Alfredo M. Santos
Encyclopedia
General Alfredo M. Santos (July 13, 1905 – February 7, 1990) was Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
in 1962 to 1965, making him the first four-star general of the Philippines' armed forces.
Engineer turned soldier, General Alfredo M. Santos is one of the most notable "Freedom Fighters" of the Philippines with a heroic war record. His outstanding achievements proved his selfless dedication to the service of his country and people, thereby bringing distinct honor to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He is well-known for his physical and moral courage, and keen sense of fairness, justice, honesty and integrity. He championed the cause of the deserving and competent reserved officers and integrees in their relentless struggle to gain meritorious recognition and achieve further competence in military service.
with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1931. He showed interest in the military when he graduated on the top of his ROTC
class in 1929. As a cadet colonel and Corp Commander in both institution, he continued this interest after schooling.
Then Captain Santos was the most decorated Unit Commander of the 1st Regular Division in the memorable Bataan
campaign, even dubbed by Commanding General, Brigadier General Fidel V. Segundo, as the "Hammer of the Division" when he brilliantly outmaneuvered and outsmarted the enemy during their attempt to pocket their area. In both attempts, his unit successfully broke through the Gogo-Cotar and Tuol Pockets, thus earning for himself the moniker "hero of the pockets"
For his heroic feat in battle, he was promoted to Major in the field. Two days after, he was decorated with the United States Army's Distinguished Service Cross
for "extraordinary heroism in combat in Bataan" and the Silver Star for "gallantry in action". Later, the Philippine Government awarded him the equivalent Distinguished Conduct Star and Gold Cross for the same combat action.
(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 death-defying enemy troops tried to puncture and overwhelm the lines.
Major 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. With utter disregard for his personal safety, 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.
Major Santos was ordered to surrender his unit to the Imperial Japanese Forces which he reluctantly did on April 12, 1942. He shared in the sufferings of those in the "Death March
" to Camp O'Donnell
at Capas, Tarlac where he became a prisoner-of-war. He was released from the concentration camp on August 10, 1942.
The cessation of the hostilities between the Japanese invaders and the USAFFE forces did not stifle his fighting spirit and love for freedom. During the Japanese occupation from December 1942 to January 1945, he joined the Filipino-American Irregular Troops (FAIT) under Col. Hugh I. Straughn as Chief of the Intelligence Division of the North Section in Manila, with the rank of Colonel. He fought with the American and Filipino soldiers in the liberation of Manila from February to March 1945.
He returned to military control at the end of the liberation campaign that year and was assigned at Camp Murphy as Camp Inspector of the 2nd Camp Complement. Later, he held other positions of major responsibility, including Executive Officer and S-3 of the 1st Camp Complement; Acting District Commander at Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Pampanga; Commanding Officer of the 4th MP Battalion, Mandaluyong, Rizal in April 1946; and Executive Officer of the Presidential Guard Battalion
in Malacañang Palace
, Manila.
at Fort Leavenworth
, Kansas, USA where he finished the regular Command and Staff course a year later on July 3, 1947
When Congressman Datu Mangelen and Senator Salipada Pendatun offered him the provincial governorship of Cotabato in 1951, through then Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay
, he declined. It was a personal decision which was very difficult to make. At that time, the position was appointive, rather than elective.
The province of Cotabato
then was in turmoil. Violent clashes occurred, resulting in the death of many political followers of contending parties. But he contended that the problem was essentially political in nature, and that he had charted his course for a military career. His negative reply was honored. Major Santos knew what he wanted in his career and to him a diversion like that of the appointive offer would adversely affect his plan to attain the highest position in the military hierarchy.
campaign.
This position gave him the opportunity to put his military prowess in full play. He made history when Guillermo Capadocia, erstwhile Secretary General and one of the founders of the Communist Party of the Philippines
(CPP), was captured at Barrio Yubog in San Remigio, Antique. During the hectic campaign to capture Capadocia and destroy the leftist band in 1951 and 1952 on Panay Island, Major Santos made one crucial decision which ensured the success of the operations. He organized a civilian commando unit headed by Pedro Valentin, a mountain leader who knew the people and the terrain very well.
