The Philippine-American Memorial Project

Background 

The Philippine American Memorial Project was conceptualized during the Philippine Military Academy’s Alumni Homecoming on 14 Feb 2004, when then PMA Superintendent, MGen Edilberto P Adan, agreed to the idea of transferring the present West Point Memorial to a more accessible area and, at the same time, expand it into an area that would commemorate a few historic events in the history of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

The move was immediately supported by concerned officials, including Former President Fidel V Ramos, Defense Secretary Eduardo R Ermita, AFP Chief of Staff Gen Narciso L Abaya and then PMA Alumni Association (PMAAA) Chairman Commo Carlos L Agustin (Ret). A proposal was also made to honor alumni of US service academies existing at the time of the establishment of the new Philippine Military Academy, namely, the US Military Academy and US Naval Academy. Notably, it is from these two academies that many members of the initial staff were selected when the Constabulary Academy was converted to PMA in 1936.

Then Secretary of National Defense Eduardo R Ermita, in a letter dated 8 June 2004, authorized the project. On 26 June 2006, then Secretary of National Defense Avelino J Cruz, Jr issued Department Order No. 17 creating the Project Steering Committee to oversee and assist in the construction of the Memorial.

During the coordinating meetings of the Committee, members also recognized the contributions made by US military personnel who composed the staff and early and subsequent graduates of the PMA or its precursors who either served in the US Army, the Philippine Constabulary, the Philippine Scouts and the Philippine Army, those US Officers who conceived of the creation of PMA (such as General Douglas Macarthur and then Major Dwight D Eisenhower), and US Officers who did not graduate from the USMA and USNA but contributed to the development of the PMA. Foremost among those to be recognized was Brig Gen Henry T. Allen, the first PC Chief and who established the PC School in 1905.

The Memorial project site’s final location was approved by Defense Sec Gilbert C Teodoro, Jr. pursuant to DND DO No 32 dated 6 February 2008.

Significance

The Project is significant in relation to establishing the crucial role of the US armed services in the establishment of the PMA and the development and training of AFP officers. It highlights an important era in US military history, and the close relationship between the Philippines and the United States.

It will also add a major, unique and historical point of interest for local and international tourists visiting the Philippine Military Academy.