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Post by Paul on Nov 16, 2008 21:56:53 GMT 8
Yes, the issue of whether any troopers parachuted directly into the water has been puzzling, and I admit, I don't have an answer to it. Weighed down as they were, and unable to get out of the parachute harness (the US did not have a quick release harness as the English did), it would have been an almost certain drowning. What is known, and the aid records bear this out, there were no drownings. Not a one.
Some have said they were picked up from the water- yes, they may have found it impossible to climb the cliffs, and so climbed down to the beach and have swum to a boat.
Some were picked up directly by boat at the beach. We have seen those photos.
There are stories that some were blown into the water - the Impson brothers say they were.
But not a single trooper I could find at the two reunions could imagine that anyone had been blown directly into a water landing. They won't go so far as to deny it, for peculiar things happen, but they would say that they'd not ever heard directly of such a thing. OK, I didn't stand at the door and tick off names, but it was one of the questions which puzzled me then, and puzzles me now still.
Paul
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 9:06:35 GMT 8
Hello, I am a newly registered member, even though my connection is not to the 503d Pchte. I am the son of Jose Emilio Olivares, USNA 1923, commissioned 2LT US Army, Philippine Scouts. He served through WWII and was integrated into the Regular US Army CAC, after WWII and two weeks before Philippine Independence. Dad was stationed in Corregidor several times, including once as CO of the Prison Stockade. His last assignment on Corregidor lasted until just before the war started on Dec 7, 1941. My connection to Corregidor is by birth at the US Army Hospital in Ft. Mills, and subsequently living in Quarters on Colonels row (Dad was LTC by then) in Middleside I recollect being taken into the stockade with my Dad to visit and talk to prisoners. I revall having been given a number of handcarved wooden toys by prisoners sometime in late 1940 early 1941 when I was 5 years old. I also have a clear recollection of Dad taking me into one of the CAC gun emplacements, and having to plug my ears during the firing of one of the big guns. I also have aclear memory of a little girl neighbor whose name was Emily Crawford. I don't recall the grade of her father, but know he was an officer and lived a few houses down from us in Middleside. We were evacuated some weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor and were living in an aunt's home in Manila when we heard the news over the radio of the attack on Pearl harbor. Later on in the day, having moved to another aunt's home in the outskirts (suburbs) of Manila, the first Japanese airraid on Manila began. It was Monday, December 8, in the Philippnes. I have looked at one set of photographs of Corregidor before and after WWII by a Canadian Photographer hoping to see what might remain of the q
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 9:14:01 GMT 8
Continuing the message posted: , hoping to see what might remain of the quarters in which we lived. Lots of photos of Middleside Barrakcs and Headquarters buildings but none of the quarters. If anyone knows where there might be photos posted of the Middleside Quarters (Colonel's Row), I'd appreciate directios on how to find them. I'd like to see pre-war-pictures as well as post war. My memories are understandably vague after 68 years, but I can still visualize the layout of the quarters we lived in! By the way, I now live in Virginia and am a graduate of West Point, 1957. Would like to hear from anyone with similar memories, photos, and links to pre-WWII Corregidor. (Among the pre-war photos is a photo of a chapel that I believe was somewhere on Middleside. It was probably the Chapel in which I was baptized by the Catholic Chaplain in 1935. Ed Olivares
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Post by fots2 on Apr 9, 2009 22:09:35 GMT 8
Hello Ed,
I expect I am the Canadian you are referring to in your message. Fortunately I am on Corregidor now for a couple more days and would be happy to take some photos for you. I have been in that area before and all the houses were heavily damaged/destroyed during the war.
I am not familiar with the term ‘Colonels row’ but the houses I am referring to are labeled on maps as ‘Officers Quarters’. Using Middleside Barracks as a reference point, up hill from the barracks is the road to Topside. Above the road is the trolley line. Above the trolley line are thirty ‘Officers Quarters’ houses. (all houses are down hill from the Hospital)
This might be a stretch (since you were only 5 years old) but would you happen to know your old house number? They are labeled on official maps as numbers 98 to 127. Can describe the house location? (i.e. 3rd house up from the YMCA/Enlisted Men’s Club)
If so, that would be great. If not, I’ll go there anyway and take sample photos of what all the houses generally look like today.
Regards.
John
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Post by fots2 on Apr 11, 2009 20:48:30 GMT 8
Hi Ed,
I walked the row of houses today. Since I took many more photos of the area than I expected, I'll create a little report and post it on the 'Trip Reports' board.
My wireless internet connection is too slow on Corregidor to upload lots of photos. Since I leave tomorrow I will do that for you in the next few days.
Regards.
