User:MommyChed/sandbox

1st Lieutenant Dr. Mercedes Cuello Lazaro Musngi “Mommy Ched”

Born: September 23, 1923

Died: March 13, 2024

Nationality: Filipino

Occupation: WWII  Guerilla Fighter, USAFFE-Guerilla First Aid Combat Medic, Medical Doctor, Christian Missionary

1. Early Life and Family Background

Mercedes Cuello Lazaro Musngi, affectionately known as "Mommy Ched," was born into a family of patriots in Cavite, Philippines. Her upbringing was deeply influenced by her family’s patriotism. Her mother, Guadalupe Tagle Cuello (Nanay Opheng), was a Katipunera who smuggled weapons to Filipino guerrilla fighters during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Her father, Victorio Pascual Lazaro (Lolo Toyong), was an aviation mechanic with the Philippine Navy, responsible for repairing military aircraft. This patriotic upbringing laid the foundation for Mercedes' lifelong dedication to her country​. This legacy of patriotism and valor deeply influenced Mercedes from an early age to fight for her country. She studied in Philippine Womens High School and stayed in a Manila dorm as a senior highschooler before the war started, going home to Bacoor on the weekends.

In 1941, tragedy struck Mercedes' life when her father died of pneumonia after saving wounded Navy personnel by repeatedly jumping into the seas in Cavite Naval Base in Sangley before WWII started. Soon after, at the age of 18, she narrowly escaped an assault by Japanese soldiers. She was almost raped and taken as a comfort woman, but her strong will allowed her to fight back, escape her rapists and hide nearby. Unfortunately, many of her friends were not as fortunate, as they were taken and gang raped by the Japanese forces in the open streets and later put into trucks. This personal trauma instilled in Mercedes a deep sense of revenge for the Filipina women who were raped and brutalized and a deep commitment to fight against the Japanese occupation, particularly for the honor of Filipino women​. These events ignited a desire to serve her country and honor her father’s memory​.

2. Early War Service and the Underground Guerillas

She volunteered as a medic in makeshift hospitals, administering first aid in schools before Manila was declared an open city and attacked by the Japanese. She escaped with a group of people to Bacoor before the Japanese officially invaded Manila. Her mother also known as Guadalupe Tagle Cuello Lazaro also known as Nanay Opheng comes from a family of Katipuneras, The Tagles of Imus and Bacoor were known revolutionary leaders during the KKK revolution against the Spaniards. During WWII, Nanay Opheng continued her patriotic efforts with her daughter Mercedes, contributing to the underground resistance against the Japanese... lead groups of women who smuggled weapons and intelligence to the Filipino guerillas and resistance groups in Bacoor contributing to the underground resistance against the Japanese. Her role as a female resistance fighter and Katipunera inspired many women to join the cause, and she passed on this spirit of patriotism to her daughter, Mercedes. The two of them operated in Alima, Bacoor, Cavite, an seaside area known for guerrilla activity during the Japanese occupation. The brutal civilian atrocities and mass rapes she witnessed...endured and fueled Mercedes’ resolve to join the fight against the Japanese.

FACGF and World War II Service

At 20, she officially joined the underground guerilla military which is the Filipino-American Combined Guerrilla Forces (FACGF), under the leadership of General Mariano Castañeda. She volunteered as a first-aid combat medic, administering life-saving care to wounded guerilla soldiers in the battlefield. She courageously ran across battlefields to provide aid to guerilla soldiers and civilians, often risking her life under fire  She also learned to assist and perform life-saving amputations. Her work on the battlefield reflected her bravery and commitment to her country and her comrades

By the age of 22, Mercedes officially enlisted in the Philippine Army and the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), continuing her combat medic role. She took on life-threatening responsibilities, including running through active battlefields to treat soldiers and civilians alike.

The Filipino-American Combined Guerrilla Forces (FACGF), led by figures such as General Mariano Castañeda, played a crucial role in supporting Allied forces through intelligence gathering, sabotage missions, and guerilla warfare. These forces helped lay the groundwork for the successful reoccupation of the Philippines by U.S. forces. Mercedes’ work with the FACGF placed her at the heart of this resistance effort, working alongside Filipino and American soldiers to liberate the country from Japanese occupation​(MommyChed Her Final Sto…).

Collaboration with the 11th Airborne Division: Historical Context

Mercedes’ valor extended to her work with the 11th Airborne Division, an elite unit of the United States Army that played a pivotal role in the liberation of the Philippines. The division, under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, parachuted into key areas of Luzon, including Tagaytay and Batangas, where Mercedes provided critical medical assistance. Her collaboration with the 11th Airborne in these high-risk missions as a medic was a testament to her unwavering courage.

