US Army Letter Informing del Pilar of Non-Revision of Recognition Dates, July 1947
The 1st Battalion, “B” Company, Batangueño Unit was a guerrilla organization affiliated with the MFAT or Marking’s Fil-Americans Troops. The latter was a larger organization operating in Luzon commanded by one Marcos Agustin, hence the nickname “Marking.” This organization absorbed elements of Hugh Straughn’s Fil-American Irregular Troops (FAIT) after the American commander was captured and executed by the Japanese Army. Hence, the name “Marking’s Fil-Americans.” The Batangueño Unit was commanded by one Captain Paulino Galicia (guerrilla rank) and operated out of Pantay, Tanauan. In this document1, one Thomas J. Brown of the United States Army wrote to Fidel del Pilar informing the latter of the non-favorable consideration of a request for the revision of recognition dates.
HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
| GSCPU 091 PI / 1563 |
APO 707 25 JUL 1947 |
Mr. Fidel del Pilar
Tanauan, Batangas
Philippines
Dear Mr. del Pilar:
The Commanding General has directed that you be informed that the 1st Battalion, Batangueño Unit, MFA, a guerrilla unit under your nominal control, recognized by letter Headquarters USAFFE, dated 1 April 1945, has not been favorably considered for revision of its present recognition date.
A thorough and detailed examination of all supporting papers submitted by your unit and an exhaustive study of the history of your unit, together with a careful analysis of all 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 a date of recognition other than that presently published.
This letter constitutes the final determination of and action upon the period of official recognition of the Batangueño Unit.
CWO, USA
Lt Col W M Hanes:
1. The 1st Bn, Batangueño Unit, MFA, strength 24, effective date 2 Apr 45, recognized by ltr, Hq USAFFE, dtd 1 Apri 45, FEP 370.64, is not favorably considered for recognition of present recognition dates.
2. This unit did not fulfill the requirements of the five basic points for recognition during the occupation. See attached report.
3. No useful purpose will be served by further investigations of this unit.
4. The unit suffered no casualties.
[Sgd.] Lt Bruce Bromley
Concur: Maj D C Murray, Chief Revision Sec
Concur: Capt R C Wilson, Chief, Casualty Sec
Concur: Lt Col S J Palos, Chief, Unit Branch