“…to perpetuate the memory, and history of our dead, and to assist their

widows and orphans…”the

Search, Shock, Efforts, Fruition

Affording Medal of Honor earner Philippine Scout Pvt. Jose B. Nisperos

the honors he so richly deserved

Search

• Our efforts began in 2008 when I was first made aware that there was a Medal of Honor recipient from San Fernando City, La Union by a military history friend of mine.

• Had we been aware of a Philippine Inquirer article from 1999, we may have achieved our goal earlier.

• Members of my VFW Post, were already visiting 14 area cemeteries; every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day to honor our departed Comrades.

• During visits to these cemeteries, we searched for Jose Nisperos, and found many. But alas, they were never the one we sought.

Shock

• Approximately eight months ago, one of my post members contacted the 2nd Great Granddaughter of the one we sought on Facebook.

• Meeting the descendants of Pvt. Jose B. Nisperos, ascertaining this was the true hero we sought, and eventually finding the actual grave site, was a truly humbling experience, fraught with true desire to correct an obvious wrong done to this highly deserving combat veteran.

Efforts• After general awareness on the internet, efforts were started by a

Philippine Scout Heritage Society member to move our hero to Clark Cemetery for reburial.

• This created media coverage which fell upon the political leadership in his hometown with unbelief.

• Contact was made between myself, the family, and Mayor Pablo Ortega of San Fernando City, and an we came to an immediate agreement that we should, and the Mayor promised we would, keep our hero at home.

• The Mayor persuaded the City Council to appropriately honor this deserving native, and motions were set in place to build, and record for history, a resting place suitable for this Medal of Honoree.

Fruition

Fruition

• March 2, 2012, the Provincial Government awarded the highest award given, the “Saranay Award,” posthumously to the family.

• He was disinterred on March 30, and reinterred on March 31, 2012.

• Exactly one month later, the City Government hosted the Dedication of Memorial, and reburial rites at Lingsat Public Cemetery.

• Today, finally after almost 90 years of total obscurity, Pvt. Jose B. Nisperos is resting at peace, with the dignity and honor, he so valiantly earned. For history to remember, and pay homage to for eternity.

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Frank B. Hilliard IVCommander 2008-2012

Col. B.J. Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9892, Bauang, La Union, Philippines

“Perpetuating the Memory and History of our Dead, and assisting their widows and orphans…:

“Proudly Serving our Community”

Established: June 1989