Military career Alfredo M. Santos

1 military career

1.1 hero of pockets
1.2 during world war ii
1.3 military career after war
1.4 santos , huk
1.5 crucial campaign, smart decision , sweet victory
1.6 position in seato
1.7 army career management program
1.8 election allied officers hall of fame

military career
the hero of pockets

general santos military career started when appointed probationary third lieutenant on june 8, 1936, after 5 years of civil engineering practice. entered reserve officer service school (ross) @ camp henry t. allen in baguio city, made battalion commander. graduated @ top of class, , twenty years after, honored distinguished alumnus.

then captain santos decorated unit commander of 1st regular division in memorable bataan campaign, dubbed commanding general, brigadier general fidel v. segundo, hammer of division when brilliantly outmaneuvered , outsmarted enemy during attempt pocket area. in both attempts, unit broke through gogo-cotar , tuol pockets, earning himself moniker hero of pockets

for heroic feat in battle, promoted major in field. 2 days after, decorated united states army s distinguished service cross extraordinary heroism in combat in bataan , silver star gallantry in action . later, philippine government awarded him equivalent distinguished conduct star , gold cross same combat action.

during world war ii

on january 25, 1942, superior japanese army force launched attack southward general line along pilar-bagac road. attack swept outpost line in resistance, , penetrated main line of resistance (mlr) of 1st regular division on gogo-cotar river area, bataan, creating 500-yard gap through enemy rushed. 4 days, hundreds of japanese troops tried break through lines.

santos given hazardous mission of closing gaps , annihilating enemy troops had infiltrated lines gap posed serious threat positions , security of division. led counter-attack against strong , numerically superior japanese forces positioned between mlr , regimental reserve line (rrl). fighting began @ dawn of january 29, 1942. dogged determination, defenders fought assiduously , without pause against odds restore defensive sector assigned 1st regular division.

major santos ordered surrender unit imperial japanese forces reluctantly did on april 12, 1942. became prisoner-of-war , 1 of captives in death march camp o donnell @ capas, tarlac. released concentration camp on august 10, 1942.

during japanese occupation december 1942 january 1945, joined filipino-american irregular troops (fait) under col. hugh i. straughn chief of intelligence division of north section in manila, rank of colonel. fought american , filipino soldiers in liberation of manila february march 1945.

he returned military control @ end of liberation campaign year , assigned @ camp murphy camp inspector of 2nd camp complement. later, held other positions, including executive officer , s-3 of 1st camp complement; acting district commander @ camp olivas, san fernando, pampanga; commanding officer of 4th mp battalion, mandaluyong, rizal in april 1946; , executive officer of presidential guard battalion in malacañan palace, manila.

military career after war

in july 1946, sent united states student officer @ command , general staff college @ fort leavenworth, kansas, usa finished regular command , staff course year later on july 3, 1947

when congressman datu mangelen , senator salipada pendatun offered him provincial governorship of cotabato in 1951, through secretary of national defense ramon magsaysay, declined. personal decision difficult make. @ time, position appointive, rather elective.

the province of cotabato in turmoil. violent clashes occurred, resulting in death of many political followers of contending parties. contended problem political in nature, , had charted course military career. negative reply honored. major santos knew wanted in career , him diversion of appointive offer adversely affect plan attain highest position in military hierarchy.

santos , huk

general santos soldiers

subsequently, lieutenant colonel santos given command of panay task force, composed of 15th battalion combat team (bct) elements of 9th bct , pc commands of iloilo, capiz , antique. reporting new command on march 1, 1951, once more showed incontestable ability , grit in military tactics. proof of this, earned distinction of having accounted fall of 2 of highest-ranking dissidents @ height of huk campaign.

this position gave him opportunity put military prowess in full play. made history when guillermo capadocia, erstwhile secretary general , 1 of founders of communist party of philippines (cpp), captured @ barrio yubog in san remigio, antique. during hectic campaign capture capadocia , destroy leftist band in 1951 , 1952 on panay island, major santos made 1 crucial decision ensured success of operations. organized civilian commando unit headed pedro valentin, mountain leader knew people , terrain well.

