Post by brian-smiley on Sept 6, 2015 16:06:44 GMT 8
Greetings! I found this group searching for "kilroy was here" + Corregidor. My father was an avid "kilroy" fan, and would leave it's mark in many places. Some history on my father. His name at the time of WWII was Harold B Latourette from Rhode Island. He joined the Army somewhere around 1942 and was assigned a serial of 11 111 807. He spoke very little to us kids about his service, as he considered it a bad time in his life for many reasons. I know a few timelines about his service which I will outline below:
Entered active duty: 11/28/42
Was assigned to the Motor Pool
He departed to the Asiatic-Pacific on 08/19/1944 and arrived on 09/04/1944. He had mentioned being stationed at some point in Manila (had a tattoo "Manila" on his right arm with dates that I can't remember). I believe he left for the US on 12/28/1946.
I have just returned from a business trip to Manila and while there, tried to do some research but was unable to find anything. I did take a tour of Corregidor Island on one of my off days. As I learned more about the history of Manila and WWII, and hearing that Corregidor was basically untouched from the mid-forties. If I couldn't find where exactly my father was stationed while there, I felt that he must have at some time visited the island, and for sentimental reasons thought it would be interesting to look upon the same sights that he would have seen himself as a twenty-something around 70 years ago.
My uncles recollection of his service was that my father had been in Manila after the island had been liberated from the Japanese, but given the dates of my fathers time there I'm not sure. I know there was mention from what records we could find that he participated in the New Guinea Campaign.
My reason for being here is to perhaps find out some information about my father's service, but also to learn more about the history of Corregidor. The visit to the island made an impression on me, and I find it very interesting.
Entered active duty: 11/28/42
Was assigned to the Motor Pool
He departed to the Asiatic-Pacific on 08/19/1944 and arrived on 09/04/1944. He had mentioned being stationed at some point in Manila (had a tattoo "Manila" on his right arm with dates that I can't remember). I believe he left for the US on 12/28/1946.
I have just returned from a business trip to Manila and while there, tried to do some research but was unable to find anything. I did take a tour of Corregidor Island on one of my off days. As I learned more about the history of Manila and WWII, and hearing that Corregidor was basically untouched from the mid-forties. If I couldn't find where exactly my father was stationed while there, I felt that he must have at some time visited the island, and for sentimental reasons thought it would be interesting to look upon the same sights that he would have seen himself as a twenty-something around 70 years ago.
My uncles recollection of his service was that my father had been in Manila after the island had been liberated from the Japanese, but given the dates of my fathers time there I'm not sure. I know there was mention from what records we could find that he participated in the New Guinea Campaign.
My reason for being here is to perhaps find out some information about my father's service, but also to learn more about the history of Corregidor. The visit to the island made an impression on me, and I find it very interesting.