The 11th Airborne and FACGF: Historical Context

The 11th Airborne Division was one of the most elite units of the U.S. Army during WWII, renowned for its pivotal role in the liberation of the Philippines. The division was instrumental in key operations such as the capture of Tagaytay Ridge, and it assisted in liberating Manila in February 1945 ​(Mommy Ched Her Final Sto…). Mercedes, as a combat medic, contributed significantly to these efforts by providing medical assistance to both Filipino and American soldiers during these critical operations.

As a combat medic during World War II, Mercedes played an essential role in saving the lives of Filipino and American soldiers  Her dedication to her role was unwavering, even as she confronted unimaginable horrors during the war, including during the Battle of Manila, where she had to perform amputations. She worked in war zones and makeshift triages, collecting limbs in buckets and performing amputations under intense battlefield conditions. Despite the overwhelming horrors of war, Mercedes never faltered in her duty.   She later accompanied the 11th Airborne Division on critical missions across Batangas and Cavite, providing medical assistance to both American and Filipino soldiers. Her determination and resilience in the face of unimaginable horror earned her the respect of fellow Filipino soldiers and American officers alike.

Later she was noticed by General MacArthur who asked her to help a man whose two legs would be amputated due to the lack of medical staff. She said yes I can and held the man down. Later she was trained by American doctors to skillfully operate and conduct amputations using a bone saw, many times without anaestasia.

The Exchange with General MacArthur

One of the most famous stories about Mercedes involves her interaction with General MacArthur during a particularly intense day of combat surgery. Mercedes was working tirelessly alongside exhausted doctors performing amputations on American and Filipino soldiers. According to family accounts, General MacArthur walked into the field hospital, observed the scene, and called out to Mercedes, saying, “Hey, baby... Can you help?” to which Mercedes, without hesitation, replied, “Yes, Sir, I can.” She proceeded to assist in amputations and even performed surgeries herself when doctors could no longer continue. This moment solidified her reputation for unyielding courage and determination under pressure.

General MacArthur himself took note of her bravery and awarded her a scholarship to study medicine in the United States​, and she was offered a military position abroad.

Despite the opportunity to pursue a new life abroad far away from the war-torn Philippines, Mercedes chose to stay in the Philippines due to love for. She rejected both the scholarship and a marriage proposal from Daniel, an American soldier from the 11th Airborne Division who became her close friend and fell in love with her during the war. Mercedes' decision was driven by her sense of honor, duty and loyalty to care for her widowed mother and continue to serve the Filipino people till the end, the vows she told her dying father Victorio that she would do. Her loyalty and integrity to her country and family became the hallmark of her life​.

3.     Personal Relationships during War:

One of the lesser-known aspects of Mercedes' wartime experience was her relationship with three significant men during her five years in WWII. The three men who loved and protected her in different ways during the beginning, the middle and the end of WWII, Yuki, Jose and Daniel.

Yuki, a Japanese Imperial Army officer was Mercedes close friend who secretly sympathized with the Filipino cause. Yuki was part of the Japanese forces occupying Cavite but covertly helped Filipino women and children escape from Japanese-controlled territories. In an extraordinary twist, Yuki facilitated Mercedes' escape after she was nearly taken as a comfort woman. Despite the war’s brutalities, Yuki's quiet rebellion against his own government showed Mercedes that not all Japanese soldiers supported the atrocities being committed​.

Jose-The Guerrilla Trainor

Mercedes’ journey into becoming a warrior was guided by Jose, a FACGF guerrilla trainer who played a pivotal role in shaping her military capabilities as a soldier. Under Jose's mentorship, Mercedes honed her skills in first aid, combat medicine, and guerilla tactics. Jose saw in Mercedes not just the potential of a medical professional but also the heart of a warrior. He taught her to survive in the field and to defend herself and others amidst the horrors of war. These lessons proved invaluable during her time as a combat medic in active battlefields​.

Daniel-The American Officer

Mercedes’ most profound personal relationship during the war was with Daniel, an American paratrooper/officer in the 11th Airborne Division who was her first love. Mercedes and Daniel’s paths crossed during a critical mission in the Battle of Manila After Daniel was shot in the shoulder during combat, it was Mercedes who saved his life by performing first aid Later Mercedes had her knee wounded during a battle and Daniel carried her back to the triage safely. Their bond deepened during the war, and Daniel fell in love with her and Mercedes eventually loved him despite having difficulty initially due to her trauma and hatred of men. He eventually proposed to Mercedes and offered her a chance come with him to live in America, where she could pursue a life away from the devastation of the Philippines. Mercedes, however, made the difficult decision to stay in the Philippines to care for her widowed mother and continue her service to the country. Despite their deep love for each other, Mercedes chose her duty over personal desires​, a heartbreaking decision Daniel respects and despite this, he still courted Mercedes after the war and loved her unconditionally until he returned back to the United States.

