Top Ten Combat Rifles

Owning only 50% of the top ten combat rifles ever made tells me one thing, and that is my collecting is not yet done!  Below is a compendium of the top ten combat rifles as compiled by the Military Channel along with my collection examples where I own one.

Military Channel's Top Ten Combat Rifles

1. AK-47
Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Caliber: 7.62 x 39 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 30 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: 2,329 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 600 rounds per minute

With over 75 million built worldwide, the AK-47 (a.k.a., "Kalashnikov") is a firearms legend that has probably inflicted more lethal results than any other single weapon system ever produced. Built on the same basic design as the German Sturmgewehr, it chambered an intermediate round and was built from stamped parts. The AK-47 was not only easy to produce and relatively cheap, is also proved remarkably easy to maintain and virtually immune to conditions that could easily take out other guns. Accuracy is average, but the Kalashnikov compensates for this with its ability to unleash a lethal wall of lead.

2. M16 
Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: United States
Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm (.223 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 20-30 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 3,281 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 700-950 rounds per minute

Although it took a little time to work out the gun's jamming problems during its combat trials in the early 1960s, the M16 has proven to be an outstanding performer with superb accuracy, handling, service length and combat effectiveness. The rifle fulfilled the U.S. military's desire to develop a lightweight modern assault rifle that could replace the semiautomatic M1 and its selective-fire counterpart, the M14. Its innovative features include lighter metal alloy and plastic construction, a simple gas reload system and the use of 5.56 mm ammunition, allowing soldiers to carry twice the amount of ammunition for the same weight of 7.62 mm rounds.

Shown are me and my son's civilian version of the M16, the AR15, used for our competitive High Power Rifle shooting.  They shoot the .223 Remington cartridge, have 1:7 twist match barrels, 2-stage competition triggers and 1/4 minute rear sights.

3. LEE-ENFIELD SMLE
Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Caliber: 7.7 x 56 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 10 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,438 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 15-20 rounds per minute

The standard infantry weapon of British troops from World War I to the 1956 Suez crisis, the Lee-Enfield SMLE (pronounced "smelly") built its reputation on reliability, accuracy and a phenomenal rate of fire. Its magazine carried 10 bullets, the largest capacity of any rifle on the battlefield during the first half of the 20th century. Its short bolt action cocked on closing, and its muzzle cap prevented dirt from clogging the weapon. In the hands of a well-trained infantryman, the Lee-Enfield could perform what was called the "mad minute," i.e., thirty rounds hitting a target 200 meters distant in one minute, a volume of fire that rivals modern semiautomatic weapons.

This is actually a stock photo obtained from the NET.  I'll use this photo until I take pictures of my example which is a Lee-Enfield Rifle No. 4, Mark I.

4. M1 GARAND
Type: Semiautomatic
Rifle Country of Origin: United States
Caliber: 7.62 x 63 mm (.30-06 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 8 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,838 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 30 rounds per minute

Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1936, the M1 Garand proved to be a tough, heavy battle rifle when it entered combat five years later. General Patton remarked at the end of World War II that the M1 may have been the greatest battle implement ever devised. A bit of a stretch perhaps, but there's no doubt that the M1 was the first successful semiautomatic rifle issued in any quantity that had the ruggedness and accuracy to dominate the battlefield. Over 6.25 million Garands had been manufactured by the time it was taken out of service in the early 1960s.

Shown here is my early Springfield Armory made in 1942.  I use this for Vintage Military Matches or John C. Garand matches sanctioned by the CMP, Civilian Marksmanship Program.

5. FN FAL
Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Rifle
Country of Origin: Belgium
Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 20 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,700 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 650-700 rounds per minute

Inspired by the Sturmgewehr 44, the Belgian manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) originally developed the FAL around the same intermediate round used by the German gun, but when NATO issued the requirement for the longer 7.62 mm, FN altered the design and created a heavy hitter that packs a punch -- and a potent kick. The FAL soon became one of the classic weapons of the Cold War, used by over 50 countries, even if it proved tough to handle in full auto mode. The rifle gave good service to the Australian army in the jungles of Vietnam, to Israeli troops during the Six-Day War and was used by both sides in the fight for the Falkland Islands.

6. MAUSER K98k CARBINE
Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Country of Origin: Germany
Caliber: 7.92 x 57 mm (.30 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 5 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,822 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 10-15 rounds per minute

First produced at the end of the 19th century, the Mauser 98 was the perfect synthesis of the many innovations that rifles had undergone during the late 19th century: smokeless powder, clips that could be fed into magazines and, most of all, its superb bolt action that is still the basis for most modern hunting rifles. The original model 98 was used during World War I to great effect, but when Germany started rearming in the 1930s the rifle received upgrades that made it lighter and easier to sight and shoot. Inevitably outgunned by automatic weapons, the Mauser nevertheless stands as one of the legendary rifles of the modern age.

This has got to be one of my favorite bolt-action rifles.  The action is smooth, and I think smoother than the Swedish Mauser and Springfield 1903.

7. STEYR AUG
Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Bull-Pup Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: Austria
Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm (.22 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 30 and 42 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 3,084 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 650 rounds per minute

Looking more like a weapon from a science-fiction movie, the Steyr's only serious "flaw" is the advanced design that seemed to scare away potential customers after its introduction in 1977. In this radically new "bull-pup" configuration most of the barrel, receiver and action, instead of being in front of the operator's firing hand, is all moved back in the stock, resulting in a remarkably compact weapon that is light and easy to handle. The Steyr also features an interchangeable barrel system, a transparent magazine, and optional left or right shell ejection capability.

8. 1903 SPRINGFIELD
Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Country of Origin: United States
Caliber: 7.62 x 63 mm (.30-06 inch)
Cartridge Capacity: 5 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,700 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 10 rounds per minute

The relatively poor performance of the Norwegian Krag-Jorgensen rifle used by U.S. troops in the Spanish-American War led American planners to look elsewhere for a standard infantry weapon. They "borrowed" the more effective action found on the German 7mm Mauser, added a few modifications, and produced a magazine-fed rifle that boasted phenomenal accuracy. The 1903 quickly gained a reputation as an outstandingly accurate and powerful firearm -- at the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918, U.S. Marines armed with Springfields cut down enemy counterattacks from 700 to 800 yards away. The rifle continued in service through World War II and Korea and even saw combat as a sniper rifle in Vietnam.

My example is actually a Springfield 1903A3 made en mass during WWII in 1943.  I have used this for Vintage Military Bolt Action matches.


9. STURMGEWEHR 44
Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle
Country of Origin: Germany
Caliber: 7.92 x 33 mm
Cartridge Capacity: 30 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,133 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 500 rounds per minute

The Wehrmacht hadn't been at war with the Soviet Union for long when it became clear that German infantry with their bolt-action Mausers were often at a disadvantage in firefights with Russian automatic weapons. In response, German armament developers came up with a revolutionary new weapon: the first "assault rifle" (the literal translation of the German Sturmgewehr). The key to its success was a shorter 7.92 mm round that allowed for effective automatic fire and permitted soldiers to carry sufficient ammunition. The Sturmgewehr came too late to play a significant role in World War II, but it wins high marks for innovation.

10. M14
Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Rifle
Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm (.30 inch)
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,799 feet per second
Rate of Fire: 700-750 rounds per minute

By the end of World War II, with an American infantry platoon carrying as many as four different weapons -- and four types of ammo -- the U.S. Army decided to develop a single weapon that could fulfill multiple roles. The result was the M14. First fielded in 1957, the rugged, accurate new rifle had plenty of stopping power with the standard NATO 7.62 mm round. It first saw major action in Vietnam, where soldiers liked its performance but struggled with the weight of both gun and ammunition. Before long it was phased out in favor of the lighter M16, but a few frontline units still use the classic weapon, primarily as a sniper rifle.  The Wehrmacht hadn't been at war with the Soviet Union for long when it became clear that German infantry with their bolt-action Mausers were often at a disadvantage in firefights with Russian automatic weapons. In response, German armament developers came up with a revolutionary new weapon: the first "assault rifle" (the literal translation of the German Sturmgewehr). The key to its success was a shorter 7.92 mm round that allowed for effective automatic fire and permitted soldiers to carry sufficient ammunition. The Sturmgewehr came too late to play a significant role in World War II, but it wins high marks for innovation.

Philippine Campaign December 8, 1941

Most Americans remember the "Day of Infamy,"  December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese launched its war against the US beginning at Pearl Harbor.

But for most Filipinos, they remember December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor when Japanese planes attacked Subic Bay, Clark Air Base, Sangley and other military installation in the Philippines.

This act of aggression sparked the Allied-Axis world war extending now into the Pacific.  Almost 100,000 Filipinos enlisted or were drafted together with regular army soldiers that were called to combat duty.

Read more here Philippine Campaign December 8, 1941.

High Power Rifle Training Videos

I've scoured the NET for some good training material.  There are many but these are definitely the best I've found.  These training videos are two decades old but some things just don't change!

High Power Clinic, 1989 - The Prone Position
High Power Clinic in 1989 with Champions CWO Jim Cook USMC, G David Tubb, and DI Boyd discussing and demonstrating the Prone Position

High Power Clinic 1989 - The Standing Position
National Champions, G David Tubb, CWO Jim Cook, and DI Boyd discuss the Standing Position

High Power Clinic, 1989 - Sitting Position
High Power Clinic 1989 with David Tubb, Jim Cook of the USMC with DI Boyd moderating. Sitting Position.

This is my Colt US Army Model 1903.  It was manufactured in 1903 and was part of a reported (by Springfield Armory) 12,500 that were made and delivered to the US Army.  This model was the last variation in the New Army/Navy Model family (Model 1892 series) and serial numbers for the Model 1903 ran from 200,000 to 212,500.

The Model 1901 and 1903 were the only New Model Army and Navy revolvers shipped from Colts with the lanyard loop, earlier models found with the lanyard loop probably received upgrades at Colts or Springfield to bring them up to the Model 1901 specifications.

The Model 1903 had two major changes from its predecessors:  1) Bore diameter was decreased from .363 inch to .357 inch to increase accuracy. This was to accommodate the new more powerful S&W .38 Special Cartridge, though it could still shoot the .38 Long Colt cartridge.  2) Grips were narrowed to provide for a better grip.

My example shown here is the Army marked model, there are also Navy and Marine Corp marked variations but these are much rarer and demand a premium price. This is in .38 Long Colt caliber, has a 6" barrel and excellent bore. The frame has inspector's initials "J.T.T." (John T. Thompson, Capt., USA--Colt Model 1900 cal. .38 semi-automatic pistols, Colt Model cal. .454 revolvers, and Smith & Wesson cal. .38 Army revolvers) and "R.A.C." (U.S. inspector Rinaldo A. Carr) with a "1903" date. The smooth walnut grips are each stamped "R.A.C." on the butt.  This is a neat example of the last primary issue revolver in .38 caliber as it was replaced by the .45 caliber bullet which was re-introduced in the Model of 1909 (45 Long Colt).

The cartouche information that appeared on the left side of the grip panels on previous military models was moved to the frame in 1902 by the Army and first began appearing on the Model 1901 Army model. You will find the Model 1903 revolvers with "1902", "1903" or "1904"  on the frame depending on when they were received by the Army.  In my example, the frame reads "1903."

The Philippines Insurrection was a huge failure of performance for the .38 caliber revolvers and was the last conflict they participated in as the U.S. governments primary sidearm. In 1909 the Colts M1909 in .45 Long Colt was adopted as the primary sidearm of the U.S. Army and was subsequently replaced by the Colts M1911 semi automatic pistol in late 1911. The M1917 came to be as a interim revolver due to the needs of World War I not being met by M1911 manufacturers. The M1911 was updated in 1924 and became the M1911-A1 which was then produced through 1945.

I'm in the process of a Colt Archive Letter for this example.  This is one of the signature services offered by Colt’s Manufacturing Company and is recognized as the best evidence that a firearm is a genuine Colt and not a counterfeit.

Colt’s Manufacturing Company is fortunate to have retained virtually all of its records of firearms sold by the factory from the early 1870’s to the present.  As a result, they have the unique ability to trace a firearm to its origins and not only to verify its authenticity but also to certify when and to whom it was originally sold.

Sources:  Coolgunsite, Colt

The Splendid Little War

I was very fortunate to have found this book recently.  It is a First Edition, published by Little, Brown & Co. in 1958, of "The Splendid Little War" by Frank Freidel.  It has the original book cover and carried a $5.00 price tag which was definitely a bonus.

To quote from the book, it is the "dramatic story of the almost forgotten Spanish-American War, the Maine, San Juan Hill, Manila Bay, Santiago, the Rough Riders...told in text and more than 300 pictures."  It has 314 pages, 10" x 8" hardback and with dustcover.

I like this book because it was published during a time when America had literally almost forgotten about this war.  Through works like this, Americans and Filipino-Americans alike learned about the conflict and no doubt inspired more works on this subject.

The book itself covers the major conflicts of the war and not devoted strictly to battles in the Philippines.  And it does not cover the subsequent Philippine-American War.  But there are chapters, "The Battle of Manila Bay" and "Expedition to the Philippines," that cover the subject well.

A quick search on the Internet and I was able to find that a New Edition, published in 2002, can be had a very good prices.  Overall, a good read.

Philippine Ten Centavo 1943

Many people don't know that from 1903 to 1945 Philippine money was minted by the United States. I bought 3 of these Philippine Ten Centavos coins for $1 a piece today. Two of the coins are of 1944 mintage and the third was made in 1943. One was in uncirculated (UNC) condition. They are silver in material.

Obverse: Lady Liberty striking an anvil with a hammer with a volcano (Mt. Mayon) erupting in the background, "Ten Centavos", "Filipinas."

Reverse: Seal of the Republic of the Philippines, "United Status of America." There coins are good examples of coins during the Japanese Occupation period of the Philippines during WWII.

The American Period (1900-1941)

The Americans instituted a monetary system for the Philippine based on gold and pegged the Philippine peso to the American dollar at the ratio of 2:1. The US Congress approved the Coinage Act for the Philippines in 1903. The coins issued under the system bore the designs of Filipino engraver and artist, Melecio Figueroa. Coins in denomination of one-half centavo to one peso were minted. The renaming of El Banco Espanol Filipino to Bank of the Philippine Islands in 1912 paved the way for the use of English from Spanish in all notes and coins issued up to 1933. Beginning May 1918, treasury certificates replaced the silver certificates series, and a one-peso note was added.

The Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)

The outbreak of World War II caused serious disturbances in the Philippine monetary system. Two kinds of notes circulated in the country during this period. The Japanese Occupation Forces issued war notes in big denominations. Provinces and municipalities, on the other hand, issued their own guerrilla notes or resistance currencies, most of which were sanctioned by the Philippine government in-exile, and partially redeemed after the war.

Anti Philippine-American War Flag Pin Circa 1902

The Philippine–American War was an armed military conflict between the United States and the Philippines, which arose from the First Philippine Republic (see flag on pin) struggle against United States annexation of the islands. The war was a continuation of the Philippine struggle for independence, following the Philippine Revolution, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, and the Spanish-American War.

The war officially began on June 2, 1899 and ended on July 4th, 1902, however hostilities continued until June 15th, 1913.

The Philippine-American War changed the cultural landscape of the islands with the introduction of the English language, the disestablishment of the Catholic Church, and the impact of an estimated 200,000-1,500,000 casualties.

This pin has the early Republic of The Philippines flag and was probably created by the Anti-Imperialist League which was created by Mark Twain who opposed the war. The pin is approximately 7/8 of an inch across and in great shape.

I was fortunate enough to have found and purchased this pin for $1.25. Source: patriciaspantry

40th Anniversary of the First Moon Landing

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the first landing on the moon. To commemorate this remarkable event, I thought I'd post one of the photos I took of the moon.

I was trying out our then new telescope, Meade ETX-125PE, and attached my Nikon D40x camera to it to take this picture.

The telescope is of the Maksutov-Cassegrain type with a 127mm (5.0") aperture, f/15 focal ratio, and a 1900mm focal length. I had to use the 1.25" Meade Basic Camera Adapter to attach the Nikon. Overall, I think the picture turned out pretty good.

Stimulus Earmark for Filipino World War II Veterans

Don't misunderstand, I'm pleased for these very deserving Filipino veterans. However, this is just one example of the many earmarks that this Obama stimulus targeted that brings absolutely no value in stimulating our economy. Read on...
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Benefits for Filipino World War II Veterans

Written by Ashley Nagaoka - anagaoka@kgmb9.com

July 03, 2009 10:33 PM

This independence day will be a memorable one for thousands of Filipino veterans of World War II. For more than 60 years, they've lived with no pension, and few benefits. Friday night, Hawaii leaders finally gave them recognition they deserve. These vets, who are now in their 80's and 90's, have had their veteran statuses restored and will also be paid for their service to the U.S. "I wish that he could be here, to be able to receive the honor that was given to him," said Norma Galo, World War II Veteran widow. Norma Galo wishes her husband Juan was alive to see this day. A special tribute to was held tonight to honor Filipino veterans from World War Two. In 1941, the United States drafted more than 250-thousand Filipinos to fight alongside American troops. They were promised citizenship and full veteran benefits, but in 1946 congress broke that promise. "That is our rights, we are not begging anything from the us government. We are fighting for our rights," said Art Caleda, World War II veteran. "That was a dishonorable thing to do and what we've done this year was to restore the honor of the United States," said Sen. Daniel Inouye, (D) Hawaii. Senator Daniel Inouye helped secure $198-million in stimulus funds for these vets. Those who are U.S. citizens will get a one-time payment of $15-thousand, those who aren't will get $9-thousand. But to be eligible the vet had to be alive when the bill was signed into law. And that's why many veterans Friday say this recognition is a bittersweet one. "We're remembering those who passed away for not being able to wait for this benefit," said Caleda. Six decades later they finally feel like their sacrifice matters. "The United States will now restore the recognition of our military service," said Caleda. But the battle is not over. They are also rallying in support of the Filipino veterans Reunification Act, which would grant their children special immigration status here in the U.S. "It is very important that our children should be joining us at our age," said Caleda. And Hawaii's leaders say it's a promise they intend to keep. "I can assure you, we will live up to our promises this time," said Sen. Inouye. A committee hearing for the Reunification Act is scheduled for later this month. And Senator Inouye says he's certain the committee will give the bill it's approval.

