MEDAL FOR VALOR AWARDEES

STAFF SERGEANT MIGUEL D PASTOLERO 168453 FA

Libaco, Capiz- 26 October 1941

For outstanding courage, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in an encounter with a numerically superior dissident force at Sitio Taroytoy, Barrio Manica, Libacao, Capiz on or about 0730H 26 October 1941

Staff Sergeant Miguel Pastolero, after works of careful surveillance and employing all means of deception possible under the circumstances, succeeded in passing through dissident outpost guards and infiltrated right into the enemy Headquarters where ranking officers of HMB organization were in a conference. He and his men, unmindful of the suspicious glances of the dissidents and pretending to be members of the group, mingled with them freely but began placing themselves in commanding positions to be able to deliver the greatest volume of fire, if and when occasion arose. The dissidents in the meanwhile were talking about the plan of reorganization and indoctrination of new members to replace those who have deserted their ranks.

The presence of MIS Commando Team was finally detected and the dissidents began to fire at the members of the Team, killing Agent Jose Pastonato and wounding STAFF SERGEANT PASTOLERO. Recovering from the initial impact of the shot in utter disregard of his personal safety, he loaded his Browning Automatic Rifle and immediately fired at the dissidents, singling them out from the mass of humanity then engaged in a mortal hand to hand struggle. STAFF SERGEANT PASTOLERO was able to empty his magazine before he expired and in his dying moments accounted eight (8) HMB’s out of the twenty two (22) dissidents killed during the melee.

His coolness under fire, his indomitable courage, his fortitude and his fighting spirit are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.