Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Alfredo
Manapat
Santos
POW (WWII)
July 13, 1905

–

February 7, 1990

Born:

Santa Cruz, Manila

, 

Philippine Islands

Home:

Manila

, 

Philippine Islands

Buried: 

Taguig, Southern Manila District

, 

Philippine Islands

Cemetery:

Libingan ng mga Bayani

Alfredo Santos Major Santos was ordered to surrender his unit to the Imperial Japanese Forces, which he reluctantly did on April 12, 1942. He became a prisoner of war and was one of the captives in the “Death March” to Camp O’Donnell at Capas, Tarlac. He was released from the concentration camp on August 10, 1942. During the Japanese occupation from he joined the Filipino-American Irregular Troops (FAIT) as chief of the Intelligence Division of the North Section in Manila and fought with the American and Filipino soldiers in the liberation of Manila from February to March 1945. After the war he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 1962 to 1965, making him the first four-star general of the Philippines’ armed forces.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    Armed Forces of the Philippines

    Action Date:

    September 1962 – March 1965
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 40 (December 9, 1965)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit, in the Degree of Commander to General Alfredo Manapat Santos, Foreign, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, from September 1962 to March 1965.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Brigadier General [then Colonel]

    Division:

    Philippine Army

    Action Date:

    July 24, 1954 – May 1, 1955
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 58 (November 27, 1957)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit, in the Degree of Officer to Brigadier General [then Colonel] Alfredo Manapat Santos, Foreign, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, from 24 July 1954 to 1 May 1955.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Division:

    Philippine Guerilla Forces

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Alfredo Manapat Santos, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Military Service.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    1st Infantry Regiment (PA)

    Division:

    1st Division, Philippine Army

    Action Date:

    February 4, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Far East Command, General Orders No. 70 (February 18, 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Alfredo Manapat Santos, Philippine Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, Philippine Army, in action against enemy forces near Saysayin Ridge on the Bataan Peninsula, Philippine Islands, on 4 February 1942. On 25 January 1942, a superior Japanese Army force launched an attack southward from a general line along Pilar-Bagac Road. The attack swept the outpost line in resistance, and penetrated the Main Line of Resistance (MLR) of the 1st Regular Division on the Gogo-Cotar River area, Bataan, creating a 500-yard gap through which the enemy rushed. For four days, hundreds of Japanese troops tried to break through lines. Captain Santos was given the hazardous mission of closing the gaps and annihilating the enemy troops who had infiltrated the lines as the gap posed a serious threat to the positions and the security of the division. He led a counter-attack against the strong and numerically superior Japanese forces positioned between the MLR and the Regimental Reserve Line (RRL). The fighting began at dawn of January 29, 1942. With dogged determination, the defenders fought assiduously and without pause against all odds to restore the defensive sector assigned to the 1st Regular Division. Captain Santos’ outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.