Part of his command decision was the designation of the civilian commando unit as the attacking force, while elements of the 15th BCT served as the holding or covering forces. Had it been otherwise, the wily Capadocia would have had the government forces running around at circles as they were handicapped in the rough terrain. Capadocia's death was the consummation of Major Santos' bold plan.
The incessant military operations aimed primarily at the capture, whether dead or alive, of dissident leaders resulted in the surrender of hundreds of their men. In addition, the capture of the rebels' arms, supplies and equipment as well as important documents which were of great value to the entire campaign for peace and order throughout the country was crucial in breaking up the backbone of the dissidents' depredations in Visayas and Mindanao.
A strong typhoon that was raging at the time, and the possibility that Balgos could have slipped out due to the thinness of the cordon surrounding him was very evident. Balgos did try to escape but failed to do so as he encountered army troops along the trail he took. His death compensated for the great risk taken. It virtually broke the expansion phase of the HMB and CPP in the Bicol region.
Colonel Santos' deep understanding and full knowledge of the nature of the dissident underground movement enabled him to effect the intelligent deployment of his troops as well as secure the cooperation and support of the civilian population and weakening the Huk
organization. Six day after his second achievement, Colonel Santos was appointed ad interim Brigadier General by President Ramon Magsaysay
, a well-deserved appointment which was confirmed by the Commission of Appointments on May 4, 1955.
His successful effort in the Huk
campaigns spread abroad and inspired other military leaders in Southeast Asia who were locked in similar fierce battle aimed at stopping the spread of Communism in their own similar countries. As a result, he was awarded Philippine Legion of Honor
(Degree of Commander) and later another Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer) from the United States Government.
He was deeply concerned with the welfare of his men and endeavored to ameliorate the living conditions of the enlisted personnel and their families, raising their morale and improving discipline in the command. To better prepare military personnel for civilian life, he pursued non-military projects that could provide opportunities to soldiers and reservists especially upon their retirement or separation from the service, in the form of practical lessons and training in livestock-raising.
On the matters of promotion and assignment of officers and men under his command, Major Santos emphasized the merit system for the sake of morale and discipline. His firm, mature and unyielding decisions on administrative matters, which were tempered with and founded upon justice and human understanding, contributed to a large extent to the effective synchronization of the various PA staffs and efficient functioning of the entire command.
After having served for more than two years as Commanding General of the Philippine Army, he was appointed by President Diosdado Macapagal
as Chief of Staff of the AFP on September 1, 1962, thus becoming the first military man from the ranks of the ROTC
and "citizen army" to be named to the highest military post. With his ascendance to this top position, he also set precedent of being the first one-star general to be elevated directly to a three-star rank, that of Lieutenant General.
in simple ceremonies held at the US Embassy, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on April 14, 1973.
Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
in 1962 to 1965, making him the first four-star general of the Philippines' armed forces.
Engineer turned soldier, General Alfredo M. Santos is one of the most notable "Freedom Fighters" of the Philippines with a heroic war record. His outstanding achievements proved his selfless dedication to the service of his country and people, thereby bringing distinct honor to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He is well-known for his physical and moral courage, and keen sense of fairness, justice, honesty and integrity. He championed the cause of the deserving and competent reserved officers and integrees in their relentless struggle to gain meritorious recognition and achieve further competence in military service.
Early life
Alfredo M. Santos was born in Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines on July 13, 1905 to Fructoso L. Santos and Agatona J. Manapat, and was seventh among fourteen children. His secondary education was acquired in Manila North High school (now Arellano). He graduated at Mapúa Institute of TechnologyMapúa Institute of Technology
Mapúa Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, Filipino tertiary institute located in Intramuros, Manila and in Makati....
with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1931. He showed interest in the military when he graduated on the top of his ROTC
University of the Philippines ROTC Unit
The University of the Philippines ROTC Corps of Cadets pioneered the Reserve Officer Training Corps concept in the Philippines in 1912. In 1935, Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the "National Defense Act" was enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippine Commonwealth government. CA No...
class in 1929. As a cadet colonel and Corp Commander in both institution, he continued this interest after schooling.
