Named after a Spanish Missionarry who used it to bring Catholicism to people in the mountains of northern Luzon. This 27 mile trail runs climbs over 5,000' from Santa Maria to Santa Fe along ridgelines large enough for foot traffic and horses. It terminates to the junction with Route 5 and the Cagayan Valley.Battle of Villa Verde Trail
After the American landing at Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945, Japanese forces of the 'Shobu Group' defended this location, including 10th Recconssaiance Regimen and survivors of the 7th Tank Regiment from the battle of San Manuel. The US Army 32nd Infantry Division's 127th Infantry Regiment advanced along this trail beginning on January 30, 1945. The rough terrain made it impossible for vehicles to support the battle, Igorot laborers were employed to carry supplies and evacuate wounded.
32nd Infantry Division Villa Verde Monument
In 1987 with the help of the veterans of the 32nd and cooperation of the Santa Maria East the monument was restored from March - September 1989. The memorial's brass plaque reads: "Erected by the officers and men of the 32d Infantry Division United States Army in memory of their gallant comrades who were killed along the Villa Verde Trail Januray 30, 1945 - May 28, 1945".
Source: http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines_santa_maria.html
8 comments:
When i was young i was told by my grandfather that the Villa Verde Trail climbs up from San Nicolas, Pangasinan (not from Sta Maria) to Sta Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. I was also told that at the foot of the trail, there is a monument called "Red Arrow". This maybe the monument shown in the picture. Can anyone clarify...
Villa Verde Trail started from Santa Maria, though it is also correct that it began from San Nicolas. This means that some soldiers advances from San Nicolas and Sta. Maria at the same time. But it starts in Santa Maria for a fact.
To the first comments, you are right. It is from San Nicolas, in barangay Sta. Maria East not Sta Maria Pangasinan. It has been modified.
This monument has been moved during the term of Mayor Conrado Rodrigo due to the fact that it's location has been eroding from the cabalisian river and been moved within the municipal building area
This monument has been moved during the term of Mayor Conrado Rodrigo due to the fact that it's location has been eroding from the cabalisian river and been moved within the municipal building area
My Father, Donald C. Boyd fought in the Battle of the Villa Verde Trail. He is now 81 years old and in good health. An interview and recent image of him with his many decorations may be viewed at: http://carol_fus.tripod.com/army_hero_donald_boyd.html
Thanks for your father.
we used to play in the grounds of the original monument. the original memorial brass was stolen in the 1980s, war veterans belonging to the 32nd div US army provided for a new brass which was transferred to the replica of the monument at its present location now in the municipal townhall grounds. the original location was at the foot of the caraballo mountain, barangay sta. maria east, san nicolas, pangasinan, just across the cabalisian river. during the 70s and 80s, this was maintained with fence and deepwell water pump. however, during floods when the water from the adjacent cabalisian river swell, only the arrow of the monument is not submerged. to this date, the original monumment still stands in its original location.
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