Heavy metal
On the cover of the June 14, 1982 issue of Time Magazine were two boxers: one real, the other “reel.” Both were box office kings: Gerry Cooney, challenger to world champion Larry Holmes in Las Vegas, and Sylvester Stallone, star of “Rocky III.” I was reminded of the Time Magazine cover when I saw so many social media posts about Reservist Brig. Gen. (ex-congressman) Michael Romero posing with Gen. Antonio Nafarrete after passing the Commission on Appointments last Aug. 13. That photo went viral when netizens asked why a reservist with 60 civilian engagements had more medals on his chest than the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, a general with over 36 years of combat experience.
At the center of the issue was Romero sporting the ribbon of the Gold Cross, the third highest medal in the AFP, awarded for “singular personal acts of gallantry in action not warranting the award of the [higher] Distinguished Conduct Star.” Romero declared that he was not awarded a Gold Cross, but a Gawad sa Kapayapaan, whose ribbon is a light blue field with a white stripe in the middle. Perhaps critics were mistaken because the ribbon of the Gold Cross is a light blue field with three stripes. The issue would have wilted there, but two photographs of him in uniform published in Rising Tigers Magazine clearly showed a Gold Cross among the other decorations on his ribbon bar.
While we appreciate the valuable noncombat talents that reservists contribute to our Armed Forces, perhaps it is time to consider visibly different standards, uniforms, and insignia for them. We are so loose with professional vestments that scrub suits, formerly associated with the medical profession, have been debased by massage therapists, yayas, and domestic help who should not be wearing them. When will the Philippine Medical Association look into this?
Current issues on military medals and uniforms made me revisit the issue of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s wartime medals. In a now declassified, confidential cable to Washington, dated Sept. 6, 1966, United States Ambassador William McCormick Blair Jr. suggested the conferment of the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) on Marcos during his state visit:
“perhaps in White House ceremony; gesture would be much appreciated here [Manila] and would help point up for American Public fact of Marcos’ wartime heroism under US flag. We understand that medal itself easily available since DSC already awarded—though not physically conferred—for Salion River Battle. Although Silver Star not mentioned by Marcos [to a visiting Time correspondent], might be handled in same way if he has not received it.”
Furthermore, Blair suggested that “when Marcos was introduced to Congress for joint session speech, mention will be made of his distinguished war record with US Forces and decorations awarded him.”
Two days later, on Sept. 8, the State Department replied that:
“Army ready and willing [to] go ahead with presentation [of the] Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star medals on basis that Marcos’ US Army records do not, repeat, not show he ever received them.
“However, we note that biographic booklet in official G[overnment] O[f the] Philippines press kit for [State] visit contains picture of Marcos’ medals, including DSC and Silver Star, with the following explanation in the text regarding Marcos war record: QUOTE Leading critical patrol and combat missions such famed battle areas as Mt. Natib, Mt. Samat, and Salian River, he [Marcos] won many citations, including Silver Star medal and US distinguished Service Cross, which General Douglas MacArthur himself pinned on UNQUOTE. We note also that [Hartzell] Spence biography [For Every Tear a Victory] jacket shows Marcos wearing Silver Star, but not, apparently, DSC.
“View above at your discretion, you should ask Marcos soonest whether or not he ever received medals, and if not, ascertain his reaction to idea of low key White House presentation on September 14 during afternoon meeting with President [Lyndon B.] Johnson.”
In a declassified cable marked “Secret” Blair reported that he was unable to ascertain, by talking to Marcos’ brother-in-law Benjamin Romualdez, “if medals ever received.” Blair maintained his earlier suggestion of presenting these medals to Marcos during the state visit, “even President is sensitive to decoration ceremony on this occasion, other opportunities might arise when he would welcome gesture.”
By Sept. 12, 1966, after Blair confirmed that Marcos had received both medals, DSC and Silver Star, “there is therefore, no reason for any presentation in Washington.” From these documents, we see how the conferment of the medals was meant to please Marcos and win his support for the US in the Vietnam War. On the agenda were military and economic assistance to the tune of $35 million, discussion on veterans’ claims and benefits, and ironing out pressing issues on the US bases and their future use. Napoleon is quoted to have said, “soldiers will fight long and hard for a bit of ribbon.” From Marcos to Romero, regulations on the conferment of medals and decorations can be bent by political influence or need.
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Comments are welcome at ambeth.ocampo@inquirer.net
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