The hero of the pockets
General Santos' military career started when he was appointed probationary Third Lieutenant on June 8, 1936, after five years of civil engineering practice. He entered the Reserve Officer Service School (ROSS) at Camp Henry T. Allen in Baguio City, where he was made the Battalion Commander. He graduated at the top of his class, and twenty years after, he was honored as its Most Distinguished Alumnus.Then Captain Santos was the most decorated Unit Commander of the 1st Regular Division in the memorable Bataan
Bataan
Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...
campaign, even dubbed by Commanding General, Brigadier General Fidel V. Segundo, as the "Hammer of the Division" when he brilliantly outmaneuvered and outsmarted the enemy during their attempt to pocket their area. In both attempts, his unit successfully broke through the Gogo-Cotar and Tuol Pockets, thus earning for himself the moniker "hero of the pockets"
For his heroic feat in battle, he was promoted to Major in the field. Two days after, he was decorated with the United States Army's Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
for "extraordinary heroism in combat in Bataan" and the Silver Star for "gallantry in action". Later, the Philippine Government awarded him the equivalent Distinguished Conduct Star and Gold Cross for the same combat action.
Love of freedom fanned his fighting spirit
On January 25, 1942, a superior Japanese Army force launched a determined and relentless attack southward from a general line along Pilar-Bagac Road. This attack swept the outpost line in resistance, and penetrated the Main Line of ResistanceMain Line of Resistance
Main Line of Resistance, or MLR is a military term describing the most important defensive position of an army facing an opposing force over an extended front...
(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 death-defying enemy troops tried to puncture and overwhelm the lines.
Major 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. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he led a counter-attack against the strong and numerically superior Japanese forces positioned between the MLR
Main Line of Resistance
Main Line of Resistance, or MLR is a military term describing the most important defensive position of an army facing an opposing force over an extended front...
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.
Major Santos was ordered to surrender his unit to the Imperial Japanese Forces which he reluctantly did on April 12, 1942. He shared in the sufferings of those in the "Death March
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer, by the Imperial Japanese Army, of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners.The march was characterized by...
" to Camp O'Donnell
Camp O'Donnell
Camp O'Donnell was a facility of the United States Air Force in Capas, Tarlac, The Philippines. Before the facility was transferred to the Air Force, it was first a Philippine Constabulary post then a United States Army facility....
at Capas, Tarlac where he became a prisoner-of-war. He was released from the concentration camp on August 10, 1942.
The cessation of the hostilities between the Japanese invaders and the USAFFE forces did not stifle his fighting spirit and love for freedom. During the Japanese occupation from December 1942 to January 1945, he joined the Filipino-American Irregular Troops (FAIT) under Col. Hugh I. Straughn as Chief of the Intelligence Division of the North Section in Manila, with the rank of Colonel. He fought with the American and Filipino soldiers in the liberation of Manila from February to March 1945.
He returned to military control at the end of the liberation campaign that year and was assigned at Camp Murphy as Camp Inspector of the 2nd Camp Complement. Later, he held other positions of major responsibility, including Executive Officer and S-3 of the 1st Camp Complement; Acting District Commander at Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Pampanga; Commanding Officer of the 4th MP Battalion, Mandaluyong, Rizal in April 1946; and Executive Officer of the Presidential Guard Battalion
Presidential Security Group
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in Malacañang Palace
Malacañang Palace
The Malacañan Palace, commonly known simply as Malacañang, is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines. Located at 1000 J. P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila, the house was built in 1750 in Spanish Colonial style. It has been the residence of every...
