Domingo J. Deluana was an

enlisted Enlisted may refer to: * Enlisted rank An enlisted rank (also known as an enlisted grade or enlisted rate) is, in some armed services, any rank below that of a commissioned officer. The term can be inclusive of non-commissioned officers or ...

Marine Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean. Marine or marines may refer to: Ocean * Maritime (disambiguation) * Marine art * Marine biology * Marine debris * Marine habitats * Marine life * Marine pollution Military * ...

of the

Philippine Marine Corps The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) ( fil, Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) is the marine corps of the Philippines, a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special ope ...

and a posthumous recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for

courage Courage (also called bravery or valor) is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Valor is courage or bravery, especially in battle. Physical courage is bravery in the face of physical pain, h ...

, the

Medal of Valor This list of medals for bravery is an index to articles about notable medals awarded for bravery or valor. These medals, usually associated with military forces, police forces, or other public safety entities, are given to personnel who have serv ...

. Sergeant Deluana served with the 9th Marine Battalion during the

2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front The 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was a military campaign conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against a Muslim secessionist group that took place during the presidency of Joseph Estrada ...

. In a military operation in

Matanog, Maguindanao Matanog, officially the Municipality of Matanog, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 36,034 people. Matanog was created by virtue of Presidential ...

, Deluana and Marine officer Lolinato To-ong were themselves wounded while providing

suppressive fire In military science, suppressive fire is "fire that degrades the performance of an enemy force below the level needed to fulfill its mission". When used to protect exposed friendly troops advancing on the battlefield, it is commonly called cov ...

to cover the

medical evacuation Medical evacuation, often shortened to medevac or medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to wounded being evacuated from a battlefield, to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of a ...

of wounded fellow Marines. Despite their wounds, they continued maneuvering and providing cover fire until a

rocket propelled grenade A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) is a shoulder-fired missile weapon that launches rockets equipped with an explosive warhead. Most RPGs can be carried by an individual soldier, and are frequently used as anti-tank weapons. These warheads are ...

blast hit the pair. Deluana and To-ong were killed in action.

Medal of Valor citation

"For acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry beyond the call of duty as members of the 52nd Marine Company, Force Reconnaissance Battalion and 9th Marine Battalion, Philippine Marine Corps, Philippine Navy during the assault on heavy fortified enemy bunkers at vicinity Poblacion Matanog, Maguindanao on 30 April 2000. These military personnel fearlessly maneuvered towards the objective while observing keenly the surroundings for the safety of the whole team, when the troops were engaged in the fierce firefight, which started at dawn. Unmindful of their safety, these men applied their combat skills and immediately occupied a vantage position and exchange fire with the enemy inflicting numerous casualties. They maneuvered and transferred from one position to another while applying the fire and maneuver tactics to the extreme. At the time, when the overwhelming enemy reinforcement arrived and maneuvered, they showed their grit and steady composure by maneuvering to covered positions and firing at the enemies. When the wounded government troops were being extricated, these brave men provided the much-needed firepower to halt the enemy's advances which greatly eased the pressure on their comrades. Unmindful of their personal safety, these gallant men chose to hold their ground when the command "to withdraw" was given to protect their comrades. They provided once again the deadly cover fires to the withdrawing troops, inflicting numerous casualties to the advancing enemies. While providing fires, these courageous men were hit, unmindful of their wounds, maneuvered once more to another covered position and fired at the enemies until they were caught by the RPG blast which lifted their lifeless body momentarily from the ground. Their gallantry and act of heroism have greatly helped in extricating their wounded comrades thus minimizing casualties and preventing the possibility of total annihilation from the superior enemy forces. During the fierce encounter, the enemy sustained more casualties than the government troops. However, their courage and valor were not measured by the number of enemies killed and wounded, but rather by the number of their fellow soldiers saved. By this display of heroism and selflessness, giving up their lives so that others may live, they gained the respect and admiration of the whole AFP. FIRST LIEUTENANT TO-ONG and Sergeant Deluana have incomparably distinguished themselves in combat which is in accordance with the finest tradition of Filipino Soldiery."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deluana, Domingo Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor Recipients of the Philippine Medal of Valor Philippine Marine Corps personnel 2000 deaths