Vanderpool's Memo to CG-PHILRYCOM on the Services of Eduardo Villadolid, Rainbow Regt, June 47
[TRANSCRIPTION]
Col. Jay D. Vanderpool was the Liaison Officer sent by Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) Command to southern Luzon, including Batangas, to coordinate guerrilla activities in the area in preparation for the Allied invasion. Transcriptions of a selection of his communications either with guerrilla units or offices of the United States Army are compiled in this section. In this page is a transcription1 of a communication from Vanderpool to the Commanding General of the Philippines-Ryukyus Command (PHILRYCOM) on the recognition of services rendered by Eduardo Villadolid and the Rainbow Regiment.
Notes and references:
1 “1st Regiment, Nasugbu, Fait” File No. 110-52, downloaded from PVAO.
Col. Jay D. Vanderpool was the Liaison Officer sent by Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) Command to southern Luzon, including Batangas, to coordinate guerrilla activities in the area in preparation for the Allied invasion. Transcriptions of a selection of his communications either with guerrilla units or offices of the United States Army are compiled in this section. In this page is a transcription1 of a communication from Vanderpool to the Commanding General of the Philippines-Ryukyus Command (PHILRYCOM) on the recognition of services rendered by Eduardo Villadolid and the Rainbow Regiment.
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| Left: Col. Vanderpool. Image credit: ARSOF History. Right: Filipino soldiers being inspected. Image credit: US National Archives. |
Washington, D. C.
23 June 1947
23 June 1947
|
To SUBJECT |
: Commanding General Philippines - Ryukyus Command Manila, Philippine Islands : Recognition of Services |
1. Attached hereto a copy of a communication from Lt. Colonel Eduardo C. Villadolid, who was associated with myself prior to the MIKE SIX landing operation at Nasugbu, Batangas, and during the attack on Manila.
2. Lt. Colonel Villadolid reported to myself as coordinator of Guerrilla Affairs in Cavite, Batangas, and Western Laguna, prior to the landing operations of the 11th Airborne Division on 31 January 1945. I assigned his unit numerous intelligence and sabotage missions which they performed in an exemplary manner, sometimes with considerable casualties.
3. Subsequent to the landing, and during the attack toward Manila, I was in need of a strong commander to assume command of the guerrilla troops, who were supporting the beachhead and securing the line-of-communication to Tagaytay. I selected Lt. Colonel Villadolid for this position as he was familiar with the local terrain and the enemy dispositions. Another, and more important consideration, was that I had found that Villadolid and his unit would fight at any time and place that I directed and without the immediate supervision of an American officer.
4. This unit did a fine job of securing the perimeter at Nasugbu. The perimeter was held by launching a local counterattack against the Japanese whenever he approached the landing site. As commander of all guerrillas in the area, Villadolid held the perimeter with the minimum of support by the United States Army forces and permitted the release of practically all of the 11th Airborne Division troops for the attack to the northeast.
5. The pinpoint locations of key command posts, artillery positions and supply installations of the enemy, furnished by the joint force under Villadolid, was of inestimable value in fixing and destroying the enemy defending Tagaytay Ridge. These were located down to the yard on photographs and maps.
6. I am not familiar with the present policies of recognizing the merits of the several guerrilla organizations who assisted the U. S. Army forces, but I would like to state that Villadolid and his unit were one of the best that served in Southern Luzon. My personal opinion is that his unit had the highest combat efficiency of any commander in the immediate Nasugbu area. It was for this reason that I put him in charge of the beachhead. This can be said without detracting in any way from the excellent work done by other forces in Batangas.
7. I have checked over the list of accomplishments claimed by Villadolid. I find them accurate for all that I have records. The list is rather incomplete as numerous combat missions have not been included. I have indicated by informal marginal notes my comments on his report.
8. If I may be of further service to your headquarters in identifying any of the numerous guerrilla organizations in the Cavite-Batangas-Western Laguna area, I will forward any information available from my personal files or from such incidents as may still be recalled.
(SGD) JAY D. VANDERPOOL
Lieutenant Colonel
Field Artillery
Lieutenant Colonel
Field Artillery
Notes and references:
1 “1st Regiment, Nasugbu, Fait” File No. 110-52, downloaded from PVAO.