John
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Post by Henry J. Kaden on Jun 21, 2009 1:55:26 GMT 8
My name is Henry and I am a Vietnam Veteran. My father-in-law is Jacob "Jack" Weiss who was originally with the 501st Airborne Battalion which I believe later became the 503rd. He has a "certificate" for his jump wings dated April 1940 and another "certificate" for a combat jump on a Japanese location in Lae(?). He was in Panama for some time from what he remembers and was the editor of a company newspaper known as the "Thunderbird". Since he's 93 his memory is a little fuzzy. I know he was in the Pacific Theater from 3 Jul 41 until 25 Mar 44. He got out in Jul 45. I also know from records that he has a Combat Infantry Badge, Jump Wings, and several other ribbons. Just wondering if I have found the correct site. In the States he was part of the Parachute Test Platoon and one of his commanders was Major William M. Miley. Just trying to piece together his military history. Thanks!
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Post by EXO on Jun 21, 2009 9:54:01 GMT 8
Dear Henry, The personnel of the Test Platoon are listed in various materials across the web and US Paratrooper lore, and we have a copy listing at: corregidor.org/BEA503/features/test_platoon.htmlBased only on these, it's quite possible, indeed, given that there were only 48 in the Test Platoon, the word becomes probable, that your father-in-law was in the 501st, though not in the Test Platoon. The identity of one man is an insider's secret. He held the first jump honor, Number One, but when the time came, Number One could not jump. He was transferred out and his name not spoken of thereafter. Maj. Miley commanded the 501st PIR, its first Commander. You'll find more at: corregidor.org/BEA503/features/503_509.htmlMany of the 501st were posted to Panama. That's certainly consistent. I have no info about the "Thunderbird" at this point. The Nadzab certificate was to be signed by the Regimental Commander, Col. Kinsler - but such was not to be the case. Kinsler was dead before they were signed. His name doesn't appear on the Nadzab roster,or the Templeman roster for Corregidor, but given the circumstances, I do not consider either of those is definitive. Welcome to the site and I hope you find much that is enjoyable here.
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Post by Henry J. Kaden on Jun 25, 2009 10:15:52 GMT 8
Thanks for the response. I know he's not jumper number 1 because I saw his certificate for his jump wings and the certificate for his combat jump. I have his Honorable Discharge but they didn't have DD214 forms, they were another form number then. I have to do more research and I am sending for all his records. At 93 his memory isn't what it used to be but at his age, can he complain? He did get the wings some time in April of 1940 if that's a help. It started as a Battalion at first then got changed to a regiment(?) and changed into the 503rd if I understand him correctly. I also understand that he was a boxer while in the Army and was undefeated. He's a tough old guy! Besides Panama, he was stationed in Australia. I just was wondering if this is the correct site?
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Post by EXO on Jun 25, 2009 14:16:12 GMT 8
For someone who was in both Panama and Australia, yes, you are at the right place. Some measure of confusion on the formation of the 503d PIR is understandable, even in the sharpest memory - as we record at: corregidor.org/BEA503/features/503_509.html "The formation of the 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment was fraught with diversity and disunity. Usually, a regiment is formed with a cadre of officers and enlisted men from an existing unit. This provides the framework to be filled out with new men. The 503d was formed by combining existing units, each with its own unit loyalty and sense of independence.
Originally, the 503d was a two battalion regiment formed 2 March 1942 by combining the 503d and 504th Parachute Battalions. The 503d became the First Battalion and the 504th the Second Battalion. Before they could be welded into a solid unit the Second Battalion, commanded Lt. Col. Edison D. Raff, departed for Europe on 2 May 1942, where it eventually became the 509th Parachute Battalion.
The Third Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated 4 June 1942 under the command of Major John J. Tolson III. This battalion was formed by 502nd troops: Headquarters Company, 502nd became Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Third battalion, 503d; “A” Company became “G” Company; “B” Company became “H” Company; and “C” Company became “I” Company.
The Regiment (First and Third Battalions) departed Fort Bragg 19 October accompanied by General Ridgeway’s “best” rifle company, “A” company, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The temporary commander was Major Tolson, as Colonel Kenneth Kinsler, 503rd commanding officer, had gone on ahead to Australia by air.
The two battalions and “A” Company departed San Francisco 20 October aboard a converted freighter, the Dutch ship “SS Poelau Laut.” On 1 November they docked at Balboa, Canal Zone and took aboard the 501st Parachute battalion, minus its “C” Company. “A” Company, 501st became “E”Company, 503rd; “B” Company, 501st became “F” Company, 503rd; and “A” Company, 504th became “D” Company, 503rd.
The new regiment was actually four units: the 501st Parachute Battalion; the 1st Battalion, 502nd Parachute Regiment; the 503rd Parachute Battalion; and “A” Company, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Each knew in their hearts that they were superior to the others; Each were not happy to be incorporated into a regiment with lesser mortals. An ill-deserved fate had forced them into association with the other units. Distrust, jealousy, suspicion were the order of the day.
Now the 503rd was a full regiment… at least on the books it was."
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Post by Henry J. Kaden on Jun 30, 2009 8:35:41 GMT 8
I inadvertently posted the date he received his "jump certificate" as April of 1940 when in fact, it was April of 1941. I received an email from France by a ametuer historian who read my post and found him on the company roster. He will be sending me a copy. I am searching for those certificates so I can scan them. Thanks again!
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