Medal of Honor; Jose Baliton Nisperos, PS

[Carlos]

An update about this MOH Recipient
The Family and I will attend

From our VFW comrades up north:

March 6, 2012

Greetings Comrades, Associates, and Friends,

Col . B. J. Smith VFW Post 9892

National Hwy, Paringao, Bauang, La Union 2501, Philippines

Tel: [phone] – Email: [e-mail]

Beginning in 2008 VFW Post 9892 became aware that the very first Asian, and first Filipino, recipient of the Medal of Honor, Private Jose B. Nisperos, hailed from San Fernando City, La Union. In keeping with our Congressionally directed mandate to "perpetuate the memory and history of our dead…" VFW Post 9892 set in motion efforts to find and honor his resting place.

Almost one year ago, post member JD Keller (American Legion China Post 1 Commander), found contact on Facebook with one of the grandchildren, Maridhel Turzar, of the object of our search. Subsequent meetings with the family, physically finding the actual unmarked grave, and motions to improve and honor his remains, are finally coming to fruition.

The City of San Fernando government recently approved a plan for construction of an appropriate monument, in a highly visible area of the same Lingsat Cemetery for his Re-Internment. The planned date for the services and actual Re-Internment are now set for April 2, 2012, at 0900 hours.

As equally caring Comrades, associates and friends, you are hereby invited to attend and grace this ceremony to finally properly honor this highly deserving veteran. Help us to give this deserving veteran a worthy ceremony by counting yourselves among those in attendance. All attending in uniform should be in garrison cap, barong, slacks and shoes. Wives, families are invited also.

There will be a reception and snacks provided by the City government after the completion of the honor ceremonies. All are invited to remain and visit with the family and dignitaries present. (The U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas is among the invited.)

Yours in Comradeship, and Cheers,

Frank B. Hilliard IV



 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Frank Hilliard

Greetings Comrades, associates, and friends,

By way of the attached, I cordially invite all of you to attend and add to the significance of this event.  All addressees may feel free to invite their friends to accompany them.  Please advise me if you will be able to attend, so I can give the City government an estimate of numbers of chairs, snacks, etc.  All veterans organizations are invited to embrace this occassion: VFW, American Legion, VVA, FRA, DAV, you name it!  Yours in Comradeship, and Cheers,

--
Frank B. Hilliard IV
Commander VFW Post 9892
All American 2008-2009
All State 2008-2011
Grand of Pacific Quartermaster
63 999 998-3002

[friscohare]

Here's article on Nisperos from today's Phil Star. RIP, sir.

After 100 years, Pinoy hero reburied with military honors [/u][/url][/size]

(The Philippine Star, 04/03/12)

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union ,Philippines – Jose Baliton Nisperos was awarded the US Congressional Medal of Honor almost 100 years ago on Nov. 25, 1912 for single-handedly repelling Islamic rebels in Basilan on Sept. 24, 1911.

The Philippine Scouts corporal was the first Asian and Filipino to receive the highest military decoration of the United States government.

The Philippines was an American territory and the Philippine Scouts a division of the US Army at the time.

Nisperos was medically discharged from the US Army because of the severity of his wounds and given a pension of $55 per month.

He died in 1922 after a long illness at the age of 34. He was buried in an ordinary grave in the Lingsat public cemetery.

Last Friday, Nisperos’ remains were exhumed from the ordinary grave and placed in an area at the same public cemetery where the “great sons and daughters” of La Union are buried. He was given full military honors.

Commander Frank Hilliard led the US Veterans Multi-organizational Honor Guard.

The La Union police gave him a 21-gun salute.

Speaking at the burial, San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega said he only learned of Nisperos’ heroism in an article in The STAR quoting an official from the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society.

“Today, we recognize and atone for lack of awareness and knowledge of a very significant fact of local history – that the first Filipino and also the first Asian recipient of US Congressional Medal of Honor for Valor was an Ilocano from our place,” he said.

Maria Delilah Viduya Turzar, great granddaughter of Nisperos, said they are sad because the US Congressional Medal of Honor of her Lolo Jose is missing.

“I’ve been tracing his award and medal for about 32 years,” she said.

It was allegedly auctioned off in Manila last year at a price of $1,110, she added.

Turzar called on the buyer to return the medal because the name of Nisperos is engraved at the back.

The buyer is believed to be already abroad, she added.

A relative took the medal with a promise to help them process documents and evidence to claim benefits from the US government, Turzar said.

