Edward E. McClish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward E. McClish
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| Born | 22 February 1909 Wilburton, Oklahoma |
| Died | 26 October 1993 (aged 84) Raymore, Missouri |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1932–1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Edward E. McClish was an American soldier who played an important role in World War II. He helped lead a group of Filipino freedom fighters, called guerrillas, on an island called Mindanao in the Philippines. This was during the time when Japan had taken control of the Philippines.
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Early Life of Edward McClish
Edward McClish was born in 1909 in Oklahoma. He was part of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, an Indigenous group in the United States. He went to college and became an army officer.
He joined the United States National Guard in 1940. In 1941, he led a group of soldiers called Philippine Scouts. When World War II began in the Philippines in December 1941, McClish was on the island of Negros.
People who knew McClish described him as a calm and thoughtful leader. He was known for being friendly and easy to talk to. Even when he was sick with malaria, he refused to give up. He was determined to fight for freedom.
McClish and World War II
In May 1942, the American forces in the Philippines had to surrender to Japan. But on the island of Mindanao, McClish and about 190 other American soldiers and civilians decided not to surrender. They wanted to fight against the Japanese occupation. They also wanted to stop the crime that was happening after the American forces were defeated.
Starting the Guerrilla Movement
Mindanao was not as heavily controlled by the Japanese as other islands. This allowed McClish and his group to move more freely. They began to organize Filipino guerrilla forces. These guerrillas were like secret armies fighting for their country. They even set up their own schools, courts, and ways to collect taxes.
By September 1942, McClish had formed one of the first guerrilla units on Mindanao. He had more than 300 Filipino volunteers under his command. Many of them were armed and ready to fight.
Joining Forces with Wendell Fertig
In November 1942, McClish met with Wendell Fertig, another American who was organizing guerrillas. McClish agreed to follow Fertig's leadership. Fertig then promoted McClish to lieutenant colonel. He put McClish in charge of the 110th Division. This division was responsible for four provinces in northeastern Mindanao.
McClish's 110th Division grew to include over 5,000 Filipino fighters. Their main job was to gather information about the Japanese for the U.S. Army. They were told to avoid big battles if possible. However, sometimes they chose to fight anyway.
The Siege of Butuan
One of McClish's biggest military actions was the siege of Butuan in March 1943. About 2,000 of his guerrillas surrounded a Japanese group in a schoolhouse. The siege lasted for a week. Japanese reinforcements eventually arrived, and the siege ended.
Even though they didn't capture the town, this event showed the local people that the guerrillas were serious fighters. It also led to an agreement where the guerrillas could move freely in most areas. This was very helpful for gathering information and receiving supplies by submarine.
Helping with Intelligence
Later in 1943, McClish also helped a "coastwatcher" named Chick Parsons. Coastwatchers were people who secretly watched for enemy ships and planes. McClish provided Parsons with people and supplies for his intelligence work.
Challenges with Leadership
McClish and his second-in-command, Clyde Childress, sometimes had disagreements with Wendell Fertig. Fertig was the main leader of the guerrillas on Mindanao. Fertig felt that McClish was not always serious enough and was too eager to fight big battles.
McClish and Childress, however, felt that Fertig was too focused on himself. They believed they had helped Fertig greatly. As the war continued and American forces returned to the Philippines, McClish and Childress asked to join the regular U.S. Army. Fertig allowed them to leave the guerrilla forces in late 1944 and early 1945.
