Communications Sent to de Castro Regarding His Request for Reconsideration
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The De Castro Guerrilla Unit was an underground outfit that operated out of the barrio of Banyaga, Lemery, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. It was founded and subsequently commanded by one Lt. Marcelo de Castro, a WWI veteran who fought in Europe and also was a survivor of the siege of Corregidor in 1942. The unit failed to obtain official recognition by the United States Army because its application was submitted beyond the date set. In this page are transcriptions1 of communications from the US Army regarding Marcelo’s request for reconsideration of the decision not to recognize his guerrilla unit.
[p. 1]
12 September 1946
Mr. Marcelo de Castro
CCK Philseafron
Manila, Philippine Islands
Dear Mr. de Castro:
Your letter of 28 August 1946 addressed to General MacArthur, requesting further consideration of recognition for “De Castro’s Guerrilla Unit,” has been referred to me for reply.
The Secretary of War has authorized the Commanding General, United States Army Forces, Western Pacific, to make final determination of the status of personnel under the provisions of Public Law No. 490, 77th Congress of the United States (The Missing Persons Act).
In order that this case may be given every consideration, I am transmitting your letter and its inclosures to the Commanding General, United States Army Forces, Western Pacific, for appropriate action with the request that he inform you regarding the final outcome in the matter.
Colonel, AGD
Adjutant General
[p. 2]
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
APO 707
GSCPG 091 PI
Mr. Marcelo de Castro
1351 Alcantara Street
Sampaloc, Manila
Dear Mr. de Castro:
Your letter, dated 28 August 1946, and addressed to the General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, has been forwarded to this headquarters for necessary action.
In your letter to General MacArthur, you requested reconsideration of the decision of this headquarters in a letter addressed to you on 23 July 1946.
At the time you returned to Manila in November 1945, the time limit for submission of rosters of guerrilla units for recognition had been set at 31 January 1946. On 5 February 1946, the Commanding General, AFWESPAC, saw fit to extend that deadline to 15 March 1946, and his decision was published in the Manila newspapers and broadcast over local radio stations. The decision to make this last extension was arrived at to give such individuals as yourself an opportunity to submit the necessary rosters and supporting papers.
In your initial letter of request for recognition of your unit, dated 27 June 1946, you stated that you returned to Manila in November 1945, and had since been stationed at the Philippine Sea Frontier. It is believed by this headquarters that you have had sufficient time to submit your rosters and supporting papers. For that reason, the original decision of the Commanding General stands and no further consideration will be given to your request.
Lt. Col., AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen