The MEDAL FOR VALOR is awarded to…

1LT HILARIO A ESTRELLA O-8007 PA (Honorary Member of PMA ‘80)

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity beyond the call of duty during a pre-dawn raid by about 200 heavily armed terrorists on Bubuan Detachment at the vicinity of Barangay Bubuan, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, on 1 December 1984, while serving as Detachment Commander of “C” Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division PA. The enemy launched a surprise attack by unleashing heavy volume of fires from high powered guns and grenade launchers into the two separate positions of the troopers. Immediately all the elements of the 32-man detachment took positions and engaged the raiders in a fierce gun battle. First Lieutenant Estrella, after assessing the situation, instructed his men to conserve ammunition and ordered them to hold their grounds at all costs. Amidst hail of bullets and explosions of grenades battering their positions, he moved from one place to another, with blood oozing from his wounds, shouting orders and encouraging his men to carry on the fight. When their M60 machine gun malfunctioned, he put it into operation, manned it himself and engaged the enemy. Having ten of his men already killed and several others wounded, he stood his ground. The attackers subjected the troopers to all kinds of offensive tactics and taunted them to surrender. Unfazed, First Lieutenant Estrella rallied his men and the fierce fire-fight lasted seven hours until the terrorists withdrew. At the scene of the encounter, they recovered 22 bodies of dead terrorists, including 3 commanders, 12 high-powered firearms, assorted ammunition and subversive documents. By this exceptional gallantry, First Lieutenant Estrella distinguished himself in combat, in keeping with the finest tradition of Filipino soldiery.”