Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Preserving the history, heritage, and legacy of the Philippine Scouts for present and future generations

Fall 2006 An Incident in Bataan Lt. Col. Frank O. Anders, the S-2 (intelligence) officer, for the 57th Infantry is now deceased. He distinguished himself during the defense of Bataan by frequently infiltrating behind Japanese lines collecting intelligence. For his courage, he received a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. Surviving combat and POW incarceration, he wrote “Bataan: An Incident” in 1946 while recovering from injuries that would lead to his retirement shortly thereafter. His family connection to the Philippines stretched over two generations, as Anders’ father served in Manila during the Spanish American War, receiving a Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor in combat. In 1961 father and son visited the Philippines together to retrace the paths each had taken in his own war. Because of its length, the Anders article will be serialized over two issues. It also is being published in the current issue of the Bulletin of the American Historical Collection, Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. Editor by Lt. Col. Frank O. Anders land—terraced paddies yellow with rip- the China Sea northwest of the Island For 250 years or more the solid ado- ened grain. Beyond were the solid of Luzon in the Philippines. be stone church had withstood the rav- walled fields of cane, higher and more ages of nature and man. Earthquake, fire, rolling. And above, looking out over The Zambales looked down, as they tidal wave and typhoon had battered and cane and rice and church, with its town, had looked down for centuries, while marred the structure, but still it stood, its fringe of fish ponds, and then the first Moro pirates, then Chinese adven- lofty and secure, with its stone terraces bay—looking down on this and the turers, then Spanish Conquistadores and and latticed, stone-walled courtyard. To teeming life of the tropics stretched the the padres, the Chinese again, the En- the west the land rose gradually—rice high jungle-clothed mountains—the glish, and finally the Americans strug- Zambales, that great range that extends gled for control of these fertile lands that What’s Inside? from Mariveles Mountain and Manila lay below. And now in 1941 came a new Bay on the south almost to the Thou- invader. Fall 2006 Issue sand Islands on the north, that group of islets that demark Lingayen Gulf from See An Incident in Bataan Page 10 Editor’s Comments...... 2 National President’s Letter...... 3 Keynote Speech, Panels Energize Reunion First Vice-President’s Letter...... 3 Reunion Welcome Speech...... 4 Reliving old memories of combat and sacrifice were very much center stage Website News...... 5 during the Philippine Scouts Heritage Reunion Keynote Speech...... 5 Society reunion held May 27-28 at the Bataan (Poem)...... 6 Embassy Suites Hotel in Burlingame Bataan Falls (Poem)...... 12 near the San Francisco airport. Around The General’s Corner...... 13 180 members and guests, including four- NJAMF Patriotism Award...... 17 teen former Philippine Scouts, attended Book Reviews...... 17 the gala dinner which ended the reunion. In Memoriam...... 20 The dinner audience listened raptly as internationally-known Japanese journalist Member Activities...... 21 and human rights activist Kinue Tokudome Chapter News...... 22 Kinue Tokudome, Keynote Speaker FAME...... 23 See Reunion Page 9 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006 Editor’s Comments For the second consecutive year, a in making the event one of our most tained other quality submissions which major highlight of our reunion was the successful. Another important role must be delayed to future editions due eyewitness testimony of Philippine was played by the Golden Gate-Bay to lack of space. These include a two- Scouts who participated in the gallant Area Chapter which has a long and part series by Dr. Isabelo Torio and ex- defense of the Philippines, both as fight- successful history of hosting memo- cerpts from longer works by other ing men prior to the surrender and, in rable reunions. Philippine Scouts. several cases, as guerrillas following the collapse of organized resistance. This This issue of the newsletter bene- When Major Fred Foz stepped down first-person testimony was augmented fits from an embarrassment of riches from the National Presidency at our an- by the comments of three panelists who when it comes to material submitted nual meeting and First Vice President have written books on the wartime guer- for publication. For the second edi- John Patterson succeeded him, it marked rilla activities. tion in a row, we are featuring three a passing of the baton to the post-WWII interesting articles in The General’s generation. Fred, thank you for your Clearly another highlight was the in- Corner. A fourth piece is written by leadership over the past year! John, all spiring keynote address delivered by Filipino American Memorial Endow- our best wishes for a productive term as Japanese journalist and human rights ment (F.A.M.E) supporter Leslie Ann National President! activist Kinue Tokudome. Murray reporting on her organization’s mission to preserve and maintain mon- These substantive contributions to uments to Fil-Am heroism and sacri- Mike Houlahan, Editor our gathering played an important role fice during WWII. We also have ob- Newsletter and Library Advertising Rates Our Philippine Scouts Heritage Society newsletter fund donations have risen to Our newsletter advertising rates just over $3,200. Since the last newsletter another $100 has been received from are as follows: Nininger Chapter representative Dr. Isabelo S. Torio, $50 from Past President Major Fred Foz and $13 from subscriber MSG Michael Woods, bringing his total Full page: $100 to $30 over several years. The library fund donations total around $1,500. Thanks to Half page: $55 the efforts of National President John Patterson, the PSHS now has 501(c)(3) Quarter page: $30 status, which qualifies donations as tax free. Business card: $15 A two year newsletter subscription may be obtained by non-members for $10.00 Our current circulation is slightly and overseas subscribers for $14.00. Three year subscriptions offer a slight sav- over 500 copies per issue. For ad- ings at $14 domestic and $18 overseas. Email subscriptions are available for $4 vertising placement or additional or $6 for two and three years respectively. Newsletter donation and subscription information, please contact news- checks should be made out to the “PSHS” and mailed to the address listed below: letter editor Mike Houlahan through J. M. Houlahan our website or at: Editor, PSHS Newsletter 6774 Lakeside Circle West J. M. Houlahan Worthington, OH 43085 Editor, PSHS Newsletter 6774 Lakeside Circle West Library donations should be made out to “PSHS” and mailed to: Worthington, OH 43085 PSHS-GGBAC P.O. Box 179 Daly City, CA 94016-0179 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Newsletter J. Michael Houlahan, Editor & Publisher 6774 Lakeside Circle W., Worthington, OH 43085 Fall 2006, Issue 13, Published twice annually Annual Subscription: domestic $5 and overseas $7

Page 2 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006 National President’s Letter The 2006 Philippine Scouts Heritage I welcome comments and recommen- Society reunion at the Embassy Suites dations for change in the Society or af- near the San Francisco Airport was a firmation that we are on the right track huge success. Seeing old friends is al- in preserving the history, heritage and ways a great pleasure. The panels con- legacy of these extraordinary soldiers. tinue to be a hallmark of our gatherings. As many of you know, my uncle, Alex- I hope they will continue in the future. ander R. Nininger, Jr., was serving with We have been blessed with terrific key- the 57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine note speakers over the years. This year Scouts) at the time of his death on we were fortunate to have Kinue Toku- Bataan. He, Jose Calugas and Willibald dome with us. Not only did she give a Bianchi were recipients of the Medal of wonderful speech at dinner concerning Honor for their gallantry above and be- Japanese accountability with regard to yond the call of duty during this diffi- World War II, but she attended our pan- cult time in our history. els and was an invaluable resource. My views on the future of the Soci- John A. Patterson, President Fred Foz was kind enough to take on ety are contained in the last newsletter. Photo: David Rosen the task of serving as Society’s Presi- In sum, we have the potential to carry ability to communicate and educate via dent this past year, a willingness that I on in the name of the Scouts. When you the Society website (www.philippine- greatly appreciate. As the new President think about the strengths of our Society, scouts.org) and newsletter and our ef- of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Soci- we can count on the following: our forts to recruit succeeding generations ety, I will do my best to carry on effec- membership, the chapters, the U.S. in the Society’s ranks. tively over the next two years. Army Museum at Ft. Sam Houston, our See President Page 4 First Vice-President’s Letter Thank you for electing me as your ippine Scouts veterans and their widows new Vice President. I will do my best to to recruit their sons, daughters, grand- support our new elected President, Mr. children and friends into the Society. John Patterson. I will continue to serve the interests of the Society. We also In the last issue of this newsletter, our elected a new Secretary, Public Relation new President, Mr. John Patterson, wrote Officer and Assistant Historian who are about the future of the Philippine Scouts all highly qualified for the positions. Heritage Society. He mentioned the past, Their contributions will be essential in present and future. He said, “whatever improving the Society’s services for the the future holds for the Society, inter- veterans and the public. ested members should be able to sus- tain the level of activity that befits the As you have noticed, most of our offic- Society’s objectives.” ers are not Philippine Scout veterans, but Jose “Joe” Calugas, Jr., 1st Vice President they held positions in our organization There are none more special than the before they were elected to their new jobs. Philippine Scouts veterans, whose ser- Again, my congratulations to Mr. We voted for them, because of their expe- vice and sacrifice gives us our mission John Patterson the Society’s new Pres- rience and qualifications, knowing that the to preserve the history, heritage and leg- ident and to newly elected officers. Society is on a secure course forward. acy of the Scouts. Let’s give them our warm applause and support! Our former President Major Fred Foz Lastly, I would like to thank the mem- said, “Let us continue to reach out to our bers of GGBAC, especially the energetic Jose “Joe” Calugas, Jr. younger generation for their support to President Cion Rael for organizing the First Vice President maintain the rich heritage of the Philip- 22nd Annual Reunion at the Embassy President of Tacoma Chapter pine Scouts.” So, I am inviting the Phil- Suites in Burlingame, California. Page 3 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006

President From Page 3 Thanks are due the National Officers tion to Cion Rael, President of the host be hosted by the Jose Calugas, Sr. Chap- and Chapter Presidents for their contin- Golden Gate/Bay Area Chapter and her ter. Joe Calugas has informed us that we ued activism and support. I want to ac- team. We had grown comfortable over will be meeting on May 18th & 19th of knowledge our new National Officers the years at the Villa Hotel but when that next year, so please mark your calendars and thank them for their willingness to became unavailable at a very late date, now and plan to attend. There will be serve: Joe Calugas, First Vice President; Cion was able to find us an excellent more details in the next newsletter and Mike Houlahan, Secretary; Chris replacement. The Embassy Suites did a on the website. Schaefer, Public Relations Officer; and find job and met all our needs. Putting Bob Capistrano as Assistant Historian. together a reunion/business meeting like We are embarked on a noble cause. I look forward to working with the en- ours is very difficult at best. In recent We cannot let history pass us by with- tire Board in the months ahead. years, Cion has pulled a rabbit out of out acknowledging the heroism of the the hat time and time again so that we Philippine Scouts. With the help of all The Audit team, lead by Aniceto Ba- would have memorable events. concerned, the Philippine Scouts Heri- gley, did a very thorough and profession- tage Society will assure just that. al job in auditing our financial records Whenever names are mentioned, this year. Handling finances is more dif- there is always the danger of leaving ficult and more important than ever. someone out. I hope I haven’t done so. We’re fortunate in that our finances are The point is that there are many people suitably kept by Nora Warren, our Na- who make the Philippine Scouts Heri- tional Treasurer. tage Society tick. Thanks to all of you. John Alexander Patterson, President Philippine Scout Heritage Society Last, but by no means least, we all Now, we move on to Tacoma where need to express our sincerest apprecia- our next reunion/business meeting will

