148

Douglas MacArthur WWII ANS 1945

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Douglas MacArthur WWII ANS 1945
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Typed letter signed by War time President of the Philippines, Sergio Osmeña, with additional autograph note signed by Douglas MacArthur. Single page, quarto, dated 19 February 1945, on “Office of the President of the Philippines” letterhead. Document endorsing an appointment recommendation transmitted to General Douglas MacArthur. In part: “...Respectfully transmitted to General Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army, Army of the United States, Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest Pacific Area, inviting attention to the basic memorandum with the statement that I concur in the recommendations made therein. The recommendations made in favor of Lt.-Col. Juan O. Chioco, Philippine Army, are hereby favorably endorsed. / Sergio Osmeña.” Just beneath MacArthur adds in pencil, “Urgent, To Gen. Marshall, “MacA.” Osmeña’s endorsement of Lt.-Col. Chioco comes after receiving the included memorandum from Tomas Confesor. Typed letter signed from Tomas Confesor, Philippine patriot and wartime governor of Free Panay and Roblon, addressed “Memorandum for the President of the Philippines,” Confesor writes in part: “...The point to be gained immediately is to enable the enforcement of the Commonwealth laws in this province, which work no inconvenience to nor incompatibility with the requirements of a successful military operation presently progressing in certain parts of that province...the undersigned would like to suggest the name of Lt.-Col. Juan O. Chioco...He is at the same time familiar with the agrarian and social problems of the province. He hailed from Nueva Ecija. I believe he possesses the necessary experience and tact to handle the delicate situation obtaining therein, Respectfully submitted, Tomas Confesor.” Following the defeat of Japanese forces in the Battle of Leyte, General MacArthur sent his forces into Luzon in January, 1945 with the goal of liberating the remaining Philippines. On 6 February, MacArthur issued the first order for operations in the southern Philippines, code-named VICTOR, with the objective of isolating the islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, and Bohol, and expanding the range of Allied air operations. While Filipino guerrillas controlled much of the countryside on the four islands, 30,000 Japanese troops held the vital coastal towns, including Cebu City and Iloilo on Panay. Beyond his immediate desire to clear the Japanese from the islands, MacArthur envisioned these two port cities as important staging areas for the expected influx of troops scheduled to invade Japan. The Joint Chiefs of Staff had told MacArthur to be prepared to stage twenty-two divisions for the invasion of Japan at Philippine bases by November, 1945, with eleven more to follow by the next February. MacArthur’s urgent notation to U.S. Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall stresses the importance of establishing security during the tense opening weeks of hostilities. Important documents relating to Philippine liberation and the establishment of the Government of the Commonwealth. Documents signed by Osmeña and MacArthur are uncommon. Original binder holes at the head, otherwise fine condition.