by Rhonie Dela Cruz with William Figueroa Asprec and Col. Romeo Castro
Major Source: Louis Morton, “The Fall of the Philippines"
Preface
His brothers and sisters, mostly residing in the United States, are still updating the biography of Private Melencio Figueroa. The following may constitute a sketchy life story but hopefully, will soon be include information coming from the hero’s immediate family. After the war, little is known about the story and fate of Melencio during the defense of Luzon in 1942. Family members only knew that he died in Bataan fighting the Japanese.
The Cavalryman
Melencio Figueroa was born in 1923 at the Figueroa ancestral home in Barangay Banaba, Bamban, Tarlac, close to the pre-Pinatubo Banaba Catholic chapel. He came from a farmer’s family, his parents being Luiz Zapata Figueroa and Brigida Malonzo Figueroa. He was the eldest of seven children: Melencio, Jacinto, Beatriz, Domingo, Carmelita, Lydia and Lolita.
On December 8, 1941, the Japanese bombed nearby Fort Stotsenburg and Clark Field, which were America’s biggest overseas military facility at the time. Before the war, Clark Field-Fort Stotsenburg were home to the 26th Cavalry (Philippine Scouts), the most seasoned military unit in the Philippines. The proximity of Bamban from these military installations was a temptation to young Bambanenses applying for enlistment in the military. According to his family’s oral history, Melencio may have enlisted in 1941 but prior the outbreak of the war. His decision to enter the military was in contrast to the opinion of his mother Brigida, knowing that her son would be in harm’s way should war break out.
Melencio Figueroa was trained in the discipline of a true American cavalry soldier of the 26th, a unit of the U.S. Army whose officers were the best in the field and considered a first class outfit. He was only eighteen years old when he entered into the service (Troop B, 26th Cavalry PS) of America’s finest and the last horse-mounted cavalry.
With The 26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts
When war was declared against Japan, the 26th Cavalry (PS) main headquarters was moved to Bamban from Fort Stotsenburg to avoid Japanese air attacks that have become a daily exercise to the Japanese air force. The 26th Cavalry mobilization to Bamban was in conjunction with the transfer of Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright’s North Luzon Force headquarters. It was moved to Bamban, occupying the Bamban Sugar Mill Clubhouse, including the general staff.It was at that time, the second and third week of December, 1941.
From then, the 26th Cavalry was mobilized to Lingayen, Pangasinan in anticipation of Japanese landings in the gulf. Along with his unit, Private Melencio Figueroa was assigned in the defense of Pozzorubio, Carmen, and Rosales. There, he met a new recruit, a replacement for the 26th Cavalry losses. Romeo Castro would remain his friend in the course of the war and would later on tell the story of Melencio’s bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. Private Melencio was at Tayug, Pangasinan on December 25, 1941 with his unit and fought for the defense of the town against invading Japanese infantry supported only by light bombers. Enemy fighters incessantly bombarded their position. The 26th Cavalry’s mission was to cover the retreating combined Filipino-American forces as they made their way to Bataan. Riding with the cavalry’s horse mount, he charged along with his fellow cavalrymen but could not contain the strong Japanese forces. Heavy fighting took place on the Agno River where the 26th Cavalry fought a severe battle.
Retreat to Bamban
Melencio, with the 26th, fought with sweat and blood until given orders to retreat in accordance with the War Plan Orange 3 plan: defensive lines from Pangasinan to Bamban with the intention of holding the Japanese advance while taking time for the slow-moving Filipino- American forces to withdraw to Bataan. It was at this time that Melencio was able to visit his family at Barangay Banaba. He was at that time stationed at the Bamban Sugar Central, the HQ of the North Luzon Force, where the 26th Cavalry had time to regroup and replenish their strength before proceeding to the Bataan Peninsula.
Melencio met his family with warm hugs from each member. Brigida, his mother, was with heavy heart, as she felt this sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach, the fear of finding her son a bloodied, lifeless corpse. She urged his eldest son to run away into the hills, shed off his uniform, blend with the civilians and not to return to his unit. At the time, the 21st Division (Philippine Army) was deployed to protect the D-5 Line, the last line running from the south of Bamban, through the Bamban Hills on the north of the river into Mt. Arayat. Melencio insisted that his duty to serve his country was more important. His younger brother, Domingo, clearly remembered seeing his old brother in the tattered uniform of the gallant American cavalry in the service of the United States Army, a proud, resolute spirit against an overwhelming enemy. His mother, Brigida cried so hard to convince him to desert and hide in the mountains of Bamban, but to no avail. Finally, it was one cold, early morning during the last days of December when Melencio got up on his horse. From their house in Banaba, his five-year-old brother, Domingo, and their father accompanied him on their last ride together. Passing through the road (Route 3) on what is now the Municipal Road, they passed by the majestic Clubhouse of the Sugar Central and then past the Mansion, a spectacular stone building which stood majestic over the horizon on the right side of the ridge (what is now called Rotary) which rose sharply to the north. Nearing the Bamban Bridge, he told his father and brother that the two had traveled enough. It was time to say goodbye, and that was the last time they saw Melencio.