Reunion Welcoming Speech by National President Fred Foz Some say the Philippine Scouts ex- To sum it up, because of you mem- I welcome you with the spirit of Alo- celled in Bataan. We performed well bers who worked so hard, the National ha and thank you for coming to our 22nd because we were trained and led to bat- Japanese American Memorial Founda- annual reunion of the Philippine Scouts tle by the best of the best leaders of our tion has chosen the Philippine Scouts to Heritage Society. time. Many were graduates of United receive the NJAMF Award for 2006. States Military Academy like the late Col. Melvin Rosen and Capt. Menan- Once again we are here to honor and Brigadier General Royal Reynolds, Col. dro Parazzo attended the Gala Dinner remember those who passed on espe- John Olson, Col. Melvin Rosen, Col. Ed in Washington, D. C. on 6 April 2006. cially those who paid the ultimate sac- Ramsey and many others whose blood We are grateful to be recognized by this rifices. soaked the soil of Abucay, the Points and prestigious group of Heroes the 100th Caves in Bataan. Battalion and 442nd Infantry Regiment. This year we lost a few of our com- rades. We extend our heartfelt sympa- And now sixty years had passed. Let To the sons and daughters of Philip- thy to the bereaved members of the fam- us fulfill the dreams of our founder the pine Scouts, I say: Reap the fruits of our ilies of Col. Mariano Villarin, former late Brigadier General Royal Reynolds toil and keep burning the torch we pass PRO; Col. James Levie, 12th Signal Bat- and Larry Pangan to pass on the torch on to you. talion (PS); Col. William E. Chandler, to the younger generation. We thank our 26th Cavalry (PS); S/Sgt Feliciano Fig- First Vice President Sen. John A. Patter- Again, thank you and have a wonder- uracion, 45th Infantry (PS) and to the son who worked tirelessly in obtaining ful evening. God bless you and God families of any other Scouts who may our IRS tax exemption and a special bless America. have passed away. We pray for the thank you to our GGBA Chapter presi- Lord’s perpetual light to shine upon dent Cion Rael in hosting again our 22nd Major Fred Foz them. annual reunion. National President (outgoing)

Page 4 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006 Website News In July our Philippine Scouts Heri- and photos of our reunion have been Philippine Scouts using either the Goo- tage Society website passed the 20,000 added, a list of new officers posted and gle or Yahoo search engines. Our “Ex- mark, increasing at the rate of 8,000 both 2005 newsletters placed on line. changes” page lists research projects and visits per year. requests. The “Resources” page has link- We continue to welcome queries con- ages to more than twenty other websites Even heavier usage can be observed cerning former Scouts or answers to containing useful information and to on our message board, which is visited questions posted on the Message Board. U.S. government sources of information by seventy or eighty viewers daily. You We also will consider appropriate and on former Scouts and on benefits avail- are invited to visit the PSHS website original short articles or vignettes for able to them. (www.philippine-scouts.org) and the posting on our website or including in message board (note the linkage in the our newsletter. Thank you for your support! margin of our homepage) to share your own thoughts or questions. The website also is useful for research Christa Houlahan purposes. Our site is the first entry that Webmaster Since the last newsletter, a write-up appears when someone researches the

Reunion Keynote Speech by Kinue Tokudome defense of the Philippines. They have So let me start…In the fall of 1997, nothing but praise for your comrades. a professor from my alma mater, Ms. Tokudome, an American-educat- For example, my good friend Mr. Lester Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, ed Japanese journalist, has devoted her Tenney of 192nd Tank Battalion wrote came to Los Angeles and a small group life to encouraging Japanese accep- in his book, My Hitch in Hell, about his of alumni held a welcome reception tance of responsibility for the horrific fight in Lingayen Gulf. for this professor—Professor Tsuyoshi treatment of POWs during WWII. Amemiya. Editor “Our counterparts that day, the 26th Cavalry, Philippine Scouts, joined our I was fortunate to sit next to him and Major Frederic Foz, Senator John platoon as we headed in to battle. The was fascinated to hear about the project Patterson, Ms. Concepcion Rael, officers Philippine Scouts were strong well-dis- he had been doing for almost ten years by and chapter presidents of the Philippine ciplined, highly professorial, and coura- then. Professor Amemiya had been bring- Scouts Heritage Society, and ladies and geous groups of dedicated fighters. They ing his students to the Philippines every gentlemen, Good evening. I must start my were rough and tough cavalry men; we year so that they could learn first hand what speech by expressing my deepest grati- were proud to be in battle with them.” their grandfather’s generation did in the tude to all of you for giving me this op- Philippines during World War II. portunity to speak to you tonight. I under- I asked myself, “What could I possi- stand that I am the very first Japanese per- bly say that would be worthy of sharing He told me that his students traced the son you invited to be your keynote speak- with such a proud group of people?” route of the Bataan Death March, visit- er. I am so honored to be given that privi- ed former POW campsites, and met Fil- lege. Thank you so very much. On the other hand, how could I say no ipino veterans. They read their “State- to my dear friend Col. Rosen, who was a ment of Peace and Reconciliation” as Col. Melvin Rosen has been a very survivor of the Bataan Death March, no- they traveled throughout the Philippines. special friend of mine for many years. torious POW camps, forced labor and the When he first asked me to be a keynote unspeakable suffering on Hellships, all at Since that first meeting, Professor speaker for this occasion, I was totally the hands of my own country? Amemiya and I stayed in touch. He con- at a loss. tinued sending me his reports on the Soon I reached my conclusion—I can Philippine tour as he brought his stu- I have heard many times from my speak about my personal experience that dents to the Philippines each year. former POW friends how brave and he- eventually led to my standing before you roic the Philippine Scouts were in the tonight. See Keynote Page 7

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Bataan PFC Jovenal Lomapas Hatamosa

Cedars on a hillside In sunny Tennessee, Mark the spot where soldiers fell In eighteen sixty three.

Far from home and loved ones, They rest in peaceful sleep. The cedars stand as sentinels, And faithful vigil keep.

No cedars mark the spot, In faraway Bataan, Where soldiers brave and fair and true, Fell before Japan.

No cedars mark the spot! No chiseled stone their name! They fought, they bled, they starved.—And hoped For help which never came! Jovenal Lomapas Hatamosa was born in Cebu on January 17, 1917 and enlisted in the Philippine The green growth of the jungle Scouts in February, 1941, serving with the 12th Signal Is creeping o’er the spot Where they fought, and bled, and starved, and died— Company (PS). PFC Hatamosa served on Bataan, then The men whom men forgot. survived the infamous Bataan Death March and POW incarceration. Paroled under a general amnesty for Oh God of hosts, almighty— Filipinos, he returned to Cebu and joined the God who created man— guerrilla resistance under Lt. Piano Zabala. Upon Remember them—whose graves are hid the liberation of the Philippines and after receiving On faraway Bataan. medical treatment, he was honorably discharged on August 27, 1945 at Fort McKinley. Among his Mallie Wilson Farrell — service medals were the Philippine Defense Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Mrs. Farrell [1885-1971], poet and wife of a US Bronze Service Star, Distinguished Unit Emblem Army Colonel, penned this shortly after the fall with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Philippine of Bataan. One of her sons, Capt. William E. Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star. “Willie” Wilson, West Point Class of 1937, was st a 31 Infantry officer on Bataan. He died on the Following the war, Jovenal graduated in engineering Hellship Brazil Maru. She also was the mother from the Cebu Institute of Technology and taught at of Col (ret) Norman Farrell, Class of 1939, a close friend and comrade-in-arms of Col. Mel a technical school in Mindanao. Married in 1948, he Rosen. Col. Rosen provided this poem to the fathered nine children before passing away on newsletter. Editor November 24, 1964.

Placed in loving memory by his widow, Andrea Hatamosa.

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Keynote From Page 5 In the report on the trip in 2000, he Mr. Estacio also wrote the following takes of yesterday and today, and at the wrote about their visit to the town of Ti- in his letter to Professor Amemiya. same time we vow to you that the same pas in Taguig city. Before their visit, he mistakes will not be repeated. It is our received a letter from the former Mayor “But I and many in Tipas can now sin- sincere hope that this humble statement of Taguig, Mr. Downolt Estacio. Mr. cerely say that forgiveness and under- will contribute in its own small way to Estacio wrote to Professor Amemiya the standing are now deep in our hearts be- peace and reconciliation between the following: cause of people like you and all your Philippines and Japan.” efforts towards peace and reconciliation. “You mentioned in your letter that Thank God for people like you and your I should also mention that this state- ‘you want to learn what atrocities were students.” ment and the news of the Japanese stu- committed by the Japanese Imperial dents being welcomed by the people in Army in the Philippines during the war, And when Professor Amemiya and Taguig appeared in Sunday Inquirer directly from those living witness who his students finally arrived one month Magazine of the Philippines a few weeks still remember.’ I am 67 years old and I later, they were warmly welcomed by following their visit. do vividly remember what happened in the people of Taguig. I would like to Tipas, particularly to my family on De- share some excerpts from the statement So this is how Professor Amemiya cember 1, 1944. that the students read to the people of taught me that one person can make a Taguig. difference. Under his program, hundreds “I was 11 years old…At 2:30 in the of young Japanese students visited the morning the stillness of the night was “We are here today in your presence Philippines and tried to reach out, in a broken by the rambling of (Japanese) with a sincere desire to establish a true, humble manner, to the people who were tanks. It wasn’t hard to realize the grav- lasting friendship with you. Before we once victimized by their grandfather’s ity of their intentions in rounding up the left home, we spent much time trying to generation. “guerillas” in Tipas. Almost all men of know what had happened between the Tipas and even some women suspected Philippines and Japan, which we thought Some of these students even decided of giving aid to the guerillas were all would be very important before we be- to work on this issue after their gradua- herded in the plaza and everyone was come friends. Our findings were shock- tion. Naoko Jin, a determined young made to face their ‘magic eyes’ [masked ing to us indeed. We were heart-broken lady, is now working on a project of de- informers: editor]. when we thought of all the hardship that livering messages from former Imperi- you had to go through during the war… al Japanese soldiers to Filipino veterans “By afternoon, they had separated in the hopes that such message would about half of the men, including the “Up until today, the Japanese govern- ease some of the pains that many Filipi- Mayor of Taguig and almost all the pro- ment has failed to make an official apol- no people still feel. Recently, she wrote fessional leaders of government and ogy to Asian neighbors for our wartime to me the following: business. crimes. As a result, the young genera- tion is quite ignorant of Japan’s aggres- “I was born in 1978, but do not think More than 500 of the good citizens of sion... that my life can be separated from the Tipas plus three women were dumped past. I cannot be blind to what the Japa- in their trucks, because many of the men “We do not have such a big power as nese military did. I returned to the Phil- were no longer able to walk due to pun- to change the world overnight, but there ippines last October with the video tape ishments and brutalities suffered the must be at least something each of us can of my interviews with former Japanese whole day— (water torture), whipping do. While we are with you here, we would soldiers, and showed them at more than while hanged. I know because my el- like to learn from you as much as possi- 20 towns and villages in the Philippines. dest brother, then 22 years old and just ble, whereby we hope to find an answer married 9 months before the day, was to the question: how we should live to- “There are many Japanese young peo- whipped and lashed while hanging up- gether as friends and neighbors. When we ple around me who support my project. side down from a tree. go home, we will share with our friends Although Japan, as a nation, has not been all that we have learned from you. forthcoming in its dealing with the war- They were brought to Fort Santiago— time history, I see more young Japanese at a dungeon down below water level— “It is our great privilege to visit the people wanting to establish trusting re- and left to die at high tide…” Philippines…We humbly admit our mis- See Keynote Page 8

