
<figure class="image-550">
  <img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-27/leonard-gordon-takes-oath-as-olongapo-mayor-before-fernando-lopez.webp" 
       alt="James Leonard Tagle Gordon Sr. taking oath as first elected Olongapo City Mayor before Vice President Fernando Lopez in 1966" loading="lazy">
  <figcaption>James Leonard Tagle Gordon Sr. (right) takes his oath of office as the first elected Mayor of Olongapo City before Vice President Fernando Lopez on September 3, 1966.
</figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>
Early Life and Family Background
</h2>
<p>
Gordon was born in Olongapo while it was still under U.S. Navy control. His father was <b>John Jacob Gordon</b>, an American Marine who came to the Philippines with the U.S. Navy. His mother was <b>Veronica Tagle</b>, a Filipino woman whose family had deep roots in Philippine history.
</p>
<p>
Gordon's maternal grandfather was Colonel <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Tagle" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jose Tagle</a>, a national hero who led the first major Filipino victory against Spanish forces at the Battle of Imus in Cavite on <time datetime="1896-09-03">September 3, 1896</time>. This family legacy of leadership and patriotism shaped Gordon's character from an early age.
</p>
<p>
Unlike his four brothers who chose American citizenship and moved to the United States, Gordon made a different choice. Despite being born an American citizen, he decided to stay in the Philippines as a Filipino citizen. He raised his six children as Filipinos, passing on Filipino values and love of country to them.
</p>
<h2>
World War II Service
</h2>
<p>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">During World War II</a>, Gordon served his country as a lieutenant with Filipino guerrilla forces. Despite having a young family with his wife Amelia, he never hesitated to join the resistance against Japanese invaders. His bravery during the war was later recognized when he was awarded the <b>U.S. Congressional Gold Medal</b> for valor in 2019.
</p>



<h2>
Fighting for Olongapo's Freedom
</h2>
<p>
For years, Olongapo was unlike any other town in the Philippines. While the rest of the country gained independence on <time datetime="1946-07-04">July 4, 1946</time>, Olongapo remained under the control of the U.S. Navy as a military reservation. The town was governed by American military officials instead of Filipino leaders.
</p>
<p>
Life in Olongapo was restrictive. Residents faced strict military rules and could not move about freely. They had no right to own property permanently and faced discrimination from American authorities. Gordon, who was appointed Deputy Governor of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambales" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zambales</a>, could not accept these harsh conditions.
</p>
<p>
Gordon led the fight to free Olongapo from U.S. military rule. In 1955, he spoke to journalists about the abuses that Olongapo residents suffered. His efforts, along with the support of Zambales officials and national leaders, finally succeeded.
</p>
<p>
On <time datetime="1959-12-07">December 7, 1959</time>, the U.S. Government returned Olongapo to the Philippine Government. This made Olongapo the last municipality in the Philippines to achieve independence from American control.
</p>
<h2>
Civic Work Before Becoming Mayor
</h2>
<p>
Before running for mayor, Gordon was active in community work. He helped organize groups that worked to improve Olongapo through civic projects. He was one of the founders of the Olongapo Rotary Club and was selected as the second Grand Knight of the Olongapo Knights of Columbus.
</p>
<p>
Gordon also helped start the Olongapo Businessmen's Association, which became important to community life. He and his friends founded Boys Town-Girls Home, a center that cared for orphans and abandoned children. This project continued even after his death, helping many children in need.
</p>


James Gordon Sr. and the Birth of Olongapo City


Discover the life of James Leonard Gordon Sr., Olongapo's first mayor who fought corruption and freed the city from U.S. control before his 1967 assassination.


James Leonard Tagle Gordon Sr.: Founding Father and First Mayor of Olongapo City