Various Documents on the De Castro Guerrilla Unit
[TRANSCRIPTIONS]
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 miscellaneous communications and documents related to the de Castro Guerrilla Unit.
[p. 1]
BASIC: Letter to Gen. MacArthur from Marcelo de Castro, 26 Aug 46, requesting further consideration of recognition for the unit known as the “De Castro’s Guerrilla Unit.”
GSCPG 091 P I – 201 DE CASTRO’S GUERRILLAS
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC, APO 707
TO: General Headquarters, United States Army Forces, Pacific, APO 500
Forwarded in compliance with First Indorsement of that headquarters is a copy of reply furnished Mr. De Castro.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:
CWO, USA
ASST ADJ GEN
Dtd 28 Aug 46 w/3 incls w/d
Copy of ltr to De Castro in reply
to his of 26 Aug 46 added.
[p. 2]
BASIC: Letter to Gen. MacArthur from Marcelo de Castro, 28 Aug 46, requesting further consideration of recognition for the unit known as “De Castro’s Guerrilla Unit.”
AG 201-De Castro, Marcelo
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES, PACIFIC, APO 500, 12 September 1946.
TO: Commanding General, United States Army Forces, Western Pacific, APO 707
For appropriate action and direct reply to the writer, copy to be furnished this headquarters. In this connection, attention is invited to copy of letter to Mr. de Castro.
BY COMMAND OF GENERAL MACARTHUR:
/t/ JOHN B. COOLEY
Adjutant General
1 Incl:
28 Aug 46 w/3 Incls: Copy Unit
History, Copy ltr to CG AFWESPAC
27 Jun 46 fr Mr. De Castro, Copy ltr
Fr CGAFWESPAC 23 Jul 46 to Mr
DeCastro.
[p. 3]
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SUBJECT
FROM
TO
|
: Request proper Action
: MARCELO DE CASTRO, CCK PhilSeaFron
Manila, Philippines
: His EXCELLENCY-GEN DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, Supreme
Commander of the Allied Powers, Tokyo, Japan
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The undersigned is the organizer and Commanding Officer of the DE CASTRO’S GUERRILLA UNIT which took active part in [the] resistance movement against the JAPS during the occupation and up to the liberation. On 27 June 1946, I applied for recognition of my unit but was denied because my application was submitted subsequent to 15 March 1946.
Reason for the delay was due to the fact that upon the arrival of our forces here in the Philippines for which I’d been waiting since our surrender in Corregidor, I reported immediately to the Naval Base No. 3142, from which they sent me right away aboard the Amphibious Group Communication Flagship USS TETON on the way to Japan. We were alongside Yokohama dock when Japan surrendered. Two weeks later, we moved to Tokyo, and were back again in the Philippines in November 1945 in active duty up to the present time.
I am wondering if there is nothing more that can be done towards recognizing my unit and giving its members a square deal. I hereby appeal to you in the hope that justice will be given priority over a mere technicality.
For your information and guidance, I am enclosing herewith a copy of our History and Letter addressed to the Commanding General Headquarters AFWESPAC (Guerrilla Affairs Section) and the reply to me.
Manila, Philippines
Copy of Letter to CG AFWESPAC (GAS)
Copy of Letter from GG AFWESPAC (GAS)
[p. 4]
DE CASTRO’S GUERRILLA UNIT
Barrio Banyaga, Lemery
Batangas
1351 Alcantara St.
Sampaloc, Manila
27 June 1946
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SUBJECT
TO
|
: Request for recognition of
DE CASTRO'S GUERRILLA UNIT
: The Guerrilla Affairs Section
Headquarters AFWESPAC APO 707
|
1. Respectfully forwarded herewith are the history and roster of the De Castro’s Guerrilla Unit.
2. The undersigned is the Organizer and Commanding Officer of the subject guerrilla unit. Delay in submitting the necessary papers for the recognition of this unit is due to the fact that he had been sent to the Invasion of Okinawa and Japan last July 1945, and came back last November 1945, when he was assigned CCK. U.S. Navy Philippine Sea Frontier, Anchor Section Navy No. 3142, his present position. He is an American citizen.
3. Therefore, for the benefit of those who really served and resisted the enemy during the occupation and up to the present time are resisting the remnants of Japanese soldiers still at large in places like Barrio Banyaga, Lemery, Batangas, full consideration is earnestly requested with a view towards ultimate recognition if justice and square deal were to be meted out where they are due.
4. The undersigned is available any time for interview or investigation to substantiate this claim and request.
Guerrilla Unit
Commanding Officer
1 – History of Unit