2023: PFC. THEODORE C. VINTHER, OUR LOCAL AMERICAN HERO

The Story of PFC Theodore C. Vinther 

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Introduction:

One day while I was walking along the public plaza in my hometown, Bacolod City, in the central Philippines, I saw the Monument of the American Soldier who died during the second world war on Bago Bridge.  At first, I did not recognize the monument because I have not been to the plaza for a long time.  The plaza has been a part of my childhood memories because every Sunday, my brothers and sisters together with our parents used to congregate in the gazebo or sat on those harps designed concrete benches.  That was our way of getting together.

I remember the stories told by my parents about Theodore Vinther.  As I grew up I became interested in local history especially the second world war.  This is the reason why I want to write a blog about Vinther and how he became a local hero even if he was an American.

Where to find this monument?

 

This monument for Private First Class or Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther is located on the south side of the public plaza.  Located on the north side of the plaza facing the San Sebastian Cathedral is the Monument for the Unknown Soldier who died during the Second World War. 

On Vinther's monument, there is a marker that explains the circumstance of how he died.  This is what is written on a bronze plate or shall I say, Marker:

"PFC. Theodore C. Vinther, killed in action on March 29, 1945 (while) participating in a dangerous mission to secure Bago Bridge and thereby hasten the Liberation of Bacolod City.  (This Monument is) In recognition of our eternal debt of gratitude to him and to the innumerable thousands who like him made supreme sacrifice so that the Philippines might be a land of freemen."            

The Battle of Bago Bridge on March 29, 1945, between the Japanese and the US Liberation Forces, happened on that bridge where only the piers can be seen from a far distance.  Did you see those piers of the bridge? 

After reading the marker, I unconsciously moved around the monument looking for any other writings on the tall pillar standing at the center of the platform or on the walls of its base.  There was none. 

As a Bacolodnon who was born after the war, I was lucky just like the rest of my generation of young children.  Why, because we did not experience the war.  But, while I felt a sense of gratitude to this hero for the freedom that I, or we, enjoy today, I am at the same time feeling sad.  I cannot help but guess that maybe he died young and that he left his grieving parents, or maybe a wife and children if he has.  I thought their sense of great loss.  But knowing how this monument speaks of the value our people gave him, I was assured that Theodore C. Vinther did not die in vain.  

That evening, I searched the internet for new information about this American and Hero of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental during the war.  I learned that he was probably born in California, either in Berkeley or somewhere else.  I would like also to believe that his family might have visited our hometown when the Monument was dedicated in his honor. But even this is just a speculation.

Then the next day after visiting the plaza, I went to Bago City, specifically to Bago Bridge where the incident of his death occurred and to find out for myself what happened to the old bridge and what did the city government of Bago initiated to honor the death of, for me, our American Hero.

 

The local hero of Bacolod City and Bago too. 

Upon reaching the main highway near Bago Bridge, I took a tricycle, a motorcycle with sidecar, and asked the driver to take me to the old bridge.  What I saw surprised me a bit.  The end of the road leading to the bank of Bago River was full of withered grasses, banana leaves, and fallen trees, and a little bamboo.  I maneuvered through the thick ecru colored grasses and reached a monument.  There was no marker or any written explanation on the four sides of the platform.

Copyright photo by Henry Libo-on.

There was no one to ask except the driver of the tricycle but I presume that this monument is for Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther.  I looked toward the river and I saw a few piers standing across the river. 

These piers were the only existing structure that was left of the old bridge.

Only the piers of the bridge that was constructed during the time when the Philippines was a Territory then Commonwealth of the United States - 1898 - 1946.

Copyright photo by Henry Libo-on.

It was many years ago but I still remember how the cool breeze would touch my face while we were crossing that bridge on our way to Hinigaran, a town in the southern part of our province.  The island of Negros is divided into two, the occidental and the oriental.  We are on the occidental side.  After a few minutes of contemplating the real state of this part of Bago Bridge, the river, and this Monument,  I left with a happy heart that the local government and its officials were developing that bank of the river as a Monument and Park for Vinther.  When I asked the driver what he knew about this story, he told me that every year they were having a short program there.  And that the government was cleaning that park before every celebration. I just kept mum and smiled at him but I thought that might be March 29, to celebrate Vinther's heroism.

Few days before I wrote this blog, I read from the internet this short write-up from the website of John Tewell.  It tells about the temporary monument built in honor of Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther.  On that monument was a marker with Dedication that reads as follows, and I quote:

                                                              IN MEMORIAM

"First Class Private Theodore C. Vinther, Berkely, California was killed at Bago Bridge on March 29, 1945, after killing two Japs one of whom was but a few feet from the electrical controls that would have blown the bridge up had they been worked.  The capture of this bridge sped the advance of the 40th Infantry Division by two days and took the Japs by such surprise that they abandoned the City of Bacolod hastily.  They were, therefore, unable to execute the plans to burn and destroy the city and to inflict further pain and even death on the civilians as they are reported to have planned and as they've done elsewhere."

