(17RS/71RG)(SM47-Z-6)(1-0-11)(2-16-0830-1110)(24" 100'T.800') (CORREGIDOR INVASION)(438)(1-36)

. Five cruisers, The Denver, The Cleveland, The Phoenix, The Montpelier, and the valiant Boise, stood off several miles in the bay with eight-inch guns which could out-argue any chatter from Japanese shore emplacements. In addition, there were a goodly number of destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 21, who came in to close quarters for point-blank fire down the very throats of the Jap caves. Then, of course, there were the lesser craft--if you can call them that�the glorious little ships and barges whose heroic work we tend to take for granted. Each one of them saw its share of excitement and more than its share of danger. Let me record a few notes about some of their doings. Most of what I write is hearsay--possibly inaccurate--but true in the sense that it outlines the general character of the action. There were the minesweepers, for instance--the foster-mothers of naval victories. Intrepid and anonymous, these vessels clear the path for every operation, slightly ahead of the first wave.

Charles "Doc" Bradford

 

Layout & Imaging � 2006 -  503d PRCT Heritage Bn , Text  � "Combat Over Corregidor" - The Charles H.Bradford Estate & 503d PRCT Association of WWII Inc. All Rights Reserved