4. Post-War Medical Career and Humanitarian Work

After the war, Mercedes pursued her passion for medicine, earning a degree specializing in infectious diseases at University of Santo Thomas for her pre-medical undergraduate and Manila Central University for her Masters and PHD in Doctor of Medicine. She got married to a Filipino accountant and librarian named Vicente Esmundo Musngi, who unfortunately died at 38 years old due to a heart attack because of drinking and smoking complications.

She worked at Veterans Memorial as a radiological service staff and San Lazaro Hospitals as a senior physician resident, treating patients with deadly infectious diseases such as rabies tuberculosis, pneumonia, leprosy, smallpox, and dengue.

Her medical expertise extended beyond hospital walls. Her post-war career was defined by her commitment to serving marginalized communities. Despite numerous personal hardships, injustices and traumas, Mercedes remained dedicated to serving people even when she was struggling financially.

Personal Sacrifices in the Family:

Her personal life was marked by immense sacrifice, deep grief and pain... and further defined by sacrifice and resilience. Life after the war was not easy for Dr. Mercedes. At the age of 38, she became a widow when her husband, Vincente Musngi, a young aspiring lawyer, died suddenly from a heart attack while she was pregnant with their seventh child. The same year, their family home was destroyed in a fire and flood which resulted in her being homeless, she persevered. Despite losing almost everything, including precious photos and memorabilia from WWII, Mercedes refused to give up. Widowed at a young age, she was left to raise seven children.

Despite numerous challenges, including losing her home and property to fraudulent acquaintances, she ensured that all her children received a university education. Dr. Mercedes famously promised her children, “Kahit nag-iisa ako, igagapang ko kayong mga anak ko at pagtatapusin ng pag-aaral” ("Even if I’m alone, I will do whatever it takes to ensure all of you finish your education")​(MommyChed Her Final Sto…).

Dr. Mercedes raised her seven children alone, dividing them among different households while she worked multiple jobs, often taking 24-hour shifts at the hospital to make ends meet. She would visit her children every weekend, bringing food and ensuring they were all cared for. Through her sheer determination, all of her children graduated from college, a testament to her strength as both a mother and sole provider

Well into her 90s, she traveled across the Philippines as a Christian missionary and medical doctor, providing free healthcare to marginalized communities. She traveled across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, providing free medical services to orphans, widows, indigenous people, and even Muslim communities living in areas affected by extremist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and NPA​. She dedicated her life to serving marginalized communities. Her missionary work extended well into her 90s, as she continued to treat the poor and preach the love of God.

5. Legacy and Advocacy for Veterans

Mercedes dedicated much of her life to supporting Filipino veterans. She organized free medical missions for her comrades, offering home services and treatment without charge. She also never forgot her American comrades. During her funeral, it was revealed that she had been secretly donating to foundations that supported disabled American veterans for many years, further reflecting her selflessness and unwavering commitment to those she served during the war​. It was later revealed after her passing that​ she used most of her own savings to secretly financially support disabled and paralyzed American soldiers, many of whom she had treated and amputated during the war by donating to veteran foundations. This further reflects her selflessness and unwavering commitment to those she served during the war​.

6. Faith and Healing

After the war, Mercedes struggled with the trauma and scars of her experiences. Her faith became a guiding force in her life, helping her heal from the psychological wounds of the war. Mercedes’ deep Christian faith played a vital role in helping her overcome the trauma and PTSD she experienced during and after the war.

Her faith in God was central to her healing journey from the traumas of war and poverty. After encountering the unconditional love of God through a life-changing case in her medical career, Mercedes embraced Christianity deeply, becoming a born-again Christian. Her faith allowed her to heal spiritually and provided her with the resilience to overcome her personal hardships

After encountering the unconditional love of a father who risked his life for his infected rabid son, Mercedes found solace in spirituality, becoming a Born-again Christian. Her spiritual journey enabled her to heal from the physical and psychological scars of war

Her faith was strengthened through her personal relationship with God, and she became a born-again Christian later in life. As a result, she dedicated her post-retirement years to missionary work, traveling across the Philippines to preach the love of God and provide medical care to those in need​. She believed in holistic healing and often spoke of how God helped her survive the darkest periods of her life. Mercedes preached the love of God to Christian ministers across different denominations, continuing her missionary work until the age of 100. Her Christian faith allowed her to heal from the scars of war, and her compassion for others remained steadfast until her final days​. Her final medical mission took place when she was 100 and 3 months years old, in Amadeo, Cavite, before her passing this year of 2024​.

