The Manzano Memoirs: The Life and Military Career of Colonel Narciso L. Manzano

Colonel Narciso L. Manzano was the highest-ranking Filipino officer serving in the United States Army in the Philippines under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during World War II. As an officer in the 14th Corps of Engineers, he was directly involved in pre-combat and combat activities throughout the war. He was at the center of many of the war’s most important engagements, putting his life and those of the men he commanded on the line time and again. His actions as the commanding officer in the blowing of the bridge at Calumpit, Bulacan, alone has to be one of the most heroic and dangerous military feats in the entire history of the war. Having fought throughout the Battle of Bataan, he was finally captured along with all other American and Filipino forces upon their surrender to the Japanese. After Manzano’s release from prison camp, he was appointed US Army head of intelligence for Central Luzon. As such, he remained at the center of many of the most important and crucial intelligence activities throughout the war.

And yet the story of his amazing military career—and of his entire life—has been, up to now, completely lost to history. This book—which contains a reconstruction of Col. Manzano’s personally written memoirs—therefore, provides not only the story of his life but, most importantly, his unique personal recollection of the war, an important Filipino military insight, and an affirmation of his well-deserved place and voice in Philippine wartime history.

Published in 2024.