2008
The 66th Anniversary of the Fall of
Bataan
Once again, in what has become a tradition,
Commander Charles Macukewicz, Sr. Vice Commander Ernest G. Brosh,
Chaplain Chester Malik and SAL Chaplain Tom Wright have been invited
to commemorate the anniversary of the fall of Bataan with the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, Pvt. Tomas Claudio Post 1063 and Ladies Auxiliary and
the American Legion Gen. Alejo Santos Post 717 and Ladies Auxiliary
and the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia. This years
66th anniversary venue was changed at the last minute from
the traditional location at the Rizal Monument in Cooper River Park to
the Filipino Community Center in Lindenwold, NJ due to threats of
lightning and thundershowers and a Cooper River rowing regatta.
Chaplain Chester Malik dressed in his full
uniform read an opening prayer composed by Sr. Vice Commander Ernest
G. Brosh. Chaplain Malik was also called upon to read excerpts from a
diary of a death march survivor. Commander Macukewicz was also on the
program as an inspirational speaker and both he and Chaplain Malik
were outstanding as the audience listened in stunned silence to the
atrocities committed by the Japanese. I have battled with my
conscience as to whether I should make mention of them and have
decided against it as being to horrific.
Commander Macukewicz and I have pledged to the
Filipino Community and VFW Post 1063 and American Legion Post 717 our
full support in the passage of House Resolution 760 and Senate Bill
1315 for the Veterans Equity Act to restore benefits taken away by
Congress in 1946. These remaining Filipino members, still alive today,
fought side by side with our American soldiers and were not recognized
for their courage and bravery, nor where they given recognition as
veterans of the conflict. This inequity should be corrected and the
time is now. You can make your voice be heard by calling 202 224 3121
and you will be connected to any member of Congress. Thank you.
Submitted by Senior Vice Commander Ernest G.
Brosh
2007
Click here for more
info about The Fall of the
Philippines Bataan and Corregidor
Commander Macukewicz and I attended the
Bataan Death March ceremonies last night at the Bataan/Corregidor
Memorial site at Cooper River Park. It was the 65th anniversary of
the fall and surrender of Bataan which began April 9th, 1942 and
involved some 12,000 American and 62,000 Filipino, starved and
emaciated soldiers, many of whom suffered from Malaria and other
illnesses. There were atrocities committed along the grueling march and
thousands were bayoneted, shot and beheaded as they fell by the
wayside.
We were guests of former American
Legion Filipino Post Cmdr.Jamie Perlata who is also a member of our Post
372 for thirty some years. I was invited partly because of my status as
Vice Commander and Jamie remembered me from helping him at the Memorial
site last Memorial Day.
There is still one Filipino survivor from
this area that was able to attend and he is able to move around and gave
a nice speech although in his late eighties. It was bitterly cold and
someone held the microphone for him. I looked at him in awe and with
admiration to have survived so much. I know how I feel when I have the
flu or some illness and lying in a nice comfortable bed. To think, this
is a man that survived so much. Iron man, I thought to myself.
We were treated very well, as dignitaries
which I am not accustomed to and we were seated in front row seats. I
was truly honored and humbled to be in the presence of such heroes of
history and to listen to the stories of those who suffered and endured
so much.
Our Commander, Charles Macukewicz took the
microphone and recounted a story of a Filipino friend of his who
survived the march and was sent to a prisoner of war camp in Japan where
many more died. He told of what the prisoners had to do to survive
starvation which due to the gruesome nature, I would rather not mention.
Commander Mac did a nice job of expressing gratitude for the Filipino
peoples contribution in WWII and subsequent wars and offered Post 372's
continuing cooperation. He was accorded a nice applause which I am sure
we were all eager to do just to help keep our hands warm.
Tom Wright attended the memorial service at
my request, as a SAL representative and was asked to escort one of the
nice ladies who placed wreaths at the monument. The Filipino Chaplain
recited opening and closing prayers and we all sang the American and
Filipino National Anthems. Taps were played on a harmonica by a Filipino
veteran of WWII and refreshments were served afterwards while a three
piece band played four branch of service songs and requested we sing "Oh
How I Hate To Get Up In the Morning which you probably do not know but
many old military do. I hope they weren't recording our singing. There
were about a hundred plus in attendance which sad to say, will probably
diminish as the years go by and veterans of WWII pass on.
All in all, a moving experience for me. I am
proud to be an American, the home of so many brave people from so many
denominations who fought to preserve our freedoms.
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Introduction to Bataan and Corregidor
The
Philippine
Department had been the outlying
U.S. Army command in
the
Pacific for
many years. In the summer of
1941
increasing tension between
Japan and
the
United
States caused the War Department to set up a new command for the
specific purpose of organizing the defense of the Philippines. This
command, activated on July 26, 1941, was named the United States Armed
Forces, Far East (USAFFE, or AFFE); General Douglas MacArthur, retired,
was placed on active duty and designated commanding general.
At the time of
Pearl Harbor, General MacArthur's ground forces consisted of the
Philippine Army of 10 divisions and supporting troops, with a total
strength of about 100,000, and a U.S. Regular Army contingent of more than
25,000. Of the latter force, the largest unit was the Philippine Division,
consisting of one American regiment and two Philippine Scout regiments.
The Japanese struck before the Philippine Army could be completely trained
or properly equipped.
The Japanese air attack on the Philippines on December 8, 1941
seriously crippled elements of the American air forces stationed in the
islands and damaged naval installations. On December 10, Japanese forces
landed at Aparri and Vigan on the northern coast of Luzon. The main body
of the invasion force began landing on Luzon at Lingayen Gulf on December
22. Other landings were made below Manila and on other islands of the
Philippines. Unable to stop the enemy at the shoreline of Luzon, MacArthur
withdrew sea forces into the Bataan Peninsula, the island of Corregidor,
and three other small islands in Manila Bay. This complex retrograde
movement was accomplished by 7 January 7,
1942.
Meanwhile, on January 2, the Japanese had occupied Manila, which had been
declared an open city on December 24. The American and Filipino troops had
lost most of their supplies during their withdrawal; and a Japanese
blockade precluded the possibility of resupply or the landing of
reinforcements.
On March 12, 1942, General MacArthur was ordered by the President to
leave for
Australia. His successor in command was Lt. Gen. Jonathan M.
Wainwright who, for a short period (21 March to 6 May 1942), commanded the
so-called U.S. Forces in the Philippines (USFIP), although General
MacArthur remained the nominal commander.
On April 9, 1942, by which time the troops of Bataan had been reduced
by hunger, disease, and casualties to the point of military helplessness,
their commander, Maj. Gen. Edward P. King, Jr., surrendered his forces to
the Japanese. General Wainwright surrendered the remainder of the American
forces on Corregidor and elsewhere in the Philippines on May 6, 1942.
Bataan and Corregidor: Features
- Fascinating, inspiring stories and details about the heroes of
Bataan and Corregidor who were recognized with the
Congressional Medal of Honor.
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