US Army Philippine Division WWII

I just found and purchased this authentic patch recently. Very interesting story behind it courtesy of Wikipedia.

The Philippine Division, originally a named rather than numbered U.S. Infantry Division of World War II, was the core of the US Army's Philippine Department. On July 31, 1941, the division consisted of 10,473 troops, mostly enlisted Filipinos, known as the Philippine Scouts. All of the division's enlisted men, with the exception of the 31st Infantry Regiment, and various military policeand headquarters troops, were Philippine Scouts.

In October 1941, as part of the US Army Forces Far East, plans were made to "triangularize" the division. The 34th Infantry was detached from the 8th Infantry Division and moved to a port of embarkation in December 1941, along with two battalions of 105mm field artillery. The Philippine Division was to have two complete U.S. regimental combat teams in place by January 1942 to provide General Douglas MacArthur with a modern, trained mobile reaction force, while freeing up Philippine Scouts for rounding out other units. The outbreak of war in December 1941, however, isolated the Philippines and nullified implementation of the plan.

CG63 Swedish Mauser Project

The Rifle


Swedish Mauser CG63 built by Mauser on an Oberndorf am Neckar receiver dated 1900

The rifle is my poor man's version of the the CG63 that I put together. Original CG63s were built at the Carl Gustav Arsenal in Sweden as highly accurate target rifles using heavy barrels, diopter sights, target stocks and tuned triggers.

From The Swedish Mauser Rifles by Poyer, "When Sweden formalized its rules for 300 meter military-civilian matches, a new rifle was developed for competitors, the CG63 through the Frivilliga skytter relsen."

"At the Carl Gustaf factory, a new, heavy, non-stepped barrel was attached to an m/96 or m/38 receiver. The trigger assembly was adjusted and smoothed to match quality. A new beech Monte-Carlo-style stock with identical, if shallow cheek pieces, on either side for right- or left-handed shooters, a pistol grip and a short fore end and hand guard that allowed the barrel to float, were developed. Match quality adjustable micrometer aperture rear sights from several Swedish manufacturers were installed, as well as the American-made Lyman and Redfield adjustable rear sights, although these latter appear to have been added by the owners. Hooded front sights with interchangeable inserts were added to the new barrel. The distinctive vertical thumb piece was removed from the bolt to increase lock time. The rifle, which averaged 4.6 kg (10.14 lbs), was available in both 6.5 x 55 mm, 7.62 x 51 mm NATO and .22 rimfire calibers. The military match versions were designated m/6 in 6.5 x 55 mm and the m/7 in 7.62 x 51 NATO. The m/6 military version was equipped with a short cleaning rod beneath the barrel."

Having a barreled receiver (with a buggered rear sight, drilled and tapped receiver but very excellent barrel) of a Swedish Mauser M96, Oberndorf am Neckar 1900, I only needed to track down a few parts to complete the rifle. I found a vintage Hellqvist rear diopter sight and a front globe sight. I also found an authentic CG63 beech stock complete with a Norma shooting sticker. Finally, I obtained a like new bolt.

I had to remove the rear sight band assembly with a blow torch as they are held on with a set screw and lead or tin solder. I removed the set screw, heated the assembly gently with a propane torch just enough to melt the solder. Then a tapped it off with a wood block. I also had to re-bed the receiver and polish the trigger.

Of course, this is NOT a real CG63. It does not have the heavier barrel nor does it have the CG63 bolt with shorter firing pin and removed vertical thumb piece. And it wasn't made at Carl Gustav.

Bullet Load Development

Disclaimer: Because I have no control over individual loading practices and/or components used, no responsibility is implied or expressed by me in the use of this data. The information is to be used at the sole discretion of the user.

Having completed the rifle, I set out to develop a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser match load. I developed 4 test loads keeping the bullet, case, primer, case length and overall cartridge length constant while incrementing the powder charge.

• Bullet - Nosler 140 grain BTHP Custom Competitions
• Powder - Reloder 22
• Case - PMC
• Primer - CCI 200 Large Rifle
• Case Length - 2.164"
  
• Overall Cartridge Length - 3.125"

I developed 4 loads with different powder charges and shot 4 groups of 5 bullets for each load and took the mean and standard deviation of each group's size. Here are the results.

Group 1 - 46.5 grains - 2.5997"
Group 2 - 47.0 grains - 2.1970"
Group 3 - 47.5 grains - 2.5140"
Group 4 - 48.0 grains - 1.8490"



At 100 Yards Prone / Sling

At 100 yards, my best group was within Group 4 using 48.0 grains of Reloder 22 on a standard MR-31 used to simulate 600 yards at a 100 yard course.


5-Shot Group (1.160") at 100 Yards Prone / Sling using MR-31 Target

Given the group size results, I focused on the Group 4 load. This is the maximum load advised by Speer using a 140 grain bullet. But the brass showed no pressure signs - no blown cases, no case separations, primers are flat.

Note: I chose Group 4 based upon it's mean group size only. There is no statistical difference between the means or variance of the 4 groups.

The chronograph results gave the following data. The chronograph was set at 10 feet from the muzzle and the temperature reading was 54 degrees.

• Shot 1 - 2759 fps
• Shot 2 - 2782 fps
• Shot 3 - 2707 fps
• Shot 4 - 2753 fps
• Shot 5 - 2753 fps

• Mean - 2751 fps
• Std Dev - 27.24
  

At 200 Yards Prone / Sling

Having chosen my load, 48.0 grains of Reloder 22 and a 140 grain Nosler BTHP on top, I decided to test the load at 200 yards. The results were good having "cleaned" the SR-C target for 5 shots, prone/sling, slow-fire.


5-Shot Group (4.50") at 200 Yards Prone / Sling using SR-C Target

Overall, I am pleased with the load I've developed. It gives me the +2700 fps muzzle velocity I was looking for without the pressure signs as well as the accuracy I needed. I will need to retest the muzzle velocity during warmer temperatures consistent with the match season.

Miguel Malvar - 2nd President of the Philippines?

Interesting conjecture, but is it true that General Miguel Malvar was the 2nd Philippine president?

Philippine history books taught Filipinos that Manuel L. Quezon was the 2nd president during the Commonwealth of the Philippines (political designation of the Philippines from 1935 to 1946 when the country was a commonwealth with the United States).

And everyone knows that there was no successor to the 1st Philippine president, Emilio Aguinaldo, when his term ended when he pledged allegiance to the United States after his capture at Palanan, Isabela, right?

Well, read on. Let me know what you think.

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Revisiting the Philippine-American War
By Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas

As the nation prepares to celebrate another holiday in honor of Andres Bonifacio on November 30, I would like to revisit some details of the Philippine-American War that involved my maternal grandfather, General Miguel Malvar. Since my mother, Isabel Malvar Villegas, is still living and is in good health at the age of 99, General Malvar is the only national hero with a surviving child. We, his descendants, should continue our efforts to set the historical records straight about his role in the Philippine-American War.

In the most complete biography about my grandfather, written by UP historians Doroteo Abaya and Bernard Karganilla, we read (pp. 108 to 109) that upon the death of Andres Bonifacio and the assumption of the presidency by Emilio Aguinaldo, a series of events unfolded which led to General Malvar’s becoming the Second President of the Philippines and Chief of Staff. Upon Aguinaldo’s capture in Palanan, Isabela, by the Americans on March 23, 1901, a leadership vacuum was created but only temporarily. Based on the succession decrees that Aguinaldo himself issued, General Malvar would take the presidency of the republic: "The June 27, 1900 decree specifically designated General Trias to succeed Aguinaldo in the event of his capture, death, or whatever form of incapacity to perform the function of office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Philippine Republic and its Army. General Malvar became a contender to Aguinaldo’s post when General Trias surrendered. Malvar was Trias’ second-in-command. Thus, by virtue of Aguinaldo’s succession decrees of February 16, 1899; November 13, 1899; and June 27, 1900, General Malvar, with Trias’ surrender, became the logical successor to Aguinaldo’s post and to the leadership of the Filipino struggle against the Americans."

Likewise, the Filipino Revolutionary committee (or Hong Kong Junta) officially confirmed Malvar’s assumption of Aguinaldo’s post. This was in consonance with a provision of Aguinaldo’s June 27, 1900, decree where it vested the Hong Kong Junta with the authority to assume Aguinaldo’s post during the interregnum following his possible death or captivity while looking for a successor. It was this authority that the Hong Kong Junta invoked when it confirmed Malvar as Aguinaldo’s successor.

Recently, a relative of mine, Dr. Potenciano Malvar, got hold of an original letter written by my grandfather to General Arcadio Maxilom, one of the generals fighting the Americans in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Written in Spanish, the letter clearly indicated that General Malvar was acting as the Commander-in-Chief after the capture of General Aguinaldo. Let me translate the letter into English:

"My distinguished lord and companion: The trials that have fallen on us during our campaign have been such that your official and private correspondences addressed to our honorable President and Chief of Staff General Aguinaldo, whose whereabouts are unknown as he is hiding from our enemy, have come into my possession. I have opened these letters so that I can answer you in the name of our government.

"Upon learning of your most appropriate actions, I am highly gratified by your policies and the decisions you have made to reestablish order in your area of jurisdiction. I applaud your activity for the good impression that I have obtained in reading the brilliant account of your operations. For this reason, it is with great pride that we manifest the confidence that our country has in those children of hers who have suffered so much as slaves of duty and discipline. For you, as worthy Chief, our heartiest congratulations.

"For the 20th of July following the holding of the General Assembly, my headquarters have appointed the Generals. On my part, I assure you that on that same day you will receive the corresponding title. If you are not able to attend the Assembly, we shall send the appointment through the officers who will come to represent you and all the others in your territory.

"I am sending you enclosed my own manifesto and a list of the guidelines and instructions which have been issued up to now for general knowledge and fulfillment. I expect that through said representatives of yours, I can be apprised of everything that has occurred in the provinces of your Islands, both as regards civil as well as military affairs.

"I request you to send to their respective addresses the enclosed documents. Receive the appointments of those in the staff that you have formalized which will be ratified by the documents when they do arrive."

"Here in Luzon, there are frequent combats with American military detachments which have helped us increase the number of guns in our possession. For this reason, we have to discredit the many erroneous reports that come from the newspapers in Manila taken generally from sources that are against us or from the offices of the occupying American forces.

"Other matters can be recounted to you verbally by the bearer of this note.

"I take advantage of this opportunity to greet all of you and to send you my most cordial embrace. I offer myself to you as your unconditional friend, comrade and servant."

Signed: Miguel Malvar, 14 May 1901

"P.S, I ask my General to disseminate the manifesto and guidelines herewith contained to the Islands and provinces of Jolo, Cotabato, Iligan, Puerto Princesa, Mindanao, Calamianes, Paragua, Zamboanga, Davao, and others by means of exact copies of these documents, translating them into the languages of the localities for general knowledge and compliance."

Given this authenticated document in the handwriting of my grandfather, I have no doubts that General Miguel Malvar was indeed the Second President of the Philippine Republic. For comments, my e-mail address is bvillegas@uap.edu.ph.

---------

Lawmaker: History wrong on Gen. Malvar
Manila Times
2 January 2008 | 12:10 AM

By Maricel V. Cruz, Reporter

For a Southern Tagalog lawmaker, history is wrong in naming Manuel L. Quezon as the second President of the Philippine Republic serving after Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

In House Bill 2594, Rep. Rodolfo Valencia of Oriental Mindoro is pushing to declare General Miguel Malvara prominent revolutionary heroas the second Philippine President in an effort to rectify his place in the succession of the countrys heads of state.

Historical records validate Malvars ascension to the presidency, Valencia said.

General Malvar took over the revolutionary government after General Emilio Aguinaldo, first President of the Republic, was captured on March 23, 1901, and [was] exiled in Hong Kong by the American colonial governmentsince he was next in command, the Mindoro congressman explained.

The Philippine revolutionary junta legitimized Malvars ascendancy to the position, Valencia said, citing historical accounts.

He added that the distinguished Filipino historian, Teodoro Agoncillo, had written that Malvar took over the leadership of the Filipino government, or what remained of it, and harassed the Americans by his guerilla tactics. Malvar served as President of the revolutionary government from the time of Aguinaldos capture on March 23, 1901, to April 16, 1902, historical records show.

The book Army of First Philippine Republic by Professor Luis Camara Dery of the De La Salle Universitys History Department gives further credence to Malvars rightful place in history, Valencia said.

He added that Malvars distinguished achievements and indispensable contributions need no further enumeration, but it is necessary for surviving generations to preserve his legacies and correct history.

"Colonial Mentality" Affects Fil-Am Student Performance

I read an interesting article the other day that stated that the more Americanized Filipino students become in the U.S., the worse they tend to perform in school.

A study was conducted in various cities across the U.S. and it found that in some cities where there have been three to four generations or more of Filipino immigrants, some one-third of Filipino students are failing, while in cities where the Filipino influx is newer, they’re doing well. In other words, the more Americanized we become, the less well our students do.

One of the contributors, the study cited, was that families in the U.S. often find that making ends meet economically hampered their participation in their children’s school activities.

Others included trends amongst Fil-Am youth to allow Social pressures such as drugs, promiscuity, gang affiliations and other social ills to encroach upon their academic performance

The study cited the need for role models and a better self-image to combat the “colonial mentality” still persisting amongst Filipino adults and youth in the U.S. The study also found parents are very involved at the elementary school level, but in high school, that involvement falls crediting this to how family economics are causing Fil-Am students to do less well than they probably could do.

The key takeaway is for Fil-Am parents to become more involved in their children’s academic lives as well as in their respective communities in order to push for educational assistance.

Overall the NaFFAA report recommended:

(1.) the need to dis-aggregate data on the FilAm students from those of other Asians collectively,

(2.) the hiring of more Filipino administrators, teachers and counseling staff to deal appropriately with FilAm cultural issues,

(3.) revising and infusing the existing curriculum with Filipino culture, history and experiential content as well including these features in the training of other educators,

(4.) the increased involvement of the entire Filipino community and FilAm parents particularly in the educational system, and

(5.) encouraging the involvement of Filipino parents in school activities and programs.

I think that another bullet is warranted here as well. That is, the need for families to build children's self-esteem through identity by talking about our rich family histories, where we come from and our Filipino culture. Read more...

To read more about the study, Read here...

WWII Apologists Persist Despite Japanese Policy

By Blaine Harden
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, November 3, 2008; Page A17

TOKYO, Nov. 2 -- Once again, a Japanese official with nationalist sympathies -- in this case, the head of the air force -- has glossed over the Asian suffering caused by Japan during World War II.

Once again, China and South Korea -- principal victims of Japan's wartime depredations -- have expressed shock and anger.

And once again, the government in Tokyo has restated its official policy, which is that Japan deeply regrets and apologizes for its wartime aggression.

The abiding reluctance of prominent nationalists in Japan to come to grips with the past resurfaced Friday, when a hotel company announced the winner of its $30,000 "true modern history" essay contest.

The winning essay was written by Gen. Toshio Tamogami, who until Friday night was chief of staff of the air force. He was fired a few hours after the essay appeared on the hotel company's Web site.

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because of a "trap" set by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Tamogami claimed in his essay, which also argued "that many Asian countries take a positive view" of Japan's role in the war.

He wrote, too, that the war was good for international race relations: "If Japan had not fought the Great East Asia War at that time, it might have taken another 100 or 200 years before we could have experienced the world of racial equality that we have today."

The essay concluded that "it is certainly a false accusation to say that our country was an aggressor nation."

Explaining why Tamogami was fired, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that a senior military leader "should not make public an opinion opposed to the government's position."

In 1995, then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama officially apologized for Japan's wartime aggression. Still, there is a politically potent minority in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that periodically backtracks and distances itself from the apology.

Before he became prime minister in September, Taro Aso, 68, a longtime elder in the ruling party, had made a series of statements that suggested his nationalist leanings. He upset the governments of North and South Korea by praising his country's 35-year colonial occupation of their peninsula, saying Japan did many good things.

As foreign minister in 2006, Aso annoyed China by suggesting that Japan's emperor should visit Yasukuni, the war shrine in Tokyo where convicted war criminals are honored along with 2.5 million war dead.
Shinzo Abe, who stepped down as prime minister last year, backed away from Japan's previous apologies to the "comfort women," the term used for the estimated 50,000 to 200,000 Asian women forced by the Japanese government into brothels before and during World War II.

Abe, who had strong support in the nationalist wing of the ruling party, said there was no documentation proving that the Japanese military coerced Asian women into becoming prostitutes.

His statements provoked fury in China and South Korea -- and pushed the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a resolution calling on Japan to apologize for its treatment of the sex slaves.

Abe also appeared to be wrong. Studies by the Japanese government itself have uncovered more than 100 documents showing Japanese military involvement in the building of brothels and the recruitment of women, according to a 2006 report by the Congressional Research Service.

Also under Abe, the government tried to whitewash the history of the war as taught in Japanese public schools. In 2006, the Education Ministry deleted references in textbooks to orders from the Japanese military in 1944 that civilians in Okinawa must commit mass suicide rather than surrender to invading U.S. forces. Courts here have subsequently recognized the military's role in ordering mass suicides on the island.

