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The
only major resistance in Zambales were in the Zigzag area of Olongapo and the
Mt. Pinatubo area were the Kembu Group stood their grounds. This is a tribute to
the espionage network of the Guerrilla Movement and their bravery in wiping out
the Japanese Army left in Zambales before the Americans landed.
Most
Japanese escaped via Olongapo to the Zigzag Pass. Some by Pangasinan but others
were lost in the jungles of Botolan at the border of Tarlac and Pampanga. Many
died of starvation, but some died of poisonous root crops and others were killed
by the Aetas and natives.
On
1 Feb. 45, Pvts Beck and Hagins had their travel orders to 4th Repl. Depot, APO
72. At 10:00 a.m. Lt. Col. Wright, Capt. Jones, Capt. Chase, and Maj. Reynolds,
reported to Corps CP. At 1:30 p.m. three former enlisted men, Dutch Army, 1
former officer of the Philippine Army, 4 former enlisted men, Philippine Scouts,
reported in. They were interrogated, and their names and location of PS
taken.
2
Feb. 45, a permanent Cemetery (USAF Olongapo, Zambales Cemetery #1) was
established at 98.2-96.0). Location was 2.7 miles NW of Olongapo on Highway
#7.
The
next day, 3 Dutch and 1 British repatriates were evacuated to 4rth Replacement
Depot, APO 72. Pvts Day, Boyd and S. Sgt. Bernaki joined them. Special
assignment of 200 guerrillas to 34th RCT was cleared through Col. Merrill. Five
ex-members of Phil. Scouts were reported to this headquarters.
On
16 Feb. orders were issued transferring Cols. Merrill and Cayler, Capts. Kadle
and Crane to 12th Repl. Depot, APO 70, with view of subsequent return to U.S. On
that same day, Lt. Fontana, HQ. USAFFE visited G-1 in connection with
repatriated personnel and USAFFE Army personnel. The next day, CP opened at
Hermosa, Bataan.
On
a report on Aug. 16, 1946 Gen. Gyles Merrill 0-7402 from his home at 1804 Wood
Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado, he claimed that his war records were
confiscated by the Army before he left for the United States for security
reasons and was not able to establish and acknowledge all the people who
participated and contributed to the War efforts.
On
his way back to the U.S., upon reaching Tacloban which Gen. Douglas MacArthur
used as his Headquarter after his landing in Leyte, he was interviewed by an
officer of the G-2 Section on 22 Feb. 1945 who informed him that as security
measures, he was required to leave all documents, diaries, rosters etc. with
him. These papers would be sent safely to the AGO in Washington who would then
forward them to him on a later date. He turned over two leader brief cases and
one large manila envelope containing the official records and correspondence of
the "Luzon Guerrilla Forces" of which he was commanding officer.
On
Sept. 1945, his wife received the two empty brief cases from the Army Effects
Bureau, Kansas City. He wrote to that office 4 Oct. 1945 requesting for the
contents to be forwarded to him. He said, "My letter was forwarded to the
AGO, Washington, but no further reply has been received."
Those
whom Merrill recommended for awards after the war were Major Claude A. Thorpe,
0-15101 who was beheaded by the Japanese after his captured in Santa Fe; 2nd
Captain Joseph R. Barker, 0-21155; Major Henry C. Conner, Jr., 0-429144; Pvt.
Leon O. Beck, 6957218; Cpl. John B. Boone, 19913465; St. Sgt. Marcelo Alba,
Phil. Army; and from the Western Luzon Guerrilla Forces, Major Ramon Magsaysay;
Captain Francisco Ramos; Captain Alfredo Piga Sr.; Capt. Bansiong Rodriguez;
Captain Pedro A. Start; Captain Rafael Villacorte; Captain Pan Melicia (an Aeta);
Captain Jesus Magsaysay; and 1st Lt. Precioso de la Llana.
There
should have been many more who deserved to be awarded for their contribution to
the war operations and who sacrificed their lives for freedom. Unfortunately,
his documents were lost and he could not memorize them all.
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