Vicente Lim
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Brigadier General Vicente Lim (1889 - 1945) was a World War II general.
The first Filipino Graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, General Lim served as a 2nd Lieutenant during World War I. At the war’s end, he returned to the Philippines, where he continued his military career and quickly rose in rank. By 1940, he was appointed to the post of Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army.
When the Philippine Army was incorporated into the American Armed Forces on July 16, 1941, Lim was given the Rank of Brigadier General and became the top-ranking Filipino under General Douglas MacArthur.
After the Attack on Pearl Harbor, he was placed in command of the 41st Philippine Division, tasked with the defense of Bataan. On April 9th, 1942, the 41st surrendered, along with all American and Filipino forces, to General Homma.
Lim survived the infamous Bataan Death March, and on June 6th, 1942 was admitted to the Philippine General Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained at Bataan. He recovered quickly, but with the help of his brother-in-law, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez, he concealed this fact. With the Japanese convinced of his incapacitation, he led the guerilla resistance forces of Luzon.
In 1944 he was ordered to rejoin General Douglas MacArthur in Australia. He attempted the journey but was captured en route by the Japanese. He was held for months at Fort Santiago and the Bilibid prison before being beheaded, along with Colonel Antonio Escoda, shortly before the liberation.
General Lim died 31 December 1944 and is listed among the Tablets of the Missing at Manila National Cemetery; Awards are the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart. source
In addition to his military service, he also authored "To inspire and to lead: The letters of Gen. Vicente Lim, 1938-1942" source and was, in 1936, a charter member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
In recognition of his services to the Filipino people, General Lim appears on the 1,000 Peso banknote.
