It was fought from 9 January through 15 June 1945, Cervantes, a municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, located 382 kilometres (237 mi) north of Manila.

Bessang Pass was a stronghold of the Japanese imperial forces under Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, known as the “Tiger of Malaya” and conqueror of Singapore.

The USAFIP(NL) was composed of five infantry regiments and a field artillery battalion of about 20,000 men, all Filipinos except for five American officers, and commanded by Col. Russell W.

[1]: 548  After liberating San Fernando, La Union, on 23 March, the USAFIP-NL forces started the all-out assault on Bessang Pass.

"[1]: 556  Additionally, Smith said, "the USAFIP(NL) accomplished far more than GHQ SWPA, Sixth Army, or I Corps had apparently expected or hoped.