All photos courtesy of UP Korea Research Center and Genevieve Cayton
The diary of Korean War veteran Col. Alfredo Cayton was launched at PEFTOK Museum, Taguig City, on 29 June 2024.
The book provides massive information, filling the the scarce literature on the Korean War from the perspective of a Filipino soldier.
The program began with the welcoming remarks of PEFTOK (Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea) Museum Senior Shrine curator Mark Condeno highlighting the book’s significance. (The force consisted of thousands of Filipino soldiers who fought in the Korean War under the UN command from 1950 to 1953.)
PEFTOK Museum curator Mark Condeno and Genevieve Cayton delivering remarks at the book launch
Genevieve Cayton, granddaughter of Col. Cayton, the book’s editor, in her opening message, described the publication of the book using two words: serendipity and epiphany. Serendipity because in 2001, her father scanned the photos and edited the article on the Battle of Yultong published in the Sunday Times magazine on April 22, 1956, which was made into a family photo book. Twenty-three years have passed since the collection was kept with the family. Then when she was reconnected with her first ESL student from Korea, he expressed his interest to read the article about her grandfather. It was then that she started organizing and transcribing the diary entriesㅡher writing journey set off.
She also described her experience working with the book as an epiphany when she visited her grandfather’s grave in Libingan ng Mga Bayani, and got the message from the prologue written by her grandfather for the family photo book made in 2001. Col Cayton wrote that the story must be shared with anyone who wanted to read it, and with all Korean war veterans and families. Coincidentally, the Battle of Yultong became viral on social media.
The Korean War diary was diligently written daily for six months by Col. Cayton, from Sept. 13, 1950 to March 31, 1951. The publishing of the book was completed finally after 74 years. The book aims to tell the story of the Korean War from the perspective of Filipino soldiers on the frontline.
Cover of book ‘Alfredo’s Diary: Reminiscence of a Korean War Veteran’
Col. Alfredo L. Cayton was born on 26 June 1916 to Ilocano parents. He studied at Silliman University, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental where he completed preparatory medicine course. His military career took off amid the brewing World War II, as a 3rd Lt of “B” Company, 104th Infantry 101st Division, the Infantry Reserve Philippine Army he was assigned with the USAFFE in the Agusan Sector. He was with it until the surrender of the USAFFE forces.
On May 16, 1942, he was taken as prisoner of war and was sent to the Japanese concentration camp in Casisang, Malaybalay, Bukidnon. After escaping from the Japanese camp on Oct. 27, 1942, he organized and commanded guerilla units along the Agusan River sector.
During the Korean War, he was assigned to the 10th Battalion Combat Team (10th BCT), the first contingent of PEFTOK. He concurrently held the positions of Adjutant, S1, and S4 (Supply Officer) at one time when the staff officers returned to the Philippines for reasons of poor health. He was with the other staff officers in the 10th BCT command post during the Battle of Yultong from April 22-23, 1951 in North Korea. He served as Battalion S4 up to the time the last batch of the 10th BCT arrived in Manila on Oct. 23, 1951.
Upon his return from Korea, he held the position of Assistant Secretary-General Staff, GHQ, AFP, up to when he studied at the Infantry School. Fort Benning, Georgia, USA in 1954. He served at various times as ROTC Commandant of San Sebastian College, San Beda College, Far Eastern University, Arellano University, and the Liceo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro City.
He served as general staff officer (Comptroller) at the IVth Military Area and as Commanding Officer of the Home Defense Unit. On July 18, 1970, he retired from military service. His entire military service was with the Philippine Army.
He had degrees in Bachelor of Arts (English) in 1953 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1959, both from the Far Eastern University, Manila. He was a member of various civic organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Rizal, Rotary Club, various other veterans’ organizations, and NGOs. He was married to the former Rosario Roa Seriña of Balingasag from Misamis Oriental and was blessed with 10 children.
Col. Cayton passed away on July 22, 2008, at the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City. He was posthumously awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal in 2019. His remains are interred near the Korean War Memorial Pylon in Libingan ng Mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.
The book launch had the reading of excerpts from Filipino Valor of Yultong by the descendants of 10th BCT Pinky Artiaga, daughter of Lt Jose Artiaga, Jr. KIA in the Battle of Yultong, and Bonny Serrano, Jr, son of Col Bonny M Serrano.
The diary excerpts were read by Col. Cayton’s grandsons, LTC Ryan Joseph S Cayton, PA, and Maj Joseph Thomas C Cayton, PAF. The book vividly reveals the heroism and the embodiment of the 10th BCT motto “Steady On” as they continuously defended their position during the Battle of Yultong. The Turkish Plank had already fallen when the surge of Chinese Communist Forces came. However, the 10th BCT remained steadfast through hunger and cold, and the lack of ammunition. They emerged victorious in the Battle of Yultong.
From left: MGen Alfredo S Cayton, Jr. talking about his father; Mitch Dizon-Viray, granddaughter of Col. Cayton, reading the About the Author of the book; MAJ Thomas Cayton reading excerpts from the book
The book launch concluded with book signing and photo ops. To furnish a copy of the book, you may reach Genevieve Cayton through her email at [email protected]
