Report on the San Jose Guerrilla Unit for Requested Revision of Recognition Dates
The San Jose Guerrilla Unit was an underground organization that opposed the Japanese in the Province of Batangas in World War II. It was commanded by one Pedro Kalalo and was officially recognized with 60 men as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the United States Armed Forces during the liberation of the country. In this document1, one Lt. William D. MacMillan of the US Army filed his report on the unit after reinvestigating it as per its request for revision of its recognition dates.
Report on the “San Jose Guerrilla Unit”
Notes and references:
Transcribed from the documents of the San Jose Guerrilla Unit, originally downloaded from PVAO and the US National Archives.
[p. 1]
1. On verbal authority from Chief, Revision Section, Guerrilla Affairs Div., this headquarters, Lt William D MacMillan made an intensive study of the unit file of [the] San Jose Guerrilla Unit recognized for the period 25 Feb 45 - 31 May 45, strength of 60 men, per letter Headquarters, AFWESPAC, dated 16 Feb 1946, for the purpose of determining whether the dates of recognition should be revised. (The letter is not available in the files of this office.)
2. HISTORY: ( See unit file)
3. FINDINGS:
a. Documents other than the unit file consulted:
(1) “Green Book”
(2) Team Leader’s Report by Lt George Campbell
b. This unit claims “active operation” since 15 Sept 44, in a letter dated 9 Apr 45, subj: Organization Report, to Maj W. Schloth, USTF, 11th A/B Grla Coordinator Hq. A second letter, dated 16 January 46, to CG, AFWESPAC, requesting recognition, stated that “a handful of anonymous but irresolute residents of San Jose.....” began the resistance upon the surrender of Corregidor. Kalalo seems to have learned something of guerrilla recognition and back pay in nine months. No further evidence in the file of the unit supports any pre-liberation record of service. The contents of the file are a number of copies of various attachment papers and certificates of commendation from US Army officers and rosters.
c. One of the documents contained in the file is a certificate of recognition, signed by Capt C. N. Schommer, US Task Force, Commanding, Grla Hqs. dated 2/24/45, and is referred to as the initial recognition of the unit by Lt Campbell in his TLR. It apparently is the first record of attachment this unit has, and is thought of as the first record of service for the unit at any time.
d. Lt Bruce Bromley, this headquarters, who has investigated guerrilla units extensively in the province of Batangas, stated that he had never heard of this unit at all. He further said that it was the first unit in Batangas that did not claim association with the Fil-American Irregular Troops, under Col Hugh Straughn, which he encountered. The CO assures us that the combat record and other activities of his unit are “only too well known to Batangas.....”
e. If the copies of documents in the file are true, the unit apparently was of some definite service during the liberation. However, there is a complete lack of any evidence sufficient to permit contemplation of any revision for the unit.
f. Interment records for two casualties of this unit are included in the file. Should claims for them be submitted in the future, they should be FC.
[p. 2]
4. POLITICAL ASPECTS: No political ramifications can be anticipated in the revision of the dates for the subject unit.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that the “San Jose Guerrilla Unit” be not favorably considered for revision of its present recognition dates. Casualties have not been submitted by they should be favorably considered for the period of recognition if submitted in the future.
[Sgd.] William D. MacMillan
2nd Lt., Infantry
2nd Lt., Infantry
Notes and references:
Transcribed from the documents of the San Jose Guerrilla Unit, originally downloaded from PVAO and the US National Archives.