The American Battle Monuments Commission commemorated the 80th anniversary of the raid and liberation of the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp on Feb. 1 at the Cabanatuan American Memorial, Cabanatuan City, Philippines. The ceremony honored the sacrifices of the internees and the service of the camp’s liberators, U.S. Army Rangers and Filipino guerillas. The liberation is known as one of the most daring raids of World War II and freed more than 500 prisoners of war.

Timothy Pratt, superintendent of Clark Veterans Cemetery and the Cabanatuan American Memorial, welcomed U.S. Embassy and Philippine officials, active-duty military, veterans organizations, civic groups and local residents to pay respects to the individuals who led this daring operation 80 years ago.

Speeches were delivered by Myca Elizabeth Vergara, mayor of Cabanatuan City, and Duane Sarmiento, immediate past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, with special remarks from U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.

The event, “was not just a military operation; it was a testament to the strength of the partnership between U.S. and Philippine forces, a symbol of hope in the darkest days of war, and a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict,” said Carlson during her remarks, adding that the Cabanatuan raid, “was a victory not just for the soldiers rescued, but for the ideals of liberty and human dignity that our nations hold dear.”

Mike Krivdo, command historian for U.S. Army Pacific, provided historical context for the raid and liberation of the Cabanatuan camp. Desiree Benipayo, vice president of the Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation, and U.S. Army Capt. David Bryan, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, provided liberation messages highlighting the roles of Filipino guerillas and U.S. Army Rangers. U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jeromy Williams, commander of Special Operations Command Pacific, and Maj. Jones Pateres, representative of the Senior First Scout Ranger Regiment, were also in attendance.

During the liberation messages, Benipayo said that the assistance of Filipino guerrillas and the local community made it possible for the raid and liberation of more than 500 service members and civilians horribly interred in the camp. Bryan, highlighting the Rangers’ contributions, said the U.S. Army Rangers “never forget” their comrades and always “lead the way.”

The ceremony included an invocation by VFW Post 2485 Chaplain Charles Conners, a benediction, the posting and retiring of the POW/MIA flag, a youth rose-laying tribute by Troops 485 and 409 of the Boy Scouts of America, and the laying of wreaths by various organizations.

About the Cabanatuan American Memorial

The Cabanatuan American Memorial was erected by the survivors of the Bataan Death March and the prisoner of war camp at Cabanatuan in the Philippines during World War II. It is located at the site of the camp honoring the sacrifices of the Cabanatuan internees, and of the U.S. Army Rangers and Filipino guerillas who led the operations that liberated more than 500 servicemembers and civilians. American Battle Monuments Commission, recognizing the significance of this memorial, accepted responsibility for its operation and maintenance in 1989.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of different liberation campaigns in the Philippines, including the arrival of American forces in Leyte in 1944, the invasion of the Lingayen Gulf in January 1945, and the liberation of Manila in February 1945.