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Keynote From Page 7 lationships with other countries based on POW—Their sharing with me their understanding of people like Naoko. the true understanding of history.” memories, their struggle to come to That way, you can make a difference. terms with the past, their sadness, an- Knowledge is power. I used to be very Naoko followed Professor ger, frustration, their pride and hope, and unhappy that not many people in my Amemiya’s advice: Act! Try to make many times their willingness to forgive. country knew about the history of a difference. POWs. But I now know that instead of Among your members, Col. Rosen being just unhappy, I should act to make Therefore, 18 months ago I acted. I and Col. John Olson are on my website. a difference. And you are the ones who took action by starting a bilingual web- I hope you will find the time to read their can help me and many more Japanese site, US-Japan Dialogue on POWs, to pages. people make a difference. promote understanding and dialogue on the history of American POWs of the When I interviewed Col. Olson a few The history, heritage and legacy of the Japanese. It can be read in both English months ago, he gave me the opportuni- Philippine Scouts should be known to and Japanese. ty to learn about the Philippine Scouts. Japanese people also. Soon, I realized that at many of the bat- I tried to inform my fellow Japanese tles that I had been hearing about, you I will do my best to tell them your people what American POWs went were there, too. stories so that I will not be the first and through at the hands of our military by the last Japanese person to attend your presenting their personal stories. I want- You were at Lingayen, Battle of Abu- reunion. ed to give their stories human faces and cay, Battle of the Points, and of course human voices so that today’s Japanese you walked the Bataan Death March and Thank you very much. people can see clearly that the POW were interned at what Col. Olson called abuse by the Japanese military happened the “Andersonville of the Pacific”— * Excerpts of Mayor Downolt Esta- to real human beings just like themselves. Camp O’Donnell. cio’s letter and “Statement of Peace and Reconciliation” by students of the Aoya- I have been extremely blessed to have I am still learning about your stories. ma Gakuin University were quoted from the opportunity to interview many I found out that the same atrocities that Philippine ni Manabu (Learning from former POWs. Every time I met one of happened to the people in Tipas also the Philippines) Vol.12. Edited by Tsuy- them, I learned anew. One interview is happened to some of the members of the oshi Amemiya (Tokyo: 2001). worth reading a dozen books because I Philippine Scouts. can see their faces, hear their voices, and yes feel their pain. I want visitors to my Please tell me more. Send your sto- website to have the same experience that ries so that I can introduce them on my I had when I met each individual former website. Your stories will broaden the

The Guerrilla and the Hostage by John E. Olson

This is the fourth printing of this popular account of WWII in the Philippines. The novel describes the initial Japanese air war, the Battle of Bataan, the Death March, the subsequent devastating incarceration of the survivors in Camps O’Donnell and Cabanatuan, the guerrilla operations against the Japanese and the ultimate liberation of the small group from Cabanatuan who had been too emaciated to be shipped to Japan. The accounts are based on Col. Olson’s own experiences and the reports of other surviving military personnel.

Reduced price for the next three months is $12.00 including postage. Send check or money order to: JOHN E. OLSON The Towers, #510 San Antonio, TX 78209

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Reunion From Page 1 delivered a highly personal speech de- tailing how she became committed to campaign for Japan to take responsi- bility for the war crimes committed by its armed forces during WWII. The text of her speech is reprinted else- where in this newsletter. Her website devoted to reconciliation is at www.us-japandialogueonpows.org/.

Entertainment at the dinner featured the outstanding vocals of Christine Adi- az and Ben Capuyan performed with distinction as Master-of-Ceremonies.

Our 22nd annual reunion also includ- ed panel discussions on the defense of Corregidor and Bataan and the guerrilla warfare against the Japanese, as well as information sessions on veterans’ issues and on attempts to obtain Japanese com- From left to right: Former Philippine Scouts Col. Mel Rosen, Capt. Menandro Parazo, Major Frederic Foz, Ricardo Maraveles, Rommy Entac, Dr. Isabelo Torio, David Tejada, pensation for POW slave labor. Zosimo Guiang, Delfin Pahed, Pablo Mesina, Lt. Col. Ed Ramsey, Dan Figuracion, Capt. Felipe Fernandez and CW04 Aniceto Bagley Col. Mel Rosen chaired the Corregi- dor/Bataan panel with Capt. Menandro The business meeting installed Sen. Parazo, Capt. Felipe Fernandez and Dr. John Patterson as our new President, Joe Isabelo Torio participating. The guer- Calugas as First Vice President, Chris rilla panel was led by Lt. Col. Ed Ram- Schaefer as Public Relations Officer, sey, with Maj. Fred Foz, CWO4 Anice- Bob Capistrano as Assistant Historian to Bagley, Malcolm Decker and Chris and Mike Houlahan as Secretary. Schaefer as panelists. These participants were mostly drawn from Philippine The Society’s Bylaws were amended Scout infantry, cavalry and field artil- to establish three new Board of Officers lery units, as well as three guerrilla or- positions—Immediate Past President, ganizations. Panelists Rosen, Ramsey, Counselor Emeritus and Museum Liai- New Officer Induction Decker and Schaefer have also written son Officer. In the future, the Histori- Photo: David Rosen books on WWII in the Philippines. Den- an, Assistant Historian, Museum Liai- nis Uldricks, representing the Depart- son Officer and Consular Emeritus will by Aniceto Bagley, revealed no serious ment of Veterans Affairs, conducted a be appointed by the Board of Officers. discrepancies and showed the organiza- session on veterans’ issues and Col. Immediate Past President Fred Foz au- tion to be fiscally stable. The newslet- Rosen and Kinue Tokudome delivered tomatically becomes a member and shall ter has again managed to cover its costs the slave labor reparations update. serve until the current President ends his and those of the website through adver- term in office. The Counselor Emeritus tising, donations and new subscriptions. CWO4 Bagley’s remarks as a guer- and Museum Liaison Officer positions rilla panel participant are reprinted in will be filled at next year’s reunion in Next year the PSHS 23rd Annual Na- “The General’s Corner” section of this Tacoma. tional Reunion will be hosted by the newsletter. Dr. Torio’s remarks will be Capt. Jose Calugas, Sr. Chapter on Fri- serialized in two parts beginning in our An audit of the Society’s accounts, day and Saturday, May 18-19 at La next issue. presided over by a committee chaired Quinta Inn, Tacoma, Washington.

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An Incident in Bataan From Page 1 The long-anticipated and much- rice paddies—were manned by a force building left undemolished, and think- feared attack by the Japanese invader the Japanese had not counted upon: the ing that its massive construction would had struck in December with lightning Philippine Scouts. Not an American, not withstand the shelling were the enemy speed and overwhelming force against just a Filipino, the Scout was a profes- to turn their destructive wrath upon it, the shores of the Emerald Isles. The de- sional soldier with Filipino blood and the command post was moved into the fenders—few in number, widely dis- with American ideas and ideals, led en- church. Thus the Regimental staff and persed, almost totally untrained and tirely by American officers, trained and the command echelon of Scouts of head- poorly equipped—were rolled back hardened through the years, intense loyal quarters company were in the church from the beaches at Lingayen and Tay- to the United States and all that it stands when the incident occurred. abas. Fighting and withdrawing, fight- for, regular army troops—the only truly ing again to withdraw again, these forc- American Colonial Soldier. In the open area where the wide aisle es, weary and heartsore, came to Bataan running the length of the nave of the to stand or fall. But standing or falling, The fight at Mabatang is the story of church was intersected by the central it was the fight that was the thing. And the 57th Infantry Combat Team and the cross aisle leading from the great side the age-old Zambales looked down, see- hopeless attempt of the Japanese to door, stood a slender pedestal; and on ing all that took place. breech this sector of the Abucay line. that pedestal, in the very center of the The fighting spread along the entire line church, stood a statuette, “Christ the They saw the feverish preparations for until finally a soft spot was found on the Shepherd.” It was a beautiful thing, not defense: the lines dug in from Manila western slopes of the Zambales Moun- more than 18 inches tall, skillfully and Bay, along the dikes of the fish ponds, tains. After fearful punishment and af- gracefully carved of some Filipino hard through the sleepy little barrio of Ma- ter the failure of counter-attacks, the wood—probably nara or camagong— batang in the municipality of Abucay, fateful withdrawal along the footpaths painted and tinted so that figure seemed westward across rice paddies, through that skirt the rocky beach of Subic Bay to live. The head and hands were of ex- cane fields, up through the jungles onto began on January 24. The fighting and quisitely carved ivory. A gorgeous pur- the mountain slopes, over the heights withdrawing on the previously selected ple velvet and gold robe draped above and down to the China Sea at Morong. and partially prepared position general- His shoulders; a shepherd’s crook was Foxholes, wire, craters, traps, and mine ly along the Pilar-Bagac highway was in His hand. The church floor was laid fields—that was the line. And behind it commenced. The denouement of this with stone and marble tile, each tile the big guns , 75’s and 155’s, worn and crisis was the falling apart of all resis- about a foot-and-a-half square. Hun- obsolete. The Abucay defense position. tance on April 9. dreds of these tiles were carved to com- memorate the death of someone in the The Japanese invaders advanced close But this is not a history of the fight- community. There were tiles with Chi- to the bay, down the main highway, ing in Bataan. All that is now but anoth- nese characters, Moro Arabic characters through Hermosa to Orani. On January er chapter in the ageless story known to and Spanish. Some dated back to the 10, 1942, they struck the Abucay posi- the Zambales. Nor are the mountains 1600s. Time and earthquakes had bulged tion, throwing the full weight of their themselves of any significance to this the once even surface of the floor, leav- force southward through Samal, through tale; nor is the church of Abucay. But an ing large cracks and crevices between Kaliguiman, on then against the little incident took place in the church at Abu- the tiles. barrio of Mabatang. For five days they cay—took place on January 22 during hammered that line, throwing regiment the height of the fight on the Abucay We had noticed the pedestal in the after regiment—almost countless thou- position before the withdrawal along the center of the church during the periods sands of men—against it. Pilar-Bagac highway—an incident that of bombing and shelling. Each detona- moved and stirred all who were present tion would set it and its delicate burden Here was a new experience for the and saw it. quivering and rocking. Sometimes, if the Japanese hordes. A new lesson. The lines barrage lasted a long time, the pedestal did not collapse and withdraw in confu- On January 12 a particularly severe would move as much as three or four sion. The Japanese Imperial Army was shelling and incendiary bomb attack feet due to the vibration and the gentle receiving its first blood bath. It had took place on the town. The 57th Regi- slope of the floor. And on top of the ped- found a fighting force it could not break. mental combat Team command post was estal the statuette would move about and The lines at Mabatang—to the east and burned out of the western end of the sway when shells exploded. When a Manila Bay, and to the west through the town. The church being the only stone See An Incident in Bataan Page 11

