The 26th Cavalry (P.S.) was organized in 1922 at Ft. Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands from personnel transferred from the 25th Field Artillery (P.S.) and the 43rd Infantry (P.S.). The regiment was a non-divisional element of the U.S. Army's garrison in the Philippines. Prior to the beginning of World War II the regiment was permanently garrisoned at Ft. Stotsenburg, adjacent to Clark Field.
26th Cavalry (Philippine Scouts)At the beginning of World War II the 26th participated in the withdrawal of the Filipino and American forces on Luzon to the Bataan Peninsula. In a series of actions in December 1941 and early January of 1942, the regiment was essentially destroyed as an effective fighting force.
It participated in the last horse-mounted combat by any American cavalry regiment. All other cavalry units in the U.S. Army were dismounted and converted to infantry, armor or service units prior to entering combat.
With the surrender of American forces on Bataan in April 1942 the regiment ceased to exist with most of the survivors becoming prisoners of war. Individual American officers and Filipino enlisted personnel continued to fight against the Japanese forces throughout the the war.
The regiment earned the Philippines Islands campaign streamer for World War II.
