US Army Communication Informing Avelino Tapia of Non-Recognition, June 1946 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore US Army Communication Informing Avelino Tapia of Non-Recognition, June 1946 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

US Army Communication Informing Avelino Tapia of Non-Recognition, June 1946

Batangas History
29 Dec, 2017

[TRANSCRIPTION]

The Tanauan Guerrilla Combat Team was a small resistance organization operating out of the Municipality of Tanauan during the Japanese occupation and the liberation period. It was supposedly founded by one Avelino T. Tapia in July 1942 but failed to gain official recognition as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States. Some of its members, however, were recognized likely with other outfits or as individuals. In this page is a transcription1 of official communications from the United States Army informing Lt. Col. Avelino Tapia, commanding officer of the Tanauan Guerrilla Combat Team, of the non-recognition of his outfit.

Guerrilla Files

[p. 1]

HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL

APO 707
28 JUN 1946

Mr. Avelino T. Tapia
Rosario, Batangas
P. I.

Dear Mr. Tapia:

The “Tanauan Guerrilla Combat Team,” purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control, is not favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army.

A set of general requirements for guerrilla recognition, established by General MacArthur during the liberation of the Philippines, has been used as a guide in considering the record of this unit. After careful investigation and full consideration of all available substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of reasons mentioned below:

a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.

b. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.

c. Members of the unit did not devote their entire effort to military activities in the field to the exclusion of normal civilian occupation and family obligations.

d. Many members apparently lived at home, supporting their families by means of farming or other civilian pursuits, and assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.

e. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.

It is requested that you comply with the provisions of Executive Order No. 68, by the President of the Philippines, dated 26 September 1945, copy attached.
Sincerely yours,
W. P. MOORE
Lt. Col., AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen

1 Incl:

Executive Order No. 68

[p. 2]

M/R

Lt. Col. Hugh L. Carnahan:

1. The “Tanauan Guerrilla Combat Team,” consisting of 136 members under the command of Captain Avelino T. Tapia, has not been favorably considered for recognition. Approximately 54 members of the subject unit have previously been recognized.

2. Basis for non-recognition:

a. Members of the unit did not devote their entire efforts while in the unit, to military activity in the field.
(1) They did not exclude their normal civilian pursuits and family obligations.
(2) Members lived at home and supported their families by means of farming and other civilian pursuits
(3) They assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.
b. The unit does not show continuity of activity.
c. Most of the members term themselves as home guards.
d. The unit is not recommended by Col. Quintin Gellidon, overall guerrilla coordinator for the 11th Airborne Division.
e. A number of members worthy of recognition has previously been recognized.

GRANT S. WILCOX, 2nd Lt., Inf., 0-1339330

Notes and references:
1 “Tanauan Guerrilla Combat Team,” File No. 109-89, online at the United States National Archives.
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