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An Incident in Bataan From Page 11 barrage ceased, some Scout soldier, in brought back for burial in the church- ground attacks accompanied by heavy passing, would notice and move the ped- yard. The wounded, attended to, were artillery concentrations against the de- estal back to its accustomed place and placed in other ambulances and sent to fenders of Mabatang. Each morning as adjust the statuette back to the center of the field hospitals in the rear. Day and the roar of battle increased, the chaplains its base. I thought several times that it night, struggling against overwhelming knelt before the great high altar of the should be removed and placed where it fatigue, the surgeons and corpsmen car- church to say their mass for the living, would not be in danger of falling. It was ried on. And with them the chaplains of hurrying a little perhaps in the thought only a thought, a consciousness of a the regiment, Capt. Henry Stober and that very soon they would be needed need, but not acted upon in the full press Capt. Tom Scecina. Their devotion to again in the aid station, where each fresh of battle. Later I was to remember this duty, their unceasing labor with the assault sent quickening streams of mu- impulse. wounded and the dying, seldom eating tilated men. But for the moment, there and never sleeping—it was almost oth- was peace within the church. Shells The church itself had suffered little erworldly. Great men imbued with the might burst without in the city square, during the early days of the fighting. Great Idea: love for their brother men. on the river banks, along the streets and Though the town of Abucay was under roads bringing death and mutilation to almost constant shelling and bombing Almost as many men were carried out little brown soldiers crouching in fox- during the siege of the Abucay line—it the back of the church for burial in the holes or in ditches—to those truly Fil- had been thoroughly burned and demol- churchyard and gardens as were taken Americans, those Scout soldiers. ished—the church had not been hit. The to the hospitals. The walls inside the great L-shaped convento that adjoined convento were lined with bloody stretch- But within was quiet. The mass was the church, forming a lovely garden ers. In the rear of the church near the celebrated. Here and there about the court between the main body of the well, little Filipino boys and Scout sol- church, singly or in groups of two or church and that of the living quarters of diers scrubbed those gruesome stretch- three, the Scouts listened. A motorcycle the priests, had been hit and partially ers to be sent back to the front. Other roars up to the side door. Dropping his demolished. Although the Japs must details were digging—digging day and machine, the weary, dust-covered mes- have realized that the tall church belfry night—digging graves to bury the seem- senger dives for the doorway and sanc- afforded our artillery observers an ex- ingly endless chain of the dead—digging tuary within. The switchboard operator, cellent observation post from which to up the soil where for centuries the pa- his headset in place, kneels for a mo- spot their artillery, they allowed it to dres had labored and contemplated over ment and crosses himself, and then stand almost to the end. They were us- their labors; where the padres had dug moves back to his wire jacks, so that Lt. ing the church and its tower as a base the soil and planted their gardens— Col. Phillip Fry or Major Pete Wood, up point for registering their fire on the camotes, cassava, pechay—strange veg- to the left of Mabatang, may call for the highway through the town and the junc- etables of the tropic islands. artillery concentrations on the enemy, tions of roads leading to the west that deluging their lines from out in the cane were lines of communication and sup- Then from across the seas from Spain, fields. A runner takes a message from ply, feeding rations and ammunition to through Mexico, a long, laborious jour- the operations sergeant of the S-3 sec- all units in the main line. ney in Spanish galleons, came the grape- tion, young Master Sergeant Versola; the vine. Transported and transplanted in a tinkling of a bell is heard through the Many little things happened during new land, the vines flourished and red church; they kneel a brief moment; then those difficult days, the usual things in- wine was served at the refectory table the runner is gone and the order is being cident to battle, too many to be told. But to remind those padres, struggling to ground out on an SCR 131 radio out in a few must be told to explain the reason plant the Cross of Christ among new the garden court. The mass goes on; and there is any story at all to be told—and peoples, of their homelands—of cathe- so does the battle. But once each day, if to give a bit of atmosphere to the scene. drals, monasteries, of castles and courts, only for a second, the war does not exist of the glory that was Spain. And now while the men thank God for life, ask- The regimental aid station was locat- their soil, their garden, so long tended ing His tender mercies on themselves ed in the first floor of the convento. A with loving hands, ran red but not with and on their loved ones, asking for the steady stream of ambulances and weap- the juice of the red grape. forgiveness of their sins. Those of us ons carriers laden with the wounded and who were not of their belief stood for a the dead from Mabatang—the dead, Each morning, an hour or two before moment with bowed heads and in our whose bodies could be recovered, were dawn, the enemy launched strong See An Incident in Bataan Page 12

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An Incident in Bataan From Page 11 own way thanked God for the goodness into the hills on December 7. Two meals The enemy was quite forgotten for an of life. were served a day, one in the early morn- hour. We were still sitting at the table ing before the enemy’s new assault was when the artillery opened up and the Perhaps the Japanese would have low- launched, and one after dark at night: shells began to fall. They had spotted ered their wrath upon the church regard- cold pancakes, cold coffee, cold corned the candlelight streaming from the tall less, but there is a sequence of events, beef and bread. One or two officers and open-grilled windows of the church, or culminating in a celebration and banquet men could eat at the same time, for con- perhaps the flash gun of the photogra- that I think were at least partially respon- gregating had to be avoided, and we ate pher. No matter. The party was over, the sible for the catastrophe. On the morn- in the dark. candles extinguished. It was war ing of January 12, our 3rd Battalion was again—and the enemy was convinced slugged back, bloody and exhausted, the Then Col. Fry assumed command, there was something worth shelling in few survivors digging in on a new line, fresh from a foxhole in Mabatang; he that church in Abucay. preparing to be overrun. Then reinforce- was tired of dirt and darkness, confu- (To be completed in our next issue. Editor) ments, two battalions of the 21st Infan- sion and death. Capt. Homer Coleman, try, were thrown into the decimated lines C.O. Headquarters Company, was di- on the morning of January 13. They last- rected to set the table and lay out the BATAAN FALLS! ed 36 hours where the Scouts had held food. A long table was found and placed in the left aisle in the rear of for 96 hours. On the morning of Janu- Bataan...Bataan. the nave of the church, just at the foot ary 15, the entire 22nd Infantry (PA) was Bataan Falls! Bataan. of the spiral stairway to the organ and attached to the 57th Combat Team, coun- Like the tramp of feet on the road to doom, choir gallery. Covered with white terattacked three battalions abreast into Like the bomber’s roar...like the cannon’s boom. sheets that appeared from nowhere, it the gap, and secured the line once again. Like the drums of death the word command was set with dishes borrowed from the But the strain had been terrific. Men and women of every land priests’ quarters in the convento. And To stop! To listen! To understand! Col. George S. Clarke, commander candles—tall tallow altar tapers— To pulse our hearts to the weary beat... of the combat team, was sick and ex- were placed one at each plate and three Advance...retreat...advance...retreat. hausted. That morning, Col. Arnold groups of three at either end and in the There is glory in such defeat Funk arrived to assume command and center of the table. For each man gave of the best he had, Col. Clarke was summoned to Cor- Bearded veteran . . beardless lad At nine o’clock p.m. January 20, regidor to convey to General Mac- Gave of his strength, his hope, his life the candles were lighted and we gath- Arthur a first-hand report of actual For mother, brother, friend and wife. ered around the table—16 American fighting on Bataan. Col. Funk further Unknown heroes whose fame is sung officers of the 57th Infantry Combat stabilized the Mabatang position and When “Bataan” is uttered by any tongue. Team. Glasses were passed and Col. on January 20 was promoted to the Take those banners from wounded hands Fry proposed a toast to the President rank of brigadier general and assigned And carry the battle to stricken lands. of the United States. Next was a toast to the 2nd Philippine Corps under the Work and sacrifice, hope and give. command of Maj. General Parker. Col. to the 57th Infantry (PS) followed by That glorious word must forever live, Phillip Fry, who had commanded the one to Col. Fry as its new command- Symbol of courage. That splendid name 3rd Battalion, 57th Infantry (PS) ing officer. Toasts over, we sat down Should be stamped with blood and seared with through its torturous stand at Maba- to eat—to eat like civilized human flame beings for the first time since the tang, assumed command of the com- On the heart of every woman and man. news of Pearl Harbor. The food was bat team. Hence the celebration, the Dare to forget it . . if you can! the same as ever, but somehow they banquet, and the consequences. BATAAN. had managed to serve it hot. There was peanut butter and jam for the hot- In those days we were still on a good Written By Don Blanding, April 9, 1942 cakes—and a twinkle in every eye. ration—not an American ration, but that Sgt. Sherman, official Signal Corps of the Philippine Army, with additions. Don Blanding, noted lecturer, poet and artist, staff photographer, arrived on his way There was still a little flour and sugar expresses the spirit of the Bataan defenders in and our outfits still had a little jam, cof- to the front and took pictures of the his poem “BATAAN FALLS!” This poem was fee and canned fruit, carried with them festive table. used by the U.S. Treasury in its war bond advertising campaign. Editor

Page 12 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006 THE GENERAL’S CORNER

The General’s Corner is dedicated to the memory of Brigadier General Royal Reynolds, Jr. During the early days of World War II, General Rey- nolds commanded the First Battalion of the 57th Infantry Regiment (PS). He led his unit in the defense of Bataan and then, instead of surrendering, spent the remainder of the war as a guerrilla. As the first President of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, he was one of the Society’s founders and a longtime staunch supporter.

The Generals Corner publishes historical accounts of World War II in the Philippines. This issue contains three such articles: the lead piece is the th first of a two-part series by Lt. Col. Frank Anders, 57 Infantry (PS), Phil- Brigadier General Royal Reynolds, Jr. ippine Scout concerning an incident at the Abucay Church, as Fil-Am forces fought desperately to repulse the Japanese at the Abucay line, the main line of defense on Bataan. The second article recounts CWO4 Aniceto Bagley’s experience as a teenage guerrilla during WWII and the third is the story as told by Aurora Soriano Cudal of a Filipino family’s successful attempt to save a young American soldier and the reconnection with that soldier years after the war ended.

Guerrilla Warfare against the Love Across Boundaries Japanese in the Philippines By Aurora Soriano Cudal by CW4 Aniceto I. Bagley, AUS-Ret. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines, there were American soldiers who found their way into Fili- You have heard the words “Philippine Scouts” re- pino homes by force of circumstances. One of them peated all day long. I promise not to say them until the was Bob Merchant who entered the lives of the Cudal end of my presentation. family, residents of the town of Malaybalay, province of Bukidnon, a scenic plateau in Central Mindanao. I want to preface my remarks by saying that when WWII broke out, I was 15 years old. My observations One morning, my husband, Winlove and his brother, are from the bottom of the chain of command. Since I Mineheart, both teenagers at that time, were swimming did not keep any kind of journal, please excuse any in the Pulangi River when they saw a raft floating down inaccuracies in my story. the river. They came near the raft and they saw a thin and haggard white man tied on the raft. Winlove held My name is Aniceto Ilanga Bagley and I come from the raft while Mineheart run home to tell her mother, Carles, Iloilo on the island of Panay. During the Japa- “Mama, there is an American tied on a raft down by the nese occupation of the Philippines in WWII I was a river. Winlove is holding on to the raft”. Their mother, Philippine Army guerrilla. Since then, everyone I have Marcela, a godly woman immediately instructed him met who was a former guerrilla claims to have been a to bring the American to the house. sergeant or of higher rank. I have a feeling that I may have the dubious distinction of being the only one to The stranger was very weak. The two boys emerge from the guerrillas as a private. untied him from the raft and propped him up, so he could walk with his two arms slung around the two My first connection with the guerrillas was as a ci- strong shoulders of the farm boys. They brought him to vilian employee with duties that can only be described their own village evacuation house where he introduced as “coast watcher” - because that is what we did. A himself as Bob Merchant.