After Abe abruptly quit as prime minister last year, a new prime minister (also a member of the ruling LDP) quietly dropped the comfort women issue and corrected the textbooks. Yasuo Fukuda made clear that he would do nothing to push the agenda of his party's nationalist wing.

Instead, he moved to improve Japan's image in Asia, especially with China. His policy drew immediate results. On a visit to Tokyo early this year, Chinese President Hu Jintao played down the war and played up trade.

"It's important for us to remember history, but this does not mean we should hold grudges," Hu said.

But since then, Fukuda, who was unpopular with Japanese voters, has resigned. He was replaced by Aso, whose nationalist reputation has again raised some anxiety about Japan's intentions.

Reacting this weekend to Tamogami's denial that Japan was the aggressor in World War II, China was strongly critical of the air force chief of staff but gave Japan and Aso credit for quickly sacking him.

"We are shocked by and express our strong indignation over the senior Japanese military officer's denial of Japan's aggression and overtly glorifying its history of invasion," the New China News Agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu as saying.

Still, China and Japan depend on each other as trading partners. Japanese machinery powers many of China's factories, and China is Japan's largest trading partner.

"We have taken notice of the attitude and measures taken by the Japanese government," Jiang said, noting that the countries will continue to work to improve relations.

Read more...

Filipinos Are In Full Retreat Before the Advancing Americans

THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, Georgia, March 13, 1899

Gunboat Clears the Jungles Along the River Banks and Wheaton's Brigade Meets Little Opposition.

COUNTRY WILL BE CLEARED

Aguinaldo's Red Brigade Suppressed by Troops Newly Arrived.

SUNSTROKES NUMEROUS IN THE ARMY

Rainfall in the Morning Cools the Temperature to Eighty-Two Degrees and the Suffering Among the Soldiers is Intense.

Malolos, Aguinaldo's Capital, Falls Before the Rush of M'Arthur's Men

Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta, GA, March 31, 1899

WASHINGTON, March 31.---The war department at 1:30 o'clock this morning gave out the following dispatch from Gen. Otis:

"Manila, March 31.---Adjt. Gen., Washington: MacArthur captured Malolos at 10:15 this morning. Enemy retired after slight resistance and firing the city. Particulars later. Hall had several engagements beyond Mariquina. Casualties twenty. Enemy being driven. "OTIS."

MACARTHUR MOVES TO ATTACK
GENERAL STARTED FOR MALOLOS AT 7 THIS MORNING.

Strong Opposition is Encountered While the Rebels Sustain Heavy Losses.

Manila, March 31.---Major General MacArthur advanced to attack Malolos, the seat of the insurgent, at 7 o'clock this morning.

He was met with strong resistance, the rebels resisting desperately, but losing heavily.

They are now in full retreat heading North. where Aguinaldo the cabinet have been for two days.

The Americans finally drove the Filipinos back. Although there were three lines of strong entrenchment along the railroad track, the enemy scarcely made no defense there.

General MacArthur and his staff were walking along the track abreast of the line with everything quiet when suddenly they were...

First Katipunan Flag 1892

First Katipunan Flat 1892 (my reproduction)

No, this flag does NOT represent the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), the name of several past and present secret organizations in the United States, mostly in the South, that are best known for advocating white supremacy and acting as vigilantes while hidden behind conic masks and white robes inflicting intidmidation, terrorism, oppression and violence on racial and religous minorites.

Far from it. This KKK represents the Katipunan or Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or the Highest and Most Respected Sons of the People, the first Philippine revolutionary movement which succesfully fought against Spanish Tyranny in 1892.

The First KKK Flag (1892). Three big white KKK letters arranged horizontally at the center of a rectangular piece of red cloth (locally called "kundiman"). The color red symbolized the courage of the Katipuneros who stood ready to fight for freedom and shed their blood if need be. This was the flag which was unfurled during the "First Cry of Nationhood" at the vicinity of North Manila in August 1896.

Read more...

Aguinaldo Now Sues for Peace

THE BULLETIN, San Francisco, California, February 8, 1899.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.-The War Department to-day received the following dispatch:

"MANILA, Feb. 8.-The situation is rapidly improving. A reconnoissance was made to the south several miles to Lagunaz Bay, also to the southeast eight miles, driving straggling insurgent troops in various directions and encountering no decided opposition. The Filipino army is disintegrated, and the natives are returning to their villages, displaying the white flag.

"Near Caloocan, six miles north, the enemy made a stand behind intrenchments and were charged by the Kansas troops, led by Colonel Funston. There was a close encounter resulting in the rout of the enemy with heavy loss. The loss to the Kansans Lieutenant Alford killed and six men wounded.

"On the 4th Aguinaldo issued a flying proclamation, charging the Americans with the initiative, and declaring war. On Sunday he issued another proclamation, calling on all to resist foreign invasion. His influence throughout this section is destroyed, and he now applies for a cessation of hostilities and a conference. I have declined to answer. The insurgents' of a rising in the city on the night of the 4th was unrealized. The provost marshal-general made an admirable disposition of troops to defeat every attempt. The city is quiet, business has been resumed, and the natives are respectful and cheerful. The fighting qualities of the American troops are a revelation to all the inhabitants. OTIS"

Otis to Capture the Rebel Chief Aguinaldo

THE BULLETIN, San Francisco, California, February 8, 1899.

Government Sends Orders That the Insurgent Leader Must Taken at All Hazards.

He Has Already in His Dispair Pleaded for a Truce, Which General Otis Sternley Refused to Grant Him.

[SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN.]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8. - General Otis has been instructed by the War Department to capture Aguinaldo, this insurgent Filipino chief. Aguinaldo is the only leader the Filipinos, and if he can be caught the war will collapse. The department expects Otis to report immediately upon the possibility of capturing the rebel leader.

Rape of Nanking and Manila

The Nanking Massacre, commonly known as the Rape of Nanking, because many local women were raped, was an infamous war crime committed by the Japanese military in Nanjing (historically known as Nanking), then the capital of the Republic of China, after it fell to the Imperial Japanese Army on December 13, 1937. The duration of the massacre is not clearly defined, although the violence lasted well into the next six weeks, until early February 1938.

Read more...

The Rape of Manila came towards the end of the war. The Japanese atrocities were just as worse than those that occured in China years earlier. Filipina girls forced into to roles called Comfort Women. "Its civilian population have been raped and burned, starved and murdered, its women mutilated, its babies bayoneted."

Read more...

I urge all to watch the newly released movie, Nanking. It's disturbing to say the least but accurate based upon my own studies on the subject. We need to continue to raise the consciousness of everyone that these atrocities happened so that we do not forget the lessons of history and damn ourselves by repeating them.

May 5, 1942 Japanese Landing at Corregidor

In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces landed on the Philippine island of Corregidor.

The Battle for Corregidor was the culmination of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Philippines. The fall of Bataan in April 9, 1942, ended all organized opposition by the U.S. Army Forces Far East to the invading Japanese forces on Luzon in the northern Philippines. The island bastion of Corregidor, with its network of tunnels and formidable array of defensive armament, along with the fortifications across the entrance to Manila Bay, was the remaining obstacle to the 14th Japanese Imperial Army of Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma. The Japanese had to take Corregidor; as long as the island remained in American hands, they would be denied the use of the Manila Bay, the finest natural harbor in the Far East.

Read more from source...

The Story of My Capture

An Account of Gen. Funston's Exploit
By the Captured Filipino Leader Himself
Everybody's Magazine, Vol. V, No. 24, August 1901

By Emilio Aguinaldo

Palanan is a little village, of houses, built of bamboo and thatched with nipa, situated on the banks of the river which bears the same name, and some six miles distant from the seashore. It is one of the most isolated places in the province of Isabela, in northern Luzon. The are no ways of communication with the outside world except rough trails or footpaths that lead over the mountains to the west, to Ilagan, or south to Casiguran, and its peaceful population of some twelve hundred souls has heard very little of the tide of war which for four years has desolated our country. Nevertheless when I first went there with my companions and our little band of followers, in the month of September, 1900, I was received with enthusiasm by these simple, hospitable people, and everything they had was placed at my disposal. I was accompanied by Dr. Santiago Barcelona and Colonel Simon Villa, my chief-of-staff. We had some seventeen soldiers, who had followed us in all our wanderings over the mountains and through the forests of northern Luzon. Barracks were furnished for these soldiers, and a house was set apart for the residence of myself and my companions.

We lived here quietly for several weeks, enjoying the few diversions in the way of amusement that the village could offer. There was a fairly capable band of music, and on Saturday and Sunday followed sometimes by a dance in the parish house, next to the church, for the young people of the village.

This continued until the 23d of November, when we received word that a force of about fifty Americans was in the mountains not far off, apparently coming to Palanan. We hastily concealed all documents and papers and other things which might reveal our presence in the town, and then left the village and went into the mountains near by, where we remained in hiding until the Americans went away, two or three days later. Then we returned to the village and resumed our tranquil existence. Not long after this occurrence our forces were augmented by the arrival of some forty men sent me by command of Major Nasario Alhambra.

During all this time we received the Manila newspapers with more or less regularity, although they were always considerably delayed in reaching us. I had the amusing experience of reading on several occasions the reports of my own death, and subsequently a detailed account of an imaginary adventure in Cavite last December, in which I was said to have narrowly escaped being captured.

In January of this year Colonel Villa, who was growing tired of our peaceful and uneventful life, asked me to give him command of forces in the field, in any province of Luzon, and it was decided between us and Dr. Barcelona to make requisition on the commanding officer of our forces in central Luzon for a reinforcement of four hundred men. It was my intention to put these men under the command of Colonel Villa, and to confer upon him the command of the military district of the valley of the Cagayan, which included the three provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Viscaya. At the same time it was decided to send orders to Brigadier-General Teodoro Sandiko, directing him to come to Palanan to relieve Colonel Villa, as chief of staff.

Accordingly, with this in view, I sent, on the 15th of January, Private Cecilio Segismundo, a man thoroughly acquainted with the country in central Luzon, to deliver several letters addressed to the officers who were in command of our guerrilla forces in that territory. Among these letters were one addressed to General Sandiko, and another addressed to General Baldomero Aguinaldo, to whom I gave orders to assume command of our forces in central Luzon, and also to send two hundred men, under command of Colonel Lazaro Makagapal, to the province of Isabela. Colonel Villa also gave the messanger, Segismundo, a pass, directed to the local presidents of the towns through which he might travel, ordering them to render him every assistance possible, and to supply him with whatever he might need. Segismundo left for Nueva Viscaya under directions to go by way of the towns of Casiguran and Baler.

We had no news whatever from our messenger until the 20th of March, upon which date I received two sealed packages, which were delivered to me by a man from Casiguran, a town about fifty miles south of Palanan. These packages contained two letters, one from General Urbano Lakuna, and the other from Lieutenant-Colonel Hilario Tal Placido. General Lakuna said in his letter, which was addressed to me, that, in accordance with my orders of the 12th of January, he was sending me one of his best guerrilla companies under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hilario Tal Placido and Captain Lazaro Segovia, both of whom he recommended for immediate promotion in recognition of the valiant and very valuable services which they had rendered.

The letter of Tal Placido was dated in Casiguran on the 17th of March. In it he said that while on the march, near the town of Pontabangan, he had encountered a party of ten Americans engaged in making maps, and that in view of the inferiority of the enemy's force he had attacked them, and succeeded in killing and wounding five of them, taking the other five prisoners. The dead and wounded he had left on the field, but the prisoners were now with his force. The letter went on to say that they had exhausted their supplies, and he thought it would be necessary to allow the men to rest a few days in Casiguran and forage for more provisions.

Immediately upon the receipt of this letter I directed Colonel Villa to reply to it, and to say that in view of the circumstances it would not be wise to permit these American prisoners to come into Palanan, for the reason that in the event that they were set free, or contrived to escape, they would be able to serve as guides to bring their countrymen down on us. It seems better, therefore, and Colonel Tal Placido was so directed, that the prisoners should be left at a place called Dinundungan, which is about five miles from Palanan, under a guard of eleven soldiers commanded by a sergeant, who should be instructed to take the prisoners of Ilagan, the capital of the province of Isabela, under cover of darkness. Once in Ilagan, they were to be liberated.

On the evening of the 22d of March another communication was received from Colonel Tal Placido, in which he informed Colonel Villa of his arrival with his forces at a place called Dibacal, distant about six miles from Palanan. He also said that his men were completely worn out with the fatigue and hardships of the march, and that they had not had so much as a grain of rice to eat in the last twenty-four hours. He begged me to send him a supply of rice at once, so that he could continue the march early in the morning of the next day. In accordance with this request I sent him a quantity of rice that same evening by a party of Negritos.

There had been a celebration in Palanan that day, March 22d, on account of the anniversary of my birth, and the little village was in gala dress. Arches had been erected, and such other decorations were provided as the limited resources of the place could supply. A number of people had made the fifty-mile journey from Casiguran to congratulate me on the occasion, and we celebrated the day with horse races, dancing, serenades, and amateur theatricals. The near approach of our reinforcements furnished an added incentive to the festivity of the day.

The next morning, March 23d, at six o'clock, I ordered Colonel Villa to send eleven soldiers of my personal guard to Dinundungan to take charge of the American prisoners in place of the men detailed by Colonel Tal Placido, who were worn out by their hard march, so that they might have a chance to rest and recuperate. Colonel Villa, also superintended the evacuation of one of the barracks occupied by my troops, so that it might be made ready for the reinforcements which were about to arrive. At the same time Colonel Villa sent a letter to the Military Chief of Isabela de Luzon, informing him that within a week a company of reinforcements for his province would be sent to him, and directing him to get together at his camp at Tierra Virgen as large a quantity of rice as possible.

It was intention to allow Hilario Tal Placido and his men to rest in the camp in Palanan for a week, and then to send them to Isabela. The men were to be attached to the guerrilla forces already operating in the province, and Colonel Tal Placido was to assume the military chieftainship of the province, relieving the officer then in command, who was to go to the province of Nueva Viscaya.

The morning of March 23d was passed in making preparations for the formation of a Red Cross league among the ladies who had come up from Casiguran for my birthday. With this object Dr. Barcelona had sent them an invitation to come to my house at three o'clock in the afternoon.

About two o'clock in the afternoon I saw Tal Placido's men crossing the Palanan River in small boats, and at once directed Colonel Villa to send Captain Tomas Magsarilo to salute the newcomers and welcome them in my name. Colonel Villa also arranged that the soldiers of my personal guard who were not on duty should fire the proper military salutes.

It was not long before the new troops, some eighty-five in number, entered the village of Palanan and halted in the plaza in front of my house, where about twenty soldiers of my guard were drawn up waiting to receive them. It was about three o'clock. The newcomers were dressed in the regular uniform of the Filipino army, and were armed with Mausers, Remingtons, and one or two Krags. The officers, Colonel Tal Placido and Captain Segovia the latter a Peninsular Spaniard then came into my house. After the usual salutations I asked them what sort of a journey they had had. To this Segovia replied that it had been exceedingly hard, and that they had not twenty-four hours' rest since the 24th of February, the date of their departure from Nueva Ecija. Segovia then told me that he had been at one time the adjutant of the Spanish General Llanera, and had seen me then, but I have no recollection of having seen him before this occasion.

After talking with Tal Placido and Segovia for fifteen or twenty minute, I gave orders that the newly arrived men be allowed to fall out and go to rest in the quarters which had been prepared for them. Captain Segovia immediately left the house and returned to the place where his men were drawn up waiting for him. As he came up to them Segovia shouted, in a loud voice, an order which we did not hear distinctly and did not understand. Instantly his men began to shoot at the soldiers of my guard, taking them completely by surprise. When the firing began, not suspecting any plan against myself, I though it was a salute with blank cartridges, and having this in mind, I ran to the window and cried out several times, "Cease firing." But seeing that the firing continued, and that the bullets from the rifles of the attacking party were directed against me as well as against the soldiers of my guard, I for the first time realized that the newcomers were enemies. I hurriedly left the window and ran into another room in the hope of finding some means of escape, but saw at once that the house was already surrounded. Then I seized a revolver, intending to defend myself, but Dr. Barcelona threw both arms around me, crying out, "Don't sacrifice yourself. The country needs your life." Thus I was prevented from carrying out my intention. Colonel Villa ran from the house in an attempt to break through the lines of the enemy and rally our men, but he was shot three times and finally taken prisoner.

When the firing commenced, Tal Placido threw himself down on the floor to avoid the bullets, but now he got up and told us that we were the prisoners of the Americans, who, he said, were on the other side of the river with four hundred American soldiers, and would soon be here. Just at this time several of Tal Placido's soldiers came into the house shouting, "Hurrah for the Macabebes!" and surrounded Barcelona and myself. A little later five Americans, all armed with carbines, came into the room where we were. They came up to us, and one of them asked, "Which one of you is Aguinaldo?" As soon as I had been identified by the Americans I was placed, with Dr. Barcelona and Colonel Villa, in one of the rooms of the house, and guards were posted at all the windows and doors, under command of one of the Americans. The other four Americans then began to search the house for whatever papers and documents might be there.

We were then informed that our captors were General Funston, Captains Newton and Hazzard, and Lieutenants Hazzard and Mitchell. While the search for documents was going on, Dr. Barcelona took advantage of the opportunity to dress the wounds of Colonel Villa and the others who had been hit. Fortunately, the wounds of the colonel were not serious.

It is difficult to give a detailed account of what occurred outside the house during the confusion which arose after the beginning of the attack. The soldiers of my guard were completely surprised, and did not even have their rifles loaded. One was killed and two others were wounded, the rest making their escape; but whether there were any wounded among those who got away or not I do not know. When the firing began, all the inhabitants of the village fled precipitately in the endeavor to escape; and when the attack was over, there was not a living soul in the place except General Funston's men and ourselves, the prisoners of war. A few scattered shots were fired by my men in their retreat, but to no effect. They had been taken so entirely by surprise that they had no chance to resist.

