The centenarian [Image 4 of 4]

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

02.18.2020

Photo by Sgt. John Yountz 

173rd Airborne Brigade

At the age of 105 Retired Sgt. Jose Quilatan, a veteran of the Philippine Guerillas in WWII, visits the embassy during the 75th anniversary memorial of Operation Topside at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines on Feb. 18 2020.

Mr. Quilatan was born during WWI and fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Battle of Manila during WWII. He is also a recipient of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal which is the highest civilian award that can be given by the United States.

The 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade commemorates the history of those paratroopers that came before them and passed on a legacy known as “The Rock”. This is the nickname of both 2nd Battalion and the island fortress of Corregidor. During WWII the island was taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army and was projected to have roughly 800 Japanese soldiers ready to repel an amphibious assault, however unbeknownst to our paratroopers, there were over 6000. On Feb. 16 1945, “The Rock” conducted the only combat airborne assault in the Pacific Theater during the war. This Airborne Operation was considered extremely dangerous due to limited space of the dropzone, high winds, cliffs, and the ocean. The surprise of the attack led to the victory of the assault. Operation Topside was one of the culminating successes early on into the Pacific Theater that set the foothold for many operations that followed. These events are part of the 75th anniversary memorial of Operation Topside at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Center, U.S. Embassy Manila, and Corregidor Island in Manila, Philippines from Feb. 16 to Feb. 21 2020.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. John Yountz)

• Date Taken: 02.18.2020
• Date Posted: 07.23.2020 14:25
• Photo ID: 6119255
• VIRIN: 200218-A-TO756-145
• Resolution: 6095x4068
• Size: 25.38 MB
• Location: MANILA, PH