History
The United States Army Forces in the Far East was created to organize troops in the Philippines. It brought together American soldiers and the local Philippine Army under one leader. General Douglas MacArthur was put in charge of these forces. Their job was to protect the islands from enemy attacks as tensions grew in Asia. When the war started in 1941, this group faced a very difficult task. They had to defend the islands against a much larger invading force. Despite fighting bravely, they were eventually pushed back as the enemy took control of the area. Many soldiers had to surrender when the supplies ran out. Even though they lost the initial battle, the command was a very important part of the early war effort. It showed how the United States tried to defend its allies in the Pacific. After the war ended and the islands were freed, the command structure was closed. It remains a famous part of military history because of the difficult conditions the men faced while serving under the command.
