.
At 1940, 15 December, the USAFFE staff met and
proposed to convert the 4th Marines into two regiments, and combine
them with two regiments of the Philippine Constabulary. The brigade
would be used as a reinforcement unit for USAFFE. The following day,
Lieutenant Colonel William T. Clement, Fleet Marine Officer,
responded by agreeing to the merger with the Philippine troops, and
to provide them with ammunition and supplies. Each Marine battalion
would absorb one or two companies of Philippine troops and Marines
would command the Philippine regiments, with the division commanded
by Colonel Howard. However,
Admiral Hart and Colonel Clement changed the proposal and convinced
Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland, MacArthur's chief of
staff, that the Marines still needed field training after their long
stay in Shanghai. Sutherland then decided that the 4th Marines would
be used for beach defense on Corregidor. Indeed, on 2 January
MacArthur stated to his staff that the "Marines had no tactical
training and were not suitable for use as a tactical combat unit."
Admiral Hart informed Howard that
the 4th Marines was now under Army tactical command. Howard
proceeded with Colonel Clement to USAFFE Headquarters and reported
directly to MacArthur for duty MacArthur sent him to General
Sutherland who provided him orders to prepare for duty on
Corregidor. Howard, realizing the assignment would take the 4th
Marines away from the front, asked that his regiment be allowed to
guard the western beaches on Bataan. Sutherland replied that he
wanted "the 4th Marines to take over the beach defenses [of
Corregidor] as soon as possible." |