See Guerrilla Warfare Page 14 See Love Across Boundaries Page 16

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Guerrilla Warfare From Page 13 group of us took turns manning an out- Lieutenant Frederick “Fred” P. Stangl alcohol. There was no gasoline to be post watching for shipping or planes to was establishing a signal unit on the off- had except in Japanese controlled cities go by. Upon making a sighting, one of shore island of Calagna-an. It happened and alcohol was readily available from us would go to a telephone station 13 that Fred’s father had been a family sugar cane and other sources. kilometers away. Since such reporting friend before the war. Fred had con- was inherently untimely and there was vinced one of my uncles, Alfredo B. Occasionally I would be taken away no prospect of improvement, it was de- Enojas (Tatay Pedong) to join him. from my code clerking to beef up crews cided to switch to daily consolidated Tatay Pedong was a radio technician for trips to other islands. Once we went reports to save energy and manpower. who had trained in the States. Also in to Masbate to establish a new radio sta- This continued for several months until the group was Fred’s brother-in-law Bob tion. This effort failed for lack of a suit- a Japanese penetration disrupted our Ford, his nephew Louis Stangl and a able location. We would also go to Gi- phone line and scattered our people. young man named Genaro who had been gantes Islands when a large merchant Fred’s assistant in a radio repair shop in vessel would stop there for supplies. The Being an intelligence unit, we re- Bacolod City. There were also two presence of armed guerrillas seemed to mained in contact with each other and former postal telegraph operators, two prompt the generosity of the merchants continued to report significant happen- Philippine Army radio operators, a me- and we would come away with new ings in our area such as Japanese com- chanic named Tom Murphy and a Chi- clothes for our troops. ing to town to hold meetings, which nese cook called “Charlie Chan”. I nev- were infrequent. er learned his real name. Two other lieu- There were about twelve of us who tenants were in the group. They had had not been inducted into the guerril- During this period, the prewar mayor been engineers on inter island ferries. las. We were paid as civilians at the of Carles reorganized the municipal gov- We also had an expert sailboat helms- same rate as privates - 20 pesos per ernment under Japanese control. This man and several sailors. I joined the month in guerrilla money. Finally, on 1 was actually to the advantage of the cit- group as a code clerk. (Note: All the April 1944 we were inducted into the izens because the occupiers could now men with American surnames were Mes- guerrilla forces. go to the municipal administration to tizos. Their fathers were Americans and make demands or give instructions in- their mothers Filipinas.) The island of Panay was under the 6th stead of terrorizing the countryside. Military District, Philippine Army at the Unfortunately, the guerrilla hierarchy Fred, Tatay Pedong and Genaro prac- outbreak of the war. After the surren- viewed the Mayor as too enthusiastic in tically built by hand our transmitter and der, a guerrilla organization was formed his efforts to get guerrillas to surrender. receiver. Through contacts in Bacolod under Macario Peralta. The word got One night a group of armed men came City and Iloilo City they were able to around, whether true or not, that Peralta and took him away. That is the last any- accumulate enough equipment to build was a Captain who had assumed the rank one saw of him. a set that could contact the US forces in of Colonel to gain respect and recogni- Australia. We later learned this for a fact tion. Whatever the case, he did a good Before the Mayor disappeared, the after meeting some American Signal job of keeping his subordinates mindful Municipal Secretary, who was my cous- Corps troops who had come up from of the task at hand and free from inter- in, gave our little group of former coast Australia and told us they had been in nal squabbles and rivalry. Panay was watchers amnesty papers. We thought contact with guerrilla units in the Phil- divided into areas assigned to Regimen- this was a great idea. If we were ever ippines. After exchanging call signs, we tal Combat Teams (RCT) in command picked up, we could say we had already knew that they had been our contacts. of a Lieutenant Colonel. Our sector was surrendered and had received amnesty. the 64th RCT initially under Lt. Col. Then came the bad news. We heard a Our station relayed messages to and Pedro Serran and later under a Lt. Col. rumor that the guerrilla headquarters from higher headquarters and reported Relunia. learned that we had surrendered and we ship and aircraft sightings. were on the blacklist. We all got together Some sectors were told to harass the and ceremoniously burned our amnesty An interesting note is that our radio enemy but in our case, we were told to papers. Fortunately, that was all we ever equipment was powered by alcohol fu- lie low and gather intelligence. There heard of that. eled generators. To my knowledge, the was a sugar refinery between Balasan generators were originally gasoline gen- In the fall of 1943, we learned that a erators and had been modified to burn See Guerrilla Warfare Page 15

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Guerrilla Warfare From Page 14 and Pilar with a handful of Japanese sol- possible. I took it back to camp and gave they could with the equipment and diers who, for the most part, minded it to Fred. Everyone seemed to be satis- materials available. their own business. Things were rela- fied and I felt an immense sense of ac- tively calm in our area. complishment. In early 1945 the guerrillas on Panay were disbanded. I elected to stay in the Speaking of the sugar refinery, there Fred’s signal detachment was part of Philippine Army and was assigned to the was an American engineer or technician the 64th Composite Signal Company un- Signal Platoon, Headquarters and Head- known as Mr. White who helped main- der the command of a Col. Francia who quarters Company, 52nd Infantry Regi- tain the equipment. Once a week on was also Col. Peralta’s Signal Officer. ment, Philippine Army under a Col. Market Day, a few Japanese soldiers and Datur. In February 1946, I was demo- Mr. White would come into Balasan to The guerrilla organization on Panay bilized from the Philippine Army and shop and mingle with the populace. One had all the branches found in a regu- joined the PHILIPPINE SCOUTS. day I was told to go to Balasan and con- lar army organization. I have men- tact Mr. White to tell him we needed a tioned intelligence and signal. For When the Philippine Scouts were de- V belt. At the time I had no idea what a transportation there were sailboat mobilized a few years later, Aniceto V belt was or how anyone knew Mr. pools. MPs guarded stockades hold- transferred to a non-Scout unit and com- White would be cooperative. Anyway, ing prisoners. Finance printed guer- pleted his U.S. Army career. He now I did as I was told and was fortunate to rilla money. Quartermaster collected enjoys an active retirement in Huntsville, meet Mr. White and ask him for a V belt. and distributed food supplies, mainly Alabama. This article is adapted from He told me to come back the next week. rice. Doctors and nurses served in the his reunion remarks on the panel dis- I did and he handed me a paper sack that Medical Cops and manned hospitals cussing guerrilla activities against the I took and left as inconspicuously as and aid stations. Dentists did the best Japanese. Editor

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Love Across Boundaries From Page 13 When he was strong enough to talk, ed States was received by the Cudal fam- vived the ordeal of being alone waiting Bob narrated to his new family that he ily thanking them for the loving care he for her husband who was listed as miss- was one of several American soldiers received. He said, he plans to come to ing in action. She just hoped, waited and who escaped from the Bataan Death Manila on his way to Japan to renew his prayed that someday he will come home. March. They took a boat to Mindanao ties with the family. He informed his It was therefore a tearful reunion of two and sailed from one islands to another friends that he remained in the military faithful hearts when he finally returned until they reached Cagayan de Oro. The and will be assigned to Japan as an air- after almost three years of absence. group dispersed and was supposed to re- craft mechanic. group in Agusan. Bob and his compan- Aunt Ethel never associated with Fil- ion walked through forested ravines to True enough, he came to the Philip- ipinos before and she expressed fear of hide from the Japanese soldiers, until he pines and was reunited with Winlove meeting them. But Uncle Bob reassured got sick with malaria, dysentery and who was then in Manila pursuing a her that they are a loving and caring peo- malnutrition. When they reached the Bachelor of Arts degree in the Univer- ple. He said, “Better love them, honey. I Pulangi River, the two American sol- sity of the Philippines. owe my life to them, especially the Cu- diers decided to make a raft out of five dals. They are my family now and you 10-feet bamboo poles. Bob could no In 1989, Winlove and I decided to have to learn to love everyone one of longer walk and he asked his compan- come to San Diego to attend the wed- them.” ion to tie him on the raft and let him drift ding of our daughter. We were informed down the river. Their parting words, that Uncle Bob is living in the vicinity When my mother-in-law who was spoke of their faith in a power greater of March Airfields in San Bernardino, then 91 years old came to Chicago in than them, “God will take care of us.” Southern California. We reconnected 1986 for a much needed eye operation, with him and his wife, Ethel. It was dur- as a gift from her daughter who was an For eight months, Bob stayed in a ing our visit to Uncle Bob’s home that anesthesiologist in a Chicago hospital, makeshift hut built by the Cudal boys we were able to connect the whole story Uncle Bob came to take care of her as near a cave to hide him from the Japa- of Uncle Bob from that fateful night in he would take care of his own mother. nese with Papa Santos Cudal as his con- 1943 when he left the Cudal farm. stant companion. He was nursed back Our memories of an ugly war were to health with loving care provided by Uncle Bob, an ebullient, rotund and made beautiful and sacred by the rela- Mama and the whole family of eight hearty man who loves baseball told his tionship we had with Uncle Bob. He girls and three boys, who at that time story. The tailor who sewed his trou- passed away two years ago and we were were also missing Esmeraldo, the eldest sers told some people around that there at his Memorial Service and Military boy, a fourth year law student in the is an American living with the Cudals. Interment Ceremony, mourning with University of the Philippines, who was The Japanese soldiers will raid the farm Aunt Ethel and their two sons. His pass- drafted by the Philippine Army to fight anytime. He did not want to endanger ing and Aunt Ethel’s subsequent pass- in Bataan, (Esmeraldo Cudal now an the lives of the Cudal family so he left ing three months later closed an era of aging veteran has his own story on how without telling anyone about his plans. love built by wartime experiences and he survived the war.) He said that he trod through deep for- relationships; love that crossed bound- ests, ravines and mountain trails for sev- aries of race and culture. There were rumors that the Japanese eral weeks (from Bukidnon), eating wild kempetai discovered the presence of an fruits along the way, until he reached the Dr. Aurora Soriano Cudal is Associ- American soldier in the Cudal farm and shoreline of Agusan where he and other ate Editor of The Filipino Press, a week- that they will soon raid the farm to get Americans were rescued by a subma- ly newspaper published in San Diego. him. But before that happened, Bob sud- rine. They were brought to Australia and She attended our last PSHS reunion as denly disappeared in the middle of the were flown to the United States. a guest of Lt. Col. Ed Ramsey, 26th Cav- night without saying goodbye. alry (PS). Through this article she is We visited Uncle Bob and Aunt Ethel hoping to establish contact with friends The Cudals lost track of him until af- every now and then where we enjoyed and relatives of Bob Merchant. Editor ter the liberation of Manila. In 1949, a their warm hospitality and home-cooked letter from Bob Merchant from the Unit- meals. Aunt Ethel related how she sur-

Page 16 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006 The Philippine Scouts Receive the NJAMF Patriotism Award In a Washington D.C. ceremony on (ret.), 26th Cavalry (PS). Also present at pointed out that the legacy of the Phil- April 6 the Philippine Scouts were the ceremony was Col. Mel Rosen (ret.), ippine Scouts lives on in the service of awarded the National Japanese Ameri- 88th Field Artillery (PS). All three are Filipinos in the US Armed Forces. He can Memorial Foundation (NJAMF) members of the Philippine Scouts Heri- also stressed the historical links be- Patriotism Award for the heroic defense tage Society. tween the Philippines and the United of the Philippines during the first five States, saying, “Although this evening months of World War II. The award was Speaking for his government, Am- is a tribute to the past, it is also a re- introduced by Sen. Daniel Inouye, him- bassador Albert del Rosario, the Phil- minder that our countries are allied de- self a recipient of the Medal of Honor, ippine envoy to the United States, re- mocracies. Our people share the same the highest military award for courage marked that participating in the award democratic values. Our free societies in combat. ceremony was an honor “…for my today were protected by the Philippine country, and for the Filipino-American Scouts, and by so many others of the Accepting the Patriotism Award on Community in America.” The ambas- greatest generation who fought and behalf of the Philippine Scouts was sador then extolled the valor and hero- won World War II. For their dedicated Lieut. Gen. Edward Soriano, US Army ism of the Philippine Scouts in defend- service for freedom and democracy… (ret.), who is the son of a Philippine ing both the Philippines and the Unit- the Philippine Scouts truly deserve this Scout, and Capt. Menandro Parazo ed States during World War II. He Patriotism Award. ”

