During WWII, there were many Female Heroines on both sides of the world fighting the Axis Powers.

 

During WWII, there were many Female Heroines on both sides of the world fighting the Axis Powers. This particular unknown Female Heroine acted in the best way possible to accomplish whatever tasks or missions were given to her.

“THE FILIPINA SUPER SPY MAGDALENA ‘MAGGIE’ LEONES”

Taken from a compilation of several internet sources.

(Extended reading)(Edited).

Magdalena “Maggie” Estoista Leones was a famous World War II war hero in her native Philippines. She was the first Filipina and Asian to be awarded the Silver Star Medal which is the third highest military decoration for valor in the U.S. Military. It is primarily awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

Military career:

• Allegiance: United States and

Philippines. 🇺🇸🇵🇭

• Battles/wars: World War II.

Magdalena Leones was born on August 19th, 1920 at Lubuagan, Mountain Province in the Commonwealth of the Philippines to an Evangelical Missionary. She served as a Deaconess in the United Evangelical Church. During that time, she worked as a Teacher and prepared to be a Nun when the Japanese Invasion tool place. 

• World War II:

When the church became the Headquarters of the Battalion, Leones helped Colonel John Horan’s men received first aid even before the Fall of Bataan from the Japanese Invaders on April 9th, 1942. At the Fall of Bataan, she refused to surrender to the Japanese Regime and was therefore held captive. During that time, she studied Nihongo (which is Japanese).

Leones garnered and carried intelligence, medical supplies and radio parts through enemy-held territories and checkpoints. She also served as a Translator between Ilocano and English speakers. Her Church connections and her knowledge in Nihongo were advantageous in traveling and obtaining information.

When Leones was released, she witnessed an execution of 20+ young citizens. It prompted her to visit towns and barrios to see how she could help, even though traveling was prohibited at the time. She once saved Filipino evacuees from execution when she convinced Japanese troops that they came from a wedding. 

She later proceeded on to Manila to visit her Missionary Friends who were members of the resistance. At twenty-two (22) years old, she met Colonel Russell Volckmann of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines – North Luzon (USAFIP-NL) and agreed to become a Special Agent.

Leones was credited for identifying enemy ships which arrived in San Fernando, together with its contents and respective Captains. She was the mastermind for the explosion of Japanese planes on an airstrip in Tuguegarao in the Cagayan Valley and Northeastern Luzon.

Although she was arrested three (3) times by the Japanese Government, she always managed to escape. On her last capture, she “sweet talked” and bribed a guard. Leones formally joined the Philippine Army as a Corporal. As a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps until the war ended, she gathered radio parts and recruited Technicians which allowed consistent communication with General Douglas MacArthur at G-HQ in Australia. This helped pave the way for his return to the Philippines and eventually reclaim Leyte in the Southern Philippines on October 20th, 1944.

• Post-war: 

Leones moved to California in 1969. She was fortunate to work as a Clerk for the Pacific Bell Telephone Company and always kept a low profile never talking about her war exploits. 

While doing research, the Son of Leones eventually found out about his Mother’s wartime deeds. Her Grandchild once wrote a school report about her being a war hero but, her the teacher refused to believe it. So she brought her Grandmother’s medal to school in order to prove it.

• Death:

Leones died on June 16th, 2016 in Richmond, California at the age of ninety-five (95). Her body was flown to the Philippines and she was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (National Heroes’ Cemetery).

• Maggie’s Silver Star Citation read:

(General Orders No. 88 Hq XIV Corps, dated 22 October 1945).

Corporal Magdalena Leones, Special Agent, USAFIP, North Luzon.

For gallantry in action at Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 27 February to 26 September 1944. During the period cited, Corporal Leones repeatedly risked her life to carry important intelligence data, vital radio parts and medical supplies through heavily garrisoned enemy-held territory. Although she knew that detection by the enemy would result in torture and execution, Corporal Leones fearlessly continued her perilous missions between guerrilla forces throughout Luzon with notable success. Through her intrepidity and skill as a Special Agent, Corporal Leones contributed materially to the early liberation of the Philippines.

Signed, Lt. General O.W. Griswold, U.S. Army.

*** Before she passed away, I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Magdalena Leones when she was honored at a Bataan Day Commemoration Event at in the Green Room of the San Francisco War Memorial Building. She was accompanied by her Son who was a U.S. Air Force veteran.

••• Top photo featured Mrs. Magdalena Leones as the #VAVeteranOfTheDay - Army on June 29th, 2016.

••• On the bottom left is a picture of the Leones Family in the Philippines during the 1960’s. Courtesy of the Leones family.

••• Magdalena Leones’ Silver Star Medal was placed with an American Legion Certificate of the Bataan Post 600 in the middle photo at the bottom. This American Legion post was started by proud Filipino American WWII veterans after the war. Their meetings were conducted at the San Francisco War Memorial Building. 

••• A Certificate of Honor from the Board of Supervisors of the San Francisco City and County honored Mrs. Magdalena Leones. It was signed by Supervisor Jane Kim on June 28th, 2016.

“HONOR, RESPECT AND RECOGNITION DEFINITELY DESERVED!!!”

#BeAllYouCanBe🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👊🏽