BRIG. GEN. BENJAMIN MOLINA

[legionnaire]

Cadet Benjamin Molina
was born in Marikina, Rizal, on 4 February 1901.





middle row, third from right
“Evening dress for Holidays & parting Juniors, Class of 31”

On 10 September 1928 he entered the Philippine Constabulary Academy (PMA)
from which he graduated on 29 July 1931.




middle right, Officer with sword

He obtained his commission as third Lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary
and was assigned junior officer of the 112th PC Company in Jolo.

On 12 November 1934, he was reassigned J. O. of Aparri PC Company, Cagayan
and later transferred as commanding officer of the Isabela Constabulary.




Officer Molina seated left

On 11 October 1934, he attended the first instructional cadre school. After completing his studies, he took command of the 1st Isabela Cadre and later the Nueva Vizcaya cadre.

On June 1936, he was designated commanding officer of the Ordnance Detachment of the Philippine Army headquarters. Shortly thereafter, he was transferred to the ordnance service first as procurement officer and then as ordnance inspector.


When World War II broke out, Colonel Molina CO of the 202nd MM Company, II Corp, courageously waded through enemy-bombarded area in order to put into action three 75 mm guns of the 41st Field Artillery which had been previously damaged. Then he led his men over roads, which were shelled heavily, in order to direct immediate repair of other damage weapons. Despite intense hostile fire, aerial assault and heavily mounting casualties, he proceeded to repair a gun muzzle. Through his marked courage and inspiring leadership, General Molina contributed in no small degree in the heroic defense of Bataan.

For this action, he was awarded the Gold Cross Medal. He was also awarded the Silver Star
for “Gallantry in action” by the Commanding General of the 41st Division, Philippine Army,
by Command of General MacArthur.

The citation partly reads:
“Through his marked courage and inspiring leadership,
Colonel Molina contributed in heroic degree to the brave stand of the defending forces in the Philippines.”

General Molina was in the Death March to Capas, but he escaped to safety from the lines.
During the Japanese occupation he did not serve the puppet government in any way.

Three months after returning to military control, on 12 April 1945, he was sent as a student officer of the Ordnance Service School, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, U.S.A. He got excellent ratings while taking ordnance general course.

Upon his return to the Philippines, he successively held the positions of executive officer, acting chief, and chief of the ordnance service of the Philippine Army. After more than four years as chief of the ordnance service, he was reassigned on 3 January 1951 to the Philippine Constabulary headquarters at Camp Crame.

Two weeks thereafter, General Molina assumed office as G-4 of the Philippine Army Training Command. He concurrently held the position of C.O. Station Complement IPATC. After one year he was made commanding officer of the headquarters service group in Camp Murphy. He was con-currently designated headquarters commandant and camp commander on 2 March 1953. During his tour of duty he transformed Camp Murphy into the face-lifted camp that it is today. The P88,000.00 - Catholic chapel, which now stands near the main gateway of the Camp, was constructed thru his drive and capacity to translate charity into indestructible concrete. The Retired Military personnel Hall, a fitting memorial to the selflessness of officers and men who gave their best in the military service, was also his brainchild.

On 20 July 1957 General Molina was designated acting area and zone commander of the IV M and IV PC Zone. On 8 April 1958, his designation as commanding officer was made permanent, position he held until June, when he earned his star and was made commanding general of the I Military Area and I PC Zone.

General Molina is married to the former Miss Cecilia Quilinao with whom he has seven children.

BRIG. GEN. BENJAMIN MOLINA
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Commanding General, I MA and I PC Zone

The only brother with six sisters, he financed my Mother's medical college when he got his commission.

The original photographs were so badly damage and faded that is was a painstaking, meticulous photo restoration and hours I put in. I was able restored and documented 90% of his medals, ribbons, DI & rank insignias and Div. Patches he commanded.

I remember him giving me his one star Helmet, WWII ammo belt and pistol belt which is the only mementoe I still have. This is my long overdue small tribute to my war veteran uncle.
Thank you for viewing.

