US Army Letter Informing Hermenegildo Lopez of Non-Recognition, July 1946
The Lone Wolf Intelligence Unit was purportedly a guerrilla organization that operated out of the then-town of Lipa, Batangas. It was supposed to have been commanded by one Hermenegildo Lopez and supposedly affiliated with the Anderson’s Guerrillas of Bernard Anderson. This unit failed to get official recognition as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States. However, a number of its members gained recognition as part of the “Anderson’s Guerrillas Batangas Military Chapter.” In this document1, the United States Army formally wrote to Lopez to inform him of his unit’s non-recognition.
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
Notes and references:
1 “Lone Wolf’s Intelligence Unit,” File No. 183, online at PVAO.
[p. 1]
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
| 091 PI |
APO 707 25 JUL 1947 |
Mr. Hermenegildo L. Lopez
331 Raon Street,
Sta. Cruz, Manila
Dear Mr. Lopez:
The “Lone Wolf Intelligence Unit,” purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control, is not favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army.
A set of general requirements for guerrilla recognition, established by General MacArthur during the liberation of the Philippines, has been used as a guide in considering the record of this unit. After careful investigation and full consideration of all substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of the reasons mentioned below:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
c. A definite organization was not established.
d. Adequate records were not maintained (names, ranks, dates of enlistment or joining, dates of promotions, and other necessary related information).
e. The number of officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, was excessive and not reasonably proportional to the United States Army or to the pre-war Philippine Army tables of organization.
f. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
It is requested that you comply with the provisions of Executive Order No. 68 by the President of the Philippines, dated 26 September 1945, copy attached.
Sincerely yours,
W. P. MOORE
Lt. Col. AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen
1 Incl:
Executive Order No. 68
[p. 2]
Lt. Col. Hugh L. Carnahan:
1. The “Lone Wolf Intelligence Unit,” consisting of 384 members under the command of Mr. Hermenegildo L. Lopez, has not been favorably considered for recognition. An undetermined number of the Lone Wolf Unit have previously been recognized in the roster of the “Anderson’s Guerrillas Batangas Military Area.”
2. Basis for non-recognition:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy. The unit claims to have had only 17 arms and admit that they had no combat activity.
b. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy. Statements of Lt. Col. Bernard L. Anderson and guerrilla leaders indicate that only a few men from this alleged unit were of assistance to the Americans and those men have already been recognized.
c. A definite organization was not established. The following guerrilla leaders: Lt. Col. Bernard L. Anderson USA, Col Terry Adevoso, Lt. Col. Marking Agustin and Col. Quentin Gellidon, who were familiar with the guerrilla movement in Batangas province, state that they never heard of the “Lone Wolf Intelligence Unit.” No documentary evidence was submitted that the unit ever existed except on rosters compiled in March 1946. Hermenegildo L. Lopez, CO of the unit, admitted that they were actually part of the Anderson’s Guerrillas.
d. Adequate records were not maintained. No original records were submitted.
e. The number of officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, was excessive and not reasonably proportionate to United States Army or to pre-war Philippine Army tables of organization. The unit claims 384 members and a breakdown of ranks shows: 1 Col., 1 Lt. Col., 3 Majors, 16 Captains, 27 1st Lts., 29 2d Lts., 54 1st Sgts., 16 S/Sgts., 35 Sgts., 28 Cpls., and 99 Pvts., and 75 Pfcs.
f. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence. Actually, no evidence of service was submitted by the unit.
LEONARD J. AUBUCHON
Concurred by Chief of Investigation Section (Capt D. C. Murray)
Concurred by Chief of Guerrilla Affairs Branch (Lt. Col. H. L. Carnahan)
Concurred by Chief of Guerrilla Affairs Branch (Lt. Col. H. L. Carnahan)
Notes and references:
1 “Lone Wolf’s Intelligence Unit,” File No. 183, online at PVAO.