Pfc. Duane E. LARSON

Dolane Larson

My father is Duane Larson, a paratrooper killed in action on Corregidor on February 26, 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart. I was eleven months old at the time he was killed. My paternal grandmother told me that on the day my father died he volunteered to take the place of a friend who was ill and went out on patrol in his place. My mother found it almost impossible to talk about him and after she remarried she allowed little contact between me and my grandparents.

My father is buried in Niles, Michigan, the small town where he grew up. Is there any way I could find out anyone who might have known him in the service? I would very much like to find someone who knew him and could tell me about him.

I found out about you from members of AWON, the American War Orphans Network. I would appreciate any help you could give me. I am very grateful to you for posting the names of the men of the greatest generation who gave their lives for their country. Thank you!

Your father was a member of Battery A 462nd Parachute Field Artillery. The best way to get information about your father is to contact members of the 503rd Association who were in the same battery. The association directory has the addresses of members. You must realize not all men who survived are members but it is the only way to contact members of his battery who fought on Corregidor.

I'll give you some names and telephone numbers of 462nd veterans who fought on Corregidor who may be able to provide information

[1] Max W. Alberson [312] 555 9328

[2] Irenco Banuelos [915] 555 2096

[3] Harry R. Bass [504] 555 1524

[4] Eugene Bert [717] 555 2842

[5] Emmit Nugier [504] 555 4040

[6] Riley Jackso, [601] 555 3009

[7] Harold Link [910] 555 7736

[8] Kenneth Lyle [610] 555 4436

[9] Walter Press [212] 555 1691

[10] Paul Raube [609] 555 9269.

Some of these numbers may be incorrect since our directories are old. [Also I have changed the telephone numbers for publication for privacy reasons - Ed] 

I used two  the members lists for 1994 and 1998; the 1998 directory deleted many names because, for example, the veteran failed to pay his dues. At any rate, I hope you will do some good with these 10 names. If you need other information let me know and if you do get some useful information let me know that too.

Good Luck!
ttfn
John Lindgren

Paul Whitman has put your letter on E Mail and addressed it to a number 503rd men who participated in the liberation of Corregidor.

 Unfortunately, I did not know your father but hope I can point you to some of our veterans who might have known him. Your father, Duane Larson, was assigned to Battery A of the 462nd Parachute Field Artillery. The 462nd, along with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 161s Parachute Engineer Company formed the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team (RCT).

Pfc. Duane E. Larson, our records show, was killed on 26 February 1945.

On that date the 503rd RCT lost more men killed or wounded than any other day in the two weeks we were on Corregidor. An underground facility near the "tail" of Corregidor had held a Navy Radio Intercept unit during and before the siege of Corregidor. This was a very important facility and participated in breaking the secret Japanese Code. This was an important factor in the battle of Midway Island which marked the beginning of the end of the Japanese conquest. Between the surrender of the Island on 6 May 1942 and our parachute invasion of the Island on 16 February 1945, the Japanese had stored a large amount of explosives in the tunnel.

The 503rd RCT approached the facility on 25 Feb and were in the process of routing the Japanese out of the tunnel on the morning of the 26th. A tank, assigned temporarily to us, was firing into the entrance when a catastrophic explosion shook the Island.

The 503rd had more than 50 men killed outright and more than 150 were seriously injured. Your father, undoubtedly, was caught up in this tragedy.

At least 15 of the members of the 503rd RCT Association are veterans who served in Battery A. Two of them I know well and suggest you contact them to see if they knew your father. They are:

[1] Tut Elmont, P.O. Box 65, Basalt, CO 81621 (970) 555-3912;
[2] Kenneth G. Lyle, 1944 Detwiler Rd. Box 72 Cedars, PA 19423 (610) 555-4436.

I trust the above will get you started. Good luck and please let me know how you make out.

Don Abbott