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| Mindanao Force | |
|---|---|
| Hukbong Lakas ng Mindanao | |
 Mindanao Force General Staff | |
| Active | March 17, 1942 – May 9, 1942 |
| Disbanded | May 10, 1942 |
| Country |  Commonwealth of the Philippines |
| Allegiance | United States Army |
| Branch | United States Army United States Army Air Corps United States Navy Philippine Scouts Philippine Army Philippine Constabulary |
| Type | Corps |
| Role | Territorial Defense |
| Size | 35,780 |
| Part of | United States Forces in the Philippines Visayas-Mindanao Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Del Monte Fields Camp Casisang |
| Equipment | M1903 Springfield Bolt Action Rifle M1917 Enfield Bolt Action Rifle |
| Engagements | Battle of Davao Battle of Bogo Battle of Tagaloan Battle of Mangayon Canyon Battle of Cotabato Battle of Zamboanga Battle of Malabang |
| Decorations | US Presidential Unit Citation Philippine President |
| Battle honours | US Presidential Unit Citation Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major General William F. Sharp, USA |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber | B17 Boeing Flying Fortress |
| Fighter | P40 Curtiss Warhawk P35 Seversky |
| Transport | C47 Skymaster C46 Commando |
| USFIP Commands | ||||
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Mindanao Force was a corps size military unit defending the island of Mindanao, the second largest island of the Philippines, from March 17, 1942, to its surrender on May 9, 1942. The force was created when the Visayas-Mindanao Force was split into two in March 1942. It was initiated in February 1942 in the headquarters of the United States Army Forces in the Far East, but took effect when General Douglas MacArthur departed for Australia on March 17, 1942.[1]
Visayas-Mindanao Force (VMF) commander Major General William F. Sharp assumed command of the force since he moved his previous headquarters in January in that year. He retained his staffs from his previous VMF HQ to his Mindanao Force HQ and released Visayan Force to Brigadier General Bradford Chynoweth. Along with Luzon Force and Harbor Defense of Manila and Subic, both headquarters were to report directly to US Forces in the Philippines HQ in Corregidor under Lieutenant General Jonathan Wainwright IV.
The main mission of Mindanao Force was to protect Del Monte Field and construct more air fields around Mindanao so supplies from Australia could be flown in, in preparation for the relief of the Philippine Garrison by General MacArthur. This was not materialized, due to the grip of the Japanese forces in the Philippines and its surrender on May 10, 1942.
- ^ Morton, Louis (June 26, 1952). The Fall of the Philippines. Washington, D.C: Louis Morton. p. 501.