GHQ  Historic Corregidor  | Harbor Defense of Manila & Subic Bays  |  Corregidor Under Siege  Retaking Corregidor  |  Rediscovering Corregidor  | Units & Personnel  |  Concrete Battleship Secret Corregidor PX  |  Now Showing |  Archives  |  Bulletin Board | Galleries  |  Mail Call | Links | 503d on the Rock  | 503d Heritage Bn. Rock Force

 

Celebrating Humanity under inhuman conditions

 

An Afternoon With Charlie Bradford AN AFTERNOON WITH CHARLIE BRADFORD

 Widely admired for his bravery as a soldier and his compassionate treatment of his men, Dr. Charlie Bradford  passed away recently on 17 May 2000. John Lindgren writes of his death  (TAPS) and also recalls 'an afternoon in November 1993.'  Sit quietly with them at the Harvard Club for the afternoon, and listen to a truly extraordinary man. 

 THE B. T. TUNNEL

 Sometimes minor comments on our e-mail circle stir up the most mindbogglingly trivial topics. But what begins as an assessment of whether there were or were not trucks along the South Shore Road at the base of Crockett Ravine ends in a serious lesson on "Bayers' Theorem of Subjective Probability." 

Battery Chicago BATTERY CHICAGO

 "It wasn't but a minute later that Capt. Amery yelled out, "Everyone take your small arms and hand grenades to your fox holes! HERE THEY COME!"

 This extract from "CORREGIDOR - FROM PARADISE TO HELL"  is completely false.  There was NO Battle of Morrison Hill,   the episode is next to worthless trash, a  complete and utter fabrication, a work of imagination that doesn't even have the merit of a Zane Grey pot-boiler, a waste of money.  The real truth of Btty. Chicago can be found in the  "Narrative Report of ActioN" by Captain G. R. Ames. 

"roster, personnel, 59th coast artillery corps"

As at 31 March 1942 (1.8 MB)

"roster, personnel, 60th coast artillery corps"

As at 31 March 1942 (2.1 MB)

"roster, personnel, FT. MILLS"

As at 31 March 1942 (50K )

"roster, personnel, HQ & HQ BTRY, HARBOR DEFENSES"

- As at 31 January 1942 (45K )

"The Best Warrior I Ever KneW"

- Bill Calhoun was Lloyd McCarter's platoon commander, and one of the officers who recommended him for the Congressional Medal of Honor.  McCarter's conduct on the night of the action came as little surprise to those who knew him.

Better have the books corrected!"

" MacArthur left the Rock - but from where? Even MacArthur himself got it wrong. Ed eats crow.

COMBAT OVER CORREGIDOR AN AFTERNOON WITH CHARLIE BRADFORD

 You're not serious about Corregidor 1945 if you don't have this.


 

Combat Over Corregidor by Charles H. Bradford M.D.

CORREGIDOR 1941 CORREGIDOR 1941

 - Al McGrew has written a book,  "Mid Th'Encircling Gloom"  Sent to Corregidor as a naive recruit, he writes of the siege,  the surrender, the 92nd Garage confinement, the march to Bilibid Prison, Cabanatuan III POW Camp, Pasay School POW Camp, the Nichols Field Labor Camp, a hell-ship transfer to Japan, Omori POW Camp, slave labor on the smelters, and the B-29 Raids.  Here's a teaser.

Corregidor Bugler THE LAST BUGLER

 A short story by Al McGrew, the last bugler of "H" Battery at Corregidor. 

Corregidor (Day 1) THE LAST BUGLER A 'trooper recalls his first day on Corregidor.
"Diary 1989". DOGTAGS The 503d finally makes it to Btty. Monja
DOG TAGS AND DESERTERS DOGTAGS

 - The Story of the Staff Sgt who was no hero. 

ESCAPE ATTEMPT  FROM CORREGIDOR DESERTION FROM CORREGIDOR

 - Not everyone on Corregidor was a hero. Some were deserters. This report was compiled in a  POW Camp, so that the official U.S. record of the battle would truly reflect both bravery and cowardice.

FIGHTING FOR MacARTHUR THE DOG TAGS Review of John Gordon's book concerning the Navy and Marine Corps' Desperate Defense of the Philippines.
"G" COMPANY PHOTO COLLECTION  

A series of approximately 50 photographs taken throughout the course of Chet Nycum's war.       

"HERBERT W. SCHROER - PRISONER OF THE EMPEROR"

 

  Why is there a memorial to a farm laborer in Main Street Blvd., in Dixon, Nebraska?  A young farm boy leaves Nebraska to see the world, and instead finds himself in the middle of a three year tragedy.
"How I Remember it"

 

 - Chet Nycum spent the war as a private, and it is from this viewpoint that his experiences are  recorded.  Of his recollections, he says "these are the ones that still invade my dreams".  We travel with Chet through  Training, Australia, New Guinea, Noemfoor, Mindoro and to Corregidor (Day 1).

INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR JOHN PERKOWSKI

 Transcript of an interview, conducted by his grandson, of Maj. Perkowski, who was a corporal in the 59th Coast Artillery on Corregidor. He recalls his service on Corregidor and some of his experiences as a POW.

"They weren’t mean just to everyone else, they were mean to themselves, too.  They were mean people."

INTERVIEW WITH VAL GAVITO and BOB BROWN

 Transcript of an interview, conducted by Shelly Zimbler, of Val Gavito, who was personal assistant to Colonel Bunker, Commander of the59th Coast Artillery on Corregidor.

"you could have your eyes closed and he would walk into the room and you  knew he was there, you felt it."

JOHN Lindgren's Diary 1986

 Extracts from a 503rd veteran's 1986 visit including a detailed story about visiting Btty. Monja and Cheney Ravine.  

"It may be I don't notice the heat because I am a little excited as we rapidly make headway through the South China Sea toward Wheeler Point."

'Just a Simple Soldier'

  A poem. It is it's own best comment.

A kimono wearing american traitor THE LETTER

- Immediately after the 1942 surrender, American troops were astonished to see one of their own emerge from Malinta Tunnel wearing a kimono and approach the Japanese offering to serve as an interpreter.  Truth or Legend?  "A bit of both," says contributor Hollis Blakesley.

"The Letter" THE LETTER

- When Jim Mullaney found the remains of a  long dead US Defender in Corregidor's long grass he didn't realize that his own personal "mopping-up" wouldn't end until 50 years later, when he decided to send "The Letter."

an interview with colonel massello..

-  Certainly one of Corregidor's more inspiring officers, this interview goes into the detail of how Colonel "Wild Bill" Massello gathered the men of his searchlight unit together on Corregidor after its evacuation from Bataan, and turned them into the unit which fired the last of the big iron on Corregidor.  

I'm Looking For...

-  Some of our mail involves people looking for information on kin, and troopers wondering what happened to their colleagues.  Where we can help, we do.

LOUIS ROARK - AN AMERICAN HERO AN AFTERNOON WITH CHARLIE BRADFORD

When a shell fragment snapped the halyard of the American flag flying over Corregidor, Louis Roark responded to prevent the flag from falling, lest the Japanese mistake the signal.   Sixty-one years later he was presented with a Silver Star.  Article by Debra Roark Mourning.

THE LOWERING OF THE FLAG AN AFTERNOON WITH CHARLIE BRADFORD

  Val Gavito was present at noon, May 6, 1945 when the US flag was lowered over Corregidor, and the white flag raised. 

LOST CORREGIDOR - The Home Front Life Before WW2. LOST CORREGIDOR

  There is more to Corregidor than defeat, surrender and vindication. It symbolizes war’s duality - destruction and creativity, brutality and comradeship, inhumanity and humanity, yes.  But before all of this, before World War II, it was an idyllic place for the Army families who lived there.  This is Selma Harrison Calmes' pictorial story of that other lost Corregidor. 

