In the early 1943, a guerilla unit was organized in Baguio and Benguet – the 66th Infantry. This unit was composed of Filipino officers and men who escaped from Bataan and Corregidor; released prisoners of war; American officers and American mining engineers who were not captured; civilian volunteers from Baguio and Benguet and a group known as “apaches”. The 66th Infantry was basically a conglomeration of the 43rd infantry, Philippine scout; the 11th infantry, Philippine army; and the 12th infantry Philippine army. Adding the numerical figures “43”, “11” and “12” the result is “66”. That was how this guerilla unit was baptized.
The main liberating force was already positioned at Lepanto, Mankayan trying to secure towns after the successful operation in Bessang Pass in June 1945. The M company and 3rd Battalion of the 66th Infantry USAFIP was left behind to secure civilians in Bokod and Kabayan. During the Liberation Campaign for Baguio City, the 1st Battalion 66th Infantry Regiment USAFIP-NL went down to the lowlands and together with the 37th Division U.S. Army, came up via Naguilian Road. Meanwhile, the 2nd BN went down and was attached to the 33rd Division U.S. Army and went up via Kennon Road. For a while, 3rd Battalion was left behind but went down and soon made contact with the 1st BN at La Union. But the “M” Company of 3rd BN was left at Kabayan to guard the civilian from Japanese harassment. The unit began evacuating the civilians to Mt. Trail, Atok on mid-July. After then, “M” Co. met up with the other elements of 66th Infantry at Km 52 Highway 11 (Halsema Highway) in July 1945, liberating the town of Kabayan on July 19, 1945.
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