Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Preserving the history, heritage, and legacy of the Philippine Scouts for present and future generations Spring 2010 26th National Reunion and Annual Meeting May 7-8, 2010 in Tacoma, Washington Attached is a registration form for to be awarded the Medal of Honor dur- the Scouts, including a documentary the 26th National Reunion and An- ing the early days of World War II. His on the Scouts, a Veterans Panel, Scout nual Meeting of the Philippine Scouts son, Jose Calugas, Jr., is the Chapter’s artifacts, memorabilia and literature. Heritage Society - May 7-8, 2010, in President. I hope to see you in Tacoma. Tacoma, Washington. It will be hosted During the two day reunion, we will by the Capt. Jose Calugas, Sr. Chapter. have presentations and panels covering John A. Patterson, President Captain Calugas was one of three Scouts a wide variety of topics connected with Philippine Scouts Heritage Society President’s Letter This is the second newsletter put to- Sgt. Jose Calugas, Sr., for his gallantry What’s Inside? gether by Paul Ruiz. Paul follows Mike on Bataan. The Medal was donated to Houlahan who was the editor for 8 years. the Museum several years ago by Jose Spring 2010 Issue Before them it was Nicoll Galbraith. Calugas, Jr., and his family. Thanks go to all three for undertaking The Society’s purpose is to preserve Editor’s Comments..................................2 this important function over the years. the history, heritage and legacy of the First Vice-President’s Letter.................3 It is a major outreach activity that tells U.S. Army’s Philippine Scouts. Re- Well Wishes for John Manguso.........4 the Philippine Scout story in so many unions have been held every year since Surrender and Survival......................5 interesting ways. 1984. We have sought the involvement In Memoriam............................7 The Philippine Scouts Heritage So- of children, grandchildren, relatives and ciety is preparing for its annual reunion those interested in these extraordinary 1st Convention of the ABDC..........7 in Tacoma, Washington on May 7th and warriors. Today, our National Board Chapter News...............................8 May 8th, 2010. This is a good time to of Officers and Chapter Presidents are Newsletter and Library.......................8 reflect again on this organization and its a blend of Scouts and those of the next The General’s Corner.............................9 26 year history. The Society was for- generation. In this way we will assure GC: The Battle for Bataan (Part Two)..9 mally created in 1989 at the U.S. Army that the Scouts are never forgotten. Museum, in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. I mention all this because there are GC: Review: The Blood and Mud.........9 The Museum is the official U.S. Gov- World War II veterans’ groups which are GC: Review: From Battan to Safety..15 ernment repository for Scout artifacts, now leaving the scene. In some cases, 26th National Reunion Announcement...16 memorabilia and other Scout items of they simply wanted to stay together Reunion Agenda..........................17 historical importance. The collection as long as possible and that’s it. In Reunion Registration Form...............19 includes the Medal of Honor awarded to See President’s Letter Page 4 Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Spring 2010 Editor’s Comments by Paul Ruiz I am riding the late evening ferry ance man is now focused on providing brought my dad to our building to show The reunion will be hosted by the Cap- leadership that is both wise and genial. ranks are three members who were home from San Francisco as I type this, for my wife and 3 children; coaching him around before taking him to lunch. tain Jose Calugas, Sr. Chapter in Tacoma, John’s longstanding efforts are, in large awarded the Congressional Medal of and pondering a mystical connection their soccer teams; and saving for what He was 74 at the time, and 2 years away under the able direction of Joe Calugas, measure, the reason why the PSHS has Honor. Our membership also includes between the Philippine Scouts Heritage I am anticipating to be ridiculously high from being diagnosed with leukemia Jr. Joe, his wife Goody, and the Tacoma continued to flourish. historians, authors and academicians Society and this commute at the end college tuition. and dying months later. He had joined Chapter have put many hours of work Lastly and certainly not in the least, I with whom we commonly share an ad- of a very long day sitting in an office, Yet, when I take a moment to reflect the Philippine Scouts in 1934 as a 20 into planning and executing this reunion, thank Christa Houlahan for her help with miration of these outstanding soldiers most of which was spent in front of a on the experiences of others, and in year old, fought on Bataan, survived and for