World War II Honoree

Teotimo Figuracion

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tacloban, Leyte, Philippine Islands

Honored By

Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz (Ret)

Relationship

Shipmate

AS CHIEF GUNNER MANNING THE 50 CALIBER ANTI-AIRCRAFT CANNON OF Q-112, A BRITISH-MADE TORPEDO BOAT OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY UNDER U.S. ARMED FORCES FAR EAST, HE SAW GALLANT ACTION IN HEROIC DEFENSE OF BATAAN PATROLLING ITS COASTLINE. ON JANUARY 17, 1942 DURING AN AIR-SEA BATTLE EAST OF BATAAN, Q-112 AND Q111 SHOT DOWN THREE JAPANESE ZEROS OUT OF THE NINE ENEMY PLANES THAT ATTACKED THE TWO Q-BOATS. HIS DEADLY SHOTS RESULTED IN BEING CITED FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION THAT EARNED HIM A SILVER STAR. BECAUSE HE WAS ALSO WOUNDED IN THAT BATTLE, HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. AFTER THE SURRENDER OF BATAAN, HE BECAME A POW BUT WAS RELEASED FIVE MONTHS LATER AS A SICK POW. AFTER RECOVERING, HE JOINED THE GUERILLAS AND FOUGHT THE ENEMY UNTIL THE PHILIPPINES WERE LIBERATED IN 1945.