, Manila.
Military career path, his main focus
In July 1946, he was sent to the United States as a student officer at the Command and General Staff CollegeCommand and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, Kansas, USA where he finished the regular Command and Staff course a year later on July 3, 1947
When Congressman Datu Mangelen and Senator Salipada Pendatun offered him the provincial governorship of Cotabato in 1951, through then Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay
Ramon Magsaysay
Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash in 1957. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.-Early life:Ramon F...
, he declined. It was a personal decision which was very difficult to make. At that time, the position was appointive, rather than elective.
The province of Cotabato
Cotabato
Cotabato , is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao...
then was in turmoil. Violent clashes occurred, resulting in the death of many political followers of contending parties. But he contended that the problem was essentially political in nature, and that he had charted his course for a military career. His negative reply was honored. Major Santos knew what he wanted in his career and to him a diversion like that of the appointive offer would adversely affect his plan to attain the highest position in the military hierarchy.
An excellent insurgent hunter and fighter
Subsequently, Lieutenant Colonel Santos was given command of the Panay Task Force, composed of the 15th Battalion Combat Team (BCT) with some elements of the 9th BCT and the PC commands of Iloilo, Capiz and Antique. Reporting to his new command on March 1, 1951, he once more showed his incontestable ability and grit in military tactics. As proof of this, he earned the distinction of having accounted for the fall of two of the highest-ranking dissidents at the height of the HukHukbalahap
The Hukbalahap , was the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines , formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese Empire's occupation of the Philippines during World War II. It fought a second war from 1946 to 1954 against the pro-Western leaders of their newly independent country...
campaign.
This position gave him the opportunity to put his military prowess in full play. He made history when Guillermo Capadocia, erstwhile Secretary General and one of the founders of the Communist Party of the Philippines
Communist Party of the Philippines
The Communist Party of the Philippines is a leading communist party in the Philippines. It remains an underground political organization since its founding on December 26, 1968 and has been operating in clandestine manner since its founding...
(CPP), was captured at Barrio Yubog in San Remigio, Antique. During the hectic campaign to capture Capadocia and destroy the leftist band in 1951 and 1952 on Panay Island, Major Santos made one crucial decision which ensured the success of the operations. He organized a civilian commando unit headed by Pedro Valentin, a mountain leader who knew the people and the terrain very well.
Part of his command decision was the designation of the civilian commando unit as the attacking force, while elements of the 15th BCT served as the holding or covering forces. Had it been otherwise, the wily Capadocia would have had the government forces running around at circles as they were handicapped in the rough terrain. Capadocia's death was the consummation of Major Santos' bold plan.
The incessant military operations aimed primarily at the capture, whether dead or alive, of dissident leaders resulted in the surrender of hundreds of their men. In addition, the capture of the rebels' arms, supplies and equipment as well as important documents which were of great value to the entire campaign for peace and order throughout the country was crucial in breaking up the backbone of the dissidents' depredations in Visayas and Mindanao.
A crucial campaign, a smart decision and sweet victory
In the crucial campaign to capture Huk leader Balgos and destroy his group in the Bicol region, Colonel Santos made a decision to pull out all Army troops from the provinces of Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur after an on-the-spot study and estimate of the situation in the field. Operations then concentrated in the Manito area where the Huk leader was reportedly holed up. It was a risky decision as it left those other area at the mercy of Balgos and his marauders, headed by the murderous Commander "Tagle". But the weather proved to be an unexpected ally in Colonel Santos' operation.A strong typhoon that was raging at the time, and the possibility that Balgos could have slipped out due to the thinness of the cordon surrounding him was very evident. Balgos did try to escape but failed to do so as he encountered army troops along the trail he took. His death compensated for the great risk taken. It virtually broke the expansion phase of the HMB and CPP in the Bicol region.
Colonel Santos' deep understanding and full knowledge of the nature of the dissident underground movement enabled him to effect the intelligent deployment of his troops as well as secure the cooperation and support of the civilian population and weakening the Huk
Hukbalahap
The Hukbalahap , was the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines , formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese Empire's occupation of the Philippines during World War II. It fought a second war from 1946 to 1954 against the pro-Western leaders of their newly independent country...
organization. Six day after his second achievement, Colonel Santos was appointed ad interim Brigadier General by President Ramon Magsaysay
Ramon Magsaysay
Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash in 1957. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.-Early life:Ramon F...
, a well-deserved appointment which was confirmed by the Commission of Appointments on May 4, 1955.
His successful effort in the Huk
Hukbalahap
The Hukbalahap , was the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines , formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese Empire's occupation of the Philippines during World War II. It fought a second war from 1946 to 1954 against the pro-Western leaders of their newly independent country...
campaigns spread abroad and inspired other military leaders in Southeast Asia who were locked in similar fierce battle aimed at stopping the spread of Communism in their own similar countries. As a result, he was awarded Philippine Legion of Honor
Philippine Legion of Honor
The Philippine Legion of Honor was established by President Manuel Roxas, through Philippine Army Circular No. 60 dated July 3, 1947. The Philippine Legion of Honor was patterned after the Legion of Merit of the United States of America, and was meant to honor both civilians and members of the...
(Degree of Commander) and later another Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer) from the United States Government.
A citation for a well-respected Filipino General in SEATO
In 1956, he was assigned back at Camp Murphy as Chief of the War Plans Division. As a fitting recognition for the enviable military achievement of General Santos, he was nominated and subsequently installed as the first Chief of SEATO Military Planning Office with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. The SEATO member-nations' respect for the Filipino general was immensely enhanced by his unassailable dignity, integrity and competence in the effective organization of the said office by February 15, 1957.The Army Career Management Program vigorously pursued
On August 1, 1960, he was designated Commanding General of the Philippine Army. Upon assumption of his duties, a career management program was vigorously pursued for officers, reassigning them in accordance with their career profile. A stickler for professional excellence, he instituted rigid training for troops and required appropriate compulsory schooling of officers who were in need of it. Through his conscientious and indefatigable efforts, he efficiently carried out the broad policies and vital mission of the PA, particularly the build-up and training of the Citizen Army and the implementation of the socio-economic military program of the AFP.He was deeply concerned with the welfare of his men and endeavored to ameliorate the living conditions of the enlisted personnel and their families, raising their morale and improving discipline in the command. To better prepare military personnel for civilian life, he pursued non-military projects that could provide opportunities to soldiers and reservists especially upon their retirement or separation from the service, in the form of practical lessons and training in livestock-raising.
On the matters of promotion and assignment of officers and men under his command, Major Santos emphasized the merit system for the sake of morale and discipline. His firm, mature and unyielding decisions on administrative matters, which were tempered with and founded upon justice and human understanding, contributed to a large extent to the effective synchronization of the various PA staffs and efficient functioning of the entire command.
After having served for more than two years as Commanding General of the Philippine Army, he was appointed by President Diosdado Macapagal
Diosdado Macapagal
Diosdado Pangan Macapagal was the ninth President of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth Vice President, serving from 1957 to 1961. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives, and headed the Constitutional Convention of 1970...
as Chief of Staff of the AFP on September 1, 1962, thus becoming the first military man from the ranks of the ROTC
University of the Philippines ROTC Unit
The University of the Philippines ROTC Corps of Cadets pioneered the Reserve Officer Training Corps concept in the Philippines in 1912. In 1935, Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the "National Defense Act" was enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippine Commonwealth government. CA No...
and "citizen army" to be named to the highest military post. With his ascendance to this top position, he also set precedent of being the first one-star general to be elevated directly to a three-star rank, that of Lieutenant General.
