Letter from Thomas Brown on the Return of Submitted Casualty Roster, August 1947

The Geronimo Division was a guerrilla outfit operating out of the then-town of Lipa. Its request for official recognition was subsequently denied by the United States Army. In this document¹, one Thomas Brown of the Adjutant’s Office of the Philippines-Ryukyus Command of the United States Army informs Vicente Virrey of the return of a submitted casualty roster from the Geronimo Guerrilla Division.

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HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL

GSCPU 091 PI/1703

APO 707

14 AUG 1947

Mr. Vicente P. Virrey
Lipa, Batangas
Philippines

Dear Mr. Virrey:

This will acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated 18 July 1947, submitting the casualty roster of the 4^th Battalion, 143^rd Infantry, MMD, ECLGA, General Geronimo Division, Batangas Unit.

The request for recognition of this unit was not favorably considered by this headquarters on 29 November 1946. A letter to this effect was sent to Mr. Ceferino Melo, Lipa, Batangas.

Concerning the submission of the casualty roster, it is policy of this headquarters to entertain for investigation only casualty rosters submitted by recognized guerrilla units. Inasmuch as your unit has not been recognized, a unit casualty roster cannot be accepted for consideration. It is considered that all concerned have had ample opportunity to submit claims for individual casualty recognition before 31 July 1947, the announced closing date for applications of this type. Information regarding this closing date has been widely disseminated throughout the Philippines by press and radio and through municipal agencies.

The casualty roster submitted with your letter of 18 July 1947 is returned herewith.

Sincerely,

THOMAS J. BROWN
CWO, USA
ASST ADJ GEN

1 Incl:

Casualty roster submitted by applicant

Lt. Col Wallace M Hanes:

Basic, ltr fr Vicente P Virrey to CG, PHILRYCOM, dtd 18 July 47, submitting the casualty roster of the 4^th Bn, 143^rd Inf MMD, ECLGA, Gen Geronimo Division, Batangas Unit.

2^nd Lt William D MacMillan

Concur: Maj C H Wentzell

Chief, Unit Branch

Notes and references:
¹ “4^th Bn, General Geronimo’s Div, MMD, ECLGA,” File No. 308-91, downloaded from PVAO.