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The military career of Ferdinand Marcos during World War II remains the subject of controversy.[1][2] Marcos received ROTC training while studying at the University of the Philippines. He was activated for service in the US Armed Forces in the Philippines after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served as a 3rd lieutenant during the mobilization in the summer and fall of 1941, continuing until April 1942, when he was taken prisoner.[3] Marcos claimed that he was released from prison on August 4, 1942.[4] US military records show that he rejoined USAFIP forces in December 1944.[4] Marcos's military service formally ended with his discharge as a major in the 14th Infantry in May 1945.[5]
Controversies regarding Marcos's military service revolve around: the reason for his release from the Japanese POW camp;[4] his actions between his release and return to service;[4] his final rank;[5] and his claims to numerous military decorations.[1][2]
Documents uncovered in 1986 suggested that Marcos's release in August 1942 was because his father, former congressman and provincial governor Mariano Marcos, "cooperated with the Japanese military authorities" as publicist.[4]
Marcos claims that he spent much of the period between his release and 1944 return[4] leading a guerilla organization called Ang Manga Mahárlika (Tagalog, "The Freeman") in Northern Luzon.[6] According to Marcos, this force had a strength of 9,000 men.[6] His account was cast into doubt by a United States military investigation exposed many of his claims as false/inaccurate.[7]
Another controversy arose in 1947, when Marcos began signing communications as a lieutenant colonel, instead of major. US officials noted that Marcos was "a major in the roster of the 14th Infantry USAFIP, NL as of 12 December 1944 to his date of discharge".[5]
The biggest controversy, however, concerned his claims during the 1962 Senatorial Campaign that he was the "most decorated war hero of the Philippines."[1] He claimed to have received 33 war medals/decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor. However, researchers later reported that stories about his wartime exploits were mostly false of inaccurate.[8] Only two of the claimed awards - the Gold Cross and the Distinguished Service Star - were given during the war, and both had been contested by Marcos's superiors.[8]
- ^ a b c Gerth, Jeff; Brinkley, Joel (January 23, 1986). "Marcos's wartime role discredited in U.S. files". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Gerth, Jeff; Brinkley, Joel (January 23, 1986). "Marcos's Wartime Role Discredited in U.S. Files". The New York Times.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
TheWashPostwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference
JohnSharkey19860124was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Capt. E.R. Curtis, “Check Sheet, Subject:Ferdinand E. Marcos” sent to Lt. Col. W.M. Hanes, 24 March 1948, in AMM-GURF. As cited inWhy Ferdinand E. Marcos Should Not Be Buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Manila: National Historical Commission of the Philippines. July 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
whScottPrehispanicwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
McCoy1999was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Matsuzawa, Mikas (2003). "31 years of amnesia: Imagined heroism". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2018.