that we are very grateful. our website, www.philippine-scouts. and their rightful place in history. Re- computer. I know there’s a connection, particular the Philippine Scouts who the March and prison camps, fought as I want to thank Mike Houlahan, our org, as well as the layout of this newslet- gardless of our individual connections I can sense it. suffered so much in battle and even a guerrilla, fought in the Korean War, historian, who continues to be a tremen- ter. (Christa, I will eventually be more to the PSHS, it is clear to me that the The boat is about 20% full, with more in captivity, this redefines the and eventually retired from the Army in dous resource for the organization both in disciplined with deadlines which I still ongoing participation and interest in everyone either reading, sleeping, or meaning of “stress” for me. I consider 1959. Yet on that day he was wide-eyed terms of the depth of his knowledge and consider somewhat fluid). this organization is not only an effort to typing on their laptops. A feeling of ex- how these magnificently trained and as he toured our upscale offices situ- his expert guidance. As our former news- Our fathers, grandfathers, and uncles help perpetuate the legacy of these fine haustion is palpable above the loud hum dedicated soldiers fought so effectively ated in a premier downtown sky rise. I letter editor, Mike continues to provide distinguished themselves as members soldiers, but is also a labor of love that of the engines which transports us at 40 and courageously against numerically remember being amused by his remark, insightful articles to this publication. of what may have been the most battle commemorates their heroic deeds. mph through SF Bay. While I appreci- superior, battle hardened Japanese “This is like the movies.” He died 19 I also thank John Patterson, our ready outfit at the outset of the war, the We look forward to seeing you in ate the rewards of my 22 year insurance forces landing in droves, and did so for years ago in February, 1991, during the National President, who has provided elite Philippine Scouts. Within these Tacoma. career, at times the tedium of 10+ hour months while simultaneously battling outset of the Gulf War. As I recall the days mostly spent behind a desk can take disease and starvation. I imagine how details of his visit to my office 22 years its toll. Adding the trend of corporations severe their desperation must have been ago, I am struck by the divide that sepa- demanding higher output with fewer and how anguishing to eventually realize rated his life from mine; the sacrifices First Vice-President’s Letter resources makes for longer hours, less that help would not come. I remember and suffering he and others went through The 26th National reunion, hosted by for Generations X /Young profession- time with family, less time for exercise, my own father recalling those times on so that we could live in a free society, the Captain Jose Calugas, Sr. Chapter, als ( first, second, third generations and higher levels of stress. Don’t get Bataan, eyes watering, as he described and so that I eventually could work in an will be held at La Quinta Inn & Suites in sons and daughters of the Scouts, Joe me wrong, this does not compare to the hearing planes overhead and hoping office in a building “just like the mov- Tacoma, Washington on May 7-8, 2010. Calugas moderator,Veterans Panel alternative – unemployment – as the against hope that they would be U.S. ies.” And, I renew both my gratitude to The annual reunions and meetings (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and greater stressor. Still, during moments planes. How he recalled participating his generation, and in particular to the have taken a new approach not only Afghanistan), BG. Oscar B. Hilman of reflection, particularly on an evening in the burial details in the prison camps, efforts of the Philippine Scouts. in getting together, but inviting guest General’s Panel and finally the Dis- commute home when one wonders what and vivid descriptions of limbs partially Our annual reunion scheduled for speakers, power point presentations, plays of artifacts/ memorabilia from might have been had one “zigged” rather protruding from the shallow graves. May 7-8, 2010, provides us with the displays, and the involvement of the the Philippine Scouts Era. than “zagged” in life, a very grounding How the extreme hunger that constantly opportunity to once again commemo- Philippine Scouts re-enactors. The 26th A dinner program on May 8 features concept for me remains the sacrifices of preoccupied the prisoners would be rate the sacrifices and courage of those reunion will have these covered. Anthony R. Maravillas PhD., Profes- those in our military, past and present, replaced by nausea when the breeze car- who defended the Philippines during Presentations will include those by sor of history.