US Army Letter Rejecting Suicide Bn's Casualty Report, March 1947

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 documents¹ about this unit are nonetheless included for posterity and for the benefit of researchers about World War II in Batangas.

HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
APO 707

GSCPU 091 PI / 372

4 MAR 1947

Mr. Crispulo Tambauan
1036 San Andres, Malate
Manila, P.I.

Dear Mr. Tambauan:

We regret to inform you that the Casualty Report submitted by you for the Suicide Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Regiment, cannot be officially considered for approval. It it returned herewith.

Our records indicate that this unit has not received official recognition as a component of the Philippine Army in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States.

It will be necessary that casualties of your unit submit claims for recognition individually. These may be submitted by the individual, his representative, or by his next of kin in cases where the casualty is deceased. Sufficient substantiating evidence must be provided as to the services of the individual as a guerrilla, and as to the military operations against the enemy which resulted in him becoming a casualty.

Enclosed herewith are two (2) sets of Guerrilla Affairs Division Form No. 2 in triplicate for accomplishment in accordance with enclosed instruction sheets and letters entitled, “Information Concerning Guerrilla Casualties.”

Claims should be mailed to Commanding General, PHILRYCOM, Attention: Guerrilla Affairs Division, APO 707, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, California. If delivered in person, documents should be submitted to the Guerrilla Affairs Division, G-3 Section, Headquarters PHILRYCOM, located in Building No. T-711, Philippine University Area, Quezon City.

Sincerely,

R. E. CANTRELL
CAPTAIN, AGD
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL

Incls:

Casualty Report, Suicide Bn, 3^rd Inf Regt
GAD Form #2 w/Instructions & Information Sheets (2 sets)

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