Company B of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment 1943
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/laginguna1942/?fref=nf
Shown in this photo were Filipino soldiers assigned to Company B of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment. While here, they conducted their intensive infantry training at Camp Cooke, California.
In this picture, they brandished their “Bolo” knives (all-purpose jungle machetes) in the air. They did this in anticipation of the day when they would finally meet the Japanese and avenge the overrunning of their island homes.
Here at their training camp in 1943, a ceremonial event took place when prominent businessmen arrived from Los Angeles. During this event, “Bolo” knives were presented to the officers and senior noncommissioned officers (NCO’s) of the regiment. The enlisted personnel were previously issued this weapon and were honing their skills for use in combat.
*** The original photo was creased so I cropped it to make it presentable.
“LAGING UNA” – “ALWAYS FIRST”
“SULUNG” – “FORWARD”
“BAHALA NA!” – “COME WHAT MAY!”
“IN HONOR OF OUR FATHERS!”
“77TH ANNIVERSARY (1942-2019)” — at Camp Cooke, CA. (near Lompoc – now Vandenberg AFB).