Phillip Garcia, Philippine Scouts Heritage Society 2nd vice president, said Nisperos’ descendants badly needed the medal to prove their claim because his wife and three daughters, who are all dead, were not given benefits.

On Sept. 24, 1911, a large group of Moro rebels armed with bolos and spears ambushed Nisperos and his unit, the 34th Company in Lapurap, Basilan.

The unit of Nisperos suffered a handful of casualties.

However, Nisperos fought the rebels using only one hand since his left hand was badly wounded and he received several spear wounds on his body.

The rebels retreated to the hills, and the 34th Company Philippine Scouts was spared from total annihilation.

For his gallant action, bravery, and valor in the battlefield, Nisperos was awarded the US Congressional Medal of Honor on Nov. 25, 1912.

Nisperos was born in Barangay Tanqui in San Fernando City, La Union on Dec. 30, 1887.

Present at the burial of Nisperos were Director Jonathan Skelly, who represented US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., La Union Gov. Manuel Ortega and other local officials, American and Filipino war veterans, police officials and personnel, and Nisperos’ relatives.

[RayAdillO]

Pablo Ortega said he only learned of Nisperos’ heroism in an article in The STAR quoting an official from the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society.

What a numbskull, even as he's a blood relation, he, he.

[legionnaire]

Reburial and memorial Honors of
MEDAL OF HONOR CORPORAL JOSE BALITON NISPEROS
2nd APRIL 2012
Lingsat Public Cemetery, San Fernandon City, La Union



Bugler - VFW Clark post John Gilbert
John and Dennis Wright will be giving a presentation of the Clark cemetery on Saturday
and organizing the memerial plaque dedication on Sunday were 650 Scouts are buried.



San Fernando City Philippine National Police 21 Gun salute.
Police Superintendent Ramon Purugganan one of the VIP guests and he told me his father was 26th cavalry PS.






Nisperos Great Grand Daughters and son in law

L to R - Maria Caridad Regua, Maria Delilah Turzar, Maria Angelina Hipol, Fernando Villanueva

All four of them will be Guests of the PSHS reunion this April 7 to 8 , 2012
PS flag showing is Philippine Division insignia




Great Great Grand Daughter - Maridhel Delilah V. Turzar, after her speech was given a standing ovation!
Mabuhay si Maridhel, see you in our reunion in the Fort!




Guest speaker MEDAL OF VALOR Philippine Marine - Col. Ariel O. Querubin ( Ilocano)
I introduced myself to him and he remembered me at the Camp Aguinaldo during the Medal of Valor ceremonies last year.




Philippine Scouts Heritage Society representative - Philip Garcia with City Major Pablo C. Ortega
PS flag showing is Philippine Division insignia




I am wearing a 1920's Khaki Class A uniform with campaign hat representing what Cpl. Nisperos would have worn at that period.




1030 - VFW 9892 Commander FRANK HILLIARD IV my very gracious host in Buaung.
Announcing the name of the Multi- Org Honor guard

Frank will be giving a complete presentation of the reburial on April 7 Saturday
at the reunion of the PSHS at Hotel Stotsenberg.




Medal of Honor Tribute poster I designed and beautifully framed. ;D
PS flag showing is Philippine Division insignia




The US Veterans Administration will be sending a new tombstone to replace this temporary one donated by the city.




Final resting place of Medal of Honor
Corporal Jose B. Nisperos.


They found his class A uniform and is still in the grave.
The children of Maridhel told me as they said the buttons are the same as what I have in my Class A's.
And they probably saw his lapel 34th Pin and crossed rifles.

[labrador]

Congrats Philip,

Nice to see Nisperos finally recognized. Thank you for representing the chapter!

[cmdrchinapost1]

Greetings to all who honor the memory of those lost in Battle:

It was an extraordinary ceremony that I attended yesterday to honor the FAMILY and the HERO; Jose B. Nisperos. I was privileged to sit with those fellow warriors, family members and dignitaries at the new gravesite for this valiant Philippine Scout.

I first posted Ms. Turzhar cry for help at our American Legion, China Post 1 Philippines Facebook and forwarded her very moving story to as many fellow Legionnaires as possible. Also, as a member of the US Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9892 in Bauang, LaUnion, it seemed only proper that the VFW seek and restore the dignity of not just this great warrior, but the honor of his descendant family as well. I applaud the tenacity and deep conviction of Ms. Turzhar and her family, and especially Commander Frank Hilliard of the VFW in Bauang. I feel a very special event took place yesterday at the new memorial for Jose Baliton Nisperos. I was honored to be included.

