Assignment in Luzon

     On 16 September 1945, during this settling in, the division received its first mission. It was instructed to send a rifle company to Corrigidor Island for guarding POW’s employed clearing Malinta Tunnel of debris and dead Japanese. In addition, the company was to have the secondary mission of setting up and conducting guided tours of the historical sites of the island.

     On 24 September 1945, the commander of the 86^thDivision Artillery was directed to dispatch two field artillery battalions to Manila for the purpose of military police and guard duties.

Move to Canluban

       On 1 October 1945, Division Headquarters moved from Batangas to Canluban to relieve the 38^thDivision, who were returning home, from tactical responsibility. 

     The new mission for the 86^th Division was:

1. Assume responsibility for areas formerly assigned to the 38^th Division

2. Continue surrender arrangements with enemy groups in the Division zone of responsibility.

3. Assume control of all guerrilla and other organized Filipino forces in the zone of responsibility.

4. To provide and maintain—on 24 hours duty—two armed guards to protect equipment at radio station WVTEM which was 15 kilometers north of Manila on highway 3.

5. Prepare necessary security detachments for protection of installation property and personnel at San Marcellino Air Field.

6. Provide security guards, four men each, 24 hours a day at strategic locations.

7 Provide military police duty with 900 men, vehicles, and necessary organization in the City of Manila

8. Protect Air Corps pipe lines in the Subic Bay, Clark Field Area.

     In additions  to the above missions, the 86th  also established 11 Japanese collecting points in areas where Japanese, remaining at large , would come.

    The major duty of the 86th Division was policing and controlling the U.S. troops, Filipino citizens and Japanese POWs.

  On 9 October 1945, the Division conducted a simultaneous search of all land areas under control for missing persons and Japanese still operating in the area. The search ended 11 October 1945. This search netted 16 Japanese and two bodies of Filipino scouts.  

  The 86^thDivision continued its guard  functions on Leyte Island until 30 December 1946, at which time it was inactivated. Those personnel still assigned, transferred to United States Army Forces Pacific and were sent home.