Liberty Cruz wrote on 2006-09-18 22:58:59.0

Comments: My father is Crispin S.Paciente,Sr.,a member of the 10th BCT.He is old but still very active in the affairs of the veterans in our locality. He had the chance to go back to Korea twice. Impressed by the respect and honor accorded to deceased Korean war veterans there, he helped put up a memorial park for the members in our place, which he proudly tells us as the only veterans memorial park in this part of the region. He keeps to this day, medals and other memorabilias during the Korean war, including pictures of his Japanese and Korean girlfriends. The Fighting Tenth book is safely tucked in his 60-year old "baul". He always carries an album containing pictures during his days in Korea. This year, his experiences at the Battle of Yultong was featured in a Davao newspaper. Always the Don Romantico that he is, but with arthritis and aching back, he still manages to "make lambing" to my half-paralyzed mother. After tucking my mother to bed, he hies off to his favorite spot in our yard which he calls "Hernando's Hideaway". There, he spends his time writing his memoirs. I am so thankful that my father lived to tell his story to his great grandchildren. At 87, he still hopes to see my eleven-year old daughter graduate in college. STEADY ON, TATAY!

Nerissa Cabayao wrote on 2006-07-25 22:07:40.0

Comments: My dad Juanito Labita Cabayao was a Korean War veteran(1950)-10th BCT.He passed away on April 23, 1995 in Duenas, Iloilo, Phils. He retired from military service in 1980. None of us children were born during that time. We all have his memorabilia from the war except for the Fighting Tenth Book .I was just learning the alphabet then when my eldest brother brought the Fighting Tenth Book to the Philippine Military Academy in early 70's. Is there any possibility for the association of the Sons and Daughters of PEFTOK VEterans to reproduce the FIGHTING TENTH BOOK so we could avail a copy of it.

claire acebu wrote on 2006-06-03 09:51:57.0

Comments: I just want to share with you the name of my father, S/Sgt. Gregorio D. Acebu, who was with the PEFTOK's 14th BCT. He is nearly 80 years old now, and currently lives in San Antonio Village, Dumaguete City. If you happen to know of other 14th BCT members, kindly contact me at my email address.

Rilan Ballesteros wrote on 2006-05-21 23:54:38.0

Comments: 19TH BATTALION COMBAT TEAM (BLOODHOUND) Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) April 1952 to March 1953 A battle hardened unit that distinguished itself in the anti-Huk campaign, the 19th BCT trained for 16 weeks at the Philippine Armys training facility set among Korean-like hills bordering the town of Marikina, fondly called Marikorea by the men. The first contingent of the 19th landed in Korea late April 1952 with the last contingent rotating to Korea two months later. Battalion commander was Col. Ramon Aguirre.

The 19th held a segment of the MLR in the Chorwon-Sibyon-yi corridor in the west central sector of Korea. It was first attached operationally to the US I Corps and then to the 179th Regiment of the US 45th Infantry Division (Thunderbirds), the first National Guard division to see combat in Korea. Armistice negotiations to end the war were being discussed when the 19th went into action against the men of the Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army (CPV).

Battling the CPV The men of this famed battalion acquitted themselves well against the CPV. Their most outstanding combat achievement, however, was in the battle for hills dominating the Chorwon-Sibyon-yi area, considered he most vulnerable sector of the UNCs front line. On 18 June, the CPV bombarded the 19ths positions with heavy artillery fire, killing two men and wounding four. The battalions howitzers and mortars returned fire, inflicting casualties on the CPV.

The CPV continued pummeling the battalions positions the next day in preparation for an infantry assault that was aborted after the 19th returned fire. The intense artillery duels resulted in the deaths of eight men, including an officer. At 10:00 p.m. on 20 June, the enemy opened a heavy artillery and mortar barrage against the 19th following this up with a massive infantry attack. Flares fired by the 19th revealed waves of CPV heading towards Hills Eerie and 191.

