World War 2 Filipino-American ”Bolo” knife fighting during a unit practice. U.S. Army’s 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment.
Photo property of:
Community Relations Liaison for 1st & 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments and 1st Reconnaissance Battalion (Special), U.S. Army, 1942-1946
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This platoon was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment. It conducted “Bolo” knife fighting during a unit practice. The regimental commander, Colonel Robert H. Offley authorized that the members of his unit add “Bolos” to their combat inventory. When the 1st Filipino Battalion was formed on April 1, 1942, many inductees who were farmhands in civilian life brought their own field machetes with them to training. In this photo, “Pinoy” soldiers awaited their turn in a large circle. This was like modern day “pugil stick” fighting. In the rear, you can see more soldiers also waiting their turn. This took place at Camp Roberts, California which was a major field training area of the 1st Regiment in 1943.
“LAGING UNA” – “ALWAYS FIRST”
“SULUNG” – “FORWARD”
“BAHALA NA!” – “COME WHAT MAY!”
“IN HONOR OF OUR FATHERS!”
“74TH ANNIVERSARY (1942-2016)”
1st Filipino Infantry Regimental Headquarters
Camp San Luis Obispo