The next morning, March 24th, I had a conference with General Funston, in which I was told by him that on the next day there would arrive in the bay of Palanan a warship which would take us to Manila. In the course of the day he informed me of the plan which had resulted in our capture a fate which I had believed would never befall me. It appears that my messenger, Private Segismundo, fell into the hands of General Funston, the letters which he carried suggested to the general the plan which was subsequently carried out so brilliantly. The letter which I had received on the 20th and which I supposed had come from General Lakuna, was a forgery executed with the greatest cleverness. It was complete in all details, even bearing the seal of Lakuna, and there never occurred to me the least suspicion of its authenticity. I had not the slightest doubt from that time up to the instant of the commencement of the attack which ended in my capture. It was bold plan, executed with skill and cleverness in the face of difficulties which, to most men, would have seemed insurmountable.

On the morning of the 25th of March, General Funston gave orders to begin the march to the seashore, and we three prisoners, with one of my men, who had been wounded, left the little town which had been our place of refuge for so long a time. We reached the beach about noon, after a march of some six miles, and without loss of time the Americans made two signal fires and hoisted a white flag. A little later I made out, with aid of my binoculars, a steamer on the horizon. Having seen, no doubt, the smoke of the signal fires, the ship steamed directly for the place where we were waiting. Within two hours the warship was anchored near the beach, and General Funston communicated, by means of heliograph, to the officers on board the brilliant result of his expedition. By five o'clock in the afternoon we were all on board the Vicksburg, the anchor was hoisted, and we made for the open sea, bound for Manila.

At all times since our capture, as well in Palanan as on board the Vicksburg, we have been treated with the highest consideration by our captors, as well as by all the other American officers with whom we have come in contact.

At two o'clock on the morning of March 28th the Vicksburg anchored in the bay of Manila. At six o'clock that same morning General Funston and myself, accompanied by some officers, boarded one of the launches of the gunboat and left the Vicksburg. We went up the Pasig River to the residence of the Governor-General in Malacanan, where we disembarked. A little later I was presented to General MacArthur as a prisoner of war.

Such was my return to Manila after an absence of more than four years.

1st US Army Filipino Infantry Regiment

My original 1st Filipino Infantry patch

Not many people I know, including Filipinos, are even aware that during WWII the US Army established the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment composed primarily of Filipino expatriates, Filipino Americans by birth, and white Americans.

Read more at http://www.militarymuseum.org/Filipino.html

Here are the details behind the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment patch.

Description: On a yellow disk 3 1/4 inches in diameter with a 1/8 inch edge, a conventionalized black volcano emitting smoke, the volcano charged with three yellow mullets in fess.

Symbolism: The volcano represents the area in which the units were located. The three stars are taken from the Philippines Coat of Arms which represents the principle islands - Luzon and Mindanao, and the Visayan Islands.

Background: The insignia was requested for the lst Philippine Battalion; however the unit was changed to the lst Philippine Regiment. The authorization approved on August 6, 1942, was for all Philippine Battalions.

Filipina "Lolas" Campaign for Justice

With the Japanese government's desire to rewrite history ( http://filipinoforum.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5742 ) and their current reluctance to own up to any atrocities they've committed ( http://filipinoforum.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1883 ), I doubt these poor women will ever see restitution let alone any apologies. Very humbling and very sad indeed.

----------

“I kept it to myself for a long, long time because I was ashamed,” Lola Adela Reyes Barroquillo, 78, said at the launch of the book “Justice with Healing.”

Lola Adela is a survivor of Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II. The victims, their families, and supporters have been asking the Japanese government to issue an official, unequivocal apology for the crimes, as well as demanding that restitution should be made to the survivors and their families. Adela’s testimony was one of the highlights in a historic world conference recently held in Los Angeles on the sexual enslavement of women and girls by the Japanese military. U.S. House Resolution 121, authored by Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose), was passed in July. It urged the Japanese government to apologize for its wartime sexual enslavement of at least 200,000 Asian women.

In a new book called “Justice with Healing,” an anthology of 23 Filipina survivors, Adela, a former schoolteacher and auditor, bares her pain. She was born in a small town in Capiz province to a simple family. Her father was a farmer and her mother kept the house for her and six siblings. Adela was the youngest. When the war broke out, she was only 12. Two years after hiding in the mountains with her family, she received information that it was already safe to go back to her hometown. She encountered two friends, Pestang and Nita, whom she hadn’t seen in years. Together they went to the public market.

There, they were accosted by Japanese soldiers and later delivered to a garrison where her and her friends’ nightmare began. At 14, she was raped repeatedly by Japanese soldiers. “I remember being forced to enter a room. I hesitated because it was very dark inside. One soldier shoved and kicked me in until I tumbled face down on the floor. Then the soldier slapped me hard in the face until I fainted,” she said. When Adela got to this part as she was recounting her story in the book launching, she stopped abruptly. Her eyes watered while she stared ahead, looking at no one and nothing in particular. Sixty-four years after, it is as plain as day that the horror of her experience still lives and breathes within her. For more than three months, she and the other victims suffered physical and sexual abuse. At one point, out of extreme despair, she wished that a bomb would hit the garrison and kill them all. But it wasn’t a deadly bomb that liberated them.

When a group of Filipino guerillas attacked the garrison in May 1943, Adela and her friends escaped and walked on bare feet for many miles to get home. Many other kidnapped victims of Japanese military sexual slavery died in captivity. Except for her mother, Adela kept the horrors she experienced a secret. When her mother told her not to tell anybody else to avoid a scandal, she readily obeyed. “I was sick for a long time after we escaped. There were days when I didn’t even speak at all. I fainted sometimes. I was so afraid of people. I couldn’t eat nor sleep,” she said. When the war ended, she went back to school. Eventually, she met and married her former schoolmate, Servando Barro-quillo. They have six children. Servando died in 1995 not knowing that the woman with whom he shared a life harbored a painful secret. Four years after his death and after hearing from fellow former sex slaves who have gone public with their stories, Adela felt it was time to share hers.

Shortly thereafter, she joined Lolas Kampanyeras, a survivor group coordinated by Filipina human rights activist Nelia Sancho of Asian Women Human Rights Council. “They were very young. Most of them have never even experienced having a boyfriend before they were attacked,” Sancho said. “Their traumas were multiplied. They had low self-esteem and their families and the society imposed silence on them.” Unfortunately, even up to now, the survivors – euphemistically called “comfort women” – suffer from triple discrimination due to their gender, race and class. While there are many supporters of Filipino World War II veterans who are fighting for equity, Filipina “comfort women” still struggle to find champions to aid their cause. While the veterans have medals and the unstinting admiration of the community for their wartime bravery, WW II sex slave survivors, to this day, have to endure unkind words and a lack of support even from their own family and community in the Philippines. “My children don’t like that I talk about what happened to me. Some of my neighbors told me that I should have just kept this ‘shame’ a secret. Some tell me I’m just doing it for the money,” Adela said. “But I have to fight for me.”

Before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won the election, she was a supporter but “she has changed her tune,” Sancho said, adding that despite overwhelming evidence attesting to the veracity of their stories, up to now, they are also still fighting to include in Philippine history textbooks the fate the women suffered during World War II. Their harrowing ordeal first came into light when Lola Rosa Henson came out in public in 1992 after she heard the story of a Korean sex slave survivor.

There are about 400 documented Filipina survivors of sexual slavery. In the last 15 years, Japanese soldiers have come forward to admit their wrongdoing. Recovered documents showed that the military was involved or knew about the “comfort stations,” according to news reports. Many, including Japanese human rights activists, have criticized the Japanese government for admitting only moral but not legal responsibility for wartime atrocities against the women. In 1996, Asian Women’s Fund, a private fund collected by the Japanese government from its citizens, was set up to compensate the former “comfort women.” Japanese officials wrote letters of apology to women who received the payments.

Not all of the victims received the compensation. In 1998, the Tokyo District Court dismissed a case brought by 46 former sex slaves from the Philippines who accused Japan of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Some of the lolas included in the lawsuit died even before the ruling was handed down. It is because of their advancing age that the survivors and their supporters thought it was imperative to participate in the World Conference on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery held in UCLA early this month. Some delegates of the Lolas Kampanyeras didn’t make it to the Los Angeles conference due to lack of funds. Those who made it hocked their jewelries and went to the houses of well-to-do Philippine families to solicit donations to fund some of the trip’s expenses. Sancho’s Los Angeles-based friends provided assistance to the group, from picking them up from the airport to transporting them to the conference. When they arrived, they stayed in Fasgi, a Filipino agency that provides social services to low-income and homeless individuals. Copies of “Justice with Healing,” priced at $10, immediately sold out. The book is a product of seven years of painstaking work and research by the Asian Women Human Rights Council and the Buhay Foundation for Women and the Girl Child.

“I’m really thankful to our kababayans and to many foreigners, too, who have shown their support to us during our trip here,” Adela said. At 78, the petite grandmother remains strong but her strength cracks noticeably when she hears the term “comfort woman.” “Mali at masakit kasing pakinggan eh. Hindi naman kami prostitutes (It’s a wrong term, and it’s painful to hear. We’re not prostitutes),” she said.

Source: Yong B. Chavez: www.filipinonline.com

High Power Rifle Compendium

High Power Rifle competition has amassed a large following and with it a great number of information as well. Thanks to the Internet, this information is readily available to anyone interested in the sport but can be overwhelming to someone trying to sift through all the minutia.

Rather then write or rewrite on the topic, I've compiled a few basic links that I've found useful from trusted sources such as the Civilian Marksmanship Program and the National Rifle Association. Good Luck!

Getting Started

How to Get Started In High Power

Bare Necessities for Highpower Rifle Competition

Equipment

Coats, Gloves, and Mitts

The Importance of the Data Book

Strapping In

It’s Just a Sling

Technique

Crossed-Ankle Sitting Position

Standing and Trigger Control

What Sight Picture Is Best For You?

Sight Adjustment and Minute of Angle (MOA)

Reading the Wind (Part 1, Rapid Fire)

Reading the Wind (Part 2, 600 Yard Firing)

No-Wind Zero and Marking Your Sights

Mental Training

Thinking Your Way to Success

Physical Training

Developing a Training Plan

Better Performance Through Proper Nutrition

Physical Conditioning for Highpower Shooting

Getting an NRA Classification Card

My goal last year was to obtain my first NRA classification card in High Power Rifle. I've been an avid C&R (FFL03) firearms collector and recreation shooter for quite some time and have also competed in IDPA pistol competitions before. But there was always something about High Power Rifle competition that appealed to me. Well, today I just received my card and I am officially classified by the NRA as an Expert meaning that I have shot consistently within the 89% - 93.9% range of total possible points.



In the Beginning

The journey for me began by showing up one very cold January day last year to a 100 yard reduced match with my favorite M1 Garand. I didn't know anyone and I felt really out of place given that all competitors had the latest black rifles, shooting gear and gadgets. I had my old military surplus ammo and my even older vintage 1942 M1 Garand. To make things worse, and as luck would have it, I picked the one match that had record participation which so happens to have included a military rifle team.

All in all, there were close to 60 shooters with 3 relays. And this wasn't even a sanctioned NRA match but a reduced fun match! But it really was the best match I've experienced. The newness of the event was very exciting for me.

However, by the end of the event, I had met some very helpful people, learned the proper use of the sling, learned how to score, began learning the basic positions (standing, sitting, prone) and the all too important High Power Rifle mantras of Sight Alignment and Trigger Control.



Still a Newbie and Learning

That first match was 10 100 yard reduced, 3 NRA sanctioned XTC, 2 Garand, 1 Military Bolt Action, and 1 600 yard matches ago. Let's see, that's about 1,100 bullets fired all told through my AR-15, M1 Garand, and Remington 1903-A3 combined. And I'm still a newbie.

And yes, I have accumulated some of the latest and greatest gear. In reality, investment in good quality gear is critical in this sport.

NRA High Power Rifle Classifications

The NRA has established a set of standards for classifying shooters. This is based on the average of your last 3 matches in NRA "Approved" or "Registered" matches. The Match program will tell you if a particular match is an approved or registered one. Practice matches are not but State and Regional Championships are. If you have not fired in 3 approved matches, you can use a "Temporary" classification based on your running average of matches you have fired, practiced and approved. After you have fired your 1st match, ask the match director for a temporary classification book, they are free. If you have never fired in a High Power match before, you will compete as an "Unclassified Master." If you can not show proof of classification, you will compete with the Masters.

Once you have a classification, you will compete against other shooters in the same classification. If there are not enough shooters in your class, you may be combined with the next classification up.

Here are the classifications based on a percentage of the possible total score (800):

• High Master............97%....................(776)


• Master.....................94% - 96.9%.......(752 - 775.2)


• Expert.....................89% - 93.9%.......(712 - 751.2)


• Sharpshooter..........84% - 88.9%........(672 - 711.2)


• Marksman...............Less than 84%.....( LT 672 )

To learn more about High Power Rifle, I encourage you read the following on how to get started.

How to Get Started - High Power Rifle Competition

A Very Slender and Short Man - Ambeth Ocampo

MANILA, Philippines -- It’s the start of yet another year and I’m planning yet another visit to the historical shrines and landmarks I have seen so many times before. Why do I do this, when most people visit these places once and never again? If you take the trouble to see old things in a new way, everything -- a book, an artifact, an old document, a historic place or landmark -- can yield things you overlooked previously.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=109876

Sense of Nationhood - Manny Villar

DR. JOSE RIZAL, our foremost National Hero, is generally regarded by historians as the First Filipino. He eloquently articulated the common dream of the oppressed people all over this country for emancipation from colonial rule. He saw early on the unifying effect of a shared tragic experience.

http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED20080102113180.html

Hello 2008 - Job Tabada

This is my last column for 2007. To welcome the New Year, I find it momentous to cite one major event taking place on Jan. 1, 1808, exactly 200 years ago tomorrow, when the importation of slaves into the United States became a thing of the past. It became so through a constitutional amendment restricting slavery. While this was a reality in the land of honey, Filipinos were struggling for freedom from the clutches of the oppressive Spanish regime, which cost the lives of revolutionary leaders like Andres Bonifacio. Ironically, the forces of the very country that put an end to servitude came, drove away the Spaniards and made the Philippines its colony under the 30-silver leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo. We see the fiendish effects still resonating in our midst.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view_article.php?article_id=109666

The Christmas Story - Luke, Chapter 2

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2: This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was governor of Syria. 3: And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. 4: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,5: to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

6: And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.7: And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8: And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9: And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.

10: And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people;11: for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12: And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

13: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

15: When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."16: And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17: And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child;18: and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19: But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.20: And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21: And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22: And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23: (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")24: and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."25: Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26: And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27: And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,28: he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,29: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;30: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation31: which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,32: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."33: And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;34: and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against35: (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."36: And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,37: and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.38: And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.39: And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.40: And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.41: Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.42: And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom;43: and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,44: but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances;45: and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.46: After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions;47: and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48: And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."49: And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"50: And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.51: And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.52: And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Filipino-Amercian History Month- October

By dayzofrain -- It is known in US history books as the "Philippine Insurrection," but is hardly ever taught in schools. The Filipino American War lasted from 1898 to 1902, and in those 3 years: 70000 Americans died & 2 million Filipinos were killed. ...

Weighing the History of 'Violent Politics'

NPR - USA -- Against the Philippine rebels, first the Spaniards and then the Americans undertook search and destroy operations that killed thousands of people in the ...

America, Secret Wars and Doing 'God's' Will..

By Thomas Day -- Filipino casualties on the first day of Philippine-American War Feb 5th 1899 Well despite America's far superior military strength and firepower, the 'official' unofficial war lasted two years although fighting continued for a further ...

Spanish-American war bronze revealed

Kansas.com -- KS,USAThe man who ended the Philippine insurrection that followed the war was Kansan Frederick Funston, who became a national hero. ...

Soaked! (an account)

By Cat -- Our first stop was Biak-na-Bato, the place where Emilio Aguinaldo signed the pact of the same name. Although, I really have to maintain that he had a hard time navigating through the whole place! What with the rocks, muddy ledges, ...

The USA/USSR Cold War..The USA not quite so perfect as we all ...

By TheAX -- 1898-1902 Philippines: 70000 US troops fought insurrectionists led by Emilio Aguinaldo and occupied the islands until 1946, when Philippine independence granted 1900 China: troops from the US and other nations put down the Boxer ...

Iraq and the Phillippine Insurection

By John Woodring -- Filipino rebels under Emilio Aguinaldo surrounded the capital city of Manila facing American troops. Tensions escalated when it became apparent the American forces where not going to leave and fighting broke out in February of 1899. ...

Remembering Macario Sakay and Lean Alejandro

By Ben Razon -- Sakay was an original member of the Katipunan who continued the struggle for national liberation against US colonial rule. Maligned by American authorities and mainstream history books, Sakay was hanged on September 13, 1907, ...

“Gongogong Basi Revolt 1807″ wines launched as OTOP of San Ildefonso

soBy glenda In the Philippine history, the "Basi Revolt," also called by the Spaniards as "Ambaristo Revolt," started in Piddig, Ilocos Norte on September 16, 1807 and ended on September 28, 1807 with a bloody battle between the Spanish soldiers ...

On Historical comparisons: Iraq and The Philippines

By Dutch -- Many don't know of the Philippine American War that erupted, and it is one of the few black marks on the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. The insurgency in the Philippines was put down by raw, unadulterated force. ...

