14th Infantry Battalion
"Avenger"
The 14th Battalion Combat Team (BCT) was activated in 1 August 1950 at Fort William Mckinley, Rizal with 2 officers 16 enlisted men initially assigned to it. The need for more troops in Laguna was urgent and the Battalion was moved before being fully staffed. Several Philippine Constabulary units were absorbed and excess personnel were taken from other Army units. Training was conducted simultaneously with operations. After the completion of the unit's training, 14th BCT was immediately thrown into action. The unit's mission was to go after the communist inspired Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap or simply Huk).
The 14th BCT was assigned to the province of Baras, Rizal. It was while operating in the mountainous part of Rizal that the name "Avenger" was conceived. During that time, the Hardies, an American family who ran a dairy farm in the fertile hills of Antipolo, Rizal, were killed by a band of Huks. The incident was reported to the Battalion prompting the elements of D Company, 14th BCT to react and sweep the countryside for the perpetrators. The swift and timely reaction of the unit accounted for 21 rebels neutralized in a fierce skirmish.
Because of their impressive combat records in the field on 29 August 1952, pursuant to General Orders Number 35, General Headquarters, AFP, the 14th BCT was chosen as one of the units to participate in the Philippines Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) contingent.
On 26 March 1953, the Avengers arrived at the sea port Pusan, South Korea. The troops boarded a train and proceeded to Chon chon from there, where they were further transported to Inje Valley by truck convoy. After a brief rest intensive training started to enable them to learn new tactics and techniques.
On 15 May 1953 the new Filipino Battalion undertook their first combat mission in its sector in the Stae-ri Valley. B Company occupied the ridge on the left of "sandbag castle" and on the valley floor were elements of A Company together with their combat support units. Elements of C Company were on Heartbreak Ridge.
The Avengers lost no time in making the communist troops aware of their presence by harassing the enemy lines both with artillery and small arms fire and conducting aggressive combat patrols info enemy territory. With these actions the 14th BCT was able to prevent the enemy from crossing or advancing through the invasion routes in the valley.
One noteworthy patrol action was led by Sergeant Ponciano Agno of C Company, which found itself in close combat with the enemy. Sergeant Agno reinforced and extracted a surrounded squad under Private, First Class Aquilino Agustin, who had been captured. During the operation PFC Agustin exploded 2 hand grenades. The Chinese were killed, but the Private was killed. For his actions, PFC Agustin was later awarded with the US Silver Star, the third highest decoration of the US Army.
As time went on the Battalion engaged more in routine patrols, inflicting more casualties on the enemy. In May 1953, elements of the US 40th Infantry Division replaced the 14th BCT.
In June 1953, the area of Republic of Korea 20th Division was subjected to intense enemy attack. As a consequence, the US 45th Infantry Division was sent to relieve the beleaguered Korean unit. The 14th BCT, operating under the control of the US 45th Infantry Division was designated as counter attacking force. They established blocking position at Paek-san-san. For 8 consecutive days, the Avengers secured the MCR, while maintaining 2 companies under alert for immediate deployment.
On 14 July, 1953, Chinese troops conducted an offensive. For one night, the areas of the whole Battalion were saturated with artillery shells. The devastating blows caused the loss of 2 officers and 6 WIA.
At dawn, A and B Companies, 14th BCT were ordered to occupy "Christmas Hill." B Company went ahead at 0530, but while on their way 2 battalions of Chinese troops overran K Company, 180th Infantry Regiment. B Company, 14th BCT was ordered to counter attack and rushed to the site, but weather delayed the movement. When they reached "Christmas Hill," A Company, US 180th Infantry Regiment had already cleared up the area. The Avengers assisted in securing adjacent areas until 16 July 1953. In this action, Chinese casualties were counted at 200 killed and 350 wounded. A Chinese probing company provided the fire power, causing the enemy to withdraw during the night of 15 July 1953.
On 17 July 1953, G Company, US 180th Infantry Regiment was replaced by A Company, 14th BCT, while B Company, 14th BCT moved to the main line of resistance. The rest of 2nd Battalion, US 279th Infantry Regiment took over for the 14th BCT.
On 18 July 1953, enemy movement was first noticed in front of the machine gun nest established by the Avengers, while the other companies observed the enemy approaching their positions. Orders were passed along line not to waste ammunition and wait until Chinese troops came nearer. Machine gun positions reported that the Chinese elements were at 30 meters up front. At that moment, a prearranged flare was fired and all the guns open fired. The Chinese fold back. The enemy from the opposite hill retaliated with small arms fire followed by mortar and artillery barrages, which were countered by friendly artillery.
On 18 July 1953, Chinese troops conducted a psychological warfare operation at Hill 500 on Satae-ri Front. With the use of loudspeakers, the Chinese would announce: "Go home, we are not your enemies," followed by screaming a "Banzai!." This would be answered by the 14th BCT troops turning their radios full volume and accompanied by singing.
A similar incident happened again at "Christmas Hill" on the night of 22 July, 1953. The enemy used blinking lights in the darkness in front of the friendly troops, then loud irritating Chinese music was played accompanied by automatic rifle fire. The Avengers ignored their style, but remained on alert. The entire show only stopped after an artillery strike from A Company, which sent the enemy for cover. Unknown to the troops of 14th BCT, the enemy was preparing for another offensive.
On 24-26 July 1953, A Company was receiving 500 rounds of enemy artillery shells a day, disrupting communication and re-supply. For 3 days the troops, without ammunition, hid on their foxholes. Meanwhile, news was heard that a truce was being negotiated at Panmunjon. In spite of this news, however the enemy continued firing artillery, with the heaviest attack coming on 27 July 1953. News was received on that day of a cease fire. As the Chinese artillery continued to fire the PEFTOK artillery battery engaged the Communist guns all-out-duel, despite the cease fire.
At around 2200 hours, the entire battle front fell into complete silence. On 28 July 1953, the Avengers dismantled its fortifications, detonated its mines and rolled up their concertina wire. The unit then moved and transferred to Yanggu Valley, where it set up a camp and named in Honor of Lieutenant Dominado, Jr. who lost his life at Paeksuk-san. From Camp Dominado, the Avengers embarked on an intensive training program. They also conducted rehabilitation on the ravaged village brought by war along Yanggu Valley with other friendly troops.
With its record at the front, the unit was awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation on 27 July 1953. In March 1954, the 14th BCT left South Korea and returned to the Philippines. After a formal return reception, the 14th BCT was awarded with the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation for having successfully fulfilled the country's commitment to global peace and security.
After its return, the excess personnel from the unit were distributed to tvarious Philippine Army units based on the needs of the service. It maintained its basic Battalion personnel in accordance with local conditions. The unit was again thrown into action against rebels. With the downsizing of the Philippine Army following a cessation of hostilities against the Huk rebels, the 14th BCT was inactivated.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
