Vanderpool’s Recommendation for an Army Commission for Terry Adevoso, March 45
[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 memorandum sent by Vanderpool to the Commanding General of the Philippine Army recommending the commission of Hunters-ROTC Commanding Officer Eleuterio Adevoso.
JOINT INTELLIGENCE CENTER
Cavite, Batangas and Western Laguna
Notes and references:
1 “GHQ, Hunters ROTC,” folders 1-2, online at the United States National Archives
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 memorandum sent by Vanderpool to the Commanding General of the Philippine Army recommending the commission of Hunters-ROTC Commanding Officer Eleuterio Adevoso.
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| Left: Col. Vanderpool. Image credit: ARSOF History. Right: Filipino soldiers being inspected. Image credit: US National Archives. |
Cavite, Batangas and Western Laguna
10 March 1945
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SUBJECT TO |
: Recommendation for Commission : The Commanding General of the Philippine Army |
1. It is recommended that Terry Adevoso be commissioned in the Philippine Army at the highest grade commensurate with his demonstrated capabilities.
2. Terry Adevoso helped organize the Hunters or ROTC Guerrillas and has controlled one of the largest guerrilla organizations on the island of Luzon.
3. During the time of my contact with various guerrilla units, the Hunters or ROTC Guerrillas had demonstrated the highest state of discipline and training.
4. It was largely due to the efforts of this organization that I was able to obtain for the General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, the information desired of the enemy’s activities.
5. The highest state of discipline, the large number of men and women willing to risk their lives for their country, the complete faith of the civilian population in the integrity of the organization, and the willingness of the people to contribute their entire wealth in the support of the organization is, in my opinion, due primarily to the leadership of Terry Adevoso.
6. Terry Adevoso has demonstrated the highest moral qualities and has insisted upon the same from his officers and men. His utter disregard of personal danger, sufferings in the mountains, and his complete devotion in his country’s cause has served as an inspiration not only to his officers and men but to the nation as a whole. The very fact that an officer or man was in his organization raised the individual to the highest respect and the admiration of the community.
7. Terry Adevoso rose above the masses in a time of national crisis when natural leaders came forth to lead the people through the years of terror and hardships. It was the inspirational leadership of men of the caliber of Terry Adevoso that kept alive the spark of hope and the determination to remain a free people even during the dark days when many of the former leaders lost hope and compromised their honor by subjugating themselves to the Japanese Empire.
8. It is, therefore, recommended that Terry Adevoso be commissioned in the Philippine Army and sent to one of the United States Service Schools. The Command and General Staff School is recommended. With modern training, he will, I am sure, prove to be one of the leading soldiers of the nation.
9. I would be willing to serve under Terry Adevoso at any time.
s/ Jay D. Vanderpool
t/ JAY D VANDERPOOL
Major, General Staff Corps, AUSA
Representative, GHQ, SWPA
t/ JAY D VANDERPOOL
Major, General Staff Corps, AUSA
Representative, GHQ, SWPA
Notes and references:
1 “GHQ, Hunters ROTC,” folders 1-2, online at the United States National Archives