Old File Like Energizer Bunny -- Keeps on Going

NumisMaster.com - Iola,WI,USA -- For anyone not familiar with the name of Emilio Aguinaldo, he was the Filipino leader of what was termed the First Philippine Republic that was born from ...

Paul's Advice to Young Leaders

By Jessel Gerard -- Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto were in their twenties when they organized armed resistance against Spain , thus founded the Katipunan. Emilio Aguinaldo was 29 when the flag of the First Philippine Republic was raised in 1889, ...

emilio aguinaldo

Every time I get in my car and turn on the radio, it seems that I hear something about emilio aguinaldo.

Battle of Matibac

The Battle of Mabitac was an engagement in the Philippine-American War, when on September 17, 1900, Filipinos under General Juan Cailles defeated an American force commanded by Colonel Benjamin F. Cheatham, Jr. ...

Autohystoria (2007)

By Oggs Cruz (Oggs Cruz) -- Andres Bonifacio, who founded and initially headed the Philippine revolution, and his younger brother Procopio were executed by the men of Emilio Aguinaldo, who continued to fight against the Spanish and later the Americans and became ...

Climate

By EINSTEIN -- On January 10, 1899, Cagayan de Misamis celebrated its independence from Spain and joined the Filipino government of Emilio Aguinaldo. It was the second time the Aguinaldo government was declared and the new Philippine flag raised in ...

Violence is the American Way

By ryan -- America's overseas empire began with the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection (1898-1902) by which the US gained control of the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Then, there were World Wars I and II, the Korean Police ...

Barasoain Church

By Sammy -- Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the republic, proclaimed the ratification of the constitution from the balcony of the adjoining convent on January 21, 1899. This church is one of the leading historical spots and one of the most ...

Crucible of Philippine history

Inquirer.net - PhilippinesEmilio Aguinaldo, on the balcony, that he proclaimed our independence against Spain. Turned into a museum in the 1960s, the mansion has a bowling alley. ...

About The Philippines

By cai(cai) -- His death spurred an armed revolt led by Emilio Aguinaldo, who proclaimed the Philippines an independent republic in 1898. In 1898, the United States invaded the Philippines and ousted the Spanish. However, the Americans colonised the ...

General Douglas MacArthur Defender and Liberator of the Philippines

By Coleccionismo Monedas Las Filipinas (Coleccionismo Monedas Las Filipinas) -- One of the most decorated soldiers in the history of the United States military, MacArthur became famous for both losing and retaking the Philippines During World War II. He was appointed Supreme Allied Commander in the South Pacific ...

Amnesty and state duplicity

Manila Times - Philippines -- How Sakay, who led the Bagong Katipunan (years after the original group, was marginalized after the Tejeros assembly) was arrested and jailed on July 14, ...

The Vivo Revolt in Aklan

News Today Online - Iloilo City,Iloilo,PhilippinesFew months after the outbreak of the Katipunan Revolution in central Luzon, Andres Bonifacio directed Francisco del Castillo and Candido Iban to go to Panay ...

List of Chinese-Filipinos with Fujian Chinese ancestry

Emilio Aguinaldo's army in the short-lived war against the Americans. When Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite and raised the Philippine flag for the first time, Paua cut off his queue (braid). ...

More than just being the site where the Declaration of Philippine ...

By Hitman (Hitman) -- The Aguinaldo mansion in Kawit, Cavite, site of the historic Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898 was declared a national shrine in June 1964 shortly after the death of General Emilio Aguinaldo. ...

Emilio Aguinaldo Centennial Birth Celebration

By Coleccionismo Monedas Las Filipinas (Coleccionismo Monedas Las Filipinas) -- Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy (March 22, 1869- February 6, 1964) was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. The seventh of eight children of Carlos Aguinaldo and Trinidad Famy, he was born into a Chinese-mestizo family in ...

Long before the coming of the Spaniards, Kawit was already a ...

By Hitman (Hitman) -- It was in this town where the Spaniards met their first major setback when Filipino insurgents, led by the town's Capitan Municipal by the name of EMILIO AGUINALDO Y FAMY, captured a contingent of Spanish soldiers from Dalahican ...

Since it came up...

By Jürgen Hubert (Jürgen Hubert) -- I guess the best example of repression working is the Philippine-American War, in which the USA reasserted their dominance over the archipelago after a decade of fighting - though apparently the population of the Philippines declined ...

On Foot: Arming the Golden Gate -- when we knew enough to be afraid

Enterprise-Record - Chico,CA,USA -- At the turn of the 19th century, America faced threat from factors in the Spanish-American and Philippine-American wars. Observation posts cropped up to ...

A date which has lived in obscurity

San Diego Union Tribune -- United StatesThe Japanese defeat in the Philippines "was an important moment in history, but not one very well known," said Torio, from Rancho Bernardo. ...

Philippine Music

Upon his arrival, the leader of the revolution, General Emilio Aguinaldo, asked Felipe to play a march written by a Filipino in Hong Kong. However, Aguinaldo was not satisfied with this march. Recognizing Felipe's skills, he asked him ...

Second World War (2)

By Manoj Sangani(Manoj Sangani) -- The weapon had its origins in problems encountered by American units fighting Moro insurgents during the Philippine-American War in which the then-standard .38" caliber revolver was found to be unsuitable for the rigors of jungle ...

Tales of Two Sisters: Manila and Mexico

By ken -- Like most of the American army officer who fought in the Indian pacification, Lawton was sent to the Philippines to fight the Spanish Military and the Filipino insurrection later. He was killed by the forces of a Filipino General named ...

1896: The Musical

By mlq3 -- Emilio Jacinto, the youthful "Brains of the Katipunan" and closest friend of Andrés Bonifacio, was born on 15 December 1875 in Tondo, then a suburb of the City of Manila, the son of Mariano Jacinto and Josefa Dizon. ...

One Last Thing British battle can offer us a perspective on ...

Philadelphia Inquirer -- Philadelphia,PA,USABetween 1899 and 1902, 4324 American soldiers died in the Philippine-American War. Perhaps they no longer teach these things in school. It's a stern tally, ...

Mark Twain on The Witches Reda

By Crone -- It was based, in part, on Twain's opposition to the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902. Twain agreed with his publisher's assessment, commenting that it would probably have to wait until after his death before it could be published. ...

10 most memorable moments (some heartbreaking) in Philippine history

August 23, 1896 -- The Cry of Pugad LawinDecember 30, 1896 -- Jose Rizal was executedJune 12, 1898 -- Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independenceNovember 15, 1935 -- Manuel Quezon took oath as the 1st President of the Philippine ...

A LETTER TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH OF TODAY

By Steve Salonga(Steve Salonga) -- Emilio Aguinaldo was 29 when he was inaugurated First President of the Philippine Republic; Apolinario Mabini, the brains of the Revolution, was 34; Antonio Luna was General at 29; Gregorio del Pilar gave his life for his country at 24. ...

Bohol City, Philippines

By arjaeuse (arjaeuse) -- Emilio Aguinaldo, which was not recognized by the US, Bohol was governed as a Gobierno de Canton. During the resulting Philippine-American War, American troops under Major Henry Hale landed in Tagbilaran and took over the island. ...

Loss of Empire

By Frank -- Between 1899 and 1902, 4324 American soldiers died in the Philippine-American War. Perhaps they no longer teach these things in school. It'sa stern tally, 3732 dead - but what number would be acceptable? 2000? 500? 40? ...

Las Piñas City - Salt Center Of Metro Manila

During the Philippine-Spanish revolution of 1896, it was occupied by the forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the First Philippine Republic. Similarly, the city, then only a town, figured prominently during the World War II.

Medal of Honor Recipients - Philippine Insurrection

Place and date: At San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 13 May 1899. Entered service at: Fargo, N. Dak. Birth: Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory. ...

Philippine Insurrection

During the War with Spain, Emilio Aguinaldo (who had led an unsuccessful insurrection in 1896-97) organized a native army in the Philippines and secured ...

THE RECOLLECTIONS OF 1906, 1907, 1912, 1917, 2006 AND THE FINALE 2007

By ric alvarez - (ApoM) 15, constituted on June 5, 1894); Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Lodge No. 5 (formerly No. 31, constituted on December 21, 1915); Bagong Ilaw Lodge No. 6 (formerly No. 97, constituted on January 27, 1925); La Naval Lodge No. 7 (formerly No. ...

Iraq as Viet Nam? No, Iraq as Luzon

By Nancy Reyes Actually, both sides ignores history. You see, several other major communist insurgencies in South East Asia existed after World War II, and few Americans realize that the communists lost in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. ...

Bush War: Longest in US History?

By gorn - by any other name 4, Philippine Insurrection 4, Korean Conflict 3, Kosovo Conflict 3, Mexican-American War 3, Somali Civil War 2, World War I 2, Bosnian Conflict 2, Invasion of Panama 1, Second Barbary War 1, Spanish-American War 1, Persian Gulf War ...

Philippine eBooks

By crvillamin(crvillamin) - True Version of the Philippine Revolution, Don Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy (1869-1964), Tarlak, 1899. To compensate for the American bias in the previous work, we also present the Philippine side of the story. ...

War Propaganda

When you open the "American Memory" section of the wonderful website of the US Library of Congress, you will find Philippine material: pictures, texts, music and even short films made at the turn of the last century. The films related to the Filipino-American War, which run for less than a minute, include rare footage of American troops sailing to Manila from San Francisco, another showing the Americans carefully moving their horses against the current of the Agno River, and yet another showing the troops marching and kicking up dust beside a nipa hut somewhere in Pampanga. These images are very engaging because unlike static text, moving pictures definitely say much more than words.

Source: War propaganda

Biak-na-Bat Declared a Protected Area?

INQ7.net - PhilippinesBiak-na-Bato, which figured in the country's history as one of the camps of the revolutionary Katipunan forces in 19th century Philippines, was declared a ...

Source: Bulaceños want Biak-na-Bato declared a protected area

A Brief History: Filipino Immigrants in US

Party for Socialism and Liberation - USAOn July 27, 1941, the 120000 strong Philippine armed forces under the Commonwealth government were conscripted by the United States through a military order ...

Source: A brief history: Filipino immigrants in the United States

Getting Lost with Names

By Pinoy Traveler(Pinoy Traveler) - The first San Jacinto is a town in the province of Pangasinan (Region 1 - Ilocos) and fares well in the Philippine-American War. If you are trying to read on General Lloyd Wheaton, well, this town was one of his successes. ...

Source: Getting Lost With Names - Part 9

Does Anything Change?

By Terry(Terry) - It is a wonderful article written about the Philippine-American War, a forgotten war fought from 1899 to 1902 (Until 1913 if you include the Moro rebellion). The article appears to be a snapshot from his book about Philippine-American ...

Source: Does Anything Change?

Competing with Japan? - By Antonio C. Abaya

Emilio Aguinaldo, on the run from the pursuing Americans, was betrayed by his own countrymen and captured in the jungles of Palanan. ...

Source: Competing with Japan?

4 Communist Rebels Nabbed

Ermita said during the time of the Filipino-American war, the Philippine revolution started to fall out when President Emilio Aguinaldo was "neutralized" by ...

Source: 4 communist rebels nabbed

Palace sees NPA weakening with Sison arrest

... be compared to the capture of the country's first president, Emilio Aguinaldo, by the Americans, after which the Filipino-American war came to an end. ...

Source: Palace sees NPA weakening with Sison arrest

What is Filipino Day?

Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo-these are some of the people who fought for our country and who made it possible for us to even celebrate Filipino Day in August. Our world would be so different without the sacrfice and ...

Source: Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo-these are some of ...

US Naval Academy

The greatest portion fell in World War II, among others in the Boxer Rebellion, the Philippine Insurrection, and in Lebanon.

Source: United States Naval Academy

A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900 - By dani(dani)

In conflicts from the Boer War to the American suppression of the Philippine insurrection, Roberts consistently sees only the purest motives of "Anglo-Saxons." Still, this is a useful, if slanted, look at some key events of the ...

Source: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900

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Asia America Initiative, Red Cross lead mission to Basilan, Jolo

Philippine News Online - PhilippinesThe organization, with the support of the Philippine-American Foundation and other international partners has delivered more than $3 million worth of ...

Articles/Stories: Gaa, NaFFAA Honor RP-US Amity Caucus on Hill

Manila Mail - Washington,DC,USA... the struggle of Filipino World War II veterans to get due recognition and justice for their sacrifices and services under the US flag during the war. ...

Missing Date in Philippines History: 31 December 1844

By Joel - The Philippine archipelago was discovered in March 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan and Spanish dominion over the islands was first firmly established in 1565 by Miguel López de Legazpi (c. 1510 - 1572), the conquistador and first Spanish ...

Las Piñas City - Salt Center Of Metro Manila

By kHaYe(kHaYe) - During the Philippine-Spanish revolution of 1896, it was occupied by the forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the First Philippine Republic. Similarly, the city, then only a town, figured prominently during the World War II. ...

The 7107 Islands of Philippines Beckon You to Explore the Richness ...

By erasercerlkhq(erasercerlkhq) - It is worth mentioning over here that this independence of the nation was fuelled by leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo. 1898 became a landmark year in the history of Philippines as in this year; Philippines became the first ...

Schooled in Honor

New York Sun - New York,NY,USA - The greatest portion fell in World War II, among others in the Boxer Rebellion, the Philippine Insurrection, and in Lebanon. Twelve names are listed under ...

"I Am Alden Pyle" Bush's Vietnam Fantasy

CounterPunch - Petrolia,CA,USA - ... the Church Committee--he presided over one of the greatest successes in post-world war II US foreign policy-the crushing of the Philippine insurrection. ...

August 26 in History

Viet Nam News - Hanoi,VietnamInsurrection begins in the Philippines against the Spanish. A treaty ends British occupation of Egypt, except the Suez Canal zone, and Britain and Egypt ...

Arinday: 'Papa Isio' and the phantom of history (1)

Sun.Star - PhilippinesEmilio Aguinaldo, much to the chagrin of the sugarcane barons. Fearful that Papa Isio would commit his forces to the Malolos government, ...

Global Intel - US-S Korea Begins Military Exercises Despite North ...

By eurasiarc - Its leaders either were incompetent and despite the experience of the Philippines insurrection and the Korean and Vietnamese wars, the nation s military has. Media Beat American Reporter - So influential is the AIPAC operation that on ...

John Warner - I hope he runs again..

By turcopolier - Then there was the raging controversy that went on in the Congress during the Philippine Insurrection and over the Platt Amendment... Shall I continue? Lynch said that the insurgents will re-occupy the ground that he and his men have ...

Military Matters -- Fort Leavenworth scholar: Army can use lessons of Philippines in Iraq

... that if there had been organized material on the Philippine Insurrection, 'we could have saved ourselves a good deal of time and effort in Vietnam. ...

Military Matters -- Fort Leavenworth scholar: Army can use lessons ...

Cry of Pugad Lawin

Manila Bulletin - PhilippinesDel Pilar tried to establish the Katipunan in 1890. He succeeded in July, 1892, with the help of his brother-in-law Deodato Arellano, Andres Bonifacio, ...

Andres Bonifacio

By jhon(jhon) But when Rizal was deported to Dapitan making the Liga practically dead as an organization, he quickly organized the Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan.This organization spread rapidly in 1894 in many parts ...

Emilio Aguinaldo

By jhon(jhon) - Emilio Aguinaldo was born on March 22, 1869 in the town of Kawit in Cavite, on Luzon in the Spanish colony of the Philippines, the seventh child of the mayor of the town. At the age of 15, with the sponsorship of a Jesuit priest who was ...

The Philippines

By Philippines Resorts - In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence. In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. ...\

Barasoain Church

By bajin - During the time of feud between the Filipinos and the Spanish troops, Emilio Aguinaldo and his colleagues decided to transfer from Cavite to Malolos to strengthen their defense against the enemies. Barasoain Church served as the home of ...

I'mA Proud Tondo Boy

By major - And the famous Katipunan he led was also raised here? Along with its so-called brain Emilio Jacinto. To be exact, Katipunan was built along Claro M. Recto formerly Calle Azcarraga, the street wherein our house also stands. ...

Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Day

Manila Bulletin - PhilippinesHis grandfather Servillano was a general in the Revolutionary Army of General Emilio F. Aguinaldo, while his father had served in the government of ...

Benigno S. Aquino - (November 27, 1932 - August 21, 1983)

His grandfather, Servillano Aquino, was a general in the revolutionary army of Emilio Aguinaldo while his father, Benigno Aquino, Sr. (1894-1947) was a prominent official in the World War II Japanese-organized government of Jose P. ...

Nation-building with Malu Fernandez

By JOWiL(JOWiL) - Philippine history tells us how the Philippine elite has contributed in nation-building. It is replete with stories of how Emilio Aguinaldo had Andres Bonifacio killed, of how Cory Aquino had bungled the agrarian reform program which ...

To Make War, Presidents Lie

by Robert Higgs

In 1898, President William McKinley, having been goaded by muscle-flexing advisers and jingoistic journalists to make war on Spain, sought divine guidance as to how he should deal with the Spanish possessions, especially the Philippines, that US forces had seized in what ambassador John Hay famously described as a "splendid little war." Evidently, his prayer was answered, because the president later reported that he had heard "the voice of God," and "there was nothing left for us to do but take them all and educate the Filipinos, and uplift and Christianize them."

Link

General was Veteran of Four US Wars

Baltimore Sun - United States

In 1899, Bisbee was sent during the Philippine Insurrection to serve with Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr., a Civil War Army officer and the father of World War II ...

Link

Veteran's Organizations Just Don't Plan Parades

By Burkeman1(Burkeman1)

I guess it is only fitting that the VFW backs this murderous civilian killing war as it was founded by the veterans of the Philippines insurrection after the Spanish American War. The veterans of that conflict managed to kill some 20 ...

