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Post by okla on Feb 5, 2012 1:52:17 GMT 8
Hey Darth...I agree that1944 was truly a crucial time for the Filipino people. I have criticized Gen MacArthur for some of his decisions, i.e., early moves and non moves during December 1941, the ignoring of Intelligence reports of Red Chinese movement into North Korea in late 1950, etc but he still must be considered one of this country's top military commanders. He certainly should be given credit for doing the right and honorable thing when he insisted, while the grand strategy for the advance across the central Pacific was being planned, that the Philippines should not be by-passed and be liberated ASAP. This country owed it to their Filipino allies to get the Japanese foot off the neck of those enslaved people who had suffered from the Bushido Code long enough. It was critical that not one more week pass till the attempt was made. Methinks, we cut it a bit close. Bypassing the PI was not an option and to MacArthur's credit he prevailed in those long ago strategy sessions with Nimitz and FDR. Cheers. Postscript...I am rather proud to know that I had a cousin (I never met him in person and he has gone to his reward) who went ashore at Leyte the first day, fought thru that operation and during the Luzon campaign. Cousin went on to be given a battlefield commission on Okinawa and was seriously wounded near the windup of that campaign. I don't remember what Infantry Division he was assigned to, but I do know it was not the First Cavalry. My aunt, his mom, has long been deceased, but i recall her telling that he supposedly shot a Japanese sniper out of a tree down on Leyte. Who knows, it might have really happened.
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Post by darthdract on Feb 5, 2012 3:23:22 GMT 8
Alliance of the Filipinos and the Americans are really inspiring two nations that are very different in all aspects of life except that both know the Spirit of Unity against Oppression. I really take this things seriously That's why I am really thankful and greateful to find the Heritage board, because most people that I know personally are not interested a bit about this for them this is just a Trivia. Again I am really thankful to find people like who would take time to read the Messages here and Pardon if my Grammar is not that good sometimes I post here at around 3am or 4am. I am going to hunt down a book. with this title ( Kuwentong bayan: noong panahon ng Hapon : everyday life in a time of war) The first part translates. Home town stories during the Japanese time. here is the Link to google books books.google.com.ph/books?id=RdIql-o4BLQC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=sisid+Rice&source=bl&ots=Ipp5ZDnU9u&sig=Bbhcuq5F65rBIN69WRl56yrJXNI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AcosT969BLCyiQf4mKnhDg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=sisid%20Rice&f=falseThere is a part in the book where one filipino Survivor recalls when The Japanese used some American POWs/Internees as Human Shield packed inside a Freight train. Just like what the Germans did to Jews. And when they saw the Emaciated men inside the Cattle Cars the Filipinos just wept for they knew that the POWs have suffered more than them. Thats very interesting what happened to him after the war KIA? I am sorry if I missed that did he survived Okinawa? Another thing I saw some footage of the Liberation of manila after the Americans have retaken Intramuros. They where all Exhausted no one is Celebrating the Victory unlike when they have freed Sto. Tomas the mood of G.I.s where different its like a combination of disgust and disbelief because there is so much destruction and death in south Manila. Like for some victory is pointless. Okay well talk about Gen.McArthur Later P.S Ey Okla is Guthrie an Old town in Oklahoma.
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Post by okla on Feb 5, 2012 6:06:15 GMT 8
Hey Darth....My cousin, who was seriously shot up on Okinawa, was sent home for further surgery,etc at Brook Genl Hospital at San Antonio, Texas. His mother lived in California at the time and was unable to come to check him out, my family and I lived in Texas in 1945 (about 230 miles from San Antonio) so my mom. his aunt, was able to visit periodically till he was sent to a California base where he was medically discharged. This cousin lived until the 1980s in the Pacific Northwest, Portland, Seattle,etc working for some corporation. Like I said, I never had the honor to meet him. As for Guthrie, Oklahoma. Yes, it was settled in one day in April 1889 when the first Oklahoma Land Run was held. It was a tent city when the sun went down on that wild day. Guthrie was the Territorial Capital until Oklahoma became a state in the Federal Union. At that time the Capital was moved to Oklahoma City. To this day the citizens of Guthrie maintain that the politicians in Ok City stole the Capital from Guthrie. Maybe they did, but it wasn't at the point of a gun. Politicians are too "slick" for that. Anyhow, the state Capital still rests in Ok City. The western portion of my state was mainly settled by "land runs". My Great Grandmother's brother (great uncle, I guess) made the run into the "Cherokee Strip" in 1893, but was unable to stake a claim. Went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad and retired as a Superintendent 30 years later. Things worked out for him. Not so for other unlucky "runners". Some guys who missed out on claiming land, turned to robbing these trains, etc. Now, you have your Oklahoma state history lesson for the day. Thanks for asking. Always glad to oblige. Cheers
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Post by darthdract on Feb 6, 2012 0:20:57 GMT 8
ey Okla Thanks for the OK history Lesson, I just found some records regarding my Great Grand father he was born in Kansas but I think he later move to Guthrie since according to some documents that where he registered for the Cavalry to Join Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders
until then Cheers/ Jamie
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Post by okla on Feb 6, 2012 3:03:57 GMT 8
Hey Darth....Just one more thing. You mentioned that your illustrious ancestor was born at Augusta, Kansas. I am sure that you know that this fine little city is located just East of Wichita, Kansas and not that far North of Guthrie. Just down Interstate-35. No trip at all, these days. Do you know if your Great Grandfather "made" the Oklahoma Land Run of '89?? Certainly seems logical. The people who were unsuccessful in staking a claim, generally moved on as did my Great Uncle. The fact that your forebearer was in Guthrie when he enlisted in the Rough Riders might suggest that this was the case and he "scored" on staking his claim. Of course, he might have purchased his parcel at a later date. Who knows???. There were many men from Indian Territory/Oklahoma Territory who were members of that storied Regiment. I have been to Augusta many times in my life. One of my best friends from Junior High School relocated there and I visited with him from time to time over the years till his death not too long ago.
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Post by darthdract on Feb 6, 2012 3:16:49 GMT 8
This really makes sense, he may not have purchased, it under his name but his father (Eugene Cease) may have, And also he has a younger brother back in the States that have descendants who are now living in Tulsa Oklahoma, became the Legal executor of his property that was left.
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Post by darthdract on Feb 8, 2012 0:32:09 GMT 8
Liberated prisoners of Los Banos interment camp at Laguna de Bay, Feb. 1945Here the liberated prisoners of Los Banos interment camp disembark from an American Amtrack after being taken to safety by way of the Amtrack across Laguna de Bay, Feb. 1945
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Post by darthdract on Feb 25, 2012 22:37:35 GMT 8
just bumping this I was not able to bump this during the Anniversary of the raid last 23 Feb, What I am not aware is the exact date when the Massacre happened all the sources I am getting is just saying "after few days" days later"...
Anyway I just found out that Yamashita was Hangged in Los banos laguna, is that the same Prisoncamp where they held the American POW nurses?
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