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You are here: Home / Speaking Program / [MAY 9 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker LTC Oscar Diano (US Army): The Philippine Scouts and the Last Horse Cavalry Charge in Combat

[MAY 9 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker LTC Oscar Diano (US Army): The Philippine Scouts and the Last Horse Cavalry Charge in Combat

May 4, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of Filipino-Americans assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, Philippine Scout units were given a suffix of (PS), to distinguish them from other U.S. Army units. One of these units, the 26th Cavalry (PS), holds the distinction of being the last American mounted tactical cavalry unit in combat.

Philippine Scouts in Bolo Drill
Phillipine Scouts in 1905
USAFFE Anti-Aircraft Section Markmanship

On the Bataan Peninsula, the 26th Cavalry (PS) staged a mounted attack against the Japanese on January 16, 1942. It was the last mounted charge in America’s military annals, and proved the climax of the 26th Cavalry’s magnificent but doomed horseback campaign against the Imperial Japanese Army during the fall of the Philippines in 1941-42.

LTC Oscar Diano (US Army)
LTC Oscar Diano (US Army)

Our speaker, LTC Oscar Diano, will present the dramatic story of this last horse cavalry charge and the history of the Philippine Scouts. Diano joined the National Security Affairs Department of the U.S. Naval War College in 2014. He is a 1994 graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, with a degree in Political Science. His assignments include tours in Texas, Colorado, Germany, Bosnia, Georgia and Kuwait. He has served two tours in Iraq. His last assignment was at the Maneuver Center of Excellence as the Squadron Commander for 2nd Squadron, 16 U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course). He recently returned from Operation Inherent Resolve as the Deputy CJ35 (Future Operations). He earned a master’s degree from the Command and General Staff College (Fort Leavenworth, KS) in 2007.

DATE: Monday, May 9, 2016
TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
PLACE: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St., E. Greenwich, RI.
MENU: Grilled lamb chops, Chicken Francaise, roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, and salad. Coffee & dessert.
FEE: $15/person

RSVP by FRIDAY, May 6, to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email scott@ritemps.com.


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Filed Under: Speaking Program Tagged With: Bataan Peninsula, cavalry, Philippine Scouts, speaking program, World War II

[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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