The combined forces of the 14th Infantry, United States Army Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL), under the command of Lt Col. Romulo A. Manriquez, and the 37th Division of the U.S. Sixth Army liberated the town of Ilagan, Isabela on June 19, 1945 as part of the Isabela-Nueva Vizcaya liberation campaign which lasted from December 1944 to June 1945. The liberation was not an easy feat for the troops as the 103rd Division of the Japanese Army was scattered along Highway 5. In order to weaken the enemy presence in the area, the 14th Infantry, USAFIP-NL resorted to using various warfare tactics such as ambushing and destroying enemy patrols along Highway 5 and cutting off the Japanese’s communication and supply lines. This proved to be effective in the liberation campaign as the attacks on enemy strongholds led to the diminished capacity of the Japanese to control the area, making it easier for the 37th Division to enter the area and eventually seize the towns of Isabela one after another.
The liberation of Ilagan, and the whole province of Isabela, was crucial in the Northern Luzon liberation campaign. After retaking the town, the 37th Division established a bridgehead across the Pinacauan de Ilagan (now referred to as the Ilagan River). The establishment of the bridgehead proved that enemy control in Isabela immensely diminished. The retaking of Ilagan and its nearby towns also affected the Japanese Army’s ability to execute a coordinated enemy defense in Northern Luzon.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1945 VICTORY DAY IN NEGROS ISLAND
SEPTEMBER 3, 1945 END OF WORLD WAR II IN BAGUIO
SEPTEMBER 2, 1945 SURRENDER OF GENERAL YAMASHITA AT KIANGAN, IFUGAO
AUGUST 15, 1945 LIBERATION OF BENGUET
AUGUST 4, 1945 LIBERATION OF ATOK, BENGUET
JULY 26, 1945 LIBERATION OF NATONIN, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
JULY 20, 1945 LIBERATION OF MANKAYAN, BENGUET
JULY 19, 1945 LIBERATION OF KABAYAN, BENGUET
JULY 17, 1945 LIBERATION OF BOKOD, BENGUET
JUNE 27, 1945 LIBERATION OF APARRI, CAGAYAN
JUNE 25, 1945 LIBERATION OF TUGUEGARAO CAGAYAN
JUNE 19, 1945 LIBERATION OF ILAGAN, ISABELA
JUNE 14, 1945 BATTLE OF BESSANG PASS
MAY 20, 1945 LIBERATION OF MALAYBALAY, BUKIDNON
MAY 17, 1945 LIBERATION OF KIBUNGAN & TUBLAY, BENGUET
MAY 17, 1945 BATTLE OF IPO DAM
MAY 14, 1945 BATTLE OF MALEPUNYO
MAY 13, 1945 BATTLE OF BALETE PASS
MAY 3, 1945 BATTLE OF ISING
MAY 3, 1945 LIBERATION OF DAVAO CITY
APRIL 28, 1945 LIBERATION OF DIGOS, DAVAO CITY
APRIL 27, 1945 LIBERATION OF BAGUIO CITY
APRIL 26, 1945 LIBERATION OF TUBA, BENGUET
APRIL 26, 1945 LIBERATION OF DUMAGUETE CITY
APRIL 22, 1945 A SALUTE TO VALOR – PALAWAN LIBERATION
APRIL 20, 1945 LIBERATION OF DUMAGUETE CITY
APRIL 20, 1945 LIBERATION OF PIKIT
APRIL 18, 1945 LANDING IN COTABATO
APRIL 17, 1945 LIBERATION OF PARANG, MAGUINDANAO
APRIL 10, 1945 LIBERATION OF SABLAN, BENGUET
APRIL 9, 1945 LANDING IN JOLO ISLAND
APRIL 1, 1945 LIBERATION OF BURGOS, LA UNION
APRIL 1, 1945 LANDING IN LEGASPI
MARCH 29, 1945 LIBERATION OF LIPA CITY
MARCH 29, 1945 LANDING IN NEGROS ISLAND
MARCH 26, 1945 LANDING IN TALISAY, CEBU
MARCH 19, 1945 BATTLE OF BACSIL RIDGE
MARCH 19, 1945 LIBERATION OF BAUANG, LA UNION
MARCH 18, 1945 LIBERATION OF PANAY, ROMBLON, AND GUIMARAS
MARCH 17, 2004 ILOILO VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY
MARCH 10, 1945 LIBERATION OF ZAMBOANGA