7. Contributions to Filipino-American Military History

Dr. Mercedes was later revealed to be the first case of female Filipina veterans whose story was verified during WWII so far in the Armed forces of the Philippines and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office history to assist and conduct amputations, a feat usually performed by men. She often performed without anesthesia using a bone saw under five minutes, a fact that astounds everyone until now. Her lifetime of service to GOD, country and the Filipino and American people from 18 to 100 years old challenges everybody.

Mercedes’ role as a WWII guerilla combat medic places her among the unsung female heroes of the Filipino-American Combined Guerrilla Forces (FACGF). Her collaboration with the 11th Airborne Division during the liberation of the Philippines is a testament to the essential role that Filipino women played during the war​. As one of the first known Filipinas to serve in this capacity, her story adds a critical layer to the understanding of Filipino-American military cooperation during World War II and the testament to the resilience and valor of the Filipina women who are known to fight alongside men equally.

8. Death and Final Contributions

Mercedes’ remarkable life and dedication to her country did not go unnoticed.. Mercedes Cuello Lazaro Musngi passed away on March 13, 2024, at the age of 100 from hospital acquired pneumonia. She was honored with a 21-gun salute at Libingan ng mga Bayani, honoring her as one of the Philippines’ few female WWII guerilla combat medics​to be buried on its national military hero grounds.

Living Legacies and Recognition:

In addition to her legacy in medicine and humanitarian work, Mercedes' life story serves as a powerful reminder of the role of women in the fight for Filipino independence. She not only fought to save lives on the battlefield but also fought for the dignity and honor of women who suffered during the war. Her dedication to the cause of freedom, driven by her own traumatic experiences, helped inspire generations to honor the sacrifices made by those who fought for the Philippines

Her legacy lives on through educational initiatives focused on WWII history, trauma-informed mental health programs, and veteran advocacy. Her legacy lives on through educational initiatives focused on WWII history, trauma-informed mental health programs, and veteran advocacy. aimed at preparing future generations for potential global conflicts and ensuring that the sacrifices of WWII heroes are not forgotten

Her story is preserved in the Bagong Bayani Travelling Mini-Museum, a project created by her family, which travels across the Philippines to educate and inspire Filipinos, particularly the youth and soldiers, about the sacrifices of unsung WWII heroes​ which aims to inspire future generations by using her personal and intimate narrative as an icebreaker for everyone to remember their own veteran stories. By sharing the heroic stories of unsung WWII veterans​, Mommy Ched and the veterans will never be forgotten but will be always remembered.

In recognition of her contributions, Mercedes’ advocacy work has extended to the creation of trauma-informed mental health seminars and WWII history inclusion in educational curriculums. Her dream was to prepare future generations for potential global conflicts, including the looming threat of World War III

Her life’s work is also honored through trauma-informed mental health seminars aimed at helping soldiers and civilians heal from the psychological wounds of war

Conclusion:

1st Lieutenant Dr. Mercedes Cuello Lazaro Musngi’s life is a remarkable story of resilience, courage, and devotion to her country. Her near-capture by Japanese soldiers, her fight alongside the FACGF and the 11th Airborne Division, and her lifelong dedication to humanitarian work, veteran and mental health advocacy continue to inspire future generations. Her legacy, rooted in the values of courage, loyalty, and faith, lives on in the hearts of those who remember her as both a national hero and a humble servant to humanity

Mercedes' lifetime of selfless love, service and duty to everyone around her did not go unnoticed. ​Many ministers, youth leaders and soldiers shared her story in social media which gained traction among the Filipino masses. 1st Lieutenant Dr. Mercedes Cuello Lazaro Musngi's life is a testament to resilience, loyalty, and service. Her story continues to inspire future generations, serving as a reminder of the importance of courage, integrity, and love for country. She remains an unsung hero of the Philippines, embodying the values of sacrifice, compassion, and patriotism that define the Filipino spirit

She dedicated her life to service, both in wartime and in peace, as a combat medic, medical doctor, and humanitarian. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations to remember the sacrifices of WWII heroes and to defend the country with courage and integrity.

References:

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