Election to the Allied Officers Hall of Fame
The latest honor bestowed upon General Santos was his election into the Allied Officers Hall of Fame at the United States Army Command and General Staff at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas USA. He received the Certificate of Honor from US Ambassador Henry A. ByroadeHenry A. Byroade
Brigadier General Henry Alfred Byroade, United States Army of Indiana was a career diplomat who served as Ambassador to Egypt in 1955 and 1956 and later to five other countries, including United States Ambassador to Burma from September 1963 to June 1968, and served as Assistant Secretary of State...
in simple ceremonies held at the US Embassy, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on April 14, 1973.
Awards and decorations
- Distinguished Conduct StarDistinguished Conduct StarThe Distinguished Conduct Star, is the second highest military award of the Philippines, preceded in precedence only by the Medal of Valor. The award was established in 1939, by President Manuel L. Quezon...
- Distinguished Service StarDistinguished Service StarThe Distinguished Service Star is the third highest military award of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It is awarded for eminently meritorious and valuable service rendered while holding a position of great responsibility. -Description of the award:...
(7) - Gold Cross Medal
- Philippine Legion of HonorPhilippine Legion of HonorThe Philippine Legion of Honor was established by President Manuel Roxas, through Philippine Army Circular No. 60 dated July 3, 1947. The Philippine Legion of Honor was patterned after the Legion of Merit of the United States of America, and was meant to honor both civilians and members of the...
- Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
- Presidential Unit Citation BadgePresidential Unit Citation (Philippines)The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is a decoration of the Republic of the Philippines which has been awarded to certain units of the United States military for actions both during and subsequent to the Second World War....
- Long Service Medal (2)
- Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
- Asia-Pacific Theater Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalThe Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
- Philippine Independence MedalPhilippine Independence MedalThe Philippine Independence Medal is a military decoration of the Republic of the Philippines which was created by order of the Philippine Army Headquarters on July 3, 1946...
- Philippine Defense MedalPhilippine Defense MedalThe Philippine Defense Medal is a decoration of the Republic of the Philippines which is awarded to commemorate the initial resistance against Japanese invasion between the dates of December 1941 and June 1942.The decoration was first created as ribbon in December, 1944, and a full-sized medal was...
- Philippine Liberation MedalPhilippine Liberation MedalThe Philippine Liberation Medal is a military award of the Republic of the Philippines which was created by an order of Commonwealth Army of the Philippines Headquarters on December 20, 1944...
- Combat Infantryman BadgeCombat Infantryman BadgeThe Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
- Distinguished Service Cross (United States)Distinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
- Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
- American Defense Medal
- World War II Victory MedalWorld War II Victory MedalThe World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
- Distinguished Unit Badge
- The Most Noble Order of the Crown of ThailandThe Most Noble Order of the Crown of ThailandThe Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand is a Thai order, established in 1869 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam for Thais, Royal Family, Government Employees, and Foreign Dignitaries for their outstanding services to the Kingdom of Thailand. The order originally had 7 classes...
(2) - Order of the Cloud and BannerOrder of the Cloud and BannerThe Order of the Cloud and Banner is a military award of the Republic of China. It was instituted on June 15, 1935 and is awarded in nine grades for contributions to national security. It is also sometimes referred to as the Order of the Resplendent Banner....
(Nationalist China) (2) - Order of Military Merit (Korea)Order of Military Merit (Korea)The Order of Military Merit is the primary military decoration awarded by the government of Republic of Korea.-Classes of the Order:The order is divided into five classes:Notable recipients...
- SEATO Service Badge
- National Order of VietnamNational Order of VietnamThe National Order of Vietnam was a combined military-civilian decoration of South Vietnam and was considered the highest honor that could be bestowed upon an individual by the Republic of Vietnam government....
Kim-Khank Medal
Milestones
- Corps Commander, Manila North High School Cadet Corps 1924-1925
- Corps Commander, University of the Philippines R.O.T.C.University of the Philippines ROTC UnitThe University of the Philippines ROTC Corps of Cadets pioneered the Reserve Officer Training Corps concept in the Philippines in 1912. In 1935, Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the "National Defense Act" was enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippine Commonwealth government. CA No...