JD Keller
Commander-The American Legion
China Post 1 Philippines
Baguio City
www.Chinapost1philippines.org

[jnmodeller]

A great accomplishment for those involve in this event, Thank you Sirs.

[Carlos]

The Reburial and Memorial Honors of and for Corporal Jose Baliton-Nisperos has taken place as planed on the 2nd April 2012 9am at Lingsat Cemetery, San Fernando, La Union.
My family and I were guests and here are my observations and images of this event.

The people of San Fernando City and the Province of La Union made a great effort to recognize and honor this hero from 1911, almost 101 years ago. I was impressed and I’m very thankful the people and their leaders, the Governor, the City Mayor, the City Councilors, the Regional National Police and the many other participants for organizing and rendering such an impressive Honors of one of their sons.

This thread tells us how it all started. The City and the Province consulted the Nisperos family and together with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9892 formulated a plan to honor this hero and son of the La Union Province, a Military Scout. VFW Post 9892 invited other US Military Associations to participate.

I rather let my pictures tell the story, the pictures have the names of the major players and the Memorial Honors program is also included it also has names of people involved. Here is the album with 87 images:
pisailor.multiply.com/photos/album/106/Reburial_and_Memorial_Honors_of_and_for_Corporal_Jose_Baliton-Nisperos_

[snowpy]

dear sirs/madam

i know my silence has been deafening but i hope you understand. in any auction the one who submits a winning bid has the right to be anonymous. there is always confidentiality. that is the rule in any auction. i was not able to bid high enough to to become the " caretaker" of THE medal. up to now two years later, it still breaks my heart not to be able to bid high enough for the medal. believe me, i would have given that medal back to the heirs right this minute if i possess it but fate made it otherwise.

but there is still hope. please pray very hard that the current owner will have a change of heart. i will do my best. please tell ms. turzar that i will do my best to change the fate. i need all your prayers ( and an incredible miracle) to be able to pull it off. i will not promise you anything except i will do my best.

snowpy

[maridhel v turzar9]

mr. snowpy, the original medal of my great lolo could have added much color to that historical event here in our place in san fernando city, la union during the reburial and memorial honors for my great lolo..i had to mention it in my speech that it was auctioned in summer 2010..the city and provincial government are willing to buy back the medal for as long as they have leads where to track down that medal..it has my great lolo's name engraved at the back of the medal so the "owner" should be generous and sympathetic enough to return to us and to our province said medal... it is really sad that it did not reach back at our hands before the ceremony..i will praying hard that the "owner" now will have a heart of Jesus with mercy and compassion...
this is maridhel v. turzar...

[snowpy]

when i held the medal in my hands and looked at the reverse of the medal engraved at the back was the name of pvt nisperos and the date the action took place. i knew it was genuine.i knew of its historical value and not of its financial value i already saw a similar medal (called MOH Type III) in Norfolk Virginia. it was gen. macArthur's medal and the one at the west point academy in new york (MOH type IV). my hands were trembling because i was holding the first congressional medal of honor given to a filipino and an asian. it has a characteristic engraving (script type) characterictic of the era (1860's to 1920's). it had no ribbon. being a medal collector i was prepared to shell out a considerable amount to "own" it. my intention was to donate it to camp aguinaldo museum because of its historical value. i believe that i do not deserve to keep it in my collection. it needed to be shown with pride and dignity. alas that did not come to pass

again i cannot promise you anything. i will try my best to bring it back to its rightful owners but it is really out of my hands. i do not even know who the current owner is but i have an ace up my sleeves. so please pray for a miracle that we all hope to happen.

snowpy

[maridhel vturzar9]

sir frank a.k.a. historian..sorry it's only now that i read your message here..about the article, it was published IN 1957 BY PRIMITIVO MILAN THRU FREE PRESS MAGAZINE..it's still at home hanged on a wall..
see you po tomorrow at the pshs reunion...

maridhel

[maridhel vturzar9]

snowpy, how lucky you are that you were able to hold our lolo's medal..my 3 grandmas, daughters of lolo jose never seen it since 1922 when that relative took it until their death, all of them were craving to see their father's medal..but bec there are just greedy people so they were deprived of that privilege to take care of their father's medal...
i pray that GOD WILL FIND A WAY SO THAT SAID MEDAL OF FILIPINO VALUE WILL BE RETURNED BACK TO US AND TO THIS COUNTRY....
kindly call me po right now, if it's ok for you...my cp number po is 09394214401...