Book Review: Odyssey of a Philippine Scout: Fighting, Escaping, and Evading the Japanese, 1941-1944, by Arthur Kendal Whitehead

Reviewed by J. Michael Houlahan 1944. During most of the intervening obeyed this order, but then escaped and two years, he was on the run. devoted the next nineteen months to Arthur Kendal Whitehead. Odyssey reaching Australia. of a Philippine Scout: Fighting, Escap- And what a run it was! Initially de- ing and Evading the Japanese, 1941- termined to link up with a Fil-Am mili- During this period he lost several 1944. The Aberjona Press, Bedford, PA, tary unit, he worked his way south ac- companions to the Japanese and to guer- 2006. Pp. 288, incl. 10 pp. photos and companied by an ever-changing collec- rilla groups more interested in banditry 6 maps. Price to PSHS members is tion of Americans and Filipinos intent than resisting the invaders. He also spent $21.50 including shipping, a $2.45 dis- on evading the Japanese. It took two many months being hosted by various count. To order by phone: (866) 265- harrowing months for him to island hop locally-prominent Filipinos at consider- 9063; by mail: The Aberjona Press, P.O. to Panay, one of the larger Philippine able risk to them and their families. Box 629, Bedford, PA 15522. islands in the central (Visayan) part of the archipelago. Somewhat discordant notes in the Arthur Kendal Whitehead, then a book are Whitehead’s general distain for young lieutenant in the 26th Cavalry, There he joined the American-led 61st the fighting ability and trustworthiness Philippine Scouts, tells an interesting, Division of the Philippine Army. Six of Filipinos, as well as his particular sometimes riveting story of escape and weeks later the Japanese invaded Panay, contempt for Col. Macario Peralta, Jr. evasion, as he dodges the Japanese fol- encountering rather sporadic and inef- who was the senior officer among the lowing the surrender of Filipino-Amer- fective resistance from under trained and Fil-Am forces on Panay who opted not ican (Fil-Am) forces and eventually sails inadequately armed Filipino soldiers. to surrender. Most of the literature on to Australia in a small boat. His odys- this period acknowledges that lack of sey lasted slightly more than two years, Five weeks after these landing, the training and poor equipment led initial- from the time he was separated from his American officers leading the 61st were ly to poor combat performance by the unit in the chaos of his first day in com- ordered to surrender or risk massacre of Philippine Army, but then affirms that bat just before Christmas 1941 until his the Fil-Am personnel captured on experience under fire improved this per- arrival in Australia in early January Bataan and Corregidor. Whitehead See Review: Odyssey Page 18

Page 17 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006

Review: Odyssey From Page 17 formance with some units fighting very initially bottling up the Japanese on alcoholic drink made from the ferment- effectively. It also is widely acknowl- Panay in a few coastal cities in 1944 and ed sap of coconut palm flowers) and the edged that Filipinos in the Philippine then destroying most of these garrisons intricacies of cock fighting. Although Scouts fought well, often outperform- before the arrival of U.S. forces in March Whitehead had several confrontations ing the “Sunshiners” from the entirely of 1945. After the war, Peralta would with Filipino guerrillas during this peri- American 31st Infantry Regiment, which become a very successful politician, od, he was not involved in any actual included large numbers of expatriates culminating in his serving as the Philip- combat. recruited in the Philippines. pines’ Secretary of Defense for four years after independence. Also helpful in following his adven- Peralta rallied several thousand Fili- tures are six full page maps. pino officers and men from his 61st Phil- The last part of the book details ippine Army Division and formed a large Whitefield’s hair-raising escape to Aus- One can’t help but marvel at White- guerrilla force that eventually dominat- tralia, consisting of an island-hoping head’s persistence, courage and luck in ed the interior of Panay and spread its voyage through hostile waters on a cap- successfully completing a journey that influence to several other islands in the tured Moro sailing vessel. On this trip, cost many others their lives. central Philippines. Whitehead dismiss- which lasted over four months, he was es him as a rogue and a bandit, a char- accompanied by four local volunteers (1) WILLOUGHBY, Compiled by Maj. Gen. acterization that was not shared by Gen- with varying degrees of expertise in han- Charles A., (Ret), The Guerrilla Resistance eral Douglas MacArthur, Major Gener- dling small boats in the open ocean. Movement in the Philippines: 1941-1945. (New al Charles Willoughby (MacArthur’s York: Vantage Press, 1972, page 493, pp. 433- intelligence chief), Brigadier General Whitefield’s controversial opinion of 585) quoting a memo by Mueller, Paul, J., Major Bradford Chynoweth (one of Peralta’s Peralta notwithstanding, the book is a General, GSC, Chief of Staff; C. A. Willoughby, commanding officers prior to the surren- lively and interesting read. It contains Major General, GSC, AC of S, G-2, “The Guer- der) or Commonwealth President Man- more than just a chronicle of his adven- rilla Resistance Movement in the Philippines,” uel Quezon. Indeed, Willoughby de- tures, as he does explain differences be- (Tokyo, Japan: General Headquarters, Far East scribed Peralta as being a strong, well- tween various ethnic groups in the Phil- Command, 1 March 1948). organized leader, who ran a model op- ippines and sometimes borders on the eration and provided valuable intelli- lyrical in describing the countryside. (2) Fitzgerald, John M., Family in Crisis: The gence that was “vastly detailed and ex- United States, the Philippines and the Second ceptionally voluminous.” (1) Some of the more exotic passages in World War. (1st Books, Bloomington, IN, 2002, pp. the book deal with various Filipino cus- 124-142). John M. Fitzgerald’s book on guer- toms he describes in detail, such as how rilla resistance (2) credits Peralta with to cook a dog, how to distill tuba (an

Book Review: The Guerrilla and the Hostage, by John E. Olson Reviewed by J. Michael Houlahan novel set in the Philippines during World ers as eyewitnesses to ground combat War II. Much of his book, which be- and the air war. Following the surren- John E. Olson. The Guerrilla and the gins just before Pearl Harbor and ends der on Bataan, the author has the young- Hostage. Burk Publishing Company, with the liberation of POWs from Ca- er brother taken prisoner, so we view the San Antonio, Texas. Pp. 246, incl. 2 banatuan, is based on Col. Olson’s own Death March and the POW experience maps and 2 prison camp diagrams. combat and POW experience as a 57th through his eyes. The older brother es- (Fourth printing.) For next three months Infantry (PS) captain, not long out of capes capture and joins the guerrillas to price is reduced to $12, including post- West Point. Although the two main char- provide the readers with that perspec- age. Send a check or money order to acters in the novel, US Army lieuten- tive. John E. Olson, The Towers, #510, San ants Gordon and Jim Cox, Gordon a 57th Antonio, TX 78209. Infantry (PS) officer and his younger Of particular interest to our PSHS brother an Army Air Corps pilot, are members will be the various Philippine Col. Olson is at his best in describing fictional, many of the others in the nar- Scouts who play a role in the narrative. combat, the Bataan Death March and rative were actual U.S. military person- In addition to his own personal experi- prison camp in this fourth printing of his nel. Olson uses the two fictional broth- See Review: Guerrilla Page 19 Page 18 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006

Review: Guerrilla From Page 18 ences, Col. Olson also relied on inter- 3,100 patients. This proved inadequate, at Camp O’Donnell and later at Ca- views with many combat veterans, some and dying men were placed on the banatuan. Life as a POW is described of whom were POWs and others who ground under the barracks [p. 189]. Also in great detail. Somewhat less detailed fought with the guerrillas. it is not generally known how close the is the author’s depiction of guerrilla Japanese were to a military collapse in warfare, which he took from informa- Olson’s first hand knowledge enables mid-February, 1942. General Homma, tion garnered from others who survived him to include a number of details from the Japanese commander, testified after the Japanese occupation as guerrillas. the war that are missing from books the war that combat casualties and dis- written by those not actually present as ease had reduced his force to about 3,000 The novel ends with the Cox broth- the events unfolded. For instance, it is infantrymen still able to fight [p.96]. ers reunited during the rescue of 500 not widely known that in early March, Unfortunately, USAFFE forces were so mostly-American POWs from Ca- 1942, about a month before the USAFFE reduced by disease, malnutrition and banatuan. surrender on Bataan, some 200 Philip- combat casualties, that they were unable pine Army soldiers were inducted into to mount a counteroffensive. During a Although The Guerrilla and the Hos- the Philippine Scouts as replacements lull in the combat lasting several weeks, tage is a novel, its attention to detail and for Scout casualties [95]. His descrip- Homma was reinforced with fresh troops the sure hand achieved through person- tion of the Zero Ward at Cabanatuan and USAFFE defenses collapsed in the al experience that Col. Olson brings to where soldiers were placed to die be- face of a new Japanese offensive in ear- his narrative lends a credibility and im- cause there was inadequate food and ly April. mediacy to the book which often is miss- medicine to stem the dysentery, beri- ing in fiction. It is a good and satisfy- beri, malaria and diphtheria killing them Particularly poignant are Olson’s de- ing read. is chilling. At one point, the prison hos- scriptions of the Death March and the pital consisted of 31 barracks housing awful conditions of imprisonment, first

BOOKS WANTED I would like to purchase the following books. Roderick Hall 9A Rutland Gate, London SW7 1BH Tel: 44-22-7581-1273; Fax: 44-20-7589-3200 Email: [email protected]

Bataan Company Commander A brief History of the 31st division, Philippine Army by Edgardo T Gumbar by Rolando S. Pestano

A Brief History of the 41st division, Philippine Army 26th Cavalry Regiment by Exequiel D Jubal by George A. Rummel

Bataan’s Own History of the Philippine Scouts Field Artillery by Lt.Col. Ambrosio P. Pena by Melvin Rosen

The Story of the first Regular Division Handuraw: Tales of War by Lt. Col. Ambrosio P. Pena by Teogenes Borja

