World War II Honoree

Venceslao S. De La Cruz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippine Islands

Honored By

Gloven G. De La Cruz

Relationship

Son

SURVIVOR OF THE BATTLE OF BATAAN AND THE INFAMOUS DEATH MARCH. SAW ACTION DURING WWII AS MEMBER OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY'S 4TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 2ND REGULAR DIVISION UNDER GENERAL FRANCISCO. INDUCTED INTO GENERAL MACARTHUR'S U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S., ON JULY 26, 1941. BECAME A PRISONER OF WAR WHEN BATAAN SURRENDERED, BUT LATER MANAGED TO ESCAPE. JOINED MAJOR RAMSEY'S GUERRILLAS IN EAST CENTRAL LUZON GUERRILLA AREA. FOUGHT TOGETHER WITH THE AMERICANS IN LIBERATING THE PHILIPPINES IN 1945. COMMISSIONED AS 2ND LIEUTENANT AND WITH HIM AS DETACHMENT COMMANDER, HIS UNIT WAS ATTACHED TO THE U.S. ARMY'S 86TH FIGHTER WING, APO 70 DURING THE LIBERATION. OFFICIAL STATEMENTS OF HIS WWII SERVICE ARE ON RECORD WITH THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY.