"24 July 1945, 1300- Meeting of staff and Bn. CO's including (PA), with discussion of troop displacements and enemy situation and 'possibilities with view to liquidating of remaining estimated 2500-3000 enemy. First activity to begin vicinity of San Carlos, Fabrica, ans Escalante."

The estimate of remaining enemy graphically points out the failure of the 40th Division G-2 to estimate the number of enemy troops on Negros Island. His estimate resulted in the campaign being declared over, the 40th pulling out and leaving us to mop up the remnants. Ultimately, when the Japanese surrendered, almost 7,000 organized Japanese troops surrendered on the north (Occidental) end of Negros. Had General Kono realized his numerical superiority he might have been having a staff meeting making plans to liquidate us.

" E Co and Dog Co set out for Bugang to establish new site. Hq &,"A" Battery were unable to leave at that time due to waiting for train.

Train arrived with tents and cots. Sent it to new forward area at Bugang.

Rec'd word from Fox Co that train broke down in vic of bugang.

Train passedDianay and was to return to Fabrica for repairs.

Hy & "A" Bat are planning to move forward tomorrow 25 Jul 45.

The password for 251800I thru 260800I is CLEVER-NELLY.

"Lt Gifford went to.the hospital and Lt Collins assumed command. At 0830 the Co. moved S appr. four miles to Bugang and set up squad tents." The 2d Battalion patient roster diagnosed Gifford as "food poisoning". He was to die a few days later in the clearing company at Bacolod. Tom McNerney says that there was a problem in diagnosing Jim's malady. When they finally identified it as spinal meningitis "Jim was at death's door. He had just died when I got to the hospital."

Tom's wife, Helen, visited with Jim's parent's regularly. Tom wrote her telling her of Jim's death. She went to Columbia University to see Mr. Gifford, who was a law professor there. Unbelievably, this was how his family learned of Jim's death. "The family was not notified 4-5 days after."

In our battalion, and I daresay in the Regiment, only a few junior officers remained who had weathered all the action since we had been in Australia.  Jim stood at the head of this list, among the very best. Now he had gone to join our eternal heroes. D Company had more than their share of bad luck.

"7024-45 Entire Co. packed up and moved to Camp Bug-ang, by foot, set up camp in B.N area in squad tents."

"Eighteen men left company at 1800 hr. to Fabrica as honor guard for Eighth Army Commander, company sent details to clean the area for pitching of squad tents. Possibly as a permanent camp site. Second platoon left on overnight patrol at 0830 hr. to Dano River area. No activity at close of period. First platoon had recon & security patrol to Malapasoc. No enemy encountered."