the 186th went ashore on palawan island, in the southern philippines, in february, 1945. that campaign lasted for the remainder of the war. with the 186th scheduled to take part in the invasion of japan, planned for november, the end of the war allowed the regiment to enter japan peacefully, as occupation troops instead. in december 1945, the regiment, and the 41st division, were deactivated in japan, and left active service.