Under terrific artillery fire, and attacked by overwhelming force, the battalion stood its ground. Counter battery fire destroyed many of the CPV guns and mortars. On the battlefield, the battalion fought a brutal hand-to-hand fight throughout the evening. The Chinese ware fought to a standstill and forced to retreat by a savage counterattack. The fight continued until the morning of the 21st. The retreating Chinese left behind the hulks of two tanks and over 500 dead. Eight Filipinos were killed and 16 wounded in the fierce night battle.

More actions against the CPV followed and the fighting skill shown by the veterans of the 19th drew respect and praise from other UN fighting units. The 19th was the first PEFTOK battalion awarded the South Korean Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation. It also received a Battle Citation from the US X Corps. Resources

This web site was created, written and is maintained by Art Villasanta. Copyright 2000 by Art Villasanta. This web site is being continuously updated.

Keywords: Retired 2nd Lt. Irenio Desamito was my late grandfather, who past away on the 21 Feb. 1996..he who served in the Korean War with the 19th BCT PEFTOK and served with the philippine aymy for more than 30 years..once i met a korean man here in australia, who just finished his military services..i told him that my grandfather once fought in the korean war..to my surprised he stand infront of me and bowed his head and say's thank you..i was so emotionally touched by his action..

Federico Garcia wrote on 2006-04-26 21:43:40.0

Comments: I am the son of the late TSGT FEDERICO L GARCIA SR from San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, PHILIPPINES, who served in the 10th BCT PEFTOK, Baker Company. He passed away just recently, April 15, 2006 -- the same date that he retired from the military service in 1967. My father always talked about the war in Korea.

My wife and I are actively searching for literatures about this historic event, as all members of the family are truly proud of our father's heroism. The website of Mr. Art Villasanta, son of the late Juan Villasanta (UN War Correspondent to Korea) is a very informative reference. We are looking for his book DATELINE KOREA and the other book THE FIGHTING TENTH. We would also support any undertaking that would initiate building a monument or marker to honor the PEFTOK.

My father's grave marker reads "HERE LIES A HERO". Truly he is.

Emma Prima wrote on 2006-02-01 02:38:10.0

Comments: Hello to all PEFTOK war veterans , friends and family members. I am Emma B. Prima of Dipolog City. My father-in-law was a member of the 10th BCT. His name is ANTONIO Z. PRIMA, Sr. He passed away in 1992. When he was still alive, whenever we visited him in Cagayan de Oro City, he always opened that big book about the Korean War veterans , telling us stories of those memorable moments in Korea. My children were still small kids then, and we his children used to smile and laugh whenever he did that.How we miss those moments, now that he's gone. More power to PEFTOK. Please keep in touch.

alex javinez wrote on 2005-11-28 02:09:13.0

Comments: im alex javinez, son of TEMISTOCLES JAVINEZ OF 19 BCT PEFTOK. MY FATHER PASSED AWAY THIS NOVEMBER OF 2005 at the age of 78,in honoring my father, i join everyone in considering to have a shrine for peftok veterans. thank you.

LARRY SAGUN wrote on 2005-11-18 02:13:00.0

Comments: My father is Lt Aurelio R Sagun, 2nd BCT PEFTOK

My fatehr is a very active member of the PEFTOK Veterans, he's alway's present on all meetings, reunions, and some special events about PEFTOK , he is one of the Director of the 2nd BCT Chapter here in our place.

There are many Veterans (PEFTOK) here in our community --at Makati, Philippines ...and i appreciate to recieve email to all other childrens of the PEFTOK Veterans...

Larry G. Sagun

ian diangson wrote on 2005-08-28 07:30:00.0

Comments: Greetings! i just want to share more info about the surviving PEFTOK veterans ,their sons and dauhters specially the 10th BCT where my late father Jose O.Diangson once proudly and bravely served like his comrades...STEADY ON.....

Efrain Cabayao wrote on 2005-07-29 05:06:57.0

Comments:

Keywords: My father, late Juanito L. Cabayao Sr., 503131, a member of the 10th BCT, PEFTOK, Philippine Contingent to the Korean War.He was under then Col. Ojeda.He was together with the late Capt. Vicente Evidente. Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos was also a member of the 20th BCT.