The Unsung Heroes The Unsung Heroes of World War IIof World War II

Presented by:Presented by: Arnel O. Rivera Arnel O. RiveraMAT-SSMAT-SS

Heroes of World War IIHeroes of World War II

Most, if not many of them, remain unhonored, unwept and unsung.

The USAFIP – NL by Col. Ceasar Pobre (Ret.)Remembering World War II in the Philippines Vol. I (2009)

The Unsung Heroes of WWIIThe Unsung Heroes of WWII

Col. Francisco GuerreroCol. Francisco Guerrero Magdalena LeonesMagdalena Leones Wha Chi 48Wha Chi 48thth Squadron Squadron

Col. Francisco GuerreroCol. Francisco Guerrero

Native of Native of Bacoor, CaviteBacoor, Cavite Organized in August 15, 1942 the Organized in August 15, 1942 the 22ndnd

Infantry RegimentInfantry Regiment of the of the Fil-American Fil-American Cavite GuerillasCavite Guerillas under the command of under the command of Col. Mariano CastañedaCol. Mariano Castañeda..

This regiment is composed of former This regiment is composed of former soldiers of the USAFFE who are natives soldiers of the USAFFE who are natives of Bacoor and nearby municipalities.of Bacoor and nearby municipalities.

Mission of the 2Mission of the 2ndnd Infantry Infantry RegimentRegiment

The main mission of this unit is to The main mission of this unit is to conduct espionage and sabotage conduct espionage and sabotage missions against the enemy unit missions against the enemy unit operating within the vicinity of Cavite.operating within the vicinity of Cavite.

Major BattleMajor Battle

In In Feb. 4, 1945Feb. 4, 1945, a large number of , a large number of Japanese Forces who where retreating Japanese Forces who where retreating from Tagaytay after the landing of the from Tagaytay after the landing of the 1111thth Airborne Division Airborne Division where ambushed where ambushed by Col. Guerrero men in by Col. Guerrero men in Bacoor Bacoor RotandaRotanda. Remnants of the Japanese . Remnants of the Japanese troops was also pursued and were killed troops was also pursued and were killed in in BinakayanBinakayan..

Magdalena LeonesMagdalena Leones Before the war, Magdalena Leones was Before the war, Magdalena Leones was

teacher. Then later, she studied to teacher. Then later, she studied to become a nun. become a nun.

When war broke-out, she decided to join When war broke-out, she decided to join the the USAFIP-NLUSAFIP-NL and served as one of it’s and served as one of it’s intelligence officers.intelligence officers.

Her first mission is to smuggle medicines Her first mission is to smuggle medicines from Manila to their hide-out in Northern from Manila to their hide-out in Northern Luzon. Luzon.

Her mission also includes information Her mission also includes information gathering. Among her credit is that she gathering. Among her credit is that she was able to take note of the names of was able to take note of the names of enemy ships, its’ content, and the names enemy ships, its’ content, and the names of their skippers docked in of their skippers docked in San San Fernando, La UnionFernando, La Union..

She was also credited for blowing-up She was also credited for blowing-up several Japanese planes in the several Japanese planes in the Tuguegarao airstripTuguegarao airstrip. .

Magdalena LeonesMagdalena Leones

Because of her exploits during the war, Because of her exploits during the war, the US Army awarded her the the US Army awarded her the Silver StarSilver Star. . However, the Philippine Government However, the Philippine Government failed to give her the corresponding merit failed to give her the corresponding merit after the war.after the war.

Magdalena LeonesMagdalena Leones

Wha Chi 48Wha Chi 48thth Squadron Squadron This guerilla unit is composed of Chinese This guerilla unit is composed of Chinese

settlers in the Philippines. settlers in the Philippines. It was secretly formed in 1937 after the It was secretly formed in 1937 after the

Japanese invaded Japanese invaded NankingNanking and went and went underground when the Japanese underground when the Japanese attacked the Philippines in 1941.attacked the Philippines in 1941.

It’s name is derived from two Chinese It’s name is derived from two Chinese words – words – WhaWha which means which means ChineseChinese and and ChiChi meaning meaning divisiondivision..

Wha Chi 48Wha Chi 48thth Squadron Squadron It is divided into three groups. First is the It is divided into three groups. First is the

Mandarin UnitMandarin Unit, second is the , second is the Cantonese Cantonese UnitUnit and third is the and third is the Fujian UnitFujian Unit..

Like other guerilla units, its main mission Like other guerilla units, its main mission during the occupational period is to during the occupational period is to gather information about the strength of gather information about the strength of enemy forces.enemy forces.

They are credited for aiding the American They are credited for aiding the American forces and securing the main hospitals of forces and securing the main hospitals of Manila during its liberation. Manila during its liberation.

In closing…..In closing…..

Teachers have the big Teachers have the big responsibility of teaching the responsibility of teaching the future generations in order for future generations in order for them not to forget the them not to forget the sacrifices of our heroes and sacrifices of our heroes and ordinary Filipinos (and ordinary Filipinos (and foreigners)foreigners) during this dark during this dark period of our history.period of our history.

Sources:Sources:

Remembering World War II in the Remembering World War II in the Philippines Vol. 1Philippines Vol. 1, National Historical , National Historical Institute (2009)Institute (2009)

Pagtakhan, Romeo B. (2003, July 1) Pagtakhan, Romeo B. (2003, July 1) Nasa Makulay na Simula ang Tatag ng Nasa Makulay na Simula ang Tatag ng HinaharapHinaharap, Bacoor Historical Society , Bacoor Historical Society Bulletin Vol. II No. 2, pp.34-38Bulletin Vol. II No. 2, pp.34-38

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