; the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), and the U.S. Far East Air Force (USFEAF). (12) Included in the surrenders the Philippines were female nurses of United States Army, Navy, Philippine Army, and civilian volunteers who became the first large group of American women in combat and, counted with the Army and Navy nurses surrendered on Guam in December 1941, comprised the first group of American military women taken captive and imprisoned by an enemy. (13) More than 14,000 Americans POWs were transported aboard hellships —in the holds of unmarked merchant ships—from Pacific battle sites to be used as slave laborers