The Hunters ROTC took an active role in numerous battles, such as the Raid at Los Baños and the defense and recapture of Lucena City.

On December 19, 1941 on the grounds of the University of Santo Tomas the cadets of Class 1942 and 1943 graduated earlier and received their commissions, under their Superintendent Col. Fidel V. Segundo (USMA 1917) forming the 1st Regular Division.

The cadets of these classes formed the nucleus of the Hunters ROTC by January 1942, with Miguel Ver in command, and Eleuterio Adevoso as his executive officer.

They were founded in Manila in January 1942 by Miguel Ver[5]: 87  of the Philippine Military Academy, and moved to Rizal Province in April where they came under Col. Hugh Straughn's FAIT.

As recalled by one former member, Damaso Fernandez, the omnipresent reign of the Imperial Japanese Forces in Manila was punctuated with talks of severe punishment, often times through threats of torture or murdering one's family if caught engaging in anti-Japanese activities.

Led by Miguel Ver, a PMA cadet, the Hunters raided the enemy-occupied Union College in Manila and seized 130 Enfield rifles.

According to some existing records, the Hunters ROTC launched a daring guerrilla raid on the 24th of June, 1944 at the New Bilibid Prison, which at the time was used by the Japanese, in Muntinlupa, Rizal.

A number of Hunters ROTC members, notably Terry Adevoso, were active in political organizing in the years before martial law, even if they did not themselves run.