Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Lieutenant Colonel Glenn R. Townsend a long with "one white lieutenant and 8 white non-commissioned officers" commanded the 11th Infantry a regiment Igorot people who are an ethnic group native to the Philippines and they fought the Japanese on the Bataan peninsula in early 1942. Some of his letters home to his wife read:
"While I am writing Jap planes are zooming overhead releasing loads of bombs. We are quite safe, however, for the present. Yesterday one of my machine guns brought down an enemy plane."
Another letter read in part:
"Today I saw some of our old regiment. They have been in severe fighting recently. The men greeted me with smiles that almost changed to cheers when I passed out some cigarettes I happened to have."
The field Citation reads in part:
"For distinguished gallantry in action against the enemy and for courage, energy, efficiency and organizing ability of the very highest order as commander of the infantry, Philippine Army, at Guagua Pampanga, Jan 4-5, 1942 as commander of military forces in the Cagayan Valley and at other places too numerous to mention, the troops of his command being continuously in combat with the enemy under fire from ground and air. Lieut. Col. Glen R. Townsend, Infantry, U.S.A. is awarded the Silver Star and is recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal."
SILVER STAR
Awarded for actions during the World War II
Lieutenant Colonel Glenn R. Townsend, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving as Commander of an Infantry Regiment on Bataan, Philippine Islands, in 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Townsend demonstrated energy, efficiency and organizing ability of the very highest order. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Volume 4: FED11, General Orders No. 4 (1942)
Action Date: Jan 4-5, 1942
Service: Army
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
This incredible WWII Class A jacket named to Lieutenant Colonel Glenn R. Townsend includes the following features:
• Original Class A Uniform Jacket named on an interior label to Townsend, G.R. Medals ribbons include: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal, American Camping Medal, Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters, among others. The jacket also has his sterling Combat Infantry Badge, a Philippine Division patch on left shoulder and a 5th Army patch on the right. The left sleeve has seven overseas service bars which represent 42 months of overseas service (1941-1945). The epaulets have sterling Colonels eagles.
• Also included are pages of research that include copies of newspaper articles such as one from March 31st 1942 that announced his Silver Star, photos, and a transcript of his Silver Star Medal certificate.
A truly amazing collection from one of the very first Silver Star recipients of WW2 and a commander of the Philippine forces during the Battle of Bataan.
General MacArthur himself described how courageous Igorot soldiers were in helping American soldiers fight the Japanese forces during World War II. He was quoted in a New York Times (Feb. 23, 1942) article that said: "Hampered by the dense undergrowth and lost in the confusing maze of bamboo thickets, vines, and creepers, the tankers would have been impotent had it not been for the aid of the Igorot troops of 2d Battalion, 11th Infantry. Hoisted to the top of the tanks where they were exposed to the fire of the enemy, these courageous tribesmen from north Luzon chopped away the entangling foliage with their bolos and served as eyes for the American tankers. From their position atop the tanks they fired at the enemy with pistols while guiding the drivers with sticks."
Other articles of the said encounter that were apparently published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Chicago Tribune all noted that Gen. Douglas MacArthur gave lavish praise to the Igorot soldiers for their bravery. He grave credit to these soldiers for having "completely annihilated" a Japanese regiment. While recounting the story of the battle to an assembly of his officers, MacArthur's was quoted as saying:
"Many desperate acts of courage and heroism have fallen under my observation on many fields of battle in many parts of the world. I have seen forlorn hopes become realities. I have seen last-ditch stands, and innumerable acts of personal heroism that defy description. But for sheer breathtaking and heart-stopping desperation, I have never know the equal of those Igorots riding the tanks. Gentlemen, when you tell the story, stand in tribute to those gallant Igorots. As members of the Philippine commonwealth, they have proved to be excellent fighting men."
Along with all other brave Filipino soldiers who risked their lives for the freedom we Filipinos enjoy today, these Igorot soldiers are to be thanked for their selfless sacrifice and courage.
