Jesus Vargas (general)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Miranda and the surname or paternal family name is Vargas.

Jesus Vargas
General Jesus Vargas in Bangkok 1969
Secretary General of SEATO
In office 1 July 1965 – 5 September 1972
President	Ferdinand Marcos Diosdado Macapagal
Preceded by	Konthi Suphamongkhon
Succeeded by	Sunthorn Hongladarom
Secretary of National Defense
In office August 28, 1957 – May 18, 1959
President	Carlos P. Garcia
Preceded by	Sotero Cabahug
Succeeded by	Alejo Santos
Chief of Staff, Philippines Armed Forces
In office December 30, 1953 – December 29, 1956
President	Ramon Magsaysay
Preceded by	Calixto Duque
Succeeded by	Alfonso Arellano
Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office 1951–1953
President	Elpidio Quirino
Deputy Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office 1950–1951
President	Elpidio Quirino
Personal details
Born	Jesus Miranda Vargas 22 March 1905 Manila
Died	25 March 1994
Citizenship	Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Education	Philippine Constabulary Academy (BS)
Alma mater	Field Artillery School US Command Staff College
Awards	Gold Cross * Distinguished Service Star, *Long Service medal * Military Commendation ribbon * Army Commendation ribbon *Philippine Republic Presidential citation badge *Distinguished Unit Badge *Luzon Campaign medal * Philippine Defense medal and ribbon * Philippine Liberation medal and ribbon * Anti-dissidence Campaign ribbon * American Defense Services medal and ribbon * Asiatic-Pacific War Theater Campaign medal and ribbon * World War II Victory medal and ribbon * Order of Military Merit (Taiguk), Republic of Korea *Order of the White Elephant, Thailand * Military Merit Medal (degree of the commander).
Military service
Branch/service	Philippine Army Philippine Constabulary
Years of service	1937 - 1956 (PA) 1929 - 1937 (PC)
Rank	Lieutenant General
Battles/wars	World War II Hukbalahap Rebellion

Lieutenant General Jesus Miranda Vargas (22 March 1905 – 25 March 1994) served as Secretary of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In his later years, he was the Secretary-General of Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) which was based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Early life

Jesus Miranda Vargas was born on March 22, 1905 in Manila to Braulio Vargas and Petrona Miranda.

He finished his Bachelor of Science at the Philippine Constabulary Academy in 1929. He also graduated from the Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1940 and the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1947.

Career

Vargas with US President Richard Nixon in 1969

Vargas was a World War 2 veteran. He served in the Philippine Army from 1937 to 1951.

PC, 1930-1935; aide-de-camp to the Philippine President and Commanding Officer, President Guard Battalion, 1943; Executive Officer, Ground Force, 1947-1948; Superintendent, Manila ROTC, 1948-1949; Commander, 5th Battalion Combat Team (Huk campaign), 1949–50; Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP 1950-1951; Vice Chief of Staff, AFP, 1951-1953; Chief of Staff, AFP, 1953-1956; military adviser, Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), 1954-1956; retired Lieutenant General, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Secretary of National Defense, 1957-1959;

Board Chairman, National Waterworks & Sewerage Authority, 1957–59; president, Philippine American Management & Financing Company, 1961–65; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, 1962–65; and secretary-general, SEATO, 1965-72.

Medals and awards

Gold Cross, Distinguished Service Star, Long Service medal, Military Commendation ribbon, Army Commendation ribbon, Philippine Republic Presidential citation badge, Distinguished Unit Badge. Luzon Campaign medal, Philippine Defense medal and ribbon, Philippine Liberation medal and ribbon, Anti-dissidence Campaign ribbon, American Defense Services medal and ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific War Theater Campaign medal and ribbon, World War II Victory medal and ribbon, Order of Military Merit (Taiguk), Republic of Korea; Order of the White Elephant, Thailand; and Military Merit Medal (degree of the commander).

Personal life

Vargas was married to Rosalina Morillo in 1931 and had four children. Their names are Jesus Jr., Nandy, Francisco, Teresa and Baby Vargas.

See also

• Department of National Defense (Philippines)
• Armed Forces of the Philippines

References

• Biography of General Vargas