Jose M Hernandez

Under the Shadow of the Rising Sun Jose M Hernandez

Much has been written about World War II on the European front but few have focused on the simultaneous events that occurred in the Pacific. This factual narrative was originally written in 1945 but never published, and is now released in its Second edition to include a recently-discovered Foreward written by Major-General Basilio J. Valdez, Chief of Staff, Philippine Army; Secretary of National Defense and Communications. These words were written by a Filipino patriot who fought alongside U. S. Troops against the Japanese war machine in the battle to win back the Philippine Islands. Dr. Hermandez was a scholar, educator, writer and above all, a believer in the democratic freedom of man. He lived first-hand the events related - from the pre-war period, the expansion of the war to SE Asia, after the Pearl Harbor bombing, the Japanese occupation to the long-awaited liberation. This perspective of the war is unique because it is related by someone who lived, observed and experienced it and survived to write about it...a recounting of the truth of war as he and his countrymen lived it. For today's reader who is unaware of this part of Asian history it provides more insight into the reality of the war in the Philippines and not just what the press, literature and films had presented.