Page 19 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006 In Memoriam As we lose these heroes, we encourage friends and family of these extraordinary soldiers to join the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society. You will learn what took place during an extremely difficult time in our history. You will also learn just how special these men were in service to their country. MSG Monico Almachar widow, Virginia L. Cabaddu, lives in anese forces approached the Bataan Pen- Retired 57th Infantry (PS) MSG Pittsburg, California. insula, Lt. Levie’s unit covered the with- Monico Almachar passed away of natu- drawal of the Division. Upon the with- ral causes July 6, 2005 in Manteca, CA. SFC Feliciano A. (Tony) Figuracion drawal, Lt. Levie remained behind to Born on May 2, 1910 inVigan, Ilocos SFC Feliciano A. (Tony) Figuracion, salvage valuable signals equipment. For Sur, Luzon, Philippine Islands he is sur- former member of the 45th Infantry (PS) his “conspicuous bravery and inspiring vived by five children and two grand- and long-time supporter of our Capt. leadership,” he was awarded the Silver children. His wife predeceased him by Jose Calugas, Sr. chapter, passed away Star. ten years. Monico Almachar, a seminary at home in Tacoma on March 14, 2005. After the surrender of the American student in the Philippines, enlisted in the Tony was born May 2, 1919 in Alcala, forces in April 1942, Lt. Levie survived US Army in 1933 as a Philippine Scout. Pangasinan, Philippines. During WWII, the Bataan Death March. He was trans- He escaped from the Bataan Death he survived combat, the Bataan Death ported to the P.O.W. camp in Mukden, March and returned home in Northern March, a Japanese POW camp and the Manchuria, where he was appointed Luzon, where he was recaptured. He es- Korean War. He retired from the U.S. Protestant chaplain and performed burial caped once more and joined Volkmann’s Army in 1961. From his retirement un- services for more than 500 men. When Guerillas and continued to fight the Jap- til 1994, Tony and his family cared for the P.O.W. camp was liberated by Sovi- anese until liberation in 1945. developmentally disabled foster chil- et troops in 1945, the Soviet command- Monico received the Asiatic Pacific dren. He also served as Maintenance er put Lt. Levie in charge, and the Japa- Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Director at a series of nursing homes in nese commandant surrendered his sword Star, the WWII Victory Medal, the Tacoma. and his command to Lt. Levie. American Defense Service Medal with Tony is survived by his wife of 45 After the war, he transferred to Army Bronze Star, Distinguished Unit Badge years, Althea; seven sons, Karangalan Counterintelligence. In 1959, he retired with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Phil- “Alan”, Magtanggol “Tango”, Ralph, from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel ippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Bumpaous, Grant, David, and Dale; and joined the National Aeronautics and Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, and the daughters Liuanag “Lily” Gallardo, Ada Space Administration at Marshall Space Prisoner of War Medal. Eliott, as well as 13 grandchildren, 10 Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He retired with 30 years in the mili- great grandchildren and numerous fos- He worked there until 1986, rising to the tary in 1963 and started a second career ter children. (This obituary supplements position of Chief of Security. as a Security Officer at Sharpe Army a less detailed version published in our Lt. Col. Levie was predeceased in Depot, in Lathrop, CA for 17 more years. last issue. Editor) 2005 by Avis, his wife of 64 years. He He was a member of the American Le- is survived by three children, five grand- gion, the American Defenders of Bataan Lt. Col. James Kellum “Jake” Levie, Jr. children, two brothers and a sister. He & Corregidor, The Philippine Scouts Lt. Col. James Kellum “Jake” Levie, was buried in Chattanooga National Heritage Society, and the American Ex- Jr., who served as a lieutenant in the 12th Cemetery with full military honors and Prisoners of War. Signal Company (PS) during WWII, with the Silver Star that he won in the passed away from pneumonia at the age Bataan Campaign. Feliseo Cabaddu of 90 on March 3, 2006 in LaFayette, Golden Gate-Bay Area Chapter mem- Georgia. Paulino Respicio ber and former Philippine Scout Feliseo Originally from Atlanta, his later Paulino S. Respicio, who served from Cabaddu passed away on May 5, 2006. childhood was spent in Korea where his 1942-1946 in the Philippine Scouts, Mr. Cabaddu was a “New” Scout, who parents served as dental missionaries. passed away after a lengthy illness at enlisted in 1946 and was discharged in In 1939, after studying electrical engi- home in Tujunga California on 15 July 1949, having served in a PS medical neering at Georgia Institute of Technol- 2006 at the age of 86. A veteran of support unit. He joined the PSHS in ogy, he entered active duty in the U.S. WWII, he survived the infamous Bataan 1997 and was National Treasurer of the Army Signal Corps, volunteering for Death March and Japanese POW camp. Philippine Scouts Heritage Society for duty in the Philippines. He enlisted on 15 March, 1942 and was four years, stepping down in 2002. His In the early days of WWII, as the Jap- See In Memoriam Page 21

Page 20 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006

In Memoriam From Page 20 honorably discharged 15 August 1946. Beach, California. Born in Manila, he Corregidor. He belonged to many vet- Paulino served in the Co. E, 57th Infan- graduated from Far Eastern University erans’ organizations, including the Phil- try Regiment (Philippine Scout). Fol- there with a degree in business admin- ippine Scouts Heritage Society and the lowing the surrender of Fil-Am forces, istration. A veteran of WWII, he sur- American Defenders of Bataan and he joined the guerrillas and became a vived the Bataan Death March and Corregidor. He also was a witness for POW. Discharged shortly following the POW camp, finally retiring from the the prosecution in the post-WWII trial war, he immigrated to the United States. U.S. Army Reserve in 1975 as a lieu- of one of several women broadcasting Among his many military honors were tenant colone. Among his many mili- Japanese wartime propaganda and the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star tary honors were the Bronze Star and known to U.S. servicemen in the Pa- (2wd) and the POW medal. He is sur- the POW medal. cific as “Tokyo Rose”. vived by his wife, two sons and three After his retirement, Lt. Col. Villarin, Lt. Col. Villarin is survived by three daughters. by then a U.S. citizen, became a feder- children, Corinne, Larry and Jeanette al auditor. In 1980 he moved from Min- and two grandchildren, Aaron and Rach- Lt. Col. Mariano Villarin nesota to California and began work- el. His wife Margarett predeceased him Retired Philippine Scout Mariano ing on his memoirs. Lt. Col. Villarin in 2003. Villarin passed away from natural caus- was perhaps best known as author of es at 92 on February 3, 2006 in Long the book We Remember Bataan and Member Activities An important objective of this newsletter is the encouragement of our members to raise public awareness of the proud patriotic legacy of the Philippine Scouts. Examples of member’s efforts to accomplish this over the last six months follow: Immediate Past National President from the Philippine Government. These ROTC of Mountain View High School Fred Foz and Gil Gutierrez represent- honors were presented by Major Gen- and presented the unit the “Menandro ed the Philippine Scouts during ceremo- eral Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine B. Parazo Leadership Trophy” as the nies aboard the USS Missouri at Pearl Army, during a ceremony at the Philip- best battalion in the Clint Independent Harbor on the 61st anniversary of the pine Embassy. Menandro also attend- School District, Texas. surrender of Japan on 2 September 2006. ed the Bataan Day wreath-laying cere- As his final act as our National Presi- mony sponsored by the Philippine Finally, Capt. Parazo was a speaker dent, Major Foz presided over our May American Veterans at theWWII Nation- at a national symposium hosted by the reunion. al Memorial on the Mall in Washington. Nimitz National Museum in mid-Sep- tember. Tacoma Chapter President Joe In March, Menandro Parazo and Calugas’ and GGBAC Chapter Presi- Mrs. Parazo attended a special dinner Malcolm Decker, promoting his book dent Cion Rael’s activities are detailed honoring local Bataan survivors hosted On a Mountainside: The 155th Provision- in their chapter reports. Cion’s excel- by the Commander of White Sands al Guerrilla Battalion Against the Japa- lent organizational skills were demon- Army Missile Range in New Mexico. nese on Luzon , attended a book fair in strated again in the smooth running of The Bataan ROTC Battalion of New Springfield, Missouri and took part in a our May 27-28 reunion at the Embassy Mexico State University, the New Mex- radio show and a book signing in Palm Suites Hotel in Burlingame. ico National Guard and the Army White Springs, California. He currently is Sands Missile Test Range jointly spon- working on his second book, Not Au- In April, National Second Vice Pres- sor the annual Bataan Memorial Death thorized to Save American Lives; The ident Menandro Parazo was invited to March. There were 3900 registered Story of Fassoth’s Camps. Washington, D.C. to join retired U.S. marchers representing all 50 states, as Army Lt. General Edward Soriano in well as the United Kingdom, Germany, Chris Schaefer is working on an ar- accepting the Patriotism Award from the Canada, Korea, Virgin Islands and the ticle about the Philippine Scouts for the National Japanese-American Memo- Philippines. Menandro and a few other South Bay Times (a community maga- rial Foundation on behalf of the more Death March survivors addressed the zine in San Diego, Calif.), which should than 12,000 WWII Philippine Scouts. marchers prior to the start of the event. be published in their October issue. He During the same trip, Capt. Parazo was also has a series of book signings and awarded five WWII Philippine Medals Capt. Parazo spoke to the Junior See Member Activities Page 22 Page 21 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006

Member Activities From Page 21 speaking engagements at Barnes & No- Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com or zation’s 2006 Patriotism Award. ble in Sugarland; the Louisiana Book ordered through their book stores. Festival in Baton Rouge; and the Amer- Sgt. Gary Hurd reports that his ican Association of University Women Col. John Olson continues to devote Troop A, 26th US Cav. (PS) Memorial in Houston for his book Bataan Diary: extensive time to organizing the Philip- “Regiment” had a fine Bataan Day Cer- An American Family in World War II, pine Scout archives at the Fort Sam emony in Capas and Camp O’Donnell. 1941-1945 Chris’s website at Houston Museum and supplying infor- He has sworn-in two more troopers and is interesting mation on Scout-related questions com- bring his membership to 14 men be- and worth a visit. ing to our website. He also was cited for tween the Philippines and Texas. his contributions to the just-published John Manguso is adding two poster book Odyssey of a Philippine Scout by Mike Houlahan had his review of panels displaying the medal and insig- Arthur Kendal Whitehead, a former Malcolm Decker’s On a Mountainside: nia collection of Bob Capistrano to the 26th Cavalry (PS) officer. The 155th Provisional Guerrilla Battal- Fort Sam Houston Museum Philippine ion Against the Japanese on Luzon pub- Scouts history display. Previously a large Col. Olson’s book, The Guerrilla and lished in On Point Magazine. His re- poster of a Philippine Scout and the two the Hostage is in a second printing and views of Arthur Kendal Whitehead’s memorial plaques the PSHS donated in available to our members for the reduced Odyssey of a Philippine Scout: Fight- 2003 have been added to the display. rate of $12 (includes postage) for PSHS ing, Escaping, and Evading the Japa- members and newsletter subscribers. nese, 1941-1944 and Bataan: A Survi- Lt. Col. Ed Ramsey and wife Raqui (For details, see ad elsewhere in this is- vor’s Story by Lt. Gene Boyt with Dav- will be in Fort Knox, KY for the U.S. sue.) id L. Burch were published in the Bul- Cavalry Association’s Bivouac, Ed’s letin of the American Historical Collec- book, Lieutenant Ramsey’s War: From Col. Mel Rosen also attended the tion. (Unfortunately, Whitehead, a re- Horse Soldier to Guerrilla Commander, National Japanese American Memorial tired 26th Cavalry (PS) officer, passed co-written with Stephen J. Rivele con- Foundation’s Annual Awards dinner away in 2000, so his book was published tinues to sell well in paperback. Listed where the Philippine Scouts Heritage posthumously.) for $9.95, it can be obtained through Society was presented with that organi- Chapter News Capt. Jose Calugas, Sr. Chapter Elks Lodge #174 in Tacoma. The guest game. Chapter members involved in (Tacoma) In April, the Calugas fami- speaker was LTC. AUS Ret. Albert preparing for and carrying out the re- ly attended the dedication ceremony of Cosio, son of a Philippine Scout. union includes Benito Capuyan, Nita, the Sgt. Jose Calugas, Sr. Apartments Evelyn, Rhoda, Run Run and Der- at High Point in West Seattle, Washing- The Chapter now has 52 members, 47 ick Guiang, Nilda Malvar, Jess Oki- ton. The building’s naming was due to of whom are life members. The six new- alda, David Tejada, Nora Warren the leadership of Norberto Caoili, Pres- est recruits are life members Lt. Col. Al and Cindy Warren. ident of the Filipino Community of Se- and Elena Costo, and Susan Barbon, attle, and was intended as a gesture hon- and annual members Donald Plata, In August, the chapter participated in oring veterans who participated in the Allen Sandico, and Daniel Zepeda, Jr. the 13th Anniversary of the Pistahan Pa- Bataan-Corregidor campaign during rade in San Francisco, which celebrates World War II. The 23rd National Annual Reunion the centennial of the first Filipino im- will be hosted by the Tacoma Chap- migrants to the U.S. GGBAC Vice-Pres- In May, Joe and Goody Calugas and ter on May 18-19, 2007 at the La ident David Tejada and Secretary/ Dan and Ely Figuracion attended the Quinta Inn & Suites in Tacoma. Judge Advocate Jess Okialda, deco- 22nd National Annual Reunion at Em- rated David’s truck with PSHS and bassy Suites Hotel in San Francisco Air- Golden Gate-Bay Area Chapter: Led POW/MIA motif and bouquets of flow- port- Burlingame. by President Cion Rael, the chapter ers provided by former Philippine Scout hosted another extremely successful re- Pablo Mesina, daughter Lina Susbilla In September, the Chapter held its 16th union (see front page story), this time and children. Lina drove the truck dur- Anniversary Dinner and Dance at the at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Burlin- ing the parade. See Chapter News Page 23 Page 22 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006

