Captain McGrath's Certification for Tambauan, August 1945 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

The Suicide Battalion was purportedly a guerrilla outfit organized in the barrio of Santor in Tanauan by one Crispulo Tambauan, who would himself become its commander, and later set up its headquarters in Wawa, same municipality. This guerrilla outfit failed to obtain official recognition as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the United States Armed Forces, with some notable guerrilla figures stating that they had never heard of either Tambauan or his alleged guerrilla outfit. The documents about this unit are nonetheless included for posterity and for the benefit of researchers about World War II in Batangas. In this particular document¹, one Captain John McGrath of the 186^th Engineer Combat Battalion issued a certification on Tambauan and his men of the Suicide Battalion.

OFFICE OF THE SUPPLY OFFICER
186^TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION
APO 70
LUZON, P. I.

29 Aug. 45

SUBJECT TO

: Recommendation : Whom it may concern:

1. This is to certify that Mr. Crispulo Tambauan has served as Master Carpenter for the S-4 Section, this Battalion, during our operations on Luzon, P. I., and has been in charge of fourteen (14) Carpenters.

2. His duties ranged from cabinet making to building construction. In this capacity, Mr. Tambauan not only laid out the work from blue-prints but also constructed from his own designs. His work has been commendable. He has never missed a working day.

3. His handling and supervision of men has been exceptional. His conscientious dispatch of assignments has been of superior performance.

4. I do not hesitate to recommend Mr. Tambauan for any duty of supervisory capacity, or in General Carpentry.

[Sgd.] JOHN A. MCGRATH
CAPTAIN CE
S-4

Notes and references:
¹ “Suicide Bn., 3^rd Inf Regt, FAG,” File No. 134, online at the United States National Archives.