First Filipino Unit Patch WWII

First Filipino Unit Patch WWII (U.S. Navy) 3.25" x 3.25" Embroidered Patch with Iron-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.

Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.

Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.

Versatile Use: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality. 

Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
The story of the United States Army First Filipino Infantry Regiment is not just about war—it’s about loyalty, identity, and defiance in the face of prejudice. Formed during World War II in the shadow of segregation and systemic discrimination, this unit emerged as a powerful answer to one burning question: Would Filipino-Americans fight for a country that denied them full citizenship? The answer, shouted with action and valor, was a resounding yes.

The First Filipino Infantry Regiment was officially activated on July 13, 1942, at Camp San Luis Obispo, California. It was composed almost entirely of Filipino-Americans—most of them recent immigrants, many still denied U.S. citizenship due to the discriminatory laws of the time. Yet they volunteered in droves when the United States called upon them during World War II. These men wanted to fight not just for America, but for the liberation of their homeland—the Philippines—which had been overrun by the Japanese Imperial Army.

The unit’s motto, "Laging Una," translated as "Always First," reflected not only their eagerness to serve, but their hope to prove themselves as worthy equals, both in battle and in American society. Their distinctive patch, which included the sun and stars from the Philippine flag along with their proud motto, became a badge of honor representing both cultures and both flags they carried into war.

Notable Commanders
The First Filipino Infantry Regiment was commanded by Colonel Robert H. Offley, a career U.S. Army officer who recognized the unique fighting spirit and commitment of the men under his command. Offley treated his soldiers with respect at a time when many minority units were viewed with suspicion or relegated to support roles. His leadership fostered morale and cohesion in a unit already bound together by shared heritage and purpose.

Supporting Offley were several Filipino-American officers and non-commissioned officers who rose through the ranks, some of them having served previously in the Philippine Scouts or Philippine Constabulary. Their leadership gave the unit an internal strength and cultural unity that proved essential in training and deployment.

Major Campaigns/Operations
While the First Filipino Infantry Regiment trained for combat in the Pacific Theater, their path to the front was delayed by politics and logistics. They initially remained stateside, serving in morale-building events, parades, and war bond drives while undergoing intense training in jungle warfare and amphibious operations. Their performance and readiness soon prompted the formation of a second regiment—the Second Filipino Infantry—and later, a separate battalion of Filipino engineers.

In 1944, the First Filipino Infantry Regiment was deployed to New Guinea and later to the Philippines, where they served in support and security roles during the massive campaign to liberate the islands from Japanese control. While not initially assigned front-line combat duties, they played a crucial role in clearing remaining pockets of Japanese resistance, escorting prisoners, securing supply lines, and establishing communication and infrastructure links between liberated areas.

Their knowledge of the language, terrain, and culture made them invaluable in joint operations with guerrilla fighters and in coordinating with local Filipino civilians. Some elements of the unit worked directly with the famed Alamo Scouts and Filipino guerrilla units in reconnaissance and resistance support missions.

Specialized Role/Equipment
The First Filipino Infantry Regiment was trained as a standard U.S. Army infantry unit, equipped with M1 Garand rifles, Browning automatic rifles (BARs), .30 caliber machine guns, mortars, and bazookas. However, what made them unique was their cultural and linguistic fluency in Tagalog, Ilocano, Visayan, and other Filipino dialects. This made them natural liaisons and interpreters between U.S. forces and the Filipino population, particularly in areas where intelligence gathering and local cooperation were key to rooting out entrenched Japanese forces.

They also excelled in jungle warfare, trained extensively in amphibious operations, and were conditioned for the harsh tropical conditions of the Pacific. Their ability to blend American military discipline with Filipino guerrilla tactics made them a quiet but critical asset in the Philippines campaign.

Acts of Heroism
While the First Filipino Infantry Regiment was often kept from the front lines due to political caution and perceptions about their combat readiness, individual members still found their way into the heart of the fight. Some volunteered for dangerous reconnaissance missions with guerrilla units in Luzon and Mindanao, helping to identify Japanese positions, supply caches, and escape routes for civilians.

One lesser-known story involves a detachment that participated in the rescue and recovery of American prisoners of war from Japanese camps during the final months of the conflict. These Filipino-American soldiers, familiar with local terrain and village networks, worked alongside Filipino guerrillas to navigate treacherous routes and bring supplies to hidden U.S. and Allied personnel.

There was also heroism in their resilience. Despite being seen by many as “less American” because of their ethnic background and immigration status, these men trained with relentless commitment. They endured mockery, exclusion, and bureaucratic delays, yet stayed unified under the patch that bore their motto—Laging Una.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
The First Filipino Infantry Regiment holds a unique place in American military history. It was the first full-sized combat regiment composed entirely of Filipino-Americans in the U.S. Army. At its height, over 7,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers were serving in the unit or its offshoots. They proved that loyalty to a nation was not defined by birthright alone, but by courage, sacrifice, and service.

The unit's legacy lives on through descendants, veterans' associations, and historians who continue to tell their story. Their motto, “Laging Una,” lives not only in patches and memorials but in the proud memory of a people who served with unmatched heart for two flags and two nations.