2^nd Battalion was ordered to flush out and destroy or disperse the Japs in the that area. Companies F, G, and H moved out of Baloling at 0400 on the 19^th. By 1350 their mission was completed. G Company captured three Japs ( a Lt. Colonel and two enlisted men), while H Company killed six of the enemy. In this small action, the 35^th Infantry suffered its first casualty of the Luzon campaign: S/Sgt. Shelby E. Smith of Company H was wounded.

On 19 January, the regiment received orders to move, less the 3^rd Battalion, to Manaoag, approximately 3 miles east of Baloling, set up a perimeter defense of the town, and initiate security and intelligence patrols of the surrounding area. The Regimental Commander called a meeting of Battalion and Company Commanders to outline moving plans for the 20^th.

The move to Manaoag was completed by 1100 on the 20^th: a regimental perimeter was established and patrols initiated. Until the 28^th of January, the regiment engaged in no tactical operations save intense patrolling, in the course of which, several Japs were killed, and two enlisted men of Company A were wounded. Patrols penetrated to Panago, Natangalan, Cuting, Possarubic, Binalonan, Tabac, and up the Panogo River.

On 23 January, The Regimental Command post was visited by Lieutenant General Krueger, Sixth Army Commander. The General questioned staff personnel as to the disposition on units within the area, defense perimeter arrangements, patrols, strength figures, etc., and inspected the kitchen. Since thunder did not rumble, nor lightning strike, it was assumed that the general was satisfied. On the 25^th, Company C and the 3^rd Battalion, less Company L, were released from cargadore duty and joined the regiment at Manaoag. L Company was not released until the 28^th, and joined the 3^rd Battalion at San Leon on that date.

Back to History Index       The First Drive: Manoag to Umingan