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U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Dolan, commander of 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Air Cav Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, salutes during the playing of Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem at the commemorative ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle for Manila, at Adamson University, Manila, Philippines, Feb. 3, 2025. U.S. and Filipino forces fought to liberate Manila from Japanese occupation in one of the fiercest urban battles of World War II. 80 years later, U.S. and Filipino forces rejoined on the hallowed grounds, reaffirming the two nations enduring friendship and commitment to freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. service members take a group photo with Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, at the 80th Anniversary of the Battle for Manila commemoration ceremony, at Adamson University, Manila, Philippines, Feb. 3, 2025. U.S. and Filipino forces fought to liberate Manila from Japanese occupation in one of the fiercest urban battles of World War II. 80 years later, U.S. and Filipino forces rejoined on the hallowed grounds, reaffirming the two nations enduring friendship and commitment to freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division and 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade converse with members of the Veterans Association of the Philippines at the commemorative ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle for Manila, at Adamson University, Manila, Philippines, Feb. 3, 2025. U.S. and Filipino forces fought to liberate Manila from Japanese occupation in one of the fiercest urban battles of World War II. 80 years later, U.S. and Filipino forces rejoined on the hallowed grounds, reaffirming the two nations enduring friendship and commitment to freedom.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Mayor Honey Lacuna, mayor of the City of Manila, and Lt. Gen. Jimmy D. Larida, vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, join Philippine Marines in laying a wreath at the commemorative ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle for Manila at Adamson University, Manila, Philippines, Feb. 3, 2025. U.S. and Filipino forces fought to liberate Manila from Japanese occupation in one of the fiercest urban battles of World War II. 80 years later, U.S. and Filipino forces rejoined on the hallowed grounds, reaffirming the two nations enduring friendship and commitment to freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Elizabeth DeGroot)VIEW ORIGINAL
MANILA, Philippines — 80 years ago, on Feb. 3, 1945, the battle for the capital of the Philippines began between Allied Forces and Imperial Japan. The 1st Cavalry Division was one of three divisions under the control of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. It was here that the 1st Cavalry Division earned its nickname, “America’s First Team,” by being the first U.S. Forces to re-enter Manila after its capture in 1942.
The battle and subsequent liberation of Manila and the Philippines, in the spring of 1945, fulfilled a promise made by Gen. MacArthur in the spring of 1942: When President Theodore D. Roosevelt ordered him to Australia, he said, “I shall return.”
On a hot Feb. morning at Adamson University in the heart of the capital, the city government of Manila held a ceremony and wreath-laying in honor of this historic event. The ceremony honored our shared history, ongoing commitment, and continued partnership with the Philippines and the Filipino people.
The Mayor of Manila City, Honey Lacuna Pangan, presided over the ceremony. Commemorating this historical event, several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, China and Canada, were represented on-site.
The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay L. Carlson, participated in the ceremony and placed a wreath in honor of those Americans and Filipinos who laid down their lives for the freedom of the Filipino people and the two countries.
Lt. Col. John Dolan, Commander of the 1st Cavalry Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment “Garryowen,” was on hand to represent the 1st Cavalry Division at the ceremony along with representatives from 5th Security Forces Assistance Brigade and I Corps, both based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
“We’re here to honor the courage and sacrifice of so many soldiers and civilians in the liberation of Manila,” said Lt Col. Dolan, “and recognize the bond between both Americans and Filipinos share in our history and the pursuit of freedom.”
As the number of the Greatest Generation dwindles and will soon be gone, continuing to commemorate these events ensures their efforts and history is not lost. The Liberation of Manila’s 80th anniversary honors the past generations' sacrifices to safeguard freedom while inspiring future generations to carry the torch.
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