Alfredo M. Santos
| Alfredo M. Santos | |
|---|---|
GEN Alfredo M. Santos AFP
|
|
| Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines | |
|
In office September 1, 1962 – July 12, 1965 |
|
| President | Diosdado Macapagal |
| Preceded by | Pelagio A. Cruz |
| Succeeded by | Rigoberto Atienza |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 13, 1905 Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippine Islands |
| Died | February 7, 1990 (aged 84) Manila, Philippines |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) |
Hammer, Hero of the Pockets, First Four-star General |
| Allegiance |
 Republic of the Philippines
|
| Service/branch | Philippine Army |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands | Armed Forces of the Philippines |
| Battles/wars |
World War II *Battle of Bataan *Philippines campaign (1944-45) *Battle of Leyte *Battle of Luzon *Battle of Manila (1945) *Battle of Bataan (1945) *Battle of Corregidor (1945) *Battle of Mindoro *Invasion of Palawan *Battle of the Visayas *Battle of Mindanao *The other battlefields was joint Filipino and American troops during the Liberation of the Philippines *Communist insurgency in Philippines |
Hammer, Hero of the Pockets,
General Alfredo Manapat Santos (July 13, 1905 – February 7, 1990) was Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 1962 to 1965, making him the first four-star general of the Philippines' armed forces.
Engineer turned soldier, General Alfredo M. Santos is one of the most notable "Freedom Fighters" of the Philippines with a heroic war record. His outstanding achievements proved his selfless dedication to the service of his country and people, thereby bringing distinct honor to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He is well known for his physical and moral courage, and keen sense of fairness, justice, honesty and integrity. He spearheaded programs for reserved officers and integrees to gain merits and recognition in their military service.
Alfredo M. Santos was born in Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines on July 13, 1905 to Fructoso L. Santos and Agatona J. Manapat, and was seventh among fourteen children. His secondary education was acquired in Manila North High school (now Arellano). He graduated at Mapúa Institute of Technology with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1931. On the same year, He passed the Board examination. He showed interest in the military when he graduated on the top of his ROTC class at the University of the Philippines as a cadet colonel and Corps Commander in 1929. He continued this interest after schooling.
General Santos' military career started when he was appointed probationary Third Lieutenant on June 8, 1936, after five years of civil engineering practice. He entered the Reserve Officer Service School (ROSS) at Camp Henry T. Allen in Baguio City, where he was made the Battalion Commander. He graduated at the top of his class, and twenty years after, he was honored as its Most Distinguished Alumnus.
Then Captain Santos was the most decorated Unit Commander of the 1st Regular Division in the memorable Bataan campaign, even dubbed by Commanding General, Brigadier General Fidel V. Segundo, as the "Hammer of the Division" when he brilliantly outmaneuvered and outsmarted the enemy during their attempt to pocket their area. In both attempts, his unit successfully broke through the Gogo-Cotar and Tuol Pockets, thus earning for himself the moniker "hero of the pockets"
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Wikipedia