MEDAL FOR VALOR AWARDEES

SERGEANT FRANCISCO G GRANPIL 647705 PA

Davao Oriental- 12 February 1988

For outstanding courage, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, during an encounter with about 100 armed terrorists of the New Peoples Army (NPA) at Upper Limot, Tarragona, Davao Oriental, on 12 February 1988, while serving as a member of the Operational Team 1103, 11th Special Forces Company, Home Defense Group (Airborne), Philippine Army.
When the combined patrol group composed of a reinforced platoon of the 433rd Philippine Constabulary Company, the Operation Team 1103 and the Civilian Home Defense Forces were ambushed, SERGEANT GRANPIL fearlessly charged towards the pinned-down lead elements of the government forces to provide the crucial cover and counter fires, the swiftness and effectiveness of which caught the enemy by surprise, thus inflicting upon the terrorists several casualties at this crucial stage of the combat action. By accurate and controlled fires and maneuver, he kept the stunned enemy at bay. He then stealthily crawled towards the wounded despite intense enemy fire, successfully retrieving his fallen comrades. This included the already wounded Patrol Leader LIEUTENANT ROLITO BORDEOS of the Philippine Constabulary, whom he dragged out of the perilous killing zone to a relatively secured area.
To prevent the enemy from getting the firearms of the wounded, he ably recovered twelve (12) high-powered firearms which he then distributed to the Civilian Home Defense Force elements, since many of whom had no firearms, in order to strengthen the fire power of the beleaguered government forces. Under intense and continues barrage of fire from the enemy, SERGEANT GRANPIL, having repaired the M60 machinegun of Constable second Class Reguyal, which earlier malfunctioned, boldly returned fires towards the well-emplaced and numerically superior enemy force. Despite the advancing of the reinforcing rebels coming from the main body, he steadfastly stood his ground and fiercely, fought with automatic fires and grenade launchers, while interchangeably operating the sixty (60) millimetre mortar until the enemy withdrew, leaving behind 37 terrorist killed and several others wounded. This conspicuous and heroic act of SERGEANT GRANPIL prevented the complete annihilation of the beleaguered troops, the saving of many lives and prevented the loss of government properties.
By this display of exceptional courage and a high degree of leadership, SERGEANT GRANPIL distinguished himself in the field of combat in keeping with the highest tradition of Filipino soldiery, thereby earning honour and glory not only for himself and the Philippine Army but also for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.