Summary
Highlights
On April 22, 1951, 900 Filipino soldiers of the 10th Battalion Combat Team (BCT) faced 40,000 Chinese soldiers at Yultong, North Korea. Despite being outnumbered, isolated, and losing radio contact, these Filipino warriors, part of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK), were committed to their duty to defend freedom. General Douglas MacArthur reportedly admired their resolve, stating he could conquer the world with 10,000 Filipino soldiers. The 10th BCT, including medics, clerks, and cooks, held their ground, driven by honor, sacrifice, and camaraderie.
On the night of April 22, 1951, the 900 men of the 10th BCT, known as the 'Fighting Tenth,' found themselves trapped at Yultong by an estimated 40,000 Chinese soldiers. Despite severed radio contact, strained supply lines, and no immediate reinforcements, the Filipino troops, including an artillery battery led by Emilio S. Luanog, prepared for a brutal fight. After hours of artillery barrage, the Chinese launched a full-scale offensive. The 10th BCT, though battered, held their defensive line. Staff Sergeant Nicholas Mahusi distinguished himself by silencing enemy mortars at the cost of his life. Over two days, the 10th BCT neutralized over 500 enemy soldiers, enduring 12 killed, 38 wounded, and six missing, solidifying their reputation for bravery.
With the dawn of April 23, 1951, Captain Conrad D. Yap led a daring counterattack after the Chinese assault paused. Yap, leveraging two M24 Chaffee light tanks from their reconnaissance company, spearheaded the offensive. Simultaneously, Major Emilio S. Luanog's field artillery rained devastating fire on the enemy, disrupting their lines. Captain Yap personally led an assault, attempting to retrieve the body of his fallen friend, Lieutenant Joseé Ariyaga. Tragically, Yap was struck down by machine-gun fire during this counterattack. His sacrifice earned him the Philippine Medal of Valor, the US Distinguished Service Cross, and South Korea's Teook Order of Military Merit. The 10th BCT's counterattack inspired allied forces and cemented their legend as defenders who would not falter.
In the early hours of April 23, 1951, the 900-strong Fighting Tenth launched a decisive counteroffensive. Major Emilio S. Luanog played a pivotal role, deploying two M24 light tanks that charged up the ridges, supported by Filipino infantry with bayonets fixed. This bold move stunned the Chinese, who had not anticipated such aggression. Captain Contrado D. Yap, leading a heavy weapons unit, made the ultimate sacrifice during this counterattack, having previously risked his life to retrieve a fallen comrade. His death, though devastating, galvanized the troops. The tanks and Luanog's artillery created overlapping fields of fire, forcing the Chinese to retreat. UNCC reports indicated over 500 enemy soldiers were neutralized. This victory, despite its cost, prevented a catastrophic breakthrough in the Chinese offensive, turning Yultong into a symbol of courage and unity against overwhelming odds.
By April 23, 1951, the 10th BCT had not only survived against 40,000 Chinese troops but had held the line, inflicted heavy casualties (over 500 neutralized), and launched a successful counterattack. This came at the cost of 12 Filipino lives, 38 wounded, and six missing. Captain Contrad Yap's heroic sacrifice and Major Emilio S. Lewanog's strategic leadership were honored with multiple medals. The Battle of Yultong forged a lasting bond between the Philippines and South Korea, rooted in shared sacrifice and mutual respect, which evolved into deep military cooperation and friendship. Monuments like the Mari Korea monument and the Yulong Memorial stand as testaments to this unity. The Battle of Yultong remains a powerful symbol of how a small, determined force can change the course of a war, transforming ordinary men into legends.