VFS, American Legion Back Iraq War

Boston Globe - United States

Established in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection, the VFW has 2.4 million members and 8400 posts worldwide. ...

Teddy Roosevelt only spoke softly? Check your history

Remember the Philippines. TR did win the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War. But Professor Rauchway conveniently forgets that, throughout his presidency, Roosevelt had U.S. troops fighting a nasty insurrection in the Philippines.

Link

Cagayan de Oro

On January 10, 1899, Cagayan de Misamis celebrated its independence from Spain and joined the Filipino government of Emilio Aguinaldo. It was the second time the Aguinaldo government was declared and the new Philippine flag raised in ...

Link

Reading List, a Midsummer Update

David Silbey’s “A War of Frontier and Empire: The Philippine-American War, 1899-1902.”

Link81

There's the Rub

INQ7.net - Philippines

Third was Jose Abad Santos, fourth was Andres Bonifacio, and the rest included Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini. One is that overseas Filipinos are so ...

Theodore and the Modern Presidency

By gunnyg

Shortly after the warâEURO(tm)s conclusion, when it became apparent that the United States had no intention of granting independence to the islands, guerrilla warfare broke out, spearheaded by Emilio Aguinaldo, the head of the rebels. ...

Link

August 12, 1898 : Armistice ends the Spanish-American War

The brief and one-sided Spanish-American War comes to an end when Spain formally agrees to a peace protocol on U.S. terms: the cession of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Manila in the Philippines to the United States pending a final peace treaty.

The Spanish-American War had its origins in the rebellion against Spanish rule that began in Cuba in 1895. The repressive measures that Spain took to suppress the guerrilla war, such as herding Cuba's rural population into disease-ridden garrison towns, were graphically portrayed in U.S. newspapers and enflamed public opinion. In January 1898, violence in Havana led U.S. authorities to order the battleship USS Maine to the city's port to protect American citizens. On February 15, a massive explosion of unknown origin sank the Maine in the Havana harbor, killing 260 of the 400 American crewmembers aboard. An official U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry ruled in March, without much evidence, that the ship was blown up by a mine but did not directly place the blame on Spain. Much of Congress and a majority of the American public expressed little doubt that Spain was responsible, and called for a declaration of war.

In April, the U.S. Congress prepared for war, adopting joint congressional resolutions demanding a Spanish withdrawal from Cuba and authorizing President William McKinley to use force. On April 23, President McKinley asked for 125,000 volunteers to fight against Spain. The next day, Spain issued a declaration of war. The United States declared war on April 25. On May 1, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet at Manila Bay in the first battle of the Spanish-American War. Dewey's decisive victory cleared the way for the U.S. occupation of Manila in August and the eventual transfer of the Philippines from Spanish to American control.

On the other side of the world, a Spanish fleet docked in Cuba's Santiago harbor in May after racing across the Atlantic from Spain. A superior U.S. naval force arrived soon after and blockaded the harbor entrance. In June, the U.S. Army Fifth Corps landed in Cuba with the aim of marching to Santiago and launching a coordinated land and sea assault on the Spanish stronghold. Included among the U.S. ground troops were the Theodore Roosevelt-led "Rough Riders," a collection of Western cowboys and Eastern blue bloods officially known as the First U.S. Voluntary Cavalry. On July 1, the Americans won the Battle of San Juan Hill, and the next day they began a siege of Santiago. On July 3, the Spanish fleet was destroyed off Santiago by U.S. warships under Admiral William Sampson, and on July 17 the Spanish surrendered the city--and thus Cuba--to the Americans.

In Puerto Rico, Spanish forces likewise crumbled in the face of superior U.S. forces, and on August 12 an armistice was signed between Spain and the United States. On December 10, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the Spanish-American War. The once-proud Spanish empire was virtually dissolved, and the United States gained its first overseas empire. Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the United States, the Philippines were bought for $20 million, and Cuba became a U.S. protectorate. Philippine insurgents who fought against Spanish rule during the war immediately turned their guns against the new occupiers, and 10 times more U.S. troops died suppressing the Philippines than in defeating Spain.

Source: http://www.history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=5254

The War Prayer

By borderlinebarbie

Mark Twain originally wrote "The War Prayer" in response to the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902. I find it to be quite relevant today. It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, ...

2007 Campaign Promises: BUT WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN? How Many ...

By java2hot

United States presidential election, 1900 - Republican promises to end the Philippine-American War quickly; The British Liberal Party's pledge to cut military spending, before embarking on the Dreadnought arms race with Germany ...

PURPLE PATCH: The War Prayer —Mark Twain

Daily Times - Lahore,Pakistan... Paine's anthology, Europe and Elsewhere.

The story is in response to a particular war, namely the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902, which Twain opposed.

Maybe we could have done without the CIA

Albany Times Union - Albany,NY,USA

Similarly, and despite the experience of the Philippine Insurrection and the Korean and Vietnamese wars, the nation's military has never learned how to ...

Presidential Candidates to Address VFW Convention

By admin

The VFW was founded in 1899 by Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection veterans who came home to a government that bore no responsibility to care for their wounds or for their families. Since then, the VFW has been the top ...

Subprime Superpower by Patrick J. Buchanan

By Snuffysmith(Snuffysmith)

Abroad, the United States fights two guerrilla wars that have not yet taken the lives of as many soldiers as we lost putting down a Philippine insurrection a century ago. Yet, an ex-chief of staff says the US Army is "breaking." ...

Ninoy Aquino beats Rizal in Singapore I-vote pilot-test

By emacusi

The rest of the heroes in the winning 12 chosen by the 311 on the overseas absentee voters' (OAV) list in Singapore are: Jose Abad Santos (Apple Party), Andres Bonifacio (Katipunan), Emilio Aguinaldo (Magdalo), Emilio Jacinto ...

JFAV Pursue Lobbying for Equity Bills,Filipino Vets Win ...

Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV )Filipino World War II veterans and their advocates, energized by recent victories and their lobbyist Washington based the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans recently visited Capitol Hill (July 26-27) and thanked their Senators, House members and legislative staff for the progress on their equity pension and family bills. On Thursday evening, the ACFV leaders with JFAV veterans leaders led by Commanders Franco Arcebal,Peping Baclig and Nick Gadia commemorated the the 66th anniversary of the 1941 Military Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt drafting Philippine Commonwealth soldiers into U.S. armed service.

JFAV Update 01 July 31, 2007

Remembering August, 1899

INQ7.net - PhilippinesIt also demonstrates the brave and determined nationalism of our revolutionary Katipunan forefathers. The report angers but, most important, reminds us that ...

Philippine Fiesta

In the 13th century, A group of Malay Datus who fled Borneo and landed in Panay Islands bought lands from its original dwellers, The Ati. To celebrate of the new pact and land ownership both the Malay Datus and the Atis held a ...

The paradox of a freedom that is not free

By George Buddy(George Buddy)

The reference to America's adoption of Spanish methods refers to the repression of the Filipino insurrection against US rule after the war. As Wikipedia describes it,. Quote The Philippine-American War was a conflict between the United ...

Filner says there's money for equity bill

Philippine News Online - PhilippinesBob Filner, chair of the House committee and primary author of HR 760, the House version of the "Filipino Veterans' Equity Act of 2007," told Philippine ...

Terrorist warfare not new

Arizona Republic - Phoenix,AZ,USA

During the Philippine-American War that followed the Spanish-American War, a company of American soldiers was almost annihilated by the cunning of our enemy ...

The Phillipines

As many Philippine commentators remarked afterward, Bush's rendition of Philippine-American history bore little relation to fact. True, the US Navy ousted Spain from the Philippines in the Spanish-American War of 1898. ...

Cassidy: True WW II hero's story isn't pretty

San Jose Mercury News - CA, USA

An additional 900 men went into the Philippine Sea where they struggled to stay afloat as they watched their shipmates savaged by sharks. ...

Opinion by Bonnie Henry : Family's story reads like a novel

Arizona Daily Star - Tucson,AZ,USA

Take one family -- Filipino father, American mother, two kids -- hiding for years from the Japanese in the Philippine jungle during World War II. ...

Water Torture, Gonzales, And The Japanese Prisoners We Convicted.

By Gary L. Norton

During the Philippine Insurrection, the war following the Spanish American War, Americans were awakened to the brutality of the conduct of some our troops against the Philippinos who were called guerillas, or patriots, depending on ...

Books Sandwiched In

By Michael Janairo, Times Union Features Copy

I've been asked to lead a discussion of the nonfiction book "A War of Frontier and Empire: The Philippine-American War 1899-1902 as part of the Books Sandwiched In reading series at noon Monday, Oct. 15, at the Schenectady County ...

Lest we forget: history does repeat itself

By Jack Heneghan Philippine-American War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Of course, this is from Wikipedia, so no guarantees on overall accuracy. The History Guy concurs with the Wiki. The US only lost a little over 4000 soldiers during the ...

Aguinaldo Shrine

By cyRiLL LeWis ceaSaR(cyRiLL LeWis ceaSaR)

I enjoyed my visit to the Aguinaldo Shrine yesterday, birthplace and home of General Emilio Aguinaldo. Mommy said that the town of Kawit played an important role in the Philippines political history. The proclamation of the Republic of ...

Visit Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit,Cavite

By dhey

This picture was taken yesterday when we went in Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit. My idea was to introduce to my daughters who is Emilio Aguinaldo but it turned out that they were more interested in the food that I had packed for our picnic ...

Rizal's short stint in Iloilo City

The Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal, visited Iloilo City in 1896. He had a record of this visit due to this admirable habit of jotting down immediately his observations and impressions of people and places wherever he was...

http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/07/20/rizals.short.stint.in.iloilo.city.html

History of the Philippines

The history of the Philippines is believed to begin with the arrival of the first humans in the Philippines by land bridges at least 30,000 years ago. The first recorded visit from the West is the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan on Homonhon Island, southeast of Samar on March 16, 1521. Permanent settlements in the island of Cebu were established with the expedition of Miguel López de Legazpi in 1565, and more settlements continued northward with the colonizers reaching the bay of Manila on the island of Luzon. In Manila they established a new town and thus began an era of Spanish colonization that lasted for more than three centuries...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_history

Philippines: statue of patron saint of lost articles goes missing

A life-size statue of Saint Antony of Padua, the patron saint of lost articles, was recently discovered missing from the San Diego de Alcala Church in Valenzuela City, (near Manila) where it has been installed for more than 50 years. The marble statue was lent to the church 50 years ago by its owners, the descendants of the revolutionary hero Pio Valenzuela, the doctor who tried to convince Jose Rizal, Philippine's national hero, while in exile in Dapitan, to lend his support, or at least advice, to the Katipunan...

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/missing436.html

Philippine Independence Declared June 12, 1898

During the Spanish-American War, Filipino rebels led by EmilioAguinaldo proclaim the independence of the Philippines after 300 yearsof Spanish rule. By mid-August, Filipino rebels and U.S. troops hadousted the Spanish, but Aguinaldo’s hopes for independence were dashedwhen the United States formally annexed the Philippines as part of itspeace treaty with Spain...

http://manilajournal.com/?p=16859

In Iraq, echoes of my service in Vietnam and of other wars

Once upon a time not so long ago, my friends and I were warriors – boys who became men as we marched toward the sounds of the guns. We were tireless; some thought invincible. Clear-eyed, some sang as they marched. That changed in the first fire-fight. Our foes were like a flash flood in a mountain storm: Koreans from the hills south of the Yalu; Chinese swarming from the steppes of Mongolia; Vietnamese fresh from victory over the French...

http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/opinions.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2007-07-15-0003.html

History comes alive at Angels Gate Park Old Fort MacArthur Days at Angels Gate Park

Saturday was a mixture of the old and new, victory and defeat, and the simulated and the all-too-real. Just ask Tony Ortega, 88. He was a commander of a battalion of Philippine troops during the battle against the Japanese for Bataan. Ortega was among the 75,000 allied prisoners of the Japanese forced to march 90 to 100 miles following the surrender of American and Philippine forces.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/8377247.html

Commemorate the 115th Year of the Founding of the Katipunan

On July 7, 1892, three dedicated patriot, Andres Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata and Ladislao Diwa founded the Katipunan, the secret society of patriots in a house in Azcaraga Street in Manila. The Katipunan was organized after the Spanish authorities clamped down on the La Liga Filipina, founded by Jose Rizal and only lasted for several days until it was outlawed in July 2, 1892. By August 23, 1896, when the Spanish authorities discovered the organization, it has organized an undeground network of more than 30, 000 members all over the nation it was ready to launch the armed revolution against Spain. Today, we are not farther from the same unjust and repressive conditions under Spain. The US-Arroyo regime on July 15, 2007 will implement a new martial rule system under a law named Human Security Act or the Anti-Terror Law abhorred by the people...

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/07/09/18434243.php

NAMED CAMPAIGNS - PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION

Manila, 4 February - 17 March 1899. During the War with Spain, Emilio Aguinaldo (who had led an unsuccessful insurrection in 1896-97) organized a native army in the Philippines and secured control of several islands, including much of Luzon. Cession of the Philippines to the United States (Treaty of Paris, 10 December 1898) disappointed many Filipinos, and on 4 February 1899 Aguinaldo's followers clashed with American troops near Manila. The Americans, numbering about 12,000 combat troops under Maj. Gen. Elwell S. Otis, defeated Aguinaldo's force of some 40,000 men and suppressed an attempted uprising in Manila.

http://www.army.mil/CMH/reference/picmp.htm

The better side of the Philippines

Manila (10 July) -- Filipinos (including the press, business people and myself) tend to dwell too much on the negative side of this country, and this affects the perception of foreigners -- even the ones who have lived here for a while. The negative perception of the Philippines is way disproportionate to reality when compared to countries like Columbia, Egypt, Middle East, Africa, etc.

Let us all help our country by balancing the negative with the positive especially, when we talk to foreigners, whether based here or abroad. Looking back and comparing the Philippines today and 1995 (the year I came back), I was struck by how much our country has progressed physically.

Consider the following:

1. The great telecom infrastructure that we have now did not exist in 1995. The year 1995 was when the telecom industry was deregulated. Since then billions of dollars have been invested in both fixed line and cellular networks producing a system with over 5,000 kms of fiber optic backbone at a world competitive cost. From a fixed line capacity of about 900,000 in 1995 we now have over 7 million. Cellular phones practically did not exist in 1995; now we have over 11 million line capacity.

2. The MRT, many of the EDSA flyovers (including the Ayala Avenue flyover), the SKYWAY, Rockwell and Glorietta 4, the Fort, NAIA terminal 2and most of the new skyscrapers were not yet built in 1995.

3. If you drive to the provinces, you will notice that national roads are now of good quality (international quality asphalt roads). I just went to Iba, Zambales last week and I was impressed that even a not-so-frequently- travelled road was of very good quality.

4. Philippine exports have increased by 600% over the past eight years. There are many, many more examples of progress over the last eight years. Philippine mangoes are now exported to the US and Europe.

Additional tidbits to make our people prouder:

1. My company, INTEL, has been in the Philippines for 28 years. The Philippines plant is where Intel's most advanced products are launched, including the Pentium IV. By the end of 2002, Philippine operations became Intel's biggest assembly and testing operations worldwide.

2. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has been operating in Baguio for over 20 years. The Baguio plant is the largest producer of DSP chips in the world. DSP chips are the brains behind cellphones. TI's Baguio plant produces the chip that powers 100% of all NOKIA cellphones and 80% of Erickson cellphones in the world.

3. TOSHIBA laptops are produced in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

4. If you drive a BENZ, BMW, or a VOLVO, there is a good chance that the ABS system in your car was made in the Philippines.

5. TREND-MICRO, makers of one of the top anti-virus software PC-Cillin (I may have mispelled this) develops its "cures" for viruses right here in Eastwood Libis, Quezon City. When a virus breaks in any computer system in the world, they try to find a solution within 45 minutes of finding the virus.

6. Today a majority of the top ten U.S. Call Center firms in the U.S. have set up operations in the Philippines. This is one area in which I believe we are the best in the world in terms of value for money.

7. America Online (AOL) has 1,000 people in Clark answering 90% of AOL's global e-mail inquiries.

8. PROCTOR & GAMBLE has over 400 people right here in Makati (average age 23 years) doing back-up office work to their Asian operations including Finance, Accounting, Human Resources and Payments Processing.

9. Among many other things it does for its regional operations network in the Asia-Pacific region here in Manila, CITIBANK also does its global ATM programming locally.

10. This is the first year ever that the Philippines will be exporting cars in quantity courtesy of FORD Philippines. (I have an idea this article was written between 2001-2002, so this operation should have been on-going for the last 3 years or so. CYN)

11. The government is shedding off graft and corruption slowly but surely. This is the first time in our history that a former president is in jail and facing charges of plunder. Despite all odds, we are still pursuing the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos now enjoyed by his unrepentant heirs.

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p070710.htm&no=84&r=&y=&mo=

Prologue - Prologue: Selected Articles
Researching Service in the U.S. Army During the Philippine Insurrection ... The Philippine Insurrection is a difficult and often confusing war to study...

Philippine Insurrection
Philippine Insurrection Campaign 1899-1902. With the close of the Spanish-American War, the United States acquired the Philippine Islands...

The Philippines and Round About
The Philippines and Round About. by. G. J. Younghusband. Queen's Own Corps Guides. Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society...

NAMED CAMPAIGNS - PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION
During the War with Spain, Emilio Aguinaldo (who had led an unsuccessful insurrection in 1896-97) organized a native army in the Philippines and secured...

Philippine Insurrection Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients ...
The Philippine Insurrection is a difficult and often confusing war to study. Some historians even disagree on what to call the conflict...

