THE WAR CLASSES

 

          What makes the Class of 1942 special? Was it their unique "Sword Annual" published 36 years after graduation? Could they have been snappier?

          Well...maybe, But this class had something more...

          The members of Class 1942 stands as the only class who was not able to experience the joy of graduation nor the drama of a Ring Hop. Some supporters of the class dubbed them as the "Class to Remember". Moreover this one-of-a-kind Class, together with their second classmen- the Class of 1943- were blessed with the single opportunity of serving our country and providing their worth even though their could graduate at University of Santo Tomas.

          On December 14, 1941, at high noon at the University of Santo Tomas, the Cadet Corps that consisted the PMA Classes of 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945 was dazed as the Filipinos living in the southern portion of Manila across Pasig River which was burned to flames. On December 16, the Cadet Corps assembled in the lecture hall of the University's Main Building. Col. Fidel Segundo was Promoted Brigadier General and the Chief of Staff announced the commissionship and the acceleration of Class 1942 and the 1943 as Third Lieutenants in the Regular force effective December 31 1941, as embodied in the Army Headquarters General Order Number 246. The rites were unimpressive and simple but full of meaning. The morale of the cadets deteriorated only when Brig. Gen. Segundo concluded the ceremony with the announcement that "The Philippine Military Academy is deactivated and all members of 1944 and 1945 would be disabled and sent home to conserve manpower". The upperclassmen converged to shake hands with the plebe Class 1945 and embraced them symbolic to the traditional "RECOGNITION"- the end of plebe hood. Misty-eyed, with mixed emotions, they returned to their temporary quarters, packed their things and dispersed to find their own way back home as soon as possible. The war have presented the cadets with a chance to undergo training by actual experience. It is them who turned that opportunity to greatness by fully validating that training in a crucible or real war. The Academy Classes of 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945 hold the distinction of being the only PMA classes to fight in war while still "cadets" even though they were not able to complete the required four-year course and graduate on their destined time. Thus they can be considered essentially "cadets" merely commissioned to become officers to fight for the freedom of our beloved country.

          These young brave men now had to apply the theories they learned into into a real war- from classrooms to combat units in the front lines.

          It would then be noteworthy to mention the achievements of these "cadet-soldiers" during the grim days of World War II.

          In Bataan and elsewhere during the war, members of Class 1942 fought as young officers and fought for dignity, freedom and peace. Seventeen of them did not return. Third Lieutenant Santos E. Alcantara died of bayonet wounds inflicted by a Japanese soldier because he refused to part with his Alma Mater Bull Ring. Third Lieutenant Resituto F. Joson, the Class Baron, though surrounded by enemy fire, continued his fight and died in action. Second Lieutenant Telesforo Palaruan a member of the guerilla forces was beheaded with a samurai sword in Pangasinan. First Lieutenant Napoleon Mangonon, (now a retired Brigadier General) lived to tell the tale of his most outstanding feat: His company in Bataan neutralized sensitive enemy detachments and captured a battle map that depicted operational plans dispositions and strategy of the enemy. For this, then Lieutenant Mangonon was awarded the US Distinguished Service Cross the Distinguisged Conduct Star and the Silver Star.

          On the other hand, many members of Class 1943 were second-in-command positions to members of Class 1942 who became Company Commanders overnight. As expected the members of 1943 performed with great courage in combat. The Class was of course not able to have a Baron but according to retired Col. Antonio Gonzales (Class 1942), Romeo G. Honasan probably would have been it.

          The excellent record of PMA Classes 1944 and 1945 during the war (and even in the military service thereafter) clearly show the efficacy of the Pre-War PMA system of training. It also indicated that plebe year in the most critical year- the most important phase in the life of every cadet, where one gets the foundation of this efficacy.

          Members of these two Classes either had enlisted in the Army and fought in Bataan, of organized guerilla forces throughout the country writing their heroic chapters of the war.

          For the members of Class 1944 their plebe year gave them enough courage to fight. They had the opportunity to display this courage when the Class was caught in the center of violence that resulted from the outbreak of war.

          The Class of 1945 notwithstanding the disbandment orders, went on to give their share in fighting against the enemies. DemyYco joined the USAFFE that retreated in Bataan where he was inducted Third Lieutenant and served as platoon leader in the 41st Division. After the fall of Bataan, many members of Class 1945 joined various guerilla units and underground resistance movements all over the country. Among those who made supreme sacrifices during the Occupation and the Battle for Liberation were: Cenon Balauag and Saturnino Dumlaoof Volksnan's USAFIL-NL Olimpio Abacan of ECIGA and Cirilo de Jesus of ROTC Hunters guerilla outfits, all of whom were killed in action.The rest like Tavo Ingles and Demy Yco suffered in the dungeons of the Airport Studio, Fort Santiago and Muntinlupa.

          On December 22, 1941, the main Japanese assault was launched at Lingayen Gulf. The rest was history.

          To a great extent, guerilla forces and other similar underground  movements paved the way for the eventual liberation of our country in 1945.

          This article is a simple tribute to the Philippine Military Academy "War Classes". For their innate hardiness and hard-boiled pragmatism to the realities of their time that, in spite of the meager resources and training, they had achieved more than what was expected of them, proving themselves equal to the task for which the greatest sacrifice had been demanded in so short a time.

          It is said that "when a man is confronted with OPPORTUNITY he is LUCKY. And it is only when he handles that great opportunity properly that he is  GREAT."

          This was their call to greatness and to not to one of them shirked from duty all for the sake of the country!

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