The Battle of Porac & The Bataan Campaign
The 26th Cavalry protected the left flank of the 21st Division, who, on the 31st of December and January 1 had fought a gallant stand for the defense of Bamban in the Battle of Bamban Hills. There were soldiers from the 21st who were natives of Bamban and so Melencio might have happened to meet his Cabalen warriors prior to proceeding
to Porac. Melencio’s Scout regiment, along with the 21st and 31st Division would be the only Filipino-American units remaining to control the 180,000 strong Japanese Imperial Army advancing towards Bataan.
On January 6, Melencio Figueroa was on the Layac Junction line protecting the entrance to Bataan Peninsula, close to the Zambales Mountains. The Japanese opened up artillery salvos supported by heavy air bombardment into USAFFE line. The devastating Japanese attacks forced Melencio’s unit to retreat further south and posted on the Mt. Natib-Morong line. Exhausted and tired from the difficult, jungle-covered overland march from Layac junction, he lost his horse and his unit was reorganized into a motorized squadron of riflemen. In short, he was a foot soldier for the remaining dark days of the Bataan campaign as friends he fought with died from gunshot wounds and illness.
The first Battle of Bataan was fought and Melencio was no different from other Filipino-American soldiers, as sickness conquered their battered bodies which lacked food, medicines, and rest. Ammunition of all sorts and other military
supplies was scarce. A daily dose of Japanese artillery and air bombardment poured on the Filipino-American lines of Bataan.
For four months and a day until the surrender of Bataan on April 9, 1942, Melencio tasted the bitterness and horrors of the Japanese attacks against their weakening force. Throughout the campaign in Bataan, he was with his friend Romeo Castro. During the last days of the Bataan defense, he was assigned to Trail No. 17 and then to Trail 20. At this time, only 300 Scouts survived, of the more than eight hundred original cavalrymen in the regiment. Melencio was still one of the lucky ones. By March 12,1942 General Douglas MacArthur escaped from Corregidor to Mindanao with his staff. The final Japanese offensive started on April 6, 1942, thus disintegrating Melencio’s unit, Troop B. He was now a straggler, with fellow Scout Romeo Castro.
Escape to Fortress Corregidor
On April 9, 1942, Bataan had fallen! Melencio and Romeo decided to go to Mariveles, at the tip of the Bataan Peninsula, on the quay where Gen. MacAthur boarded the Patrol Boat (PT) No. 41. There was a complete confusion among the remaining soldiers, although a general order was issued for surrender. Units would line up on the road to wait for the first Japanese soldiers and surrender. Melencio, full determination, swam from the MacArthur’s quay to Corregidor Island, the cradle of the last remnants of America’s garrison in the Philippines.
After that narrow escape from Bataan, Melencio and Romeo Castro reported to the U.S. Marines in control of the island fortress. There were other stragglers from various units who decided to swim the treacherous sea between Mariveles and Corregidor, dangerous waters usually infested with sharks. Melencio was attached to the remaining American forces and was posted at the beach defense. By end of April, he was positioned near the beach, at the Cavalry Point where the former Kindley field once existed. In spite of being totally exhausted with the deafening thunder of heavy artillery barrage from Japanese cannons firing from Mariveles to Corregidor and intense air bombardment from Japanese heavy bombers operating from Clark Field, Melencio all day and night manned his position, anticipating enemy landing. It was a suicidal mission! It was to be a complete annihilation for the handful of heroic Filipino-American forces at Corregidor against the overwhelming enemy.
Melencio’s Death
About the last days of April 1942, while there was a lull in the air and artillery bombardment by the Japanese, Melencio was with his friend Romeo on a gun position near the assigned beach. It was a very hot noon like no other. He asked his fellow scout to man the position while he volunteered to check the battered beach. Out of the blue, Japanese heavy bombers appeared overhead and began to drop hundreds of bombs on the island fortress. In an instant, Melencio’s location was shattered by the enveloping thunder of exploding bombs. Romeo witnessed the event while dumping himself in the beach trenches. Melencio was severely wounded by the exploding bombs and was carried to the nearest field hospital. The bombing continued for about half an hour. Melencio Figueroa, the 26th Cavalry Philippine Scout from Bamban, died at the hospital. His remains were buried at Corregidor Island, most probably devoid of military honors due to the severe war situation.
