Evening star., 1942-02-23
Official Communiques
Two American Generals Decorated
BY President Quezon of Philippines

The tert OF War Department com,
No. 120, based on report
receiped here up to $50 q m. today
follolUS:
1.-Philippine theater: Fight
ing died down on all fronts on
Luzon. There was practically no
enemy air or ground activity in
the Bataan Peninsula during the
past "a, hours.
Firing from hostile shore bat
teries on our harbor defenSeS,
which has been intermittent for
several days, has now entirely
ceased.
On recommendation of Gen.
Macarthur, President Emanuel
Quezon of the Philippine Com
monwealth has awarded the Dis
tinguiShed Service Star of the
Philippines. the highest military
decoration of the commonwealth,
to Mai. Gen. Richard K. Suther-
land. chief of staff. and Brig.
Gen. Richard J. Marshall. deputy
chief of staff, of MacArthur's
forces.
Fill Key Positions.
These two officers who are now
occupying key posts in the epic
defense of Bataan, served as
members Of the military mission
which devised the original plans
and methods for the defense of
the Philippines.
The citations accompanying
the awards called attention to
the services of these officers in
connection with the brilliant
conception and execution of these
plans. The American military
mission planned the creation of
the army that is now striking
such heavy blows on the battle
field. -f7''ss-
This success" the citations
continued, has earned for the
Philippine Commonwealth the
priceless right to be recognized
on its own merit as an equal in
the brotherhood of arms by the
nations of the world"
The citations also point to the
outstanding service OF these two
officers as principal assistants to
the commanding general Of the
United States Army forces OF
the Far East in the magnificent
defense that has won the paudlts
of the entire world.
Presented by Macarthur.
The medals were presented to
Gen. Sutherland and Gen.
Marshall by Gen. Macarthur in
the field today as part of the
observance of Washington
birthday by our field forces in
the Philippines. In presenting
the medals, Gen. Macarthur
said:
These are two Of the finest
officers who have ever served
under my command. Cool and
resourceful, courageous and de-
termined, resolute and devoted,
they are deserving Of this i'm
mediate award of these WELL
earned decorations. Tomorrow
they might we'll be casualties, too
late to know of Nations mill
tary honor to them"
2. There is nothing to report
from other areas.
The tert of War Department
comnlunique No. 119, based on re-
ports received until 1:30 pm. yeS'
terddy, tollo1US:'
l. Philippine theater:
Enemy action in Bataan was
largely confined to frequent air
raids over our lines.
Intermittent artillery dueling
continued between hostile bat
teries on the Cavite shore and
the guns of our harbor defenses.
Gen. Macarthur has made pub
lie the details of sharp fighting
early in February in which
Philippine soldiers of the Igorot
tribe especially distinguished
themselves.
The Igorots are n-Christian
tribe living in the Bontoc Noun
tain region of Northern Luzon.
They are an industrious, peace
loving people, but they are like
wise absolutely fearless. AS mem
bers of the Army of the Philip
pine Commonwealth they have
proved to be excellent fighting
men.
Refused to Retreat.
During the recent enemy Of
fensive the Goth japanese Infan-
try Regiment made an attack on