19th Battalion Combat Team (Philippines)

19th Battalion Combat Team
Active	1946 - 1960
Country	Philippines
Allegiance	Philippine Army
Branch	Philippine Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Battalion Combat Team
Size	1,733
Part of	PEFTOK
Nickname(s)	The Bloodhounds
Mascot(s)	Bloodhound
Equipment	M1911 Colt 45 Pistols M1911 Trench Shotguns M1 Garand Rifles M1928A1, M1 and M1A1 Thompson Submachineguns M1 Saginaw Carbines M3 Colt Submachinegun M1903 Springfield Sniper Rifles M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles M1919A4 Browning Machineguns M2 Browning 50 Caliber Heavy Machineguns M1 60mm Mortars M2 81mm Mortars M1 Bazooka Antitank Guns M2 Super Bazooka Antitank Guns M45 Quad50 Antiaircraft Machineguns M2A1 105mm Howitzers
Engagements	Battle of Arsenal Hill (Hill 191) Battle of Iron Triangle Battle of Hill Eerie
Decorations	Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation (Korea) X US Corps Battle Citation
Commanders
Notable commanders	Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Aguirre

19th Battalion Combat Team, is a Philippine Army unit activated and operating from 1940s to 1960s. It is one of the PEFTOK Battalions deployed in Korea to fight communist North Korea and Chinese during Korean War.^[1]

A veteran and battle hardened unit of the Counter Insurgency campaign against the HUK rebels during the late 40's, the Bloodhounds as the 19th BCT was known was the 3rd PEFTOK contingent deployed by the Philippines for the Korean Theater of Operations (KTO).^[2]

Under the Command of Col Ramon Z Aguirre, the 1,733 strong BCT was in theater from 10 June 1952 to 2 April 1953.

Prior to their Korean deployment the BCT intensively trained for 16 weeks in Marikina or what was then known to the boys as "Marikorea".

The place was dubbed as Marikorea as it's rolling terrain and hills resembles that of the Korean Front.

Similar to the other PEFTOK BCTs advance elements were already sent ahead of time aboard PAF C-47s which includes two notable Officer's 1LT Tomas " Tommy" S Quirino PA a Communication Signals and Infantry Officer and a Graduate of the US Army Infantry School at Fort Banning and the Son of then President Elpidio R Quirino. He was joined by the Son in Law of President Quirino then 1LT Luis Chito Gonzales PAF, a Reconnaissance Pilot of the L-5 Sentinel who flew aerial missions in North Korea.^[1]

The rest of the Battalion arrived in Pusan aboard RPS Pampanga (LT-37) and RPS Albay (LT-39) of the Philippine Navy. By 10 June 1952, the 19th took over from the 20th BCT. It was deployed along the main resistance line and outpost near Kalhwa-dong on June 15.^[1]

The 19th held a segment of the main line of resistance in the Chorwon-Siboni corridor in the west central sector of Korea. It was first attached operationally to the US 1 Corps and then to the US 45th Infantry Division. Armistice negotiations to end the war were being discussed when the 19th went into action against the men of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPV). The men of this famed battalion acquitted themselves well against the CPV.

But their most outstanding combat achievement was in the battle for hills dominating the Chorwon-Siboni area, considered he most vulnerable sector of the UNC's front line. The battalion was given responsibility for defending Hill 191 (also called Arsenal Hill) and Hill Eerie, comprising Combat Outpost No. 8, on 17 June.

A week and a day later, CCF attacked the newly arrived Battalion with concentrated artillery strikes killing two men and wounding four on June 18, in preparation for infantry assault but was aborted after the battalion return fire. The battalion's howitzers and mortars returned fire, inflicting casualties on the CPV. The intense artillery duel was a prelude to what would soon be called "The Rizal Day Battle for Combat Outpost No. 8." The CPV continued pummeling the battalion's positions the next day in preparation for an infantry assault that was aborted after the 19th returned fire. The intense artillery duels resulted in the deaths of eight Filipinos, including an officer. At 10:00 p.m on June 20, enemy opened a heavy artillery and mortar barrage against the 19th BCT following this up with a massive infantry attack. The Battalion would again show it's Battlefield prowess against the Chinese in the 5 day battle for Arsenal, Hill 191and Eerie Hills. Flares fired by the 19th revealed waves of CPV heading towards Hills Eerie and 191. The didn't allow Hill Eerie will change hands again which was captured by 20th Battalion Combat Team last May of that year. After a fierce hand-to-hand battle, the CCF retreated at dawn.^[1]

This battle would marked a note on Philippine Military History, as the Filipinos engaged two regiments of the Chinese Communist Forces supported with Tanks and Artillery and a savaged hand-to-hand fighting at 0340HRS between the two forces. Two Chinese Tanks were also destroyed by our troops in this Battle.^[3]

In the aftermath, about 500 Chinese Soldiers lost their lives in Hill 191. The Bloodhounds lost 10 Killed in Action including 1LT Apollo B Tiano and 20 Wounded In Action.

The BCT would received the Korean Presidential Unit Citation for their feat in the above-mentioned battles from no less than South Korean President Syngman himself.^[4] The Battalion also was awarded with X US Corps Battle Citation.^[4]

For it's 11 months in the Korean War the Bloodhounds suffered 30 Killed in Action, 26 Wounded In Action and 2 Prisoners of War with 1 of the 2 Missing in Action.

The 19th Battalion moved to the Punchbowl at the end of January 1953. It advanced to Kachilbong on February 3. After small scale engagements with North Korean soldiers, the Battalion returned to Inje to be replaced by the 14th Battalion on April 3.^[5]

The Battalion returned home aboard RPS Bulacan (LT-38) and RPS Albay (LT-39). It is noted that enlisted personnel Sergeant Ernesto Villamor married a Korean Myong Boon Mook he met while deployed and brought her along home. The battalion was again deployed to Anti-communist campaign against huks.

• 10th Battalion Combat Team
• 20th Battalion Combat Team
• Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea
• Korean War

• 19th Battalion Combat Team by Art Villasanta
• Background of Participation PEFTOK