Post by victor on May 15, 2010 8:46:56 GMT 8
Another member of our Greatest Generation has been called by the Commander in Chief...
Brig Gen Antonio Ortega,
May 10, 2010
WWII BATAAN Silver Star Veteran
Medal of Valor, US Govt.
Commissioned in 1945 by General Douglas Mac Arthur
Awarded by General Basilio Valdez, AFP C of S
Philippine Gold Cross
for Gallantry in action, Philippine Govt.
Purple Heart, Death March Survivor
The intensity of the artillery concentration made the men feel that it was the beginning of the final offensive.
When they saw that many were getting killed or wounded, the rest began to withdraw to the rear.
To prevent an abandonment of the MLR, unit commanders, like Major Joaquin Espiritu who was in command of the 22nd Infantry,
and Lt. Antonio A. Ortega, commander of the 2nd Battalion, of the same regiment,
had to rush to the front to rally the men and stop a general withdrawal.
Both officers were awarded the Gold Cross medal.
The citation for Lt. Ortega's action:
"As battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, in defense of the Mt. Samat sector, Bataan,
Ortega directed his battalion to hold the nose of Mt. Samat near Oyong Bridge against the onslaught
of the enemy for a breakthrough attempt on the defense line during the month of February 1942."
They Served with Honor, Filipino war heroes of WWII
by Col. Uldarico S. Baclagon
Actions during the Lull period chapter IV,
Patrol action and skirmishes, pp 87 - 88
Araw ng Kagitingan - Bataan, April 2010
“Daisy Mae”
# 11 lead tank
Commanded by Capt. Ortega
1st “Tabak” Division, 1st Recon, Philippine Army
June 12, 1961 The new Philippine Independence Day, Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines
Balanga, Bataan, January 1942