BEST DESCRIPTION OF THE 2008 SEARCH TRIP FOR THE 1942 CRASH SITE OF LT EARL R. STONE
The description is written by Ryan Bach who was or still is a FedEx pilot (operating out of Subic Bay then), he was the team leader. This was his 2nd effort he participated in and it was carried out between the 8th to 10th Feb. 2008. I will copy a few short paragraphs to add to a few of my pictures which are presented here. His story is copyrighted by him. Ryan did a good job, the way and what he wrote is exactly the way I remember it. This is the URL:
kevinhamdorfphotography.com/images/Ryan%20Bach%20Report.pdfW493 the day started early at approximately 3:15 am. After a quick oatmeal breakfast, we finished loading our personal gear and headed to the meeting point. At precisely 4:00 am our group departed the base for Mariveles. The team consisted of me, Brad and Heather Blythe, Kevin Hamdorf, Spike Nasmyth, Ralph Wetterhahn, Karl Welteke, and several members of the Jungle Environment Survival Training school (they are the ones on this picture).
W494 along the way to Mariveles, we picked up several more local volunteers, some of whom were very familiar with the search area due to familial ties to the region.
W495 as we drove up the approach to the trail head, some discussion broke out between the Filipinos. Several of the volunteers from the Bataan area became convinced we were headed in the wrong direction. They claimed to know of a wreck site on a different ridge. This forced a significant early decision. After much debate, we decided to split the search party into two groups. Brad and Heather Blythe volunteered to go to this new crash site with a small band of guides. The main part of the group would continue as planned to Cogon-Tarak Ridge.
W496 I think this is a good point in which to highlight one of the stars of the expedition. Jonmar, one of our JEST guides, went above and beyond all weekend. When we lost three hikers, but no gear, at the river, Jonmar took most of the gear off their packs. The result was that his pack ended up weighing more than he did. I took to calling him “Superman” because of his strength and determination. For the last hour of the hike, he would walk twenty paces and collapse. He would then catch his breath, climb to his feet, and walk twenty more paces. He never complained, and there was no doubt that he would complete the hike without any assistance. For the rest of my days, I will not forget Jonmar on the last hour of that grueling hike.
W497 At roughly 4:30 in the afternoon, the last of the group trudged into the campsite above the Japanese crash. It was smiles all around as the packs were finally unslung for the last time that day. We didn’t have too much more daylight, and lots to do, so we didn’t waste much time. One group started a fire and began working on dinner. Others got down to business setting up tents and shelters. Kevin and a few others surveyed the Japanese crash site and photographed the area. One very important job entailed inventorying our food and water supplies. Kevin and I rounded up everything we could find, and were slightly dismayed with our count. The hike up the ridge had been more grueling than we had anticipated, and the group consumed more water than planned. Luckily, we had anticipated having a problem, and a plan was already in place. Kevin contacted Spike by cellphone and we ordered more water and rice to be sent up the next day.
W498 the terrain here became nearly impassable. We crossed the most treacherous rock fall yet, and found almost no jungle thin enough to hack through. Again, I have to credit my Filipino guides, as they managed to find routes where there didn’t seem to be any. We did our best to search up and down this area, but the going was excruciatingly slow. Every step also took us away from camp, and that was a concern that was increasingly on my mind. Finally, at around 2:00 pm, we stopped for a water break. Each of us had taken only one liter of water, due to the shortage at camp. That way, in case there was no re-supply today, we would still have enough to hike down the mountain the following morning.
W499 Kevin and Ralph, however, had an incredible day at the Japanese crash site. Several important artifacts were found, and Ralph’s knowledge of aircraft archeology and crash investigation proved invaluable. This was one of the machine guns.
W500 this is Kevin Hamdorf. We dispatched them with one strong hiker back to Subic Bay. It was tough to lose a good hiker, but we did not want to send the weak ones back alone. I can’t stress enough how well Kevin did in this situation. Filipinos are loyal and prideful. We were asking one of the leaders of the Olongapo group to give up the search. If we handled it improperly, the whole group might have revolted to support their elder. Only Kevin’s skills as a negotiator held the expedition team together at the river.
W501 this Ryan Bach, one of the FedEx pilot volunteers who helped in the search for Lt. Earl R. Stone. He is a true and great leader; he contributed much for this expedition to succeed. (This is Karl’s comment).
W502 onward we climbed. Ralph and Karl proceeded first and made good time up the ridge. The rest of the group moved at varying paces. The trail up Cogon-Tarak ridge is relentless beyond the river. The hike lasts nearly five hours, and there is literally less than one hundred yards of level ground. You climb with every step. It is also rarely a gentle slope. Mostly it is like climbing steep stairs.
This is Col. Ralf Wetterhahn (USAF Retired), forensic aircraft crash specialist; the Colonel and I were the same age, 66 years young. We made a good hiking team. (This last sentence is Karl’s comment).
W503 one issue remained. We had not been re-supplied as promised. This meant we were going to have to go on water rationing for the night, as well as enjoying minimal food. Decisions were made, orders were given, and everyone set about preparing a meager dinner and getting ready to bunk down. After the sun had gone down completely, and it was pitch black outside, there was a commotion in part of the camp. It seems our intrepid re-suppliers had finally wandered in. They had for some reason climbed the wrong ridge all day, only to realize there mistake late in the afternoon. In true Filipino fashion, they were not to be stopped. They simply walked down one mountain, across the valley floor through thick jungle, and up another mountain to our camp. This was no small feat, and one for which we were all grateful. Food and water were now plentiful, so a large batch of rice was prepared, cans of tuna and corned beef were opened, and everyone went to bed a little happier.
Karl’s comment: In this picture is that group who brought us the supplies and arrived just after dusk. This picture was shot after the descent and I bought them a bottle of booth and snacks (Only thing available at this site). I really was impressed by their accomplishment. I don’t think they took the wrong ridge they just took the most direct route! Because they went down that deep gulch and came up to our campsite we learned it could be done and we learned further there was water down there and that solved the water problem on future expeditions.
And on one of those water details the crash site of Lt. Earl R. Stone was discovered!
W504 this picture was shot on the day of the turnover ceremony of the remains of Sgt. Kurosawa, it was on the 10th of Feb. 2010. The ceremony was held in the yacht/boat yard owned by Lito Rovia. Mr. Lito Rovia was a most valuable help in all our search help, we could use some of his personnel and material assets. And he made all the local calls so things run smoothly. In this picture is left to right Maj. Spike Nasmyth (USAF Retired he is an Aviation legend). He was our Commanding Officer in all our efforts. Next to Spike are two relatives of Sgt. Kurosawa, then Kevin Hamdorf and at the end our benefactor Mr. Lito Rovia, the boss in the large yacht and boat yard.
W505 this picture is also from the turnover ceremony of the remains of Sgt. Kurosawa. Left is Mrs. Edna Binkowski a local Bataan resident and historian. I believe in 2006 she had the honor to guide Wes Stone, the brother of Lt. Earl R. Stone and show him the Bataan battle field including Mt. Mariveles where his brother crashed. Next to her are Heather and Brad Blythe, the other FedEx team who helped in the Feb. 2008 search effort.
The small pictures in this presentation came from these two picture albums:
-The 8th to 10th Feb 2008 search for Lt. Stone.
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Walk%20in%20the%20Philippines/No%201%20Walk%20PI%20Group/Tarak%20Ridge%202008%20Feb%208?sort=9&page=1-Turnover ceremony of the Sgt, Kurosawa remains:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Manila%20Bay%20Forts-Other/Mariveles%20WWII/Pilots%20died%20for%20Corregidor%209-Feb-1942?sort=9&page=1