1928-1929, and Honor Graduate, ROTC Advanced Course. - Honor Graduate and Topnotcher - First Reserve Officers Service School, Camp Henry T. Allen, Baguio 1936; Most Outstanding Graduate 1956
- First Chief SEATO Military Planning Office, Bangkok, Thailand 1957-1958
- First ROTCUniversity of the Philippines ROTC UnitThe University of the Philippines ROTC Corps of Cadets pioneered the Reserve Officer Training Corps concept in the Philippines in 1912. In 1935, Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the "National Defense Act" was enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippine Commonwealth government. CA No...
Graduate to become Commanding General of the Philippine Army 1960-1962 - First ROTCUniversity of the Philippines ROTC UnitThe University of the Philippines ROTC Corps of Cadets pioneered the Reserve Officer Training Corps concept in the Philippines in 1912. In 1935, Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the "National Defense Act" was enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippine Commonwealth government. CA No...
Graduate to become Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the PhilippinesArmed Forces of the PhilippinesThe Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
(1962–1965) - First Filipino Four-star General 1963
- First Filipino General with the Degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) 1965
- First Filipino General to address the Imperial Defense College (highest British military institution) in London, England 1965
- During the Bataan Campaign, he was dubbed "Hammer of the 1st Regular Division" when Gen. Santos brilliantly outmaneuvered the Japanese in their attempt to outflank and envelop the Division.
- Also during the Bataan campaign, twice the Japanese Imperial Forces attempted to pocket the 1st Regular Division and twice Gen. Santos' unit broke through and destroyed these pockets (Gogo-Cotar and Tulo Pockets) thus earning himself the honor "Hero of the Pockets".
- Participated in the infamous "Death March", and was concentrated in the Capas, Tarlac Prisoners of War Concentration Camp.
- Gen. Santos has the distinct honor of having accounted for two original organizers of the Communist Party of the Philippines and Regional Huk Field Commanders in the capture and death of Guillermo Capadoica in 1951 and Mariano P. Balgos in 1954, both former Secretary General of the Communist Party and the capture of Dr. Jesus Lava in 1964, Head, Politburo and Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines.
- Selected by the Military Historical Division, AFP in December 1951 as one of the 22 Outstanding Soldier in Philippine History.
- Inducted by US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort LeavenworthFort LeavenworthFort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, in the Allied Officer Hall of Fame for Outstanding Military Achievements as Chief of Staff, AFP.
See also
- University of the Philippines ROTC UnitUniversity of the Philippines ROTC UnitThe University of the Philippines ROTC Corps of Cadets pioneered the Reserve Officer Training Corps concept in the Philippines in 1912. In 1935, Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the "National Defense Act" was enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippine Commonwealth government. CA No...
- Armed Forces of the PhilippinesArmed Forces of the PhilippinesThe Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
- Libingan ng mga BayaniLibingan ng mga Bayaniis a national cemetery within Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, Metro Manila in the Philippines. It was established as a fitting resting place for Filipino military personnel from privates to generals, as well as heroes and martyrs...
- Battle of Manila (1945)
- Battle of LuzonBattle of LuzonThe Battle of Luzon was a land battle fought as part of the Pacific Theater of Operations of World War II by the Allied forces of the U.S., its colony The Philippines, and Mexico against forces of the Empire of Japan. The battle resulted in a U.S. and Filipino victory...
- Labanan sa Maynila (1945)
- Labanan sa Luzon
External links
- UP Vanguard National Commanders
- UP Vanguard Hall of Fame
- Lineage of Camp Commanders (Camp Aguinaldo)
- Gen. Alfredo M. Santos at Canberra, Australia 1963
- Lineage of the Philippine Army Commanding Generals
- Libingan ng mga Bayani
- AFP Joint Command and Staff College
- Bataan hero in an old car: A short editorial in the Manila Bulletin by Romeo V. Pefianco