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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2009 6:24:23 GMT 8
Hello again. I am working with a researcher to prepare an application to the Army for the awarding of the medals that my uncle earned as a member of the 60th CAC, Battery F (Flint), AA.
We are trying to find out if he might be entitled to the Combat Infantry Badge. The Battery History of Battery F does not detail any actual fighting as infantry, but I suppose it is possible. His silver star citation talks about him engaging "all enemy targets" with a machine gun after the rest of Battery F went out on beach defense reserve. Could that have included firing on Japanese infantry? Or just aircraft? Was there any small arms fighting on the west side of the island near Battery Cheney?
Looking forward to any info anyone might have.
thanks,
Matt
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Post by okla on Aug 9, 2009 10:15:38 GMT 8
hey matt.....it is my understanding that no infantry combat took place west of malinta hill. personnel of all types (navy, gunners from various batteries,etc) were formed into provisional type infantry and sent piecemeal into the fighting east of malinta as the situation worsened. i would think that it could be entirely possible that your uncle could have been mustered into one of these units in the final hours. without eye witness accounts, affidavits,etc from still living people involved, i would think it would be double tough to sort it all out since the point of keeping reliable records was long past. later, in the POW pens, some captured personel from bataan and corregidor reconstructed those events that took place during actual combat and after liberation submitted this information to proper authorities for action that they deemed appropriate. i realize this isnt much info, but i thought i might pass it on. some of the old hands on this board can, i am sure, be of more help.
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Post by EXO on Aug 9, 2009 11:42:22 GMT 8
No fighting took place west of Malinta Hill post surrender, a circumstance which embittered many men who had been prepared to make Corregidor their personal Alamo, hence no CIB. There are disreputable books that detail fighting which has never taken place, except in the author's ego. corregidor.org/chs_mcgrew/debunk.htmI understand that those on Corregidor were awarded a bronze star, but do not know this for a fact. Be aware that there's a big difference between a bronze star and a bronze star with the V device.
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Post by batteryboy on Aug 9, 2009 14:39:42 GMT 8
I have to concur with Messrs Okla and ExO.
Your uncle's citation may have to to do more with his unit or his action against Japanese aircraft rather than against Japanese infantry. Most of the reserved units that were sent or supposed to be moved to the fight at the east of Malinta were from the 59th CA.
FWIW,
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2009 8:14:50 GMT 8
Thanks, guys. That is consistent with what I was told yesterday by a vet who served in the same unit with my uncle on Corregidor. They were ready for a fight (had their rifles and grenades) , but saw no action aside from the artillery shells raining down from above.
Thanks very much for that link as well. I have that book (From Paradise to HELL!) on my bookshelf to read. I try to buy all books about Corregidor written by vets so that I can learn more about my uncle's experience. I think i will move that one to the end of the reading list!
Matt
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Post by EXO on Aug 10, 2009 9:48:46 GMT 8
As punishment for your having acquired Ben Waldron's book, you should acquire Al McGrew's book, Amid th' Encircling Gloom - if for no better reason than Al was my good friend, and I assisted him to get his experiences expressed into book form. Unlike most POW books, it is profusely illustrated. www.blurb.com/books/189295The contempt which Al felt for Ben Waldron was boundless - and greater any I had known. Al had long since forgiven the post-war Japanese generation, whom he felt had been denied the truth of what their parents had wrought. He felt no such rapport for Waldron, whom he considered had betrayed the men he had served with by falsifying their experiences. "The duty to tell of our experiences accurately, on behalf of those who cannot, is greater than forty pieces of silver."
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Post by okla on Aug 10, 2009 10:15:51 GMT 8
EXO....very well said. nobody could disagree with that last statement.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2009 11:22:35 GMT 8
Exo:
Consider me punished. I purchased the McGrew book a couple of months ago from the publisher and really enjoyed it. It's beautiful to look at and informative and inspirational to read.
I found out too late (after Mr. McGrew passed) that he had a similar POW experience as my uncle. Both started on Corregidor and spent time at the worst work detail in the Philippines--Nichols Field. It's possible they knew each other and wish I had gotten the chance to ask Mr. McGrew if they crossed paths at any point.
Matt
PS: I bought my copy of Waldron's book from a used book dealer for $3. No profit to Waldron on that one. And there was a bounus: it's autographed by the great novelist himself!
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