Philip

[indiosbravos]

Great photo-journalism.

Thanks for sharing. Hope many more can do the same. Things like this will keep the memory of our WW II Soldiers for future generations.

Salamat

[legionnaire]

Thank you Lawrence!

I forgot to mention that the text was from the PA write up on my Uncle's Bio. And all the info and photos were sent to me by my cousins Nene Molina, Momay Molina And Cecile Villanueva.

Here's two more photos during his Academy days.

Cadet Molina middle with fellow classmates
Philippine Constabulary Academy



PCA barracks

I wonder if M is for Molina?

Philip

[VeeVee]

<clap clap clap> Bravo. A very nice tribute. It's great that your family was able to save these pictures. They're priceless. Thanks for sharing.

[legionnaire]

Thank you Vic, Yes almost 95 % of his medals, pins and patches I have and have restored.

BTW Dr. Jenny Batongmalaque of the Filipino veterans Foundation, emailed me when see saw this tribute and pointed out that her Farther was a classmate of my uncle and he is in the class picture front row third from left. Small world.

Philip

[VeeVee]

Small world indeed. Now that I look at the picture again, the man seating third from left does look like Dr. Jenny!

[legionnaire]

I think it is the PCA junior's class of 31 photo were they are all dressed in dark tunics and white trousers were Dr. Batongmalaque's father is included.

Because the third group of photo were they all in whites and the front are seated are all commsioned officers and not class of 31 yearmates. They look more mature already.

Philip

[VeeVee]

Oh well I thought that guy really bore a resemblance to Dr. Jenny.

[RayAdillO]

Legionnaire, I salute your valiant uncle, the late Gen. Molina.

I'm also happy that precious commonwealth army and early constabulary insignias would have been lost to us had he and his family not kept them in such pristine condition by the time you got them.

Your uncle's steel pot helmet seems to have been the only casualty of hard use and neglect, did you still get it that anyways?

Finally, I hereby report.....The PA pins are done, the lapel pins don't look so good. The guinit hat badges look great.

EXTRA! ... EXTRA! ......We will soon have authentic reproduction fiberglass guinit helmets.... guarranteed, no danger of breakage upon rough use during reenactment battles. Available with handsome Philippine Commonwealth hat badge, in officer's and enlistedmen's versions. ;D

[VeeVee]

I'm reserving my guinit helmet Ray! Pencil me in I got first dibs.

[legionnaire]

Thanks Ray,

WOW! Finally Guinit Helmets!

What about the Liner inside Ray? Hope it will be there. I'm really curious to see those CP pins and Hat insignia.

Yes I have given my cousin your contact address so he can possible give you my Uncle's helmet to bring over. So i can restore it. Thank you and Cheers!

Philip

[jbmolinafortuno]

Many historical facts were rewritten by scholars; I may say this one is for real. To add some... I've heard from the mouths of my ancestors and some old Marikina people - things about my Grandfather Benjamin; They say when he retired from the army, He still gives help to the Marikina people (like help building fire stations, playgrounds and some small schools) without asking and expecting something in return from the people... He just gives them help. ( and for his past time he loves to play mahjong with some of His children.)

ROCK n ROLL!!!
JB

[John David Flores]

I believe that my uncle once met and was a guest of General Molina during the war in the Philippines. In my uncle's memoir he mentions encountering a Benjamin Molina who was the sultan of a village named Capi? He states that Benjamin Molina had once helped capture an infamous bandit and was given 5000 pesos and a scholarship to attend the Philippine Constabulary Academy. Benjamin Molina fed and protected my uncle and two other American soldiers who had escaped a Japanese concentration camp. Had it not been for his kindness and assistance my uncle and his friends would surely have been killed or died from malaria.

[Rodel Molina]

i miss you lolo ben

[Rodel Molina]

Hi tita momay molina, kamusta na po?
my email add: [e-mail]

[Joey Leigh Molina]

Good day! I am Joey Leigh Molina, grand daughter of Toti Molina.
My grand father’s mother is Natividad Molina or known by the nickname Nati.