My research farther revealed that this Temporary Monument to Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther was located in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, in 1947. It was erected by the people of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and the Veterans Association. 

That place where the temporary monument was built remained a mystery.  My own guess is - that place could be anywhere but the Plaza of Bacolod City, or maybe that present or existing Monument for Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther which were improved in the succeeding years after it was built.  All assumptions.  I will continue my research about this until I get to the real thing, then I will write a follow-up article.

My Comment 

Today, January 14, 2023, I will share with you what I discovered from the National Archives Catalog (catalog.archives.gov). 

*The original memorial for Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther. 

Reading the memorial to Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther of the 185th Infantry, 40th Division who by killing a Jap who was about to blow up the Bago Bridge enabled the 40th Division to advance 40 miles on D-Day are Sgt. L. Williams, and Pfc. Mac Fumeo of the 185th Infantry, 40th Division who were his (Vinther) buddies. (Singal Corps Photo, July 19, 1945.) 

Please take note that the Memorial was dated March 29, 1947, two years after that fatal day on Bago Bridge. (111-SCA-Album_2981_063.jpg).

Hereunder, the dedication of the Memorial was officiated by the Governor of Negros Occidental, Rafael Lacson, and the City Mayor of Bacolod City on March 29, 1947. 

Also present during the dedication of the Memorial were the Governor's wife, Mrs. Lacson and their daughter, Pacita Lacson, center. (Signal Corps Photo, March 29, 1947).

Hereunder is the photo of the Bacolod Public Plaza., The event was the city's fiesta, the first fiesta held after the second world war. (Signal Corps Photo, May 1945).

Disclaimer: We do not own these photos in black and white. These were sourced from the National Archives Catalog. 

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Our Local American Hero

 
Now, as a point of reflection, let me say it this way. Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther was an American who served the United States Armed Forces, specifically the Army. The Philippines during this time of war, 1941-1945, was a Commonwealth of the United States of America. While the United States wanted to protect the Commonwealth, its citizens are also duty-bound to serve their country's Armed Forces and therefore protect the Commonwealth.
Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther served the Army without thinking, maybe, that his life will end in the island of Negros. His deed of saving Bago Bridge by offering his life was a supreme sacrifice. Without that deed, I just do not know what the turn of events will be.

 

Are Heroes Born? 

 

For me heroes are not born, they are not even made. But, it is the circumstance or circumstances surrounding their lives that ordinary men or women can shine and become heroes.

Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther was an American Soldier but, for me, he was also a Hero of Bacolod City and our province, Occidental Negros. The present generation may not be aware of the relevance of this part of our history, but  the Monument and Marker will be the reminder that what happened on
March 29, 1945, at Bago Bridge, was crucial to the attainment of that freedom.   The Monument and Marker are the living symbols of global unity for freedom, peace, and democracy.

Therefore, March 29 every year shall be a day of remembrance for Pfc. Theodore C. Vinther.  It is this day that the grateful city, The City of Bacolod, and the Province of Occidental Negros,  can pay tribute to Pfc. Theodore Vinther's act of heroism.  Those who formed the Resistance Movement against the Japanese Imperial Forces, the local Veterans, and Civilians whose acts of courage and heroism played an important role in the attainment of freedom, peace, and democracy shall also be remembered on this day.  Let us add color and vigor to the celebration.

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As I close this blog, let me share this quotation from my unpublished book, The River Keeps Flowing:   "A grateful heart sees the value of sacrifice."  (Text and Photos by Henry C. Libo-on of Touristang Pobre)

My request:

If you have any pictures, materials, or documents relative to this event and a picture of PFC Theodore C. Vinther, please communicate with this writer.   January 28, 2017.

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Updated March 2, 2019.
Updated March 19, 2020. 

Reviewed on March 9, 2022. 

Reviewed on January 14, 2023. 

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About Touristang Pobre 

*TP is Henry Libo-on.

*He had been a travel writer and columnist of What's On (In the Visayas & Mindanao), a travel magazine based in Cebu. 

*He had been a columnist of Negros Daily Bulletin based in Bacolod City. 

*He was a former Tour-Guide when DOT was in its infancy. 

*He was the past president of the Blue & Gold Alumni Association of ONI, UNO & UNO-R. 

*He was the past president of Barangay Toastmasters Club, the second oldest Toastmasters Club in the Philippines.

*He was a former OIC-City Planning & Development Officer of his hometown, Bacolod City. 

*He was a former college instructor and professor in the college of nursing and master's in nursing in one of the schools in his hometown.

*He lives in the United States but calls Bacolod City his home. 

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Thank you for dropping by. 

Ciao....have a good day everyone.