|
Post by EXO on Jan 31, 2008 0:08:39 GMT 8
After a long battle with ill-health brought about during his years as a POW of the Japanese, Corregidor's ultimate survivor died at 0315 hrs, 28 January at his San Diego home. (If it is claimed that people are still dying from the effects of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, then I claim that Al McGrew died because of inhumane treatment meted to him whilst a Prisoner of War.) He is survived by his wife Marjean, and children Steve & Vicky. Al was active in all matters Corregidor, and had been designated an Honorary Member of the 503d PRCT by virtue of his long and close association with the members of the Association. Funeral/memorial services are not set yet but will probably be next Tues Feb 12, at the earliest. He will be cremated and ashes put at Ft. Rosecrans, the National Cemetery in San Diego. It's an old Coast Artillery site and is one of the most beautiful National Cemeteries--overlooks the Pacific, which is so appropriate for Al. Some ashes will go to their mountain property, which he loved. Al was the earliest supporter of the Corregidor Website, and I say unashamedly, it would not be here without him. America has lost one of its national living treasures. Paul F. Whitman, Selma Harrison Calmes Art Napolitano
|
|
|
Post by Gene Frederickson on Feb 2, 2008 2:54:52 GMT 8
What a loss! Paul - If you receive further information about Al's funeral and interment I would like to be there. I never had the pleasure of meeting Al but having read about his experiences for years I feel obligated to attend. Regards. - Gene
|
|
|
Post by EXO on Feb 2, 2008 6:47:43 GMT 8
I am advised, indirectly, that the funeral is tentatively set for 3 PM Tues Feb 19 at Ft. Rosecrans, with a mass in the morning. As soon as further information becomes available, I shall post it in this thread.
Gene, Thank you for your interest.
|
|
|
Post by Selma H Calmes on Feb 6, 2008 9:45:29 GMT 8
|
|
Further Information
Guest
|
Post by Further Information on Feb 19, 2008 8:58:32 GMT 8
Al was born and attended school in Columbus, Ohio. Upon completion of High School he worked in the 3Cs. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, was sent to fort McDowell and in January 1941 sailed to the Philippine Islands aboard the Republic. He took Basic Training at 92nd Garage on Corregidor and was assigned to Battery, D, 60th CA (AAA). He was transferred to Btry H, 60th, CA at Middleside and was taken prisoner on May 6, 1942 at the surrender of Corregidor. Prison Camps included: 2nd Garage, Bilibid, Nichol’s Field, Cabanatuan 3 and 1 in the Philippines and Omori, Nishan Flour Mill, Kawasaki and Suwa in Japan. He was transported to Japan on the “hell ship” Noto Maru in August 1944 to Moji, Japan. Al was liberated in Yokohama September 6, 1945. He later became an Honorary Member and friend of the U.S. Army 503rd Parachute Regiment Combat Team (RCT) and the 4th Marine Regiment who liberated Corregidor from the Japanese in 1945. Al returned to Columbus and in 1948 met and married Marjean Herres of Bellefontaine, Ohio (the love of his life for 59 years). They moved to Riverside then to San Diego to be nearer the ocean and raise their two children, Vicki and Steve. Al was forced to retire from Control Data Corp. after 27 years when the manufacturing division left San Diego. Al traveled back to Corregidor, Philippines many times after his retirement and collected photos, documents and data on those who served on Corregidor. On his many trips back, he sat in the ruins thinking of the great times and the bad times as well the many young friends who were lost. As a long-time amateur historian, he assisted many family and friends in their search for information on their loved ones serving and/or captured in Corregidor. Al’s approach to life was to use humor as a base for survival and survive he did several times in his life. For fun, Al enjoyed scuba diving, golfing, table tennis and traveling with his wife around the U.S. in their R.V. After a short, final battle with cancer, Al died at home on January 27, 2008 surrounded by his loving children and his wife.
Memorial Services will be held at 12 noon, February 19, 2008 at St. Columba’s Church, 3327 Glencolm, San Diego, CA 92123 to be followed by a reception in the church hall and finally by Military Services at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, at 3:00 PM.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS: • Wrote his Memoirs of Army life and P.O.W., privately Published by the Corregidor Historical Society, printed by Blurb Inc., San Francisco, Ca, 2008.
• Over 10 trips (last in 2001) to Corregidor where Al was photographed on Corregidor by the famous National Geographic photographer, Steve McCurry and assisted McCurry with the setup of some of his photos published by the National Geographic Society article Corregidor Revisited, July 1986. Al photographed historical sites, acted as tour guide and historian to 10s of visitors to the “rock” during the 1980s and 1990s. Many of these visitors, former military, historians, and others who had contacted Al via email and phone traveled together to Corregidor on several occasions.
