Tirso Gimenez Fajardo (September 24, 1910 - May 6, 1986) was a Filipino Army General who served as 2nd Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

Tirso Fajardo
Tirso Fajardo y Delos Trino
Commanding General of the Philippine Army
In office
June 12, 1958 – August 1, 1959
PresidentCarlos P. Garcia
Preceded byLeoncio S. Tan
Succeeded byAlfredo M. Santos
Commanding General 1st Infantry Division
In office
1956–1958
PresidentCarlos P. Garcia
Ramon Magsaysay
Preceded byLeoncio S. Tan
Superintendent Philippine Military Academy
In office
1947–1949
PresidentElpidio Quirino
Manuel A. Roxas
Preceded byRamon Enriquez
Succeeded byLt. Col. Patricio Borromeo
Personal details
Born
Tirso Gimenez Fajardo

September 24, 1910
Las Piñas, Manila, Philippine Islands
DiedMay 6, 1986(1986-05-06) (aged 75)
Resting placeLibingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
SpouseLilian Elizabeth "Diane" deVault (1914 - 1996)
EducationMasters in Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science Degree
Alma materCommand and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
United States Military Academy(1934)
Philippine Constabulary Academy
ProfessionMechanical Engineer
AwardsAllied Hall of Fame, US Army Command and General Staff College
Military service
AllegiancePhilippine flag Philippines
Branch/servicePhilippine Army
Years of service1934 - 1960
RankBrigadier GeneralBrigadier General
Unit1st Infantry Division

IV Military Area
Philippine Military Academy
1st Filipino Infantry Regiment

1st Filipino Battalion
CommandsPhilippine Army
I1st Infantry Division
V Military Area
Philippine Military Academy

Early life and education edit

Born Tirso Gimenez Fajardo y Delos Trino on September 24, 2010, in Las Piñas, Manila Province, Philippines. His father, Daniel Fajardo, was a music teacher and prominent part of the town's band. He became a Master Sergeant on Philippine Constabulary's Band. He is known as father of music in Las Piñas.[1] Tirso had two brothers: Esteban, who became a Lieutenant Colonel; and, Apolinario who became a Colonel in the Army. Both were World War II veterans, having fought in Bataan and survived the death march.[1]

World War II edit

He was stranded in US when World War II started in December 1941 and he was sent Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After graduating he joined the new 1st Filipino Infantry Battalion in Camp San Luis Obispo, California. He was made Operations and Training Officer S3 of the unit and promoted to captain. Around this time the unit expanded and 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment was activated and he was retained as regimental S3 promoted to Major.[2] He landed in Palo, Leyte in 1944 together with the 6th US Army and General Douglas MacArthur and found himself commanding a battalion and later became executive officer of the regiment,[3] this time under 8th US Army.

Post War edit

In 1947 he was appointed as Superintendent of Philippine Military Academy and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, the youngest to hold the position until today.[4] The first class post war came in 1947 and among its graduates is Cadet Fortunate Abat who would be future Commanding General of Philippine Army and Secretary of National Defense under Ramos Administration. He applied for early retirement with US Army in 1949 and transferred to the Philippine Army.

Philippine Army edit

After transferring to the Philippine Army he continued his post at Philippine Military Academy. In 1951 he was appointed as commander of IV Military Area in Northern Mindanao and was promoted to Colonel.[5] He was appointed as commander of 1st Infantry Division and commanded it from October 1, 1957, to June 15, 1958.[6][7]

He was made Commanding General Philippine Army in 1958.[8] He served until 1960 and upon completing 30 years after he joined military service he retired.

Personal life edit

He died on May 6, 1986, at the age of 75 and buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Fajardo, Jay (2023-04-09). "Daniel M. Fajardo, a Revolutionary in the Family". Medium. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  2. ^ "1st Filipino Infantry Regiment Officers 1943". Philippine Scouts Heritage Society. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  3. ^ "1st Filipino Infantry Regiment Officers 1943". Philippine Scouts Heritage Society. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  4. ^ "Academy Superintendents". www.angelfire.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  5. ^ MGSD (2020-05-23). "Gacal breaks ground for P60-million world-class 4ID facility". Mindanao Gold Star Daily. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  6. ^ "1st Infantry Division (Philippines)", Wikipedia, 2023-11-09, retrieved 2023-11-27
  7. ^ "About 1ID PA". 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division. 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  8. ^ "US Presidential Appointment Book" (PDF). June 29, 1960. p. 42.

External links edit