US Army Letter Informing de Castro of Non-Recognition, July 1946
The De Castro Guerrilla Unit was an underground outfit that operated out of the barrio of Banyaga, Lemery, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. It was founded and subsequently commanded by one Lt. Marcelo de Castro, a WWI veteran who fought in Europe and also was a survivor of the siege of Corregidor in 1942. The unit failed to obtain official recognition by the United States Army because its application was submitted beyond the date set. In this page is a transcription1 of the US Army communications to de Castro informing him of the non-recognition of his unit.
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
M/R:
Notes and references:
1 “De Castro Guerrilla Unit,” File No. 71, online at the United States National Archives.
[p. 1]
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
APO 707
23 July 1946
23 July 1946
Mr. Marcelo de Castro
1351 Alcantara St.
Sampaloc, Manila
Dear Mr. de Castro
The “De Castro’s Guerrilla Unit,” purporting to be a guerrilla unit 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 available substantiating records, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of [the] reason mentioned below:
a. Application for recognition was received subsequent to 15 March 1946, the date announced as the deadline after which such applications would not be accepted.
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
W. P. MOORE
Lt. Col., AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen
1 Incl:
Executive Order No. 68
[p. 2]
M/R:
Lt. Col. Hugh L. Carnahan:
1. Request of Marcelo de Castro, CO of De Castro’s Guerrilla Unit, with a strength of 430 officers and enlisted men, not favorably considered for recognition.
2. Basis for non-recognition:
a. Application for recognition was received subsequent to 15 March 1946, the date announced as the deadline after which such application would not be accepted.
3. Ltr of request was dated 27 June 1946 and was received by AG, AFWESPAC 29 June 1946. Reason for delay given by de Castro: “he had been sent to the Invasion of Okinawa and Japan last July 1945, and came back last November 1945, when he was assigned CCK, US Navy Philippine Sea Frontier, Anchor Section Navy No. 3142, his present position.”
CAPT. DOUGLAS C. MURRAY
INF., 0-24899
Notes and references:
1 “De Castro Guerrilla Unit,” File No. 71, online at the United States National Archives.