After 90 years of obscurity, recognition at last for Medal of Honor recipient Jose Baliton Nisperos.

1. “…to perpetuate the memory, and
history of our dead, and to assist
their widows and orphans…”
the
Search, Shock, Efforts, Fruition
Affording Medal of Honor earner
Philippine Scout Pvt. Jose B. Nisperos
the honors he so richly deserved

3. Search
• Our efforts began in 2008 when I was first made aware
that there was a Medal of Honor recipient from San
Fernando City, La Union by a military history friend of
mine.
• Had we been aware of a Philippine Inquirer article from
1999, we may have achieved our goal earlier.
• Members of my VFW Post, were already visiting 14
area cemeteries; every Memorial Day and Veteran’s
Day to honor our departed Comrades.
• During visits to these cemeteries, we searched for Jose
Nisperos, and found many. But alas, they were never
the one we sought.

5. Shock
• Approximately eight months ago, one of my post
members contacted the 2nd Great Granddaughter
of the one we sought on Facebook.
• Meeting the descendants of Pvt. Jose B. Nisperos,
ascertaining this was the true hero we sought,
and eventually finding the actual grave site, was a
truly humbling experience, fraught with true
desire to correct an obvious wrong done to this
highly deserving combat veteran.

10. Efforts
• After general awareness on the internet, efforts were
started by a Philippine Scout Heritage Society member to
move our hero to Clark Cemetery for reburial.
• This created media coverage which fell upon the political
leadership in his hometown with unbelief.
• Contact was made between myself, the family, and Mayor
Pablo Ortega of San Fernando City, and an we came to an
immediate agreement that we should, and the Mayor
promised we would, keep our hero at home.
• The Mayor persuaded the City Council to appropriately
honor this deserving native, and motions were set in place
to build, and record for history, a resting place suitable for
this Medal of Honoree.

11. Fruition

14. Fruition
• March 2, 2012, the Provincial Government awarded
the highest award given, the “Saranay Award,”
posthumously to the family.
• He was disinterred on March 30, and reinterred on
March 31, 2012.
• Exactly one month later, the City Government hosted
the Dedication of Memorial, and reburial rites at
Lingsat Public Cemetery.
• Today, finally after almost 90 years of total
obscurity, Pvt. Jose B. Nisperos is resting at peace, with
the dignity and honor, he so valiantly earned. For
history to remember, and pay homage to for eternity.

15. y

23. Frank B. Hilliard IV
Commander 2008-2012
Col. B.J. Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 9892, Bauang, La Union, Philippines
“Perpetuating the Memory and History of
our Dead, and assisting their widows and
orphans…:
“Proudly Serving our Community”
Established: June 1989