Capt. Juan Pajota

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

DECEMBER 20, 1976

Captain Juan Pajota (1914 - December 20, 1976), a World War II hero, died of heart attack in the United States of America at the age of 62. 

He was trained in the 45th Infantry Philippine Scouts as a lieutenant, and assigned as an instructor for the 91st Division 92nd Infantry of the Philippine Army. 

From Samar, he and his men were transferred to Luzon and had their training camp near Cabanatuan. 

In the later part of December, they received orders to assist the 26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts in the province of Pampanga until they finally retreated to Bataan after engaging the Japanese. 

Together with Lt. Robert Lapham, a member of the 45th Infantry Philippine Scouts, they formed a guerrilla unit operating in the Central Plains of Luzon. 

He was involved in the Raid at Cabanatuan or “The Great Raid” on January 30, 1945, together with the US Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts and Filipino guerrillas. 

They fought the Japanese and liberated 511 American Prisoners of War and civilians from a Japanese POW camp in Cabanatuan. 

These troops who were part of the Death March from Bataan were held at the camp after surrendering to Japanese forces. 

In the 30 minute battle, hundreds of Japanese soldiers were killed in the coordinated attack. 

Capt. Pajota led his forces and created a roadblock at the Cabo River Bridge and wiped out the Japanese 359th Independent Infantry Battalion. 

The POWs were taken to safety and the rescuers together with Captain Juan Pajota were commended by General Douglas MacArthur and were also recognized by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: Philippine Army