MacArthur on the Rock

 - Comments about Mac's time on Corregidor.

Major William "Wild Bill" Massello "WILD BILL" MASSELLO

 - After they were evacuated from Bataan, Btty "E" 60th C.A. (A.A.), under  Maj. Massello volunteered to reactivate Battery Way.  Eric Sprengle has compiled a short word portrait which helps to give an idea of the heroism which resulted.

My Father's Memoirs - Richard Morton Hess

  Ken Hess,  the son of a 503rd veteran has researched his father's war

"When you heard 'Banzai! Banzai!" the earth shook--someone was going to die right now."  

NIGHT AT WHEELER POINT

  - John Lindgren's  powerful and profoundly moving recollection of the night action of 18-19 February, 1945. 

OBITUARY - AL McGREW

 - But for Al McGrew, you wouldn't be reading this.

OFFICER COUNTRY

 - Extracts from a round table on pre-war appointments of Officers to the Philippine Islands.    Adams, Harrison, McGrew and Whitman each put in their 2cents worth

Patsy's Log

 A traumatic and inspirational diary completed over the years by Corregidor veterans as they reflected on their visit to the Rock. A historic document, of itself.  

Private Lloyd G. McCarter PVT LLOYD McCARTER - MOH

 Medal of Honor Recipient from the 503rd P.R.C.T. - The Citation

R.I.P. BILL DELICH

  Eulogy for a notable Corregidor survivor by Al McGrew

Station C STATION C

 - Captain Duane Whitlock U.S.N. (Ret'd)  briefly recalls Corregidor, where life in the AFIRM tunnel was anything but trivial. 

"...We have discussed it between us and have decided we will not let a single one of you fall into their hands. When the time comes, we are going to shoot everyone of you,  then shoot ourselves." 

TEARS IN THE DARKNESS - THE STORY OF THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND ITS AFTERMATH  4TH MARINES

 Book Review by Steve and Marcia Kwiecinski

TESTIMONY OF MAJ. ARTHUR PETERSON,
60TH COAST ARTILLERY, PRISONER OF WAR 
4TH MARINES

 Major Peterson's testimony begins at the surrender of Corregidor and ends after his liberation on 21 May, 1945. It was used to verify names, dates and manner of death of numerous prisoners.

The 4th Marines on Corregidor - The Siege and Capture of Corregidor 4TH MARINES

 from the 4th Marines viewpoint. This article premiers a number of Japanese pictures taken  immediately after the ceasefire. (Photos courtesy Al McGrew) from the 4th Marines viewpoint. This article premiers a number of pictures taken by the Japanese of the situation immediately after the ceasefire. (Photos courtesy Al McGrew)

A Short History of the 91st Coastal Artillery (Philippine Scouts)

 - The Philippine Scouts, writes Lieutenant Colonel John McM. Gulick, U.S.A.F. (Ret.) formerly of the 91st CA, ". . . completely outperformed the Americans."  Not only were they "intensely loyal" and "highly trained," "but were, I believe, somewhat aware of the failings of many Americans. Their literalness in repeating the same task in exactly the same way made them superior gunners.  Under fire they showed courage and did precisely as they were told."  Colonel Alfred J. D'Arezzo, U.S.A., insists "You would have to stand them up to the best soldiers of any country." (Corregidor - Belote & Belote, 1967) George Munson,  our resident expert on all Philippine Scout matters, introduces us to one of the four Coastal Artillery Units whose job it was to deny enemy access to Manila and Subic Bays. 

"The Story Behind the Story Behind TapS"

TAPS

 Some internet folk just won't let the facts get in the way of a good story. Mythbust the story behind the story behind the bugle call 'Taps'.   Jari A. Villanueva plays Taps at Arlington National Cemetery and has researched this article on the true history of the bugle call.

