.
Captain Ted E. Pulos commanded Battery F,
which had two .50-caliber machine guns located on the Guadalupe Pier
near the Navy Communications building. He ordered his men to open
fire on the first wave of planes, but after the initial bombing
ordered his men to cease fire as the aircraft were obviously above
range. Private First Class Thomas L. Wetherington was killed by bomb
fragments, becoming the first Marine to lose his life in defense of
the Philippines. Private First Class George Sparks was on guard duty
at the Naval District Headquarters when the bombs hit. He was able
to take cover in a worn path beside the building as the bombs began
to fall. Trees were blown down and one fell over Sparks. Although
the path was only a few inches deep, it was enough to save him from
serious injury. One other Marine was wounded during the bombing.
Photo: Navy Historical
Center 80-G-46883 |