Race of heroes (2)

The following is the continuation of the courageous stand of the 10th Battalion Combat Team, which is the only armored tank motorized unit of the Philippine contingent during the Korean War, as recounted by retired Philippine Army Major Maximo Young, a true Filipino hero:

“I reconnoitered the immediate surroundings via the tank’s periscope. Thence, I maneuvered unto the top of the tank. Quickly thereafter, I successfully grabbed the machine gun atop the tank’s turret, and fired relentlessly at the direction of the enemies.

“With continuous machine gun fire, I was able to repulse the advancing enemy forces and avoided costly loss of lives among our ranks. This battle was recorded in Korean history as the Battle of Miudong/ Syngue and was hailed as the first battle won by Filipino soldiers in a foreign soil.

“In the Battle of Yuldong, the biggest battle that the Filipino soldiers fought in the Korean War, we were given the permission to withdraw because we were severely outnumbered.

“As the Battle of Yuldong turned fiercest, we stood our ground against all odds. We willingly pressed on to fight a numerically superior force of Chinese soldiers in such a savage close-quarters combat. The ferocious battle lasted from 2200 hours of 22 April through the wee and jet-black hours of the morning of 23 April until noon of that day in 1951.

“Despite the huge disparity in numbers, the 900-man 10th BCT clashed with the numerically superior 40,000 Chinese and North Korean militia who eventually backtracked and withdrew.

“Exactly 70 years ago, from 22 to 23 April 1951, 900 Filipino soldiers of the 10th BCT of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea successfully defended and threw back the numerically superior elements of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army’s 44th Infantry Division and the North Korean People’s Army. The enemy forces numbering about 40,000 advanced in seeming massive torrents, in non-stop, no-let-up fighting that drew widespread admiration among the United Nations Command (UNC) forces, after the enemies’ routing.

“It was in the battle at Yuldong that the Filipinos once again proved their bravery in combat, which made fitting the words of Gen. Douglas McArthur when he said: ‘Give me 10,000 Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.’

“At the height of the gun battle in Yuldong, the Filipino soldiers were initially pinned down.

“Still, however, the Filipinos managed to launch a counter-attack, repulsing and driving the Chinese and North Koreans away. This, despite the fact that the

Filipino soldiers who were defending a five-kilometer stretch of what was termed as the Utah Line, were left on their own after the Turkish forces of the UNC fled. Those Turkish forces who were earlier stationed on the right flank, abandoned their post, thereby rendering the Reconnaissance Company of the 10th BCT completely exposed.

“As a soldier, I saw action, too, in World War II. Indeed, I have fought for the defense of freedom and democracy, which are precepts that are dear to our motherland, against foreign adversaries in three international wars: World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

“I have been shot and strafed. I have seen my comrades die in battle and in turn have killed my country’s enemy-combatants. I have seen the worst of human nature in war. And my experience has taught me that there is nothing redeeming about war. War is only gruesome death and senseless destruction.

“And war involves tremendous remorse.

“By the grace of God, I am still here and alive.”

The words of Major Maximo Young, 98 years old, should be enshrined in the hearts of Filipinos who face adversities that are similarly daunting but, which through perseverance and faith in the most High, will always be overcome.

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My experience has taught me that there is nothing redeeming about war. War is only gruesome death and senseless destruction.

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With continuous machine gun fire, I was able to repulse the advancing enemy forces and avoided costly loss of lives among our ranks.