Castro’s Trek to Bamban
Private Romeo Castro surrendered to the Japanese who captured Corregidor on May 6, 1945. He was marched to the Camp O’Donnell Prisoner of War (POW) camp the following days. In June 1942, Filipinos were released from captivity and Romeo returned to his home in Rosales, Pangasinan to rest, regain strength and heal his wounds. Before Melencio breathed his last, he gave his wallet to Romeo and asked him to give it to his mother in Bamban. After months of resting, Romeo decided it was high time to fulfill his promise to his friend.
The wallet contained Melencio’s photo in military outfit, a few pesos, and some personal effects. From Rosales, he stealthily set southwards and reached the Capas train station. In Capas, he decided to take out Melencio’s photo as there were many Japanese soldiers from Capas to Bamban. To avoid Japanese sentries along the highway and roads, he walked to Barangay Banaba and looked for the Figueroa residence. There, he was warmly received by Brigida who cried and fainted upon learning that her firstborn had died in battle. As Romeo handed her Melencio’s battered and bloody wallet, she cried in agony, a lament that could only come from a mother’s bossom.
The Memorial
The Philippine Army & Philippine Scouts Memorial at the American Cemetery in Manila contains the more than 17,000 remains of Filipino and American soldiers who perished in WWII. At the center of the cemetery, there is a memorial erroneously listing the names of dead military personnel from American and Philippine Scout units as “Missing in Action”. Private Melencio M. Figueroa was listed under the 26th Cavalry (PS) as “missing in action”.
Epilogue
Four months ago, during the convention of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Col. Rafael Estrada, the National Commander, was having a discussion in the conference room with a certain former Philippine Scout about war experiences. Speaking in Capampangan, a former Philippine Scout narrated his trek to Bamban from Rosales, Pangasinan to fulfill a fellow scout’s dying wish. It was Romeo Castro, now retired as full colonel! I immediately introduced myself as Acting Chapter Commander of Bamban and begun my interview. We called upon William F. Asprec, a member of Sons and Daughters of Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor (also of Bamban Historical Society) to inform him that the Scout who was his uncle’s friend during the 1942 campaign, the Scout who witnessed the death of Melencio, and the person who went to Bamban in 1942 to deliver the wallet of the dead Bamban Scout, is still alive to tell the whole story. The name listed as “Missing in Action” at the American Cemetery is not missing after all! It was a result of the confusion of the war and erroneous records of its aftermath. Now about sixty-four years from the surrender of Bataan, a memorial to the brave soldiers (Philippine Army) and scouts (Philippine Scouts) from Bamban and the bust of Private Melencio M. Figueroa was erected and dedicated on January 23, 2006. For their bravery in the campaign and as an act of extreme sacrifice, their spirits will live forever. As Gen. MacArthur said, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”.
Addendum
Melencio Figueroa's remaining brother, Domingo Figueroa, contacted Duane Hughes, National Service Officer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and inquired if Melencio was supposed to have received the Purple Heart. To D. Figueroa's delight, Mr. Hughes replied and said Melencio is entitled not one medal but all of the following awards and medals:
Bronze Star Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster
Purple Heart
Presidential Unit Citation with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters
American Defense Service Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 bronze service star
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award
Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII
Our hero, eighteen-year-old Melencio Figueroa, would have been pleased to receive so much honor from the United States government and the American people. This website will keep you posted about these awards. The approximate ship date of the medals and awards is 11/07/2006 and 12/07/2006.
Thank you, Bamban, and to all the people who made this recognition, though posthumous, possible, dakal a dakal pung salamat. Heroism should never go unrecognized. It's 64 years since Melencio's death at Corregidor Island. It took almost a whole lifetime to honor our hero, Melencio. However, please know that we all are thankful for those who lived to tell the story of one teen-aged hero, for those who brought it to our attention, for those who made sure the life of this gentleman was not lived in vain. We hope our young kabalens realize that it doesn't take wealth nor a packet of diplomas to be a hero, just the bravery and belief of a teen-ager that the Philippines is worth dying for.
"Do not cry Pepito. Show these people that you are brave. It is a rare opportunity for me to die for our country. Not everybody is given that chance."
Saying attributed to Supreme Court Justice Jose Abad Santos of San Fernando, Pampanga when he was captured with his son and was interrogated by the Japanese in 1942.
