Letter to Galvez on Non-Revision of Recognition Dates, March 1947
The Pioneer Balayan Town Guerrilla Unit was one of many units of the large Fil-American Irregular Troops (FAIT) organized by the retired American Colonel Hugh Straughn at the onset of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. This guerrilla organization had many such units operating in other towns of Batangas, including the town of Balayan. The Balayan unit was organized by Majors Rodolfo Bahia and Amador de Guito. Hence, it was also referred to as the Bahia-Deguito unit. In this document1, one R. E. Cantrell of the Adjutant General’s Office of the Philippines-Ryukyus Command wrote to Vicente Galvez to inform the latter of the non-revision of the original recognition dates.
HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
| GSCPU 091 PI/324 |
APO 707 1 MAR 1947 |
Mr. Vicente Galvez
Balayan, Batangas
Philippines
Dear Mr. Galvez:
The Commanding General has directed that you be informed that the Pioneer Balayan Town Guerrillas, Bahia-Deguito Unit, FAIT, a guerrilla unit under your nominal control, recognized by letter Headquarters, PHILRYCOM, dated 19 February 1947, has not been favorably considered for revision of its present recognition dates.
A thorough and detailed examination of all supporting papers submitted by your unit, together with a careful analysis of other available information of the military activities of your unit from its inception, scrutinized in relation to the overall resistance movement, has failed to justify sufficiently the establishment of other dates of recognition than those presently published.
This letter constitutes the final determination of an action upon the period of official recognition of the Pioneer Balayan Town Guerrillas, Bahia-Deguito Unit, FAIT.
CAPTAIN, AGD
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL
Col Gerald F. Lillard:
1. The Pioneer Balayan Town Guerrillas, Bahia-Deguito Unit, FAIT, under the comd of Vicente Galvez and consisting of 42 officers and men has not been favorably considered for revision of its present recognition dates. It was recognized between the dates 15 Jul 44 to 15 Feb 45 by ltr, Hq, PHILRYCOM, dtd 19 Feb 47.
2. This unit was investigated by Lt G. S. Wilcox and recognized for its entire period of service to the Armed Forces of the United States. On the M/R, Lt Wilcox stated: “No useful purpose will be accomplished by further investigation of this unit.”
3. A roster of casualties allegedly suffered by this unit is in the hands of the Individual Branch.
Douglas C Murray
Major, Infantry
1. Concur: Lt Col S. J. Palos, Chief, Unit Branch