• In 1996, Al, and his wife Marjean, were guests of several Buddhist Monks in Chino, Japan for a memorial of the 50th anniversary of the last prisoner camp “Suwa” where Al was interned. His daughter accompanied them to Japan. Yasuo Komatsu of Kanazawa, Japan, whose husband stayed with Al and Marjean on two occasions and became close friends, made this invitation possible. Yasuo researched and found the location of Suwa Camp and interviewed many residents about World War II and Suwa Camp. They had questions for Al and he for the Chino locals. Yasuo translated many letters back and forth. The Japanese press followed Al’s visit to Chino and locals were able to hear Al speak at the Community event. Al didn’t relate much of his war experience to his family and friends, but he was fond of telling the “Hogan’s Heroes-type story”, of breaking out of the newly-built Suwa Prison Camp, late at night, to forage through vegetable gardens of the local Japanese families. The Suwa Camp had some “loose” boards and the prisoners “broke out” to steal vegetables. In 1996, Al, Marjean and Vicki were able to meet the one of the elderly couples from whom he stole vegetables. The Japanese couple knew that the American prisoners were stealing from them, causing a real hardship for their starving family, yet they did not complain knowing that the prisoners would be harshly punished or worse.
|
|
|
Post by Robert on Oct 2, 2010 4:03:24 GMT 8
Attempting to determine if Mr. McGrew was fully recognized for combat service, i.e. (2) Bronze Star Medals, Combat Infantryman Badge, etc.. Robert After a long battle with ill-health brought about during his years as a POW of the Japanese, Corregidor's ultimate survivor died at 0315 hrs, 28 January at his San Diego home. (If it is claimed that people are still dying from the effects of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, then I claim that Al McGrew died because of inhumane treatment meted to him whilst a Prisoner of War.) He is survived by his wife Marjean, and children Steve & Vicky. Al was active in all matters Corregidor, and had been designated an Honorary Member of the 503d PRCT by virtue of his long and close association with the members of the Association. Funeral/memorial services are not set yet but will probably be next Tues Feb 12, at the earliest. He will be cremated and ashes put at Ft. Rosecrans, the National Cemetery in San Diego. It's an old Coast Artillery site and is one of the most beautiful National Cemeteries--overlooks the Pacific, which is so appropriate for Al. Some ashes will go to their mountain property, which he loved. Al was the earliest supporter of the Corregidor Website, and I say unashamedly, it would not be here without him. America has lost one of its national living treasures. Paul F. Whitman, Selma Harrison Calmes Art Napolitano
|
|
|
Post by EXO on Oct 2, 2010 7:35:29 GMT 8
Yes, as far as I recall, Al duly received his medals. I remember that he joked that he got one Bronze Star for rescuing an officer out of the wreckage of a latrine, and even had the wording of the citation. (It turned out that one of our good friends, George Munson, had written up the citation as a joke after hearing one of Al's stories.)
I recall Al saying that "everyone on Corregidor got a Bronze Star, even the guys who never left Malinta" which might have been true, but I was also told that "there's Bronze Stars and Bronze Stars with a V" Device. One of Al's was a Bronze Star "with a V."
Al was far from happy though, with the way the Army conducted the policy of promoting each POW one rank upon their release. This was fine for the senior officers, particularly those Colonels who would have had a snowflake's chance of a promotion to BG, but for a buck private, who had lost his youth (he had become an old man at the age of 20) this was a pittance.
Knowing Al changed my life.
|
|
|
Post by Robert Johnson on Oct 2, 2010 23:15:39 GMT 8
I am referring to the awards and decorations identified below.
Under the provisions of AR 600-8-22, dated 11 December 2006, Alfred C. McGrew is entitled to the Bronze Star Medal and Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster).
Under the provisions of Public Law 99-145, section 1128, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 1128), 8 November 1985, Alfred C. McGrew is entitled to the POW Medal.
Under the provisions of War Department Circular 269, dated 27 October 1943, Alfred C. McGrew is entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Under the provisions of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, dated 1July 1961, the following General Orders authorize Presidential Unit Citation to the 60th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft):
• 7 Dec 41 - 10 May 42, WD GO 22 - 42, as amended by DA GO 46 - 48. • 29 Dec 41 – 28 Feb 42, WD GO 14 - 42. • 14 Mar – 9 Apr 42, WD GO 21 – 42. Alfred C. McGrew is entitled to the Presidential Unit Citation w/2 OLC’s.
Under the provisions of F56, 7 Dec 41-10 May 42, DA GO 47 - 50 Alfred C. McGrew is entitled to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
Alfred C. McGrew is entitled to the following awards, and decorations: Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal WWII Victory Medal Honorable Service Lapel Pin American Defense Service Medal
Robert
|
|
|
Post by Robert Johnson on Oct 5, 2010 0:29:07 GMT 8
Submitted the above before learning McGrew was mistreated (beaten) while a POW.
Was he awarded the Purple Heart in accordance with?
Anyone know his family member(s) (NOK) that may be interested to pursue the recongition he earned?
Robert
|
|
|
Post by EXO on Oct 5, 2010 11:08:56 GMT 8
I e-mail forwarded a link to this thread to Al's daughter, together with a short introduction. She has responded that "he got a purple heart a few years ago. I am quite sure that he was not awarded everything on Robert's list. What do I have to do?" I do not like posting people's e-mails on a public forum (they are harvested by spam-bots), so Robert, will you PM, or write me
|
|