Chapter News From Page 21 In an August luncheon, David Teja- Fort Miley VA Medical Center in San Monterey County Chapter: No activ- da and Jess Okialda were awarded the Francisco. ities reported although several members National Memorial medallion given by attended the annual reunion, a member- Cdr Don Thompson of the Bay Area GGBAC officers and members wish ship list has been received by National Civilian Ex-POW group. The inscription a speedy recovery to Nita Guiang, and the chapter continues to pay share reads: “State of California Governor PSHS Asst.Treasurer who recently un- of dues to National. Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Appreci- derwent surgery and extend get-well ation and Respect for your honored ser- wishes to Jose and Sol Aquino. Lt. Alexander R. Nininger Chapter: vice and sacrifice.” No activities reported and no list of dues- Gen. John J. Pershing Chapter (El paying members received. In September, the GGBAC held Paso) No chapter activities involving its annual picnic, a joint undertaking any members other than Chapter Pres- LTC Lloyd E. Mills Chapter: No ac- with the American Legion, Post #1 at ident Menandro Parazo were report- tivities reported and no list of dues-pay- Gellert Park, Daly City. ed, although a list of chapter members ing members received. The chapter has exists. Menandro himself has been been placed in an inactive category. The chapter also took part in the mid- very active as reported on the Member September POW/MIA celebration at the Activities page.

FILIPINO AMERICAN MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT, INC. By Leslie Ann Murray concerned individuals joined the cause Projects: Today, FAME continues to and the World War II Memorial Com- work with like-minded individuals, F.A.M.E. is under the auspices of the mittee was established, under the aus- companies and veterans organizations, American Chamber of Commerce of the pices of the American Chamber of Com- as a catalyst to affect any repairs or re- Philippines, Inc. Editor merce; members were: Mr. Alex Keller, furbishment necessary to keep these Fil- Mr. Matt Holiday (now deceased), Mr. ipino-American Monuments as fitting There are a many monuments dotted J. Marsh Thompson, Col. Edward memorials. Such support is essential, around the Philippines dedicated to the Ramsey, Col. Lee Telesco (now de- since the work of FAME is solely sup- bravery and sacrifice of Filipino and ceased), and Madame Helena Benitez. ported by donations. American military and civilian forces that fought the battles of WWII. Many In May 1986, the Committee regis- Bataan Death March Marker of these were erected shortly after the tered with the Philippine Securities and Project: In 2001, F.A.M.E. initiated a war. Some came later. Two grateful na- Exchange Commission as the Filipino- project to repair and replace the numer- tions saluted their heroes in stone and American Memorial Endowment, ous kilometer markers along the route metal. However, forty years later, time (FAME), Inc.- “a non-stock, non-prof- of the Bataan Death March -from Kilo- and weather had taken their toll and it foundation established in the Phil- meter 0 at Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, there is need for maintenance of these ippines and the United States by busi- Tarlac. The initial project was rehabili- memorials. ness executives and veterans.” Its tation of the Kilometer 0 Mariveles mission: “to help preserve and main- Shrine with re-landscaping, installation Thus, on May 21, 1985, a meeting tain tangible reminders of the shared of new lights, refurbishment of the was held to formulate plans for the sup- values for which Americans, Filipinos bronze plaques and installation of two port of these WWII memorials. The ini- and their allies fought side-by-side in flagpoles. To date over 50% of the mark- tiative was spearheaded by Mr. Alex World War II.” Its objective is “NOT ers along the route have been replaced. Keller, the President and General Man- to build new memorials, but to raise It is hoped to finish the entire route by ager of Proctor & Gamble at that time, funds in order to maintain existing the 65th anniversary of the march in April spurred by a previous donation of dis- monuments dedicated to the memory of 2007. Several have been sponsored play cases to the Pacific War Memorial of Filipino-American co-operation by Filipino families, in honor of their Museum at Topside, Corregidor, by his during World War II.” men who perished – or survived - the colleague, Mr. Louis Pritchett. Other See FAME Page 24 Page 23 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006

FAME From Page 23See FAME Page 26 March; others are sponsored by compa- work. UNESCO has been approached 2006, with the attendance of four BDM nies, individuals and veterans organiza- but has not responded; we are explor- survivors as well as many contributors tions to honor the sacrifices of that trag- ing other corporate sources such as and families of those who perished who ic event. American Express, Ford, etc. Any as- traveled from the US to witness the sist in this matter would be gratefully event. Phase two continues so donations Due to the effects of time and tropi- received. are still welcome. cal weather, and (regrettably) vandalism, some of the markers are now in need of Hellships Memorial Project: FAME Clark Cemetery: FAME also con- refurbishment. We are appealing to is monitoring donations for the Hellships tributes funds to assist the VFW Post those who may wish to support our work Memorial Project – a memorial sited in 2485 in Angeles City in the upkeep of in this to please contribute to a separate Subic Bay, Olongopo – in memory of Clark Cemetery, buried in the eruption BDM (Bataan Death March) Marker the hundreds who died on these ships of Mt. Pinatubo in June, 1991 and aban- Maintenance Fund, through the usual while being transferred to slave labor doned later that year when the US mili- channels. facilities in Taiwan and Japan; sunk by tary closed down Clark Air Base. American forces who were unaware Corregidor: A complete refurbish- Americans were on board. Donations Conclusion: FAME has the respon- ment of the Pacific War Memorial Mu- are coming in from veterans and fami- sibility of coordinating the maintenance seum on Corregidor was carried out a lies of those who perished on these ships. of many other monuments throughout few years ago, in cooperation with the the Philippines and depends on the di- Corregidor Foundation, Inc. (CFI). Cur- Phase One of the memorial is now rect and continued patronage of corpo- rently we have just completed the instal- completed and was dedicated in cere- rations and individuals to sustain its ac- lation of solar-powered floodlighting of monies at Subic Freeport on January 22, tivities. the “Eternal Flame” sculpture at Top- side, through the generosity of SunPow- er Manufacturing Philippines, an Amer- F.A.M.E. is registered as tax-exempt in the Philippines (as a certified ican company manufacturing solar pan- donee institution) and in the U.S.A. (as publicly supported foundation) un- els here in the Philippines. Thus the der IRS Sec. as a 501 (c ) (3), Federal ID No. 31-1216785 memorial will be lit from dusk to dawn, acting as a beacon and reminder of the Donations and contributions can be sent to: role of the island in the history of WWII for all ships and planes entering Manila. Filipino-American Memorial Endowment, Inc. c/o American Chamber of Commerce, Philippines In addition, we are assisting the CFI 2/F Corinthian Plaza Bldg., Paseo de Roxas in sourcing funds through grants or out- Legaspi Village, Makati City, 1229, Philippines right donations for the preservation of the remaining building ruins on the is- OR land – all that remains of US Army Fort Mills. The buildings are deteriorating Filipino-American Memorial Endowment, Inc. through the effects of the tropical cli- C/O Alex Keller mate and sea air. There is urgent need 535 Rolling Rock Lane to preserve this former battleground for Cincinnati, Ohio, 45255. future generations. It is also a major tourist attraction for international visi- tors as well as Filipinos. Fame is looking for sponsors for the 35 remaining Death March kilo- We appeal to anyone who can assist meters markers at $600 for a concrete obelisk and $300 for the sign-post. us in obtaining substantial grants for this

Page 24 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Fall 2006

Page 25 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society NON PROFIT ORG. J. Michael Houlahan U.S. POSTAGE Secretary & Newsletter Editor 6774 Lakeside Circle West PAID Worthington, OH 43085 COLUMBUS, OH 43218 PERMIT #8189

Meet Our National Officers and Chapter Presidents

Major Fred Foz Nora G. Warren J. Michael Houlahan LTC Lloyd E. Mills Chapter President Emeritus Treasurer Secretary and Currently inactive 1658 Hoolana Street 92 Russell Drive Newsletter Editor Pearl City, HI 96782 Antioch, CA 94509 6774 Lakeside Circle West Greg Ramos, President (808) 454-0629 (925) 757-3267 Worthington, OH 43085 Monterey County Chapter (614) 847-1016 708 John Street Sen. John A. Patterson Salinas, CA 93905 President Col. (Ret.) John E. Olson Chris Schaefer (831) 424-9084 721 N. Quidnessett Rd. Historian Public Relations Officer North Kingstown, RI 02852 1 Towers Park Lane #510 11930 River View John Manguso (401) 885-7776 San Antonio, TX 78209 Houston, TX 77077 Director, Fort Sam Houston Museum (210) 821-6017 (281) 493-0761 MCCS-GPTMS-M Jose Calugas Jr., 2250 Stanley Road, Suite 36 1st Vice President & President Concepcion M. Rael, President Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6111 Capt. Jose Calugas Sr. Chapter Rob Capistrano Golden Gate-Bay Area Chapter (210) 221-1886 2907 Narrows Place Assistant Historian Veterans History Project Coord. The Museum is the official repository Tacoma, WA 98407 5725 Santa Cruz Ave. P.O. Box 179 for Philippine Scout memorabilia (253) 752-2573 Richmond, CA 94804 Daly City, CA. 94016-0179 (650) 756-9057 Christa M. Houlahan Menandro Parazo Website Designer and Manager 2nd Vice President & President Col. (Ret.) Melvin H. Rosen Isabelo S. Torio, M.D., Contact Newsletter Design and Layout Gen. John J. Pershing Chapter Counselor Lt. Alexander R. Nininger Ch. [email protected] 6705 Morningside Cir. 3415 Arnold Lane 11374 Grassy Trail Drive El Paso, TX 79904 Falls Church, VA 22042 San Diego, CA 92127 (915)565-7607 (703) 560-5557 (858) 485-5696 If you would like to contact us via email, visit our website: www.philippine-scouts.org. Please contact us if you have questions or would like to become Past issues of this newsletter are involved with the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society! available on our website.