MALACAÑANG

MANILA

PROCLAMATION NO. 191

DECLARING JUNE 14 OF EVERY YEAR AS USAFIP-NL (UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN THE PHILIPPINES NORTHERN LUZON) DAY

WHEREAS, there is a need to highlight the historic role played by the USAFIP-NL under the Command of Colonel Russell W. Volckman in the campaign leading to the defeat of the Japanese defenders of Bessang Pass on June 14, 1945;

WHEREAS, the campaign to capture Bessang Pass actually began with the assault on the Japanese line at Bitalag, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, by elements of “L” Co., 3rd Bn., 121st Inf., USAFIP-NL, on January 8, 1945, followed by the seizure of enemy strongholds along Highway 4, Ilocos Sur; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to recognize the vital participation of the USAFIP-NL, which was considered by Lt. General Walter Krueger, 6th US Army Commander, as the “most effective single combat guerilla organization committed against the Japanese Army in the liberation of the Philippines”, in this epic struggle.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare June 14 of every year as “USAFIP-NL Day.”

This supersedes Proclamation No. 515, dated June 11 958 which declares June 14 of every year as “Bessang Pass Day.”

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12

^Th

day of June in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Three.

(Sgd.)

FIDEL V. RAMOS

By the President:

(Sgd.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel