73rd Infantry Regiment (Philippines)

The 73rd Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was activated on August 25, 1941, was inducted to United States Army Forces in the Far East on September 1, 1941, by Captain Eugene B. Hicker of US Army. It was the last regiment among the three authorized to organized so it was not included when the entire 71st Infantry Division was ordered transferred to the main island of Luzon in September 1941.

Background
After its activation 78 officers led by Captain Juan K. Taduran and 20 senior enlistedmen were called for active duty at Camp Leon Kilat. After induction the regiment was moved to Magallon for further specialized training. 71st Infantry Division was ordered to transfer to main island of Luzon, leaving 73rd Infantry Regiment in the island of Negros. In November 1941 the regiment was mobilized to its full war time strength. Major Robert H. Vessey, of US Army became its commanding officer on December 15, 1941. Along with Captain Stephen M. Byars as acting regimental executive officer and commander of HQ Battalion. Later Major Tisdale arrived and assumed as executive officer of the regiment. Regimental staffs composing of 2Lt Monico V. Ausejo as S1 and Adjutant, 2Lt. Alfredo Tomada as assistant Adjutant, 2Lt. Perfecto Arribas as S2 Intelligence, 1Lt. Emilio P. Arboleda as S3 Operations, Captain Leodegario Ramos as S4; 2Lt Timoteo S. Oracion, Assistant S4, and 3Lt. Simeon O. Mamicpic as regimental signal officer.

HQ & HQ Battalion is under was under Captain Byars along with 1Lt Mamicpic as his Executive Officer. Americans 1Lieutenant Albert F. Chase appointed appointed as CO of 1st Battalion, 1Lieutenant Jack. Lare CO of 2nd Battalion, and 1Lieutenant John W. Stephens, CO of 3rd Battalion.

The regiment did not escape from the widespread and harassing plague of broken extractors which contributed to the markmanship training not being carried.

Transfer to Mindanao
The regiment was ordered transferred to Mindanao island and sailed on January 6, 1942, and reaching the following day. Upon its arrival on January 7 It was attached to 81st Infantry Division under Brigadier General Guy O. Fort covering northwest coast of Lanao sector. Colonel Vessey established his HQ at Camp Overton, just around Maria Cristina falls.

Combat Narratives
Kawaguchi detachment landed in Cotabato City and Parang in Cotabato Province. Another force landed in Malabang, Lanao the objective is to move northward to link with Kawamura detachment in Cagayan sector. After the 61st Infantry Regiment was routed and the capture of its commander Colonel Mitchell. Only 73rd Infantry Regiment was the lone remaining intact regiment in Lanao sector. With General Fort ordered Colonel Vessey moved two of his battalions around the vicinity of Lake Lanao. It stood at the path of Kawaguchi detachment. Colonel Vessey along with his XO Major Tisdale and with an American enlisted man moved forward to reconnoiter the front but was ambushed by a tank. They were separated, Colonel Vessey was able to returned to Communication Post while Major Tisdale and the Corporal straggled around the jungle where they met two moros and guided them but attacked them which killed Major Tisdale.

Colonel Vessey appointed LCmdr. Strong to be his executive officer and continue to fight the Japanese.

Surrender
The regiment was still fighting at Ganassi and Bacolod area of Lanao Province when orders from Mindanao Force Headquarters to surrender reached General Fort commander of Lanao sector on May 10, 1942. Initially Fort questioned the order as his men is fighting very well in his sector preventing Japanese reaching Cagayan sector. General Sharp the force commander insisted that the order must be carried the following day. Fort ordered Colonel Vessey to stand down and wait for further instructions. On May 22, 1942, All forces under 81st Division including 73rd Infantry Regiment surrendered.

Death March in Mindanao
73rd Infantry Regiment and remnants of 61st Infantry Regiment was involved in another death march that took place in Mindanao. Japanese forced them to march from Dansalan to Camp Overton in Iligan without food and water. Colonel Vessey along with other officers were executed by the Japanese at the road as warning to his men who are escaping every opportunity they have.

American Servicemen assigned to the regiment

 * Robert H. Vessey, Colonel, Regimental CO
 * Tisdale, Major, Regimental XO
 * Samuel Byars, Major, Regimental XO & HQ Battalion CO
 * Albert F. Chase, Captain, 1st Battalion CO
 * Jack Lare, Captain, 2nd Battalion CO
 * John W. Stephens, Captain, 3rd Battalion CO