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US-Filipino Amphibious Landing at Nasugbu Memorial

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Details:

On the beachfront across the street from the tourism/Information office.

Monument

The monument consists of the statues of the 3 prominent leaders (U.S.):


 Eight Army Commander Lt. Gen Robert EICHELBERGER,

11th Airborne Division Commander:  MG Joseph SWING

Group VIII ‘Phib Commander -  Rear Admiral William FECHTELER

 

They are walking onshore out of an amphibious landing craft with an explanatory plaque in the front.  A second marker – a Philippine Historical marker is located on a concrete pedestal at the rear part of the monument inside a portion modeling a boat.

 

The site includes a memorial and plaques commemorating the Nasugbu (Philippines) amphibious landings in January 1945 that were part of McArthur’s Luzon campaign to capture Manila.


A bit about the 11th Airborne Division and the landings at Nasugbu:

 

The 11th Airborne division, nicknamed "The Angels," was activated at Camp Mackall, N.C.., Feb. 25, 1943, under the command of Maj. Gen. Joseph Swing. After almost a year training in ground and Airborne tactics, the division was tested for overseas movement and in May 1944, sailed from San Francisco for New Guinea. There the paratroopers trained for jungle warfare and intensified combat unit ground training, On Nov. 7, 1944, the Angels sailed from New Guinea and on Nov. 11, 1944 landed at Leyte Beach, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 40 miles south of Tacloban. In three months of bitter fighting, the division cleared the treacherous mountain pass from Burauen to Ormoc, killing more than 5,700 Japanese.

Their mission completed, the 11th Abn. paratroopers were withdrawn from the front lines in January 1945, given a short rest, re-equipped and on Jan. 31, 1945, stormed Nasgubu Beach, Luzon, Philippine Islands and started a drive towards Manila. In five days, the division fought its way from Nasgubu Beach to Manila, a distance of 69 miles. The eliminated all opposition along Highway 17, destroyed the famed fortified "Genko Line" protecting southern Manila, took Fort McKinley, Clark Field and Nichols Field. For the achievement, the division was cited by Lt. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger, then commanding general of the 8th U.S. Army and almost every unit within the division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. 

From Manila the paratroopers swung south. In a lighting thrust by land, sea and air, the division made a daring raid on Los Banos Internment Camp behind Japanese lines and successfully rescued 2,147 internees. This accomplished, they cleared the Japanese from southern Luzon, eliminating enemy strongholds in Ternate , Macolod and Mount Malepunyo.  

Monument Text:

The Text on the plaque in front of the monument is in English and reads:

 

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF NASUGBU

FIRST DISTRICT BATANGAS

VETERANS FEDERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

PHILIPPINE VETERANS LEGION

(FIRST BATANGAS VETERANS ASSOCIATION)

 

In commemoration of the Heroic Joint operations of Filipino-American

Comrades-in- Arms of the Forces involved in the Allied Landing in this area which

Paved the way for  the liberation of South Manila & South Luzon in general, and Nasugbu in particular, on the 31st January 1945.

 

AMERICAN FORCES

U.S. Eight Army Lt. Gen R. EICHELBERGER, CG

11th Airborne Div.  US Army, Lt. Gen. Joseph SWING, CG

Group VIII ‘Phib- Rear Admiral FECHTELER

 

FILIPINO FORCES

Col Terry Magtauggol Adevoso, Overall Commander

47th (ROTC) Division – Hunters Guerillas

Calixto Gaglino (Hunters- ROTC) Organizer of

Filipino-American Irregular Troops with

Francisco Orlondo, Mariano Madrid, Miguel David

 

With the Support of Independent Units:

Filipino American Irregular Troops, Col T. Enriquez, CO 2nd Reg.

Filipino-American Irregular Troops, Col Clemente U. Baum, Co, 1st Reg.

 

This MEMORIA is dedicated by the Municipal Government of Nasugbu,

Batangas, …… On the 47th Anniversary of the ALLIED LANDING 

On the 31st of January 1992.

 

 

The second historical plaque is located in the model landing craft and is written in Filipino.  The translation means:

 

In this area the soldiers of the 1st Battalion and the 188th , 11th Airborne Division led by Lt. General Robert Eichelberger, landed on January 31, 1945. The Filipino guerrillas led by Lieutenant Colonel Marcelo Castillo and Colonel Eleuterio L. Adevoso served as the Filipino  leaders alongside of the American army.

 

Commemorates:

People:

Robert Lawrence  Eichelberger

William Morrow Fechteler

Joseph May  Swing

Units:

11th Airborne Division

188th Glider Infantry Regiment

8th US Army

Amphibious Group 8

Filipino- American Irregular Troops

Hunters ROTC (Filipino Forces)

United States Navy

Wars:

WWII

Battles:

Luzon (1944-1945)

Operation Mike

Pacific Theater

Philippines Campaign (1944–1945)

Other images :