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ANY TUR NER PUBLISHING COMP
TURNER PUBLISHING COMPANY 412 Broadway· P.O. Box 3101 Paducah, Kentucky 42002-310 1 (502) 443-0121 Copyright © 1998 Publishing Rights: Turner Publishing Company This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.
Turner Publishing Company Staff: Editor: Bill Schiller Designer: Shelley R. Davidson Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 97-62331 ISBN: 1-56311-405-4 Printed in the United States of America. Additional copies may be purchased directly from the publisher. Limited Edition.
POWs celebrating the 4th of July in Malaybalay Mindanao. PI. It was against Jap regulations and would have meant death if the prisoners had been caughl.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ..................................................... .................................. 4 Publi sher 's Message .......................................................................... 5 History ............................................................................................... 7 Preliminary Steps Immediately Preceding the War .................... 9 The History of U.S. Army Air Corps in the Philippine Islands .. 24 A Brief History of Patrol Wing Ten .......... ....... .......................... 45 Can opus Courageous .................................................................. 48 History ofUSS Pigeon (ASR-6) 1912 - 1942 ............................ 52 The First U.S. Tank Action in WWII ......................................... 54 The 26th Cavalry in the Philippines ........................................... 58 Carabo Island's Fort Frank ......................................................... 64 The Defeat and the Capitulation of the Luzon Force ................ 68 Reflections of a POW Medical Officer ...................................... 70 King of Bataan ................................................. .. ........................ 73 The Diary of MG Edward P. King, Jr. ........................................ 77 Special Stories .... .. ............. .. ................... .. .............................. ..... ...... 87 ADBC Veterans ................................................................................. 103 One month after Camp a 'Donald opened the Japs look this photo of the men who were the healthiest. From April la, 1942 to May 5, 1942, nearly 1,600 American prisoners died from lack of quinine andfood.
Roster ................................................................................................. 145 Index ........................... ... .................................. ...... ............................ 158
INTRODUCTION
To my Fellow American and Filipino Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Guam and Wake Islands: The legacy of the gallant defenders of the Philippines, Guam, and Wake Islands and their subsequent mistreatment by the Japanese Armed Forces will forever be remembered throughout the annals of history. Much of their history has been told in Volume I of the History of the Defenders of the Philippines, Guam and Wake Islands 1941 - 1945 . Now we have Volume II which further documents the personal challenges which confronted them during that same period of time. We thank the Turner Publishing Company for giving us the opportunity to publish our stories and have them available for our children, grandchildren, future historians, and the public in general to read and analyze. These history books assure that their gallant defense of the Philippines and mistreatment by the enemy will not be forgotten . It is fortunate that our country produces warriors who summon special courage that empowers them to face incredible challenges as they did. In the midst of all the confusion at home and in the Pacific during the years 1941 - 1945, the heroic defense of the Philippines stood out like a beacon of hope for the future. There they proved that the Japanese soldier was far from invincible. Although confronted by vastly outnumbered forces which finally took over the Philippines, the American and Philippine forces exacted a terrible toll on the enemy during their gallant defense of Bataan and Corregidor, before their half-starved, malaria-ridden garrisons were finally forced to capitulate on May 6, 1942. They were known as heroes at the time, and the American public began to think of Bataan and Corregidor in terms of the courage of our men. The names Bataan and Corregidor have become symbols in many minds for something approaching victory. Emotionally there is a seed of truth in that - both emotionally and strategically, the two phases of the war in the Southwest Pacific, the retreat and the return, are keyed in those two names. But actually, for the men involved, the defense was a bitter, ugly and humiliating business. The men who took part in it will always bear the scars of humiliation - not only the survivors of the Death March and the prisons, but the very few who managed to get out of the Philippines and who tried with the pitifully little they found in the south, first to fight back, and then merely delay the Japanese forces. They fought with what they had and did a superior job at it. For all of these forces, victory may palliate the humiliation but cannot wholly write it off. But for the most part, this history rests on their spoken word and recollections. To rely so heavily on such a source may not make for definitive history in the eyes of the military scholars, yet it may come as close to the truth as possible. The average reader following the war in the press would never have heard of the 5th Air Base Unit and its work on Mindanao or the 803rd Aviation Engineers. Nor would they have heard any reference to Corporal Wiezorek. He was executed by a Japanese soldier firing squad along with nine others across a little opening in the coconut grove at Lumban, near the schoolhouse for some small infraction of their rules. There were many others who died on Luzon, on the other Islands, and in the Pacific everywhere our war was being fought, in a similar fashion. It is their kind who fight wars, they mayor may not wear stars, they may, but probably will not be decorated, but they will surely be called on again to die unless this country has learned at last to keep its defenses strong. Let us hope that the story of the defenders of the Philippines, Guam and Wake Islands which was a story of "too little, too late," will drive home a lesson to the people of this country. We must not again let our defenses down . The next time might simply be "too late."
Edward Jackfert
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- - - - - - - - PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE
The saga of the American Defenders ofBataan and Corregidor is without a doubt, the most mind-chilling chapter in the story of World War II. None of us can fully comprehend the perilous hardship endured by our troops in the Philippines, Guam and Wake Islands. We have no other context by which to judge that suffering. I've come to believe that it was more gruesome, more brutal , and more tragic than absolutely anything we could ever imagine. And yet, few accounts better exemplify the courage and tenacious spirit of our men in the Armed Forces. Though food, water, medicine and other needed equipment was virtually non-existent, our valiant troops successfully thwarted Japanese plans to expedite their occupation in the Pacific. Our defenders surrendered long after the futility of their fight became obvious to the world. Some have asserted that if our troops had only known what was in store for them as POW 's, they would have fought to the death. The rampant disease, the terror of the Hell Ships, the cruel abuse of sadistic guards, the slave labor - all was more awful than what could have been foreseen . Even today, those who were fortunate enough to survive still bear the scars and have agonized through physiological complications due to the abuse they received so many years ago. Japanese Generals Homma and Yamashita would be found guilty of crimes against mankind and summarily executed at the close of the war. General Douglas MacArthur made the following remarks to critics at the time; " A soldier, be he friend or foe, is charged with protection of the weak and unarmed. It is the very reason and essence for his being. When he violates this sacred trust he not only profanes his entire cult but threatens the very fabric of international society." In this, we have further insight as to the distinguishing calibre of our Defenders. Beaten, but not defeated. Imprisoned, but free in spirit and faith. Butchered, but dignity intact. Surely, this comes close to portraying what it means to be an American. Through their heroic efforts and undaunted character, we are afforded with the noblest sense of pride. A measure of tribute is paid to each branch of service in this new volume of history. A significant portion of text is also dedicated to the virtuous Philippine Nationals who equally fought and died beside our own men. Another section pays overdue credit to General Edward King who some contend has been long overlooked by historians that have failed to recognize his unique contribution in saving countless lives . The stories are especially compelling and should enlighten any reader, even those who imagined themselves familiar with all the details of that era. I extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone who submitted stories, photographs and materials for use in this book. Special appreciation must be paid to Mr. Edward Jackfert and Mr. Andrew Miller. Their valuable assistance proved more than essential in completing this Volume II History of the Defenders of the Philippines, Guam and Wake Islands. Sincerely,
Dave Turner, President Turner Publshing Company