MEDAL FOR VALOR AWARDEES

SERGEANT BIENVENIDO FAJEMOLIN 626359 PA

Zamboanga Del Norte- 17 December 1977

For conspicuous courage, gallantry, intrepidity, and presence of mind in the face of a strong rebel attack on 180530 to 181400 October 1977 at Kawit-Kawit, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, while serving as platoon sergeant of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 36th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
In the early morning of 18 October, the Headquarters of Charlie Company was attacked by more or less 500 insurgents. Aware that the Company Commander and Company Officers were out on official business, and the brunt of the attack was on the Company Headquarters, then PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FAJEMOLIN braved sniper fires and assumed command of the whole company at the company command post about 300 meters away from his platoon position.
Although wounded, he rallied the demoralized and badly hit group defending the Headquarters, reorganized the defensive positions, and evacuated the wounded and the dead to safe areas. He ordered and supervised a limited but skilfully executed maneuver, throwing the insurgents off balanced and confused as to the actual strength of the group defending the positions. He held the attack for five (5) hours until the insurgents disengaged and withdrew from the scene, with sixteen (16) killed and ten (10) garand rifles and one (1) gauge-12 shotgun lost. He immediately consolidated his company position, attended to the wounded, redistributed his dwindling ammunition supply and waited for reinforcements to arrive.
By his display of exceptional courage and high degree of leadership, SERGEANT FAJEMOLIN kept up the highest traditions of Filipino soldiery and earned honour and glory for himself, the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.