Filipino Lessons For America Strategy In Iraq
In a grim potential parallel, the Philippines was not granted complete ... The main lesson from both the Filipino insurrection and Iraq are that these wars...

Military.com Resources
Philippine Insurrection - Thorough resource offers articles that examine the struggle between the US and the Philippines...

Fourth of July - Conrado de Quiros

MANILA, Philippines -- Most Filipinos today don't have any recollection of it, but there was a time when we celebrated Independence Day on this day, July 4. That was the date the United States chose to grant us independence, to dramatize the point about the lives and fates of Filipinos and Americans being intertwined. That was an idea steeped in the most resonant myths and symbols, notably in the one about Filipinos and Americans fighting side by side in Bataan and Corregidor, being imprisoned and tortured in Intramuros, and winning hand-in-hand in Leyte and elsewhere.

http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=193&a=21335

The truth is we were born on the 4th of July! - By BOBIT S. AVILA

Whether you accept this truth or not, 61 years ago, the Philippines became a truly independent state free from its colonial master in a ceremony where the United States of America lowered its flag (back then the Stars and Stripes only had 48 states) and all foreign governments confirmed this act by recognizing Philippine sovereignty.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=83373

Guam's Filipinos celebrate heritage - Kim Alba Pacific Daily News

Guam's Filipino community paid tribute yesterday to a Philippine revolutionary hero at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Asan. In celebration of 109 years of Philippine independence, the Filipino Community of Guam held a wreath-laying ceremony yesterday at the Mabini Shrine, a monument to Apolinario Mabini, also known as the Sublime Paralytic, who was a key figure in the Philippine revolution against the Spanish in the late 1800s.

http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070618/NEWS01/706180306/1002

19th Philippine Independence Celebration - Rene Villaroman/Asianjournal.com

LONG BEACH -- Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said that he ran for the senate as an independent based on "my principles and conviction and my belief that politics as usual was no longer the road to victory." The newly reelected senator was the guest speaker at the gala night of the 109th Independence Day Celebration organized by the Kalayaan of Southern California, Inc. (KOSCI) that was attended by more than 1,000 Filipino Americans at the Long Beach Convention Center on Saturday, June 9.

http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=124&a=20889

Iraq is nothing new - Paul Greenberg

Powerful thing, myth. It can move men to noble deeds of heroism and self-sacrifice. Dangerous thing, myth. It can lead politicians to believe even their own propaganda, and so mislead others. Consider the myth that the war in Iraq is this country's "first pre-emptive war."

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/COLUMNISTS0204/706070316/1119/COLUMNISTS

World War I as Fulfillment: Power and the Intellectuals - Murray N. Rothbard

In contrast to older historians who regarded World War I as the destruction of progressive reform, I am convinced that the war came to the United States as the "fulfillment," the culmination, the veritable apotheosis of progressivism in American life.[1] I regard progressivism as basically a movement on behalf of Big Government in all walks of the economy and society, in a fusion or coalition between various groups of big businessmen, led by the House of Morgan, and rising groups of technocratic and statist intellectuals. In this fusion, the values and interests of both groups would be pursued through government.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/rothbard156.html

Old Wars in New Rhetoric - DINO J. CATERINI

It was the in thing of the early Sixties. Anyone who was anyone was talking about it. America was embarked on a great new adventure: to prove that revolutionary warfare could not succeed. Mao Tse-tung and Ho Chi Minh had developed a diabolical form of warfare that they dubbed "revolutionary warfare," and America was out to prove that it wouldn't work. The type of warfare being employed by the Communists wasn't exactly guerrilla warfare as we had known it in the past; it was a new strain of deadly virus, and counter-insurgency was the newly emerging antibody that would soon gain enough strength to destroy it.

http://www.progressive.org/node/4963

VFW post celebrates 75 years

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has 2.4 million members at 9,000 posts worldwide. The organization traces its roots to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local groups to secure rights and benefits.

http://savannahnow.com/node/301230

115th Anniversary of the Founding of the KKK

The Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangan na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) was the brainchild of Marcelo H. del Pilar. As early as 1888, together with Sotero Laurel, Mariano Crisostomo, and others, they founded El Cinco, a secret society whose aim was to free the country. Colonial persecution forced Del Pilar to flee to Spain. In Spain, in 1890, he tried to revive this society but it was only in 1892, through Moises Salvador and with the help of his brother-in-law Deodato Arellano, that Del Pilar succeeded. Death, on July 4, 1896, prevented Del Pilar from leading this revolutionary society.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s deportation to Dapitan and the dissolution of his La Liga Filipina paved the way for the establishment of the KKK. With Del Pilar’s detailed instruction, several Filipino patriots led by Deodato Arellano, Andres Bonifacio, Ladislao Diwa, Teodoro Plata, and Mariano Crisostomo founded the Katipunan on the night of July 7, 1897. Its aim was to free the Philippines from its colonial bondage through force.

"Liberty, Equality, and the Brotherhood of Men" was the Katipunan’s battle cry. Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto transformed the Katipunan into a "mighty weapon of the weak." Bonifacio’s cry of "Kalayaan or Kamatayan" (Freedom or Death) and Jacinto’s Kalayaan newspaper spread the KKK ideals. They raised the standard of revolution on August 23, 1896.

Today we observe the 115th anniversary of the founding of the KKK. In many ways, the flame of the KKK ideals burns to this day in the heart of every Filipino. We must continue to struggle and pursue the freedom from bondage not only from foreign domination but also from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, and disunity.

Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=31461

John C. Garand CMP-Sanctioned Rifle Match

Truly a great experience, every M1 Garand owner, enthusiast and shooter should enter a John C. Garand rifle match. What better way to compete with some of the best shooters in your area and, if so inclined, at the national level at the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.

For me, the competition was one element, but the learning experience and instruction I received from fellow shooters were the most rewarding parts of this event.


With a few of the shooters-reenactors

This day had over 100 participants and 5 relays. I was shooting in Relay 3 working the target pits for Relays 1, 4, 5 and scoring for Relay 2. I'll get into "working the pits" later.


With one of the first shooters I met when I first started

The Course of Fire (CoF) is the 50 shot NMC with 5 sighters All stages are preceded by a three minute preparation period.

The match is divided into 4 separate stages. The aggregate of stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 determines the overall Match Winner.

Stage 1 - Prone position, 200 yards, slow fire, 5 sighting shots and 20 shots for record in a time limit of 25 minutes.

Stage 2 - Prone position from standing, 200 yards, rapid fire, one string of 10 record shots in a time limit of 70 seconds, 1 required reload during string.

Stage 3 - Sitting position from standing, 200 yards, rapid fire, 1 string of 10 record shots in a time limit of 60 seconds, 1 required reload during string.

Stage 4 - Standing offhand position, 200 yards, slow fire, 10 shots for record in a time limit of 10 minutes.


On the 200 yard firing line

Since all shots are made at the 200 yard firing line, I didn't deviate much from my regular ammunition loads. In fact, they might've even been a little overkill. I noticed some shooters even using 125 grain bullets. But I still used 147 gr. BTHPs, 48,5 grs. IMR4895, and CCI No. 34 mil-spec primers. At 200 yards, I had +6 clicks elevation (at a 100 yard zero) with no left or right windage adjustment given the relative calm we had this day.


Working the Target "Pits"

For me, working the target pits is really an enjoyable experience. Nothing like bullets flying overhead at super-sonic speeds! The initial sighters are interesting. As shooters are adjusting for elevation and windage, you get the occasional berm shots.

Score Keeping (Source: RBGC)

You are seldom idle in a high power tournament. If you are not shooting and you are not pulling targets, then you will be keeping score. It is easy (and embarrasing!) to miss a shot while scoring. Pay attention to your shooter. You must watch for the target being pulled just as your shooter lets one go. This can be the result of another shooter cross-firing on your target, or the puller was not paying attention and pulling the target in error. These shots are not scorred and the shooter will re-fire. Slam-fires count as a shot. Mis-fires do not. The rule is that the bullet must be fired.

Slowfire Scoring

During slow fire stages the target puller spots the shot and places the scoring disk to indicate the value of the hit. When your shooter fires, the target should go down within five seconds. If it dosn't call for a mark ("mark eleven, mark one-one"). Watch for the target to come up. As it starts to move get in the scope. Mark the value in the appropriate box on the score card.

Slowfire Pit Service

During slow fire stages you will pull the target down after each shot. The spotter gets pulled from the target and the hole it was in gets repaired with a black or white paster. The 3" spotter disk then goes in the new bullet hole to mark the hit. The spotter has a white and a black side and it is placed in the target to contrast the color where the hit is scored. This makes it easy to see from the firing line. A hit on the line between the 7 and 8 ring below would be spotted white out since its value is an 8 and the eight ring is black.Then a red or black 6" scoring disk goes on the target in one of eight locations to indicate the value of the score.

Rapid Fire Service

Rapid fire pit service is a little different from slow fire. Sighter shots will be spotted and scored slow fire style, that is pull, spot and score each shot. There will be two sighter shots preceding the rapid strings in all except LEG matches.

After the 2 minute sighter period, you will be instructed to clean up your target and bring it to half mast. Pull your target down, remove all spotter and scoring disks and repair all bullet holes with the approiate color paster then bring your target to the half mast position and wait for the pit officials commands.

When the firing line is ready, the pit official will call out "Stand by your targets". Then "Targets UP!" You immediately raise your target to the firing position. At this time you will count the number of shots that are fired on your target. When the time aproaches a few seconds remaining, the pit officer will again call out "Stand by your targets", then at the command "Targets down!" you immediately pull your target down weather your shooter has fired all ten shots or not.

The reason for counting the shots is a redundant check between you and the shooter's scorer on the number of shots fired. Some of the things that happen are:

• Shooter has a malfunction resulting in less than 10 hits.
• Shooter shots too slow resulting in less than 10 hits.
• Another shooter cross-fires on your targer, resulting in more than 10 hits.
• Your shooter cross-fires on another target, resulting in less than 10 hits.
• Shooter fires 10 shots, but there are only 9 holes in the target.
• Shooter fires more than 10 shots.

Overall, a good experience. I am definitely looking forward to the next match.

600 YARDS WITH MY M1 GARAND

I've always wanted to shoot at longer distances. So when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance and entered the 600 Yard Sight-In Day at the local gun club. This was also good practice for the upcoming John C. Garand Match (I'll do a write-up on this next week).

Never having shot my M1 Garand at this distance, I had many questions. What .30-06 load should I use to carry the distance? How many elevation clicks are required for 600 yards on my service grade 1 MOA sights? How embarrased will I be if I don't "make paper?"


Me and my M1 at the 600 Yard Line

Reloading turned out to be pretty straight forward. I normally use 147 gr. BTHPs for reduced matches (100 and 200 yards). For 600 yards, I moved to 168 gr. Sierra Match grade BTHPs, 46 grs. IMR4895, and CCI No. 34 mil-spec primers.

I had to consult our local M1 gurus for sight adjustments. At 300 yards, I had +11 clicks elevation (typically +6 clicks elevation at 200 yards). With a left to right 10 mph wind, I had 2 clicks left. That got me on paper fairly well. At 600 yards, I had +21 clicks elevation and 3 clicks left.


At the 600 Yard Line with Spotters to Help Sight-In

When I first arrived, it was a little intimidating to see how FAR 600 yards really was! And looking around at the shooters, they all looked serious, hard-core, big-bore, and seasoned. When I got to talking to many of them, I was surprised to find that for many it was also their first time AND that they were just as apprehensive as I was.

I was assigned Relay 1, Target 19. Meaning I was to shoot with the first group and work the target pits afterwards.



Relay 1 proceeded to move their gear and setup at the 300 yard line. All shots were done prone. Some folks brought sand bags and scopes. I used my service M1907 sling in prone position and of course iron sights. I was told that at these distances scopes really does not provide an advantage over iron sights. In fact, scopes may even be a hindrance as shooters may even run out of elevation clicks if not zeroed in properly initially for these distances.

At 300 yards, it was fairly easy to sight in and hit paper. The effort only took 10 rounds to zero in so I saved the rest for where it really counted, out on the 600 yard line.


In the Pits with the 600 Yard MR-1 Targets

Having my confidence built up at 300, I felt good to move to 600. But once I got there, those MR-1 targets looked awfully small. Looking through my M1 front sight posts, the black kind of looked like a BB on top of a refrigerator! I kid you not.


A Garand View at 600 Yards

So I started with +21 clicks from a 100 yard zero. I started shooting and noticed that I was getting on paper. The trick was to watch the wind flags at 300. The only problem was that the left flag was being blown down and the right flag was being blown right. The wind really did make it a bit more tricky to get within the 10 and X rings.


Order of the 600 Yard "X" Certification

The objective, of course, was to effectively shoot 600 yards. And "effective" means being able to shoot 600 yards at a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper (certificate) representing the 10 and X rings of an MR-1 target. At those distances, one cannot even make out the paper.

I finished my string and ended up with THREE shots on the certificate. One in the X and two on the 10 rings. That sure was a relief when the target came back up with a black spotter on the certificate. I know not everyone hit theirs. Working the pits, there were many we could see that did not make it on.

At the end of the day, the shooters and pit workers gathered at the 600 yard line. The "Order of the X" certificates were handed out to all participants. Though the event boasts a 95% success rate, this day I don't believe this was achieved. However, 100% did have fun!

ACCURIZING MY M1 GARAND

One of my goals this year was to compete in High-Power Rifle matches with my M1 Garand. But having competed in several so far, I found my vintage 1942 Springfield Armory M1 needing a little help in the accuracy department.



With only minimum modifications around the handguard area, improved sights and some shims for controlled barrel pressure, I've been able to tighten up my groups significantly. A 20-shot test group consistently held the 10 and X rings with several sub 2 MOA 5-shot groups at 100 yards.



There is still more work to be done, however. Permanent glass bedding and smooting out the trigger will help as well. And, of course, practice does make perfect.

Rear Handguard - Trimmed 1/6" from its back end that touches the receiver.

Front Handguard - Removed the front handguard liner.

Lower Band - Attached the Front Handguard to the Lower Band using bedding compound or high heat epoxy or adhesive.



Reinforced with No. 6 x 1/2" wood screws and grind screw heads flush.

Front Handguard Ferrule - Peened the front handguard ferrule to clear the barrel.

Gas Cylinder - Reamed out the rear ring of the gas cylinder to give about 0.01" radial clearance between the rear ring and the barrel.

Fileed 30 degree bevels of the guide tang. Shorten the cylinder so it does not touch the Front Handguard Ferrule.



Middle Band - Applied high heat expoxy adhesive to the Middle Band to ensure a tight bond with the barrel.

Front Sights - Having a high-shooting M1, I installed a taller National Match Front Sight built up to 0.8000 and thinner, tapered blade.



Rear Sights - Installed a National Match Rear Sight assembly with a 1/2 minute windage and 1/2 minute elevation with a 0.0520 diameter aperture.



Stock - Cut about a dozen thin metal shims 3/4" x 1/4". Looosened the trigger guard almost all the way and tucked these shims in equal numbers under the flats of the receiver that contact the top of the wood on either side and push the shims as far forward as possible.

Ammunition - Having carefully sorted and trimmed brass, I reloaded using a 147 GR. .308" FMJBT bullet, 48.5 grains of IMR4895 and CCI No. 34 military-spec primers.

Trigger - Work In Progress

Note that these modifications will disqualify your rifle for any CMP-sanctioned John C. Garand matches.

HOW TO OBTAIN A C&R LICENSE

What is a C&R License?

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF or ATF) was originally under the control of the Department of Treasury. But in 2003, the law enforcement portions of ATF were transferred to the Department of Justice. ATF is essentially a tax collecting, law enforcement and regulatory arm of Justice/Treasury dealing in alcohol, tobacco and firearms. In terms of firearms, the ATF is the federal government agency that issues so called Federal Firearms Licenses (FFL). There are several types of FFLs that one can get. The “full license” that allows the licensee to purchase pretty much any firearm is what is called an “FFL 01” type or dealers license. This is a business type license, not used for collecting, but rather for buying and selling to others. There are other categories that deal with manufacturing and importing firearms. The type of license we will focus on is the “FFL 03 C&R” or simply “C&R” (Curio and Relic).

In this article we are talking about general license information and personal experiences. The purpose of the article is to give you some idea about what a C&R can do for you and how to get one. You need to contact ATF directly with specific questions and/or your local law enforcement agencies.

You can find your local ATF office at http://www.atf.gov/field/index.htm

The C&R allows you to purchase eligible firearms across state lines, transfer eligible weapons between licensed people, and order eligible weapons through the mail (UPS or FedEx). It is NOT a business license; it is purely for your own collecting activities. You have to be careful about that. Yes, you can sell a C&R acquired eligible firearm, but you cannot do it for your “livelihood.” You may sell or “dispose” of a C&R weapon to anyone not prohibited in your state, or to a licensee in another state.

What is a Curio or Relic, ala Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 178, section 178.11?

Curios or Relics: Firearms which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. To be recognized as curios or relics, firearms must fall within one of the following categories:

(a) Firearms that were manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas thereof;

(b) Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, State, or Federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest; and

(c) Any other firearms which derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event. Proof of qualification of a particular firearm under this category may be established by evidence of present value and evidence that like firearms are not available
except as collector's items, or that the value of like firearms available in ordinary commercial channels is substantially less.

A C&R license allows you to purchase rifles, pistols, shotguns and machineguns that are on the ATF C&R list. Basically, these are weapons that are at least 50 years or older. HOWEVER, just because a weapon is 50 or more years old, does not make it an automatic C&R eligible weapon.

ATF has a web page that lists all of the C&R eligible weapons at http://www.atf.gov/firearms/curios/index.htm

Some listings of interest are:

All Original military bolt action and semiautomatic rifles mfd. between 1899 and 1946.

