Lt. General
Jonathan Wainwright

“Wainwright never had a fighting chance in his last command in the Philippines. He fell heir to a lost cause in the midst of battle. But in those last few days he demonstrated his fine soldiery demeanor, leadership, courage, and resourcefulness. And these knightly qualities, for which he was famous, won him the confidence and affection of his men and the soubriquet of ‘the most front-going general.'”

Wainwright’s Medal of Honor citation, which was awarded him in absentia the day after Corregidor fell, read:

“Distinguished himself by intrepid and determined leadership against greatly superior enemy forces. At the repeated risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in his position, he frequented the firing line of his troops where his presence provided the example and incentive that helped make the gallant efforts of these men possible. The final stand on beleaguered Corregidor, for which he was in an important measure personally responsible, commanded the admiration of the nation’s allies. It reflected the high morale of American arms in the face of overwhelming odds. His courage and resolution were a vitally needed inspiration to the then sorely pressed freedom-loving peoples of the world”