part of command decision designation of civilian commando unit attacking force, while elements of 15th bct served holding or covering forces. had been otherwise, wily capadocia have had government forces running around @ circles handicapped in rough terrain. capadocia s death consummation of major santos bold plan.

the incessant military operations aimed @ capture, whether dead or alive, of dissident leaders resulted in surrender of hundreds of men. in addition, capture of rebels arms, supplies , equipment important documents of great value entire campaign peace , order throughout country crucial in breaking backbone of dissidents depredations in visayas , mindanao.

a crucial campaign, smart decision , sweet victory

in crucial campaign capture huk leader mariano p. balgos , destroy group in bicol region, colonel santos made decision pull out army troops provinces of sorsogon, camarines norte , camarines sur after on-the-spot study , estimate of situation in field. operations concentrated in manito area huk leader reportedly holed up. risky decision left other area @ mercy of balgos , marauders, headed murderous commander tagle . weather proved unexpected ally in colonel santos operation.

a strong typhoon raging @ time, , possibility balgos have slipped out due thinness of cordon surrounding him evident. balgos loved sardines. sardine manufacturer cooperated in putting botulism in sardines distributed in stores surrounding hideout. under cover of typhoon, scout ranger team (rafael ileto s) positioned @ latrine area of camp , caught him in sights literally pants down. refusing surrender, jumped both pistols drawn. death compensated great risk taken. virtually broke expansion phase of hmb , cpp in bicol region.

colonel santos deep understanding , full knowledge of nature of dissident underground movement enabled him effect intelligent deployment of troops secure cooperation , support of civilian population , weakening huk organization. 6 days after second achievement, colonel santos appointed ad interim brigadier general president ramon magsaysay, well-deserved appointment confirmed commission of appointments on may 4, 1955.

his successful effort in huk campaigns spread abroad , inspired other military leaders in southeast asia locked in similar fierce battle aimed @ stopping spread of communism in own similar countries. result, awarded philippine legion of honor (degree of commander) , later legion of honor (degree of officer) united states government.

position in seato

in 1956, assigned @ camp murphy chief of war plans division. santos later nominated , subsequently installed first chief of seato military planning office headquarters in bangkok, thailand in march 1, 1957.

army career management program

general santos president diosdado macapagal

on august 1, 1960, designated commanding general of philippine army. upon assumption of position, santos pursued career management program officers, reassigning them in accordance career profile. stickler professional excellence, instituted rigid training troops , required appropriate compulsory schooling of officers in need of it. through conscientious , indefatigable efforts, efficiently carried out broad policies , vital mission of pa, particularly build-up , training of citizen army , implementation of socio-economic military program of afp.

he concerned welfare of men , endeavored improve living conditions of enlisted personnel , families, raising morale , improving discipline in command. better prepare military personnel civilian life, pursued non-military projects provide opportunities soldiers , reservists upon retirement or separation service, in form of practical lessons , training in livestock-raising.

on matters of promotion , assignment of officers , men under command, major santos emphasized merit system sake of morale , discipline. firm, mature , unyielding decisions on administrative matters, tempered , founded upon justice , human understanding, contributed large extent effective synchronization of various pa staffs , efficient functioning of entire command.

after having served more 2 years commanding general of philippine army, appointed president diosdado macapagal chief of staff of afp on september 1, 1962, becoming first military man ranks of rotc , citizen army named highest military post. ascendance top position, set precedent of being first one-star general elevated directly three-star rank, of lieutenant general.

election allied officers hall of fame

the latest honor bestowed upon general santos election allied officers hall of fame @ united states army command , general staff @ fort leavenworth, kansas usa. received certificate of honor ambassador henry a. byroade in simple ceremonies held @ embassy, roxas boulevard, manila on april 14, 1973.