Cordero, Virgilio N., Jr., BG

Brigadier General Virgilio Norberto Cordero, Jr. was a highly decorated Puerto Rican soldier who served in the United States Army. Cordero authored various books about his experiences as a prisoner of war, and his participation in the infamous Bataan Death March of World War II. Cordero was born in San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico when the island was still a Spanish Colony. There he received his primary and secondary education. He moved to the United States and earned a bachelors degree in engineering from Penn State University in 1917.

That year he also graduated from the ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) program of that educational institution. In 1917, Cordero enlisted in the United States Army after graduating from PSU. He served in World War I and by 1922, according to the Official Army register, he held the rank of Captain of Infantry. On December 8, 1941, when Japanese planes attacked the U.S. military installations in the Philippines, Cordero, who by then held the rank of Colonel, was the Battalion Commander of the 31st Infantry Regiment.

The 31st Infantry covered the withdrawal of American and Philippine forces to the Bataan Peninsula and fought for 4 months despite the fact that no help could come in from the outside after much of the Pacific fleet was destroyed at Pearl Harbor and mid-ocean bases at Guam and Wake Island were lost. The Bataan Defense Force surrendered on April 9, 1942, and Cordero and his men underwent brutal torture and humiliation during the Bataan Death March and nearly four years of captivity. Cordero was one of nearly 1,600 members of the 31st Infantry who were taken as prisoners.

Half of these men perished while prisoners of the Japanese forces. Cordero gained his freedom when the Allied troops defeated the Japanese in 1945.  From July 1946 to November 1947, he served in the US military base in Caserta, Italy before returning to the United States. While in Italy, he was awarded a Silver Star Medal and the Legion of Merit for his actions in Bataan. Cordero continued to serve in the military retiring in 1953 after 36 years of service. Cordero wrote about his experiences as a prisoner of war and what he went through during the Bataan Death March.

He authored My Experiences during the War with Japan, which was published in 1950. In 1957, he authored a revised Spanish version titled Bataan y la Marcha de la Muerte; Volume 7 of Colección Vida e Historia, published by: A. Aguado. On June 9, 1980, Cordero died of lung ailment in the U.S. Navy Hospital in the Roosevelt Roads base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. He was buried with full military honors in Section G, Plot 3 in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery located in the city of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Cordero was survived by his wife, the former Gloria Haydon (1922-1981) of Needham, Massachusetts,four children and three grandchildren.
 

Cordero continued to serve in the military retiring in 1953 after 36 years of service. Cordero wrote about his experiences as a prisoner of war and what he went through during the Bataan Death March. He authored My Experiences during the War with Japan, which was published in 1950. In 1957, he authored a revised Spanish version titled Bataan y la Marcha de la Muerte; Volume 7 of Colección Vida e Historia, published by:  A. Aguado.
 

On June 9, 1980, Cordero died of lung ailment in the U.S. Navy Hospital in the Roosevelt Roads base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. He was buried with full military honors in Section G, Plot 3 in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery located in the city of Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Cordero was survived by his wife, the former Gloria Haydon (1922-1981) of Needham, Massachusetts,four children and three grandchildren.

                         
American prisoners of war, in a burial detail, carry the bodies of those who died weeks that followed the Bataan Death March.

Military career Virgilio N. Cordero Jr.

On December 8, 1941, when Japanese planes attacked U.S. military installations in Philippines, Cordero, held rank of Colonel, Battalion Commander of 31st Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry covered withdrawal of american, Philippine forces Bataan Peninsula, fought 4 months despite fact no come in outside after of Pacific Fleet destroyed at Pearl Harbor, mid-ocean bases at Guam, Wake Island lost. Bataan defense force surrendered on April 9, 1942, Cordero, men underwent torture, humiliation during Bataan Death March, 4 years of captivity. Cordero 1 of 1,600 members of 31st Infantry taken prisoners.

Half of these men perished while prisoners of Japanese forces. Cordero gained freedom when allied troops defeated Japanese in 1945. july 1946 november 1947, served in military base in Caserta, Italy before returning United States. While in Italy, awarded Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit actions in Bataan.
 

The President of United States of America, authorized act of congress july 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting bronze oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award of Silver Star Colonel (Infantry) Virgil N. Cordero (asn: 0-7472), United States Army, conspicuous gallantry , intrepidity in action against enemy while serving commanding officer, 72nd Infantry Regiment, 71st Division, Philippine Army, in action in Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 9 April 1942.

Upon termination of fighting in Bataan, Colonel Cordero occupying defensive position near bagac while awaiting final surrender instructions. During inspection of front lines, heard small arms fire nearby and, inasmuch orders had been issued not fire unless attacked enemy, proceeded toward firing , found burning ammunition truck being attacked contrary terms of negotiations. Colonel Cordero, no thought of own safety, directed extinguishment of dangerous fire. clam, fearless leadership , unhesitating willingness risk life, Colonel Cordero prevented unnecessary engagement enemy, loss of life among american soldiers. Colonel Cordero's gallant actions, selfless devotion duty, without regard own safety, in keeping highest traditions of military service , reflect great credit upon himself, unit, United States Army.
 

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders no. 276 (1945)

                                       51st Infantry Combat Team - Col. Adlai Young Jr (Bataan)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                               Order of Battle (March 1942)

•                        51st Infantry Combat Team - Col. Adlai Young Jr (Bataan)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
• 2nd Bn - Col Virgilio Cordero (Cordero was moved to 72nd Infantry Regiment of 71st Infantry Division)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
• The Battling Bastards of Bataan - America in WWII magazine