"TTFN, JUNGLE FOX"

 

 - When John Lindgren writes for us, it's with powerful insights, whether it be a "Visit With Colonel JoneS", an "AN Afternoon with Doc BradfORD" or even a simple "Diary 1989".  His "Night at Wheeler PoinT" is amongst the most moving essays I have ever had the pleasure to become involved with.

"VERNE WHITE RECALLS" VERNE WHITE RECALLS

Verne tells us of  his war, and the immediate circumstances of his almost fatal wounding on Corregidor.   

"During the time I was faking death it came to me that it was still a few days 'til my 20th birthday..."

The View From Here

- Don Abbott has contributed several authoritative articles relating to his experiences, amongst them how The Warden got his name, The "E" Company Attack on Btty. Monja, Return To Mindoro, and Purple Hearts on Noemfoor.  Particularly noteworthy are his comprehensive compilations of the casualty lists from Corregidor and of The 503d in WWII. The Corregidor Honor Roll contains individual links to tribute pages containing what is presently known about the deaths of the individuals involved. 
 

"A Visit With Colonel JoneS" WAR OF OUR FATHERS - John Lindgren and Don Abbott say a final goodbye.

"War of Our Fathers"

WAR OF OUR FATHERS

- By permission of the photographer, Richard Marin, we feature the foreword from his newly released book,  together with some of his photographic interpretations of Corregidor. 

"WILD BILL'S MEMORIAL"

AN AFTERNOON WITH CHARLIE BRADFORD

  -  Tom Murphy dedicated a memorial to Major William Massello on 6 May, 2002 at a small ceremony at Battery Way.

"Woody" - Pfc. Elwood H. Hearne

"WOODY"

 -  "My name is Elwood Hearne. I am 22 years old and have been ever since 1945."  So starts an evocative first person retrospective of the life, times and death of "Woody" Hearne by Chris C. Scott.

"YESTERDAY WAS A DOWN DAY"

AN AFTERNOON WITH CHARLIE BRADFORD 

A Veteran recalls Corregidor's 6 May 1942.

 
 
LOST CORREGIDOR
Lost Corregidor


Field Notes



Bookstore

ECO CORREGIDOR
Eco Corregidor

       

CT&N INDEX PAGES

CORREGIDOR UNDER SIEGE

REDISCOVERING CORREGIDOR

FOLLOW YOUR INTERESTS

GHQ (home)

The Siege of Corregidor

A Walk on Tailside

Bulletin Board / Feedback Forum

Coast Artillery - Contents

Corregidor Railway System

Slideshows

John Moffitt's Aerial Gems

Historic Corregidor

Amid th' Encircling Gloom

Battery Way model

Across The Pacific - Photo story

Secret Corregidor

The Silent War

The Great Manila Bay Silver Operation

Corregidor Railways

Units and Personnel

Gold is also Ballast

The Corregidor Massacre 1968

The King Report

Fort. Drum - Concrete Battleship

The Fall of Corregidor

Prisoner of the Emperor

The Officer's Guide - 1941

Order of Battle

The Lowering of the Flag

Textures

Battery Tables

The Moore Report

Battery Histories - "Hartford"

G-1 Command Post

Philippine Scouts - Best of the Best

Battery Histories

A Critical Reminiscence

The Final Line of Defense

An Interview with Col. Massello

 

Japan Invades the Philippines

Building Malinta Tunnel System

The Retaking of Fort Drum

FEATURES

Total Attack - Corregidor

The Coast Artillery Years

The Battle of Manila

Col. George Ruhlen's Collection

 

Field Notes

 

4th Marines Shanghai / Corregidor


The Corregidor Historic Society is funded by your membership and donations.  Enlist!

ABOUT US

CAMS Bay

 

Members' Links

REFERENCE

Site Link Page

1941 Emergency Defense Map

Site & Navigation Info

1936 Corregidor Map

© The Corregidor Historic Society

 

Since 1999 -  Last Updated: 10/04/20