In the center of the Newport Intersection Garden 

The marker is an inscribed plaque mounted to a granite polish stone about 5 feet tall.

The marker remembers the Combined US-Philippine operation to retake Nichols Airfield in February 1945.  The 11^th Airborne Division's 187^th and 188^th Glider Infantry Regiments and the 511^th Parachute Infantry Regiment along with the Hunters ROTC Philippine Forces captured this vital base which was the strongpoint on the Japanese defensive “Genko” Line. After the capture of the airbase, US and Philippine forces used it as a launch pad for subsequent operations in the Manila area. 

After the fall of the Phillipines in 1942, Nichols airfield was used as a POW Camp and work camp to expand the airfield.

After World War II, Nichols Airfield was renamed Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base after a famous World War II Philippine ace pilot and clandestine agent; the base serves as the HQ for the Philippine Air Force.

RETAKING NICHOLS AIRFIELD

IN WORLD WAR TWO

IN THIS SITE ON FEBRUARY 15, 1945 THE COMBINED FORCES 
OF THE 11^TH AIRBORNE DIVISION AND THE HUNTERS-ROTC 

GUERILLAS (COMPOSED OF CADETS OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY 

AND RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS CADETS NOT CALLED 

TO ACTIVE DUTY AT THE OUTBREAK OF HOSTILES, BUT DECIDED TO 

SERVE OTHERWISE), ATTACKED FROM THE SOUTH AND FOUGHT 

THE JAPANESE IMPERIAL FORCES TO REGAIN THE AIRFIELD.  PART OF THE STRONGEST PART OF THE JAPANESE DEFENSIVE CALLED THE “GENKO” LINE, NICHOLS AIRFIELD SERVED AS AN IMPORTANT LAUNCH PAD TO RETAKE FORT WILLIAM MCKINLEY

 ON THE 16TH  FEBRUARY 1945 AND THE RAIDING OF LOS BANOS PRISON CAMP AT LAGUNA ONE WEEK AFTER.

RECOGNIZED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF PASAY CITY ON 

FEBRUARY 15, 2020 TO COMMEMORATE THE 75^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETAKING OF NICHOLS FIELD IN WORLD WAR II