All properly marked and identified semiautomatic pistols and revolvers used by, or mfd. for, any military organization prior to 1946.

All shotguns, properly marked and identified as mfd. for any military organization prior to 1946 and in their original military configuration only

U.S. Rifle, caliber .30, M1, original issue only, produced prior to 1958.

The key word in these lists are “original”. That is, if the rifle was altered as a sporter, it no longer is eligible as a C&R rifle. One has to be careful about that. The question is, at what point is it considered “altered?” There is also some debate about rifles that were altered by the military into another military rifle, such as a 7mm 1916 Spanish Mauser into a 7.62 NATO “Guardia
Civil”. There are some that argue that it was altered and is therefore not eligible. A question, for example, was sent in regarding that specific question to the ATF. Here is the reply:

“You also asked if the “Modelo 1916 Spanish Short rifle Mauser” rifle is classified as a curio or relic. Any Spanish Model 1916 military rifles in original military configuration quality as curios or relics as that term is defined in Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, part 178, section 178.11 {NOTE: See insert above}. This classification includes the FR7 and FR8 variations chambered for the 7.62 Cetme cartridge. These curios or relics may be transferred to federally licensed collections as provided in 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478. They are still firearms as defined in 18 U.S.C. section 921(a)(3).”

The “Guardia Civil” and the FR7/8 rifles ARE C&R eligible rifles being that they are “original” rifles, HOWEVER, they must have be at least 50 years old (first requirement listed). I suppose you may argue that these rifles, regardless of when they were converted, would be covered under the “…novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event.” part of section 178.11.

If you have a specific example that you are wondering if it is a C&R eligible
firearm, you need to contact ATF Technical Division directly (in writing only)
and send them specific information on the weapon and photos if you can. They
will make a ruling on the weapon and contact you back. DO NOT BOTHER to call a
local ATF region office with a firearms ruling. They will only steer you back
to the ATF Technical people. The local ATF is good for general questions about
the C&R and help in filling out the forms.

The address to submit a letter of ruling and eligibility of a firearm is:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Firearms Technology Branch
244 Needy Road
Martinsburg, WV 25401

On that note, you must also realize that there are federal firearms laws and
also state and local laws. You are required to follow both. To help you out in
your local state, ATF sends a copy of current state laws (all the states) in
your welcome license kit. A C&R is NOT a license to carry a concealed weapon
nor overwrites your local firearms regulations and laws! In some cases, some
sellers will require a C&R for ammo purchase. This is more for proof of age.

HOW DO I GET A C&R?

You have to meet some minimum qualifications first:

21 years or more of age;

You cannot be prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving or possessing
firearms or ammunition; (i.e., you are not a convicted felon, also, you have to
be a US citizen or permanent resident or have special dispensation)

You have not willfully violated the Gun Control Act (GCA) or its regulations;

You have not willfully failed to disclose material information or willfully
made false statements concerning material facts in connection with his
application (in other words, you did not lie on your application!).

If you think you are eligible for the license, then there are a couple of ways
to get the required forms.

You USED to be able to download the forms or get them sent from your local ATF
office. That is no longer the case. Now you need to either contact their
central distribution center via online or phone. There is no charge to get the
forms.

Online: go to http://www.atf.treas.gov/dcof/index.htm and request (on the right side of the screen).

“F7CR 5310.16 Application for License (Collector of Curios and Relics) Under 18
U.S.C. Chapter 44, Firearms”

They will ship the forms to you in a week or two.

Phone: Call (703) 455-7801 and put in your request for a “Form 7CR, Curio or
Relic application kit” Again, it will take a week or two to get the forms.

Note:

The web addresses and phone numbers can change at any time. If you cannot get through to order the forms, call your local ATF office and ask them how to get the forms. You can find your local ATF office at: http://www.atf.gov/field/index.htm

Or contact them via email: ATFMail@atf.gov

(Be forewarned that the email address is NOT for specific questions on
technical or legal issues, you have to hard copy mail them your questions on
these topics)

Or mail at:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Office of Public and Governmental Affairs
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.
Room 8290
Washington, DC 20226

In about a week or two, you will receive a packet in the mail that has a couple
of forms in it. I would highly recommend that you photocopy the forms and use
the copies to “practice and edit” with before you fill out the ones to be sent
in. When I requested a packet recently (2004) I got two forms, one was the
actual ATF F7CR form (two copies), the other was a newer form with the title
of “Certification of Compliance with 18 USC”, basically a certification of
citizenship.

In about a week or two, you will receive a packet in the mail that has a couple
of forms in it. I would highly recommend that you photocopy the forms and use
the copies to “practice and edit” with before you fill out the ones to be sent
in.

The new form is four pages long, instead of the two from before. As in previous
versions, there are two copies to each form, Copy 1 goes to ATF and Copy 2 gets
submitted to your CLEO (Chief Law Enforcement Officer) for you area. An easy
way to figure out who your CLEO, answer the questions, “who would come to your
door when you dial 911?”.

New to this form:

· The ability to pay via credit card, information filled out on the form

· Additional space to list names of people for multi person (corporate,
partnership) licenses

· Country of citizenship block

· Race and Ethnicity information (check boxes)

· Residence phone number

· Addition of the 18 USC 922 (g)(5)(B) Certification of Compliance information
on the form

· Previous FFL license information requests

· Signature block has additional statements on release of information.

Note:

I mentioned above that the Certification of Compliance information was added
into the F7CR form. In my packet, ATF sent the SEPARATE Certification form as
well. I contacted ATF and they said to ignore the additional form.

Let’s go through it step by step:

F7CR Form items:

(use a ball point ink pen and print or type to fill out the form)

Items 1-6: Self explanatory. Use full names and do not use abbreviations in
addresses.

Item 7: The majority of us will check “individual”. When I asked ATF about
other category examples they gave museums as a corporation and a partnership as
being held by several friends. It still lacks distinct clarity.

Item 8: If you want to pay via credit card, fill this section out. Make sure
that you use the billing address of the credit card if it is different from
where you want the license address to go to. Make sure that you sign the
authorization to allow ATF to charge the card.

Item 9: For each person

1. Make sure you use your FULL name, no initials.

2. Social Security number and position. In the case of an individual, you can
use “owner”. I would think that “collector” would work also.

3. Give your FULL mailing address. If you can, do not use abbreviations at all.
If you lived at other addresses in the past 5 years, you will need to note them
as well.

4. Give country of citizenship. Note: if you are a nonimmigrant alien, you will
need to complete items in #10. For a definition of nonimmigrant alien, see the
back of the form. If you are a US citizen, you will not need to complete ALL of
Item #10

5. Give place of birth

6. Date of birth

7. Check your race/ethnicity. It appears this is MANDATORY, not simply
requested.

8. Sex (yes please!)

9. Residence phone number, with area code.

Item 10: Fill in “A.” with your name (if you are a US citizen) then skip to
Item 11. If you have nonimmigrant status you will need to fill out parts B and
C as well.

Item 11. This is a new section that asks about previous FFL issuances. If you
mark any YES, you will need to supply a separate sheet answering the question
in detail.

Item 12&13. Make sure you check EACH of the line items either Yes or No. You
may need to attach a separate explanatory page if required.

Item 14. Make sure that you check (Initial) EACH of the boxes. This is where
you agree that you will check on your local laws, you will follow your local
laws and also contact your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) (sheriff,
chief etc.), which you will have to provide the NAME of and ADDRESS of.

Item 15. This certification is different and much more in depth compared to the
old form. Whereas before you were simply stating you certify that the
application was true to the best of your knowledge, the new form goes on to
give ATF authorization to perform a background check as well as access
employment, military, medical and police records. MAKE SURE YOU SIGN AND DATE
THE FORM.

NOW GO BACK AND TRIPLE CHECK YOUR FORM!

The license costs $30 for 3 years. If you did not authorize the use of a credit
card, MAKE SURE YOU ENCLOSE A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER payable to ATF. Write your
SSN on your check or money order as well.

Fill out the second copy of the F7CR exactly as you did the first and photocopy
the entire form (front and back) of both the ATF and CLEO copies for your
records.

Note:

The lists of instructions given were for 2005. These requirements or the forms
may change, so make sure you look at your specific form(s) and fill them out
completely. READ the back of the forms also!!!

AND FINALLY:

Send the ATF form and payment to the address listed on the back of the form.
You can mail out the CLEO copy the same time you send your form to ATF, you do
not need to wait on any response from the CLEO. It is their duty to contact ATF
if they have an issue with your application. The CLEO copy does not need
payment information attached.

AGAIN, before you send off the forms to the ATF and your CLEO, make copies for
yourself. MAKE SURE YOU COPY THE BACK SIDE OF THE FORMS AS WELL for your
records. There are contact numbers and addresses on the back.

Note:

Again, the lists of instructions given were for 2005. These requirements or the
forms may change, so make sure you look at your specific form(s) and fill them
out completely. READ the back of the forms also!

In addition to the two forms, I also got a copy of “Firearms Curios and Relics
List” (revised April 2004) in the packet. This booklet lists all the firearms
that are regarded as C&R eligible PLUS it lists the laws that govern C&R
licenses. The publication number is ATF P 5300.11 Revised April 2004. I would
highly recommend that when you order the forms from the distribution center,
you request one of these books as well. In the past, this book has been part of
the “welcome package” that typically shows up before they ship your license
copy, but it never hurts to make sure that you have one on hand.

WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU GET THE LICENSE?
If all goes well, your license should be mailed to you in 6 to 8 weeks. These
times vary by quite a bit. If it seems like it is taking too much time, you may
contact ATF about it. The number is on the back of the F7CR form. For sure,
your check will be cashed sooner than later!

ATF will send you ONE copy of the license. DO NOT SIGN THE ORIGINAL!!! The VERY
first thing to do to is make clear photocopies of the license. Make like a
dozen or more. Then put the original in a safe place where you can find it
again. You will use the COPIES when you buy/sell C&R weapons. You will need to
sign copies in INK prior to using them.

ATF will also send you a “welcome” kit that will contain a current copy of
State firearm laws and some other info. This will come separate from your
license. When you get the kit, do not freak out. There is a LOT of extra stuff
there that actually does not pertain to C&R licensees. It seems they send out
generic kits to all new licensees.

For some more general information on your license, see the ATF FAQ list at:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm

Now, that you have that half sheet of paper what do you do? What else?!? You
start to BUY!!! Many companies will only sell to licensed people, so you need
to send them a copy of the license (signed) and request to be put on their
list. They have to have a signed license on file before they will ship a
firearm. What I did was make a form letter requesting I be put on their mailing
list, that they file my license and also offer me any discounts that they offer
and sent them to various companies with a license signed copy.

Example:

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed please find a signed copy of my Type 03, Curio and Relics, Federal
Firearms License. Please keep this on file so that we may do business in the
future. Also,if you would send me a copy of your latest catalogue or sales
flyer, and place me on the mailing list for same, I would be most appreciative.
With kindest regards, I remain,

Very truly yours,


I.M. Gonnacollect

Companies to buy from:

http://www.john-oliver.net/shooting/candrdealers.html

There are LOTS of other companies. The one thing is that you may become your
mailman’s worst nightmare. Figure that you will be getting flyers and catalogs
nearly every month. This could be good or bad, depending on how you want to
purchase your collection. I also sent a copy of my license to my gun collecting
friends and relatives in case we needed to do some transfers. Being a C&R
licensee, you may also purchase eligible firearms through on line auction sites
(gunbroker.com, gunsamerica.com, etc.) One thing you should consider is to
carry an unsigned copy with you in your wallet. That way, when you get to the “
once in a lifetime deal” you are ready. You can even “haggle” at gun shows and
shops because you have a license, and therefore require less paperwork on C&R
eligible purchases. This, however, does not extend to buying non C&R
firearms.

Special note. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) sells surplus US firearms
(Garands, Springfields, etc). As a C&R licensee, you may purchase these
directly without shooting qualifications; HOWEVER, you will still need to fill
out all of the required paperwork. Info at:

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles...quirements.htm

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
Renewals: ATF will contact you a few months prior to your license running out.
They will send you renewal forms and you will have to go through the same
process again.

Moving/Change of address: The address listed on your license is the ONLY
address that companies should be shipping firearms to. If you move or have some
other address change, you will need to contact ATF for a new license and send
out new copies.

IF you have a change of address, you need to download and submit form 5300.38 “
Application for an Amended Federal Firearms License”. You can download the form
at

www.atf.treas.gov/forms/pdfs/f530038.pdf. Realize that this form is used by ALL
types of licenses if there is an address change and there are many parts that
do not pertain to the C&R license. Fill out the parts that are geared toward
more the individual rather than a business. Questions on zoning, hours of
operation, business numbers, etc do not need to be filled out. Remember, the 03
license is ONLY for individual collecting.

I would find it prudent to send with the form a short note that explains that
you have a C&R and have moved. They will issue a new C&R. There is NO fee for
this form.

What? A NEW C&R number?

Yep, if you move there is a good chance that you will get a brand new number.
Why? Because the license number issued is dependent on where you live. Let’s
take a look at a C&R number.

A typical number would be:
1-23-456-78-9A-00000
Broken down as follows:

Position 1 represents= ATF region you are in
Position 2,3 represents= State the license is in
Position 4,5,6 represents= County the license is in
Position 7,8 represents= FFL type (in the C&R it would be 03)
Position 9A represents= digit is year of expiration, letter is the month(A=Jan,
B=Feb, etc)
Position 00000= unique number to your license

That is why you number may change if you move. Because sellers are only suppose
to ship to the address listed on the FFL, you can see why you need to update
the records.

Non C&R purchased firearms: Basically, for non C&R firearms, your ability to
purchase these remains the same as if you did not have the license. You do not
record non C&R firearm purchases/sales in your bound book. It is a good idea,
however, to record sales of C&R firearms to eligible but non-licensed buyers in
the book. You really cannot keep enough records; it is always better to have
too much, than too little recorded. In the end, a book for ALL purchases is a
good idea, if only for insurance purposes.

The BOUND BOOK: One requirement of your license is that you must keep a bound
book record of your purchases and “dispositions” (sales/transfers) of firearms.
ATF does not send you a book; you have to buy/make your own. You can download
an Adobe PDF version of a sheet of the book at:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/graphics/boundbookpage.pdf

The book must be bound as a permanent record. Electronic records are not
acceptable without special and specific disposition from ATF.

Quitting: Unlike an 01 dealer license, you do not need to turn in your records
to ATF if you decide to quit. You should keep the records though.

So, that is a little info about the C&R license. The process and requirements
to get one of the licenses is not for everyone. Whereas gun ownership is a
right for most of us, it is also a RESPONSIBILITY. There are a few hoops to go
through, but in the end, the license is easy to get and easy to use to your
great advantage (and your wallet’s disadvantage!).

Obviously, you do not need a C&R to buy mil-surp firearms, only to get on
mailing lists and buying them through mail order. There are people who will not
buy firearms sight un seen, preferring to pay the (sometimes) extra cost to be
able to handle and inspect specimens themselves. I am one that gives the
sellers a fair chance on their descriptions that they print and I have ordered
a few of my mil-surps via mail order (sight unseen) and have not had to return
any of them, feeling that they were adequate for the description given vs. my
cost. In any case, the $30 fee is a small price to pay to get dealer discounts
from the favored shooting supply companies.

The Making of My USGI M1911-A1 IDPA Pistol

Let me digress for a minute. I had a few parts left over from a recent restoration of a M1911A1. It started its life as a M1911 Remington-UMC in 1918. It went through two rearsenals at RIA and AA and picked up both EEC and FK inspector marks. It also has a flaming bomb inspection mark on the frame. It also had the usual other marks on the slide...patent information, Springfield Armory U.S.A, flaming bomb, US Property mark, SA Eagle.

Along the way, it lost its original slide and picked up a Springfield Armory one and was sort-of made into a M1911-A1 having picked up an arched mainspring housing. But it did retain its long trigger, thin front sight, short hammer spur and grip safety which are common characteristics for a M1911. And there are no relief cuts on the frame behind the trigger either. Its walnut grips were also replaced with some funky wood-Hogue wrap-around ones and the rear sight was removed entirely.

I decided that I couldn't make it into what its not. It's a rearsenaled mixmaster at best. But since it was mostly an M1911 and not an A1, I decided to put it back into M1911 configuration minus the finish and grips to maintain its rearsenal status. So I had a GI military parkerized finish put on it, put a flat mainspring housing, correct SA rear sight, and correct Keyes grips.

Here are the results.



So, afterwards I had an arched main spring and a rear sight so I figured I'd build one up from there. Afterall, I subscribe to the "No 1911 parts left behind" mentality! Also, I've really wanted a Military-spec M1911-A1 with really tight tolerences for IDPA shooting. My milisurps were just not cutting it.

Part I - Parts Assembly

First, I had to acquire all the remaining needed parts. I did a Google search and found several exploded views of M1911A1's complete with a parts listing. Most are incomplete so fortunately I have several offline resources to reference. There are a total of 48 parts (including the three parts of its magazine) in a Colt Government Model M1911-A1 .45 Auto Pistol. Colt Series 70, 80 and 90 would add four more.

From there, the hunt began. Through various online resources (vendors and auctions), gun shows, gun smiths and friends, I was able to obtain all the parts I needed at a very reasonable cost.



1. Barrel Bushing
2. Slide
3. Barrel
4. Barrel Link
5. Link Pin
6. Extractor
7. Recoil Spring
8. Recoil Spring Guide
9. Recoil Spring Plug
10. Firing Pin
11. Firing Pin Stop
12. Firing Pin Spring



13. Frame
14. Magazine
15. Magazine Catch Assembly
16. Mainspring Housing
17. Mainspring Housing Pin
18. Hammer
19. Hammer Strut
20. Hammer Strut