Robert Salvador

Robert Salvador is a retired Philippine Army officer and a recipient the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.[1]

Robert Salvador
Allegiance Philippines
Service/branch Philippine Army
Rank Captain
Service number723530
Unit49th Infantry Battalion
Battles/wars1989 Philippine coup attempt
Awards Medal of Valor

Salvador, then a Private First Class, was one of the soldiers defending Camp Aguinaldo during the 1989 Philippine coup attempt. When armored personnel carriers of the rebel Reform the Armed Forces Movement rammed the camp's gate on 3 December 1989, Salvador fired on the vehicles with a 90 mm recoilless rifle, killing several crewmen inside. One of those killed turned out to be Salvador's brother, Rogelio.[2]

Salvador had been promoted to Sergeant by the time he was conferred the Medal of Valor on March 22, 1991.[3] He was a Captain by December 2016, just before his retirement.[4]

Medal of Valor citation

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT F SALVADOR 723530 PA
LOGCOM, CGEA, Quezon City – 3 December 1989


"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life beyond the call of duty during the failed coup attempt staged by the rebel soldiers on 3 December 1989.

Upon orders by the Commanding Officer, 49th Infantry Battalion, which was then defending the AFP Logistics Command area, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS SALVADOR, armed with 90 mm recoiless [sic] rifle, tracked down a fleeing enemy V-150 Command Tank amidst heavy enemy gunfire and directly fired at it, hitting the rear and right tire, partially disabling it. His second shot totally destroyed the rebel- driven armor. Minutes later, a second armoured tank arrived along Santolan Road. Apparently dispatched for a rescue and reinforcement mission, the landing vehicle bombarded the strong defensive position of the 49th Infantry Battalion. With this situation, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS SALVADOR surreptitiously advanced towards the hostile tank and blew it thoroughly with his recoiless [sic] rifle. His heroic effort disorganized the hostile forces and caused them to cease their attack and withdraw. The successful defence of the Battalion at LOGCOM proved to be the most decisive defeat incurred by the rebel soldiers in their all-out effort to capture the General Headquarters. This prevented the hostile forces to penetrate the inner defense of Camp Aguinaldo and to seize the ammunition depot of LOGCOM. Such victory was attributed to the selfless heroism of this intrepid soldier.

By this display of extraordinary gallantry, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS SALVADOR distinguished himself in the field of combat in keeping with the highest tradition of Filipino soldiery."[5]

References
  1. Fonbuena, Carmela (December 20, 2017). "FAST FACTS: List of Medal of Valor awardees and their privileges". Rappler. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  2. "Filipino Soldier Who Killed Brother In Coup Attempt Gets Bravery Medal". Deseret News. March 22, 1991. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  3. Burgos, Roberto G. (March 22, 1991). "Hero of '89 Coup". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. p. 4. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  4. "AFP hails hike in Medal of Valor cash award". Manila Standard. December 25, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  5. Philippine Army. "Medal for Valor Awardees: PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT F SALVADOR 723530 PA". Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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