Old soldiers remember friends, sufferings, at SF gold medal rites

Rodolfo Tacdol (right) became emotional upon remembering the sufferings he endured during the war, but was happy to receive his medal from Lt. General Edward Soriano (left). INQUIRER/Jun Nucum

SAN FRANCISCO — Only five Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans were present in one of the best attended and most emotional presentations of the Congressional Gold Medals held at the War Memorial Veterans Building in downtown San Francisco.

WWII veterans had to wait 75 long years to be finally recognized for their sacrifices in the war, and it took the same number of years for the war heroes to be given the highest medal that the United States Congress can bestow on civilians.

This did not escape the already impaired memories of the living veterans who were present.

Corporal Gregorio Ferrer who was assigned to Camp O’Donnel in Tarlac and in Angeles, Pampanga admitted that he had no longer expected to be finally be given the CGM.“I am happy that I would now finally the Congressional Gold Medal that I can show to my family especially our grandchildren as proof that we served the United States during the war,” he said.

Deserving

Marino Reyes, who was assigned in Pampanga, felt the same way.“I no longer expected to get this medal but, just the same, I strongly believe that we deserve to get this,” Marino expressed. “I would like to thank those who worked hard for this medal to finally be given to us even when we almost lost hope that this will happen.”

The family of 1Lt. Magdalena Leones, led by daughter Ali Matias (in red blazer, third from left), celebrates with Generals Edward Soriano (extreme left) and Antonio Taguba (extreme right) after American Legion First Army Post 510 was renamed after Leones. INQUIRER/Jun Nucum

Marino’s son, Arvin, an E4 specialist in the U.S. Army and an Iraq war veteran, added that they were very proud of their father.

More optimistic was Antonio Reyes, who was assigned in Bataan, after he learned that the group of U.S. Army Major General (ret.) Antonio Taguba, himself a son of a WWII veteran, was trying hard to get the CGM for them:

“My hope was renewed when I heard of the efforts being exerted by General Taguba’s group. I am happy that this is finally happening and I am honored to be given this finally.”

Antonio’s son, Red Reyes, spoke for the family saying, “We are very proud that the U.S. government through Congress recognized the sacrifices of our World War II veterans that included my dad. The whole family is rejoicing and is very thankful to God for giving him the CGM that they truly deserved.”

Remembering friends

Rodolfo Tacdol remembered his friends:“As we here are awarded the CGMs, I sadly remember the sufferings we had to endure particularly when we were made to walk from Bataan to Dau in Pampanga. I wished my other compatriots were still with me in receiving the medals and given recognition.”

Marino Reyes (right), who was assigned in Pampanga, thanked those who worked hard for this medal. INQUIRER/Jun Nucum

Tacdol’s son, who is with U.S. Air Force and was in the Vietnam War, revealed that the family did not know much of their father’s war exploits as the elder Tacdol did not talk much about it and only learned of the same when he researched on the Philippine Scouts more thoroughly.

Meanwhile, veteran Francisco Viray said would rather talk about something else than his war experience, but that he was very happy to receive the medal.

Role model

In his remarks, U.S. Army Lt. General (ret.) Eduard Soriano, who served for 35 years, said, “My father U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Fred Soriano served with 57^th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Scout, was a prisoner of war in the Bataan Death March and a prisoner of war in Korea. He was the reason I joined the U.S. Army to follow his footsteps as my role model.”

Corporal Gregorio Ferrer (right) who was assigned to Camp O’Donnel in Tarlac and in Angeles, Pampanga said he will share with his family the medal he received from Lt. General (ret.) Edward Soriano left). INQUIRER/Jun Nucum

He added: “I am humbled by the presence of the veterans and their families around me. They went through so much in World War II and they showed their bravery, the courage, their commitment, their dedication to the Armed Forces are phenomenal. I may have served the U.S. Army for 35 years but they were the ones that really fought hard.”

Mission to continue 

Taguba, who tirelessly fought hard for the Filipino WWII veterans CGMs, was elated.

“We vow to continue the mission to include developing an education program that we partnered with the Bataan Legacy Historical Society (BLHS) developing a written curriculum program for high school students in Northern California that we are now embarking on also in Washington, Virginia, and Iowa.”

Antonio Reyes (right), who was assigned in Bataan, was relieved after he learned that the group of U.S. Army Major General (ret,) Antonio Taguba (left), himself a son of a WWII veteran, was trying hard to get the CGM given to them. INQUIRER/Jun Nucum

Taguba said further, “With your help, we are now also collecting as many stories that we can tell in perpetuity from your lolos and lolas on what happened during the war, gather them across the country and they will be archived in Washington D.C. We certainly don’t want them to be forgotten again.”

Filipina veteran    

Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo praised Filipina veterans like Silver Star recipient for heroism 1Lt. Magdalena Leones, for whom the American Legion First Army Post 510 was renamed. Manalo was also grateful that the CGM awarding also was the renaming event which is a huge historical nature in ensuring the legacy of also the World War II women veterans who are also an integral part of WWII for their sacrifices, courage and bravery.

Leones’ daughter, Ali Matias, recalled her mother’s exploits:

Francisco Viray (left) was glad when he finally received from Maj. General (ret.) Antonio Taguba (right) his replica of the Congressional Gold Medal after waiting for it with the other veterans for 75 years. INQUIRER/Jun Nucum

“Among the things that my mother did was associating with the American missionaries where she initially served as nurse aid, organizing medical teams and gathering medicines and health supplies needed by sick and wounded soldiers. She became a liaison for the U.S. Filipino-American Irregular Troops (FAIT), organized an intelligence group among the various infantries relaying vital information to the commanders, searched for radio parts while recruiting radio technicians that paved the way for the organization of a signal corps that facilitated with General MacArthur in Australia, among others. Her dangerous work and trusted intelligence reports laid the foundation for General MacArthur making good on his words to return.”

The recipients

The following five living vets received their medals:

• Gregorio Ferrer
• Marino Reyes
• Antonio Reyes
• Rodolfo Tacdol
• Francisco Viray

The following 36 deceased vets received their medals via next of kin as the recipient:

• Ricardo Alvarado
• Emiliano Atup
• Pilario Caminade
• Ponce Cazem
• William Chavez
• Antonio N. Concepcion
• Florentino Dalit
• Victoriano M. Deguzman
• Leopoldo Delago
• Damian de Leon
• Rod dela Concepcion Sr.
• Fortunato Deocampo
• Eulogio Drapiza
• Leovilde Giron
• Andres Labay
• Jose Labog
• Dominador Leones
• Demetrio Luis
• Rufo Lumidao
• Peter Morta
• Eriberto Misa Jr.
• Florendo Maduli
• Esteban Monteclaro
• Jose Pereyras
• Gregorio Ramos
• Candelario Raquiza
• Florendo Saclayan Sr.
• Fred Soriano
• Alejandro Soria
• Ricardo Seng
• Rosendo Sumera
• Eduardo Tacdol
• Bennet Tigno
• Arturo Topacio Sr.
• Reynold C. Urmanita
• Benjamin Viray