[snowpy]

ms. maridhel

what time and what date will commander frank hillard give a presentation of the reburial of pvt nisperos (done april 2 )at the pshs convention? is it april 7?

will you be there?

someone wants to know.

again i will not promise you anything.

[maridhel v turzar9]

yes snowpy, i will be attending the reunion together with sir frank, my 2 sisters and grandfather (nisperos' son-in'law)..
april 7 at 3:00pm will be frank's presentation about april 2 reburial...
will you be there too?
are you going to introduce yourself to us?
thanks much...

[snowpy]

my professional occupation will not permit me to attend. i will remain anonymous until the end. somebody else is asking me for details. i have no idea yet why. again i must remind you that whatever happens (whether good or bad) it is really beyond my control. i just initiated the "events" i really don't know how this is going to play out. this is my last message for now. i advise you however to accept whatever happens-whether good or bad. just remember one thing- i walked the extra mile for you because it is the least i can do to honor, the bravest of the brave - pvt. jose nisperos.

[frank]

To Snowpy and Maridhel,
My prayers for success in your efforts.

Wish you could have taken some photos of the medal when you held it using a cell phone camera.

Do you have a catalog from that auction that lists the description of the medal?

What was the name of the auction company?

Maridhel,
I regret that I will not be able to able to meet you at the PSHS Reunion.
But I will be visiting my in-laws in Luna, La Union when I visit next. I hope you stay in touch so I can contact you then and stop by San Fernando to pay my respects to your family.

If you decide to join the PSHS please make sure your e-mail is sent to the National Secretary.

Have a good Holy Week.

[frank]

Philip. Great Job of getting over there and representing the PSHS.

Did you get Police Superintendent Ramon Purugganan to sign up for PSHS membership?

Wish you success this weekend at the reunion and other events.

Frank

[friscohare]

The search has made the news:

Kin of Pinoy hero seek return of US war medal[/u][/url][/size]

(Inquirer News, 04/09/12)

CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines—The family of a war hero, a member of the then Philippine Scouts under the US Army, has renewed its appeal for help in recovering the US Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to their ancestor 99 years ago.

A relative took the medal in the 1920s and was reported to have sold it at an auction last year.

Maria Delilah Turzar, a great-granddaughter of Pvt. Jose Baliton Nisperos, said the family’s appeal was directed at the winning bidder who paid $1,100 (P47,300 today at 43:1) for the medal.

“We learned recently from one of our supporters, Mr. Philip Garcia, about an auction in 2011. We received information [the winning bidder] was a Filipino-American based in the United States. The name of our ‘lolo’ is engraved on the medal. Please help us recover it,” said Turzar addressing the 28th annual reunion of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society here on Saturday.

In General Order No. 64 issued on Nov. 25, 1912, the US War Department honored Nisperos with the medal for “most distinguished gallantry,” after he single-handedly beat back a group of Filipino rebels who had ambushed the 34th Company of the Philippine Scouts in Basilan on Sept. 24, 1911.

“Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had several spear wounds in the body so he could not stand), Private Nisperos continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was repulsed, thereby aiding materially in preventing the annihilation of his party and the mutilation of their bodies,” read the citation.

Nisperos was only 24 at the time. His wounds so severe, the US Army discharged him and gave him a pension of $55 a month. He died at age 34 in 1922 following an illness.

The recovery of the medal, said to be the first to be conferred by the American government on an Asian and a Filipino, would finally end a sad chapter for his family.

Potenciana Nisperos, the widow, died penniless, unable to enjoy the monthly pension because she was unable to produce her husband’s medal, which the relative had taken, as proof of his heroism. She died in 1969, leaving nothing to her three daughters.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9892, led by Frank Hillard, was able to recently help the family secure a burial site for Nisperos at the Clark Veterans Cemetery here.

But the provincial government of La Union, where Nisperos was from, decided to honor one of its own by exhuming his remains that had been buried in the province and accorded him military honors in a reburial last April 2 in a public cemetery meant for its great sons and daughters.

Turzar said the La Union government also promised to buy back the medal for the Nisperos family and for its historical value.

[friscohare]

Good luck! I hope it is found...