ForeverMissed
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His Life

Career as a Chemist

March 3, 2021
Gil was employed by Dunn-Edwards Paints (Maywood, CA) starting in June of 1979 and served in several capacities including Lab Technician, Quality Control Chemist, R&D Chemist, Director of New Product Development, and Director of Research.  While working for Dunn-Edwards, Gil had opportunities to travel throughout the United States and internationally.  He often looked forward to the Annual Waterbourne Symposium in New Orleans, LA where he would find time to visit some of his favorite restaurants, Commander's Palace and Cafe Du Monde.  He retired in 2012 after 33 years of service.

Gil was active in the Southern California Section of American Chemical Society, serving offices of Program Chair, Secretary, Alternate Councilor, Nominations & Elections Chair, and Member-At-Large of the Executive Committee.  In 2009 Gil was awarded the Sister Agnes Ann Green Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of his contributions to the Section.

Dedication to the Philippine Scouts

March 6, 2021
Gil’s love for the Philippine Scouts, the legendary U.S. Army Unit in World War II, began in the 1960’s when he was a young man. It started with the stories told by two influential uncles, Eugenio Mislang and Primo Trinidad, both members of the Philippine Scouts. On the rare occasions that they would discuss their experiences during those early dark days of the war, Gil had a glimpse of the hardships and sacrifices of these soldiers, proud to be members of a professional U.S. Army unit. He heard the story of how Eugenio, on the last days of the Battle of Bataan, was told by his American Officer not to surrender, to blend in with the local population and return home. He did this by going thru the jungles and mountains of Zambales to avoid the enemy patrols. Starving and weak, he made the 80 mile trek back home. Primo endured the infamous 60 mile “Death March”. He survived imprisonment in Camp O’ Donnell, where 50,000 men were held, and where more than half of them died. Also should be noted were 2 uncles, Domingo Benavidez and Florencio Quijano who both died during the early fighting in the war.

It was these stories and more that Gil remembered. In 2007, he decided he could do his part to ensure that the memories of the soldiers of the Philippine Scouts were not forgotten. He was a member of a group of re-enactors that communicated with the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, the national organization dedicated in preserving the history, heritage and legacy of the Scouts. The group requested for and was given permission to reactivate the Lt. Alexander R. Nininger Chapter of Los Angeles. Lt. Alexander R. Nininger was a hero in the Battle of Bataan. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Gil was one of the primary forces in organizing and maintaining the group for several years until his health forced him to withdraw from the Chapter’s activities. Some of his happiest moments came when the movie “Forgotten Soldiers” produced by Donald Plata was released. This documentary was put together using video footage taken by Donald of the re-enactors of the Nininger Chapter. Another event was the chapter’s involvement in the 2017 Rose Parade. The group entered an equestrian unit representing the Philippine Scouts’ famed “26th Cavalry Mounted Regiment”. A special time was when he flew back to the Philippines to attend the 28th National Reunion in Pampanga, Philippines at Fort Stotsenberg which was headquarters for the main units of the Philippine Scouts. Still others events like “Old Fort MacArthur Days” in San Pedro and “Marching through History” at Prado Park, where the group enjoyed overnight campouts that he truly enjoyed.

Lastly, the times that the group showed their respect to the Philippine Scout veterans who passed away, sad events that Gil was honored to participate in the group’s color guard unit. It was Gil’s desire to preserve the memory of the hardships and sacrifices of these Philippine Scout soldiers and thus the sacrifices of our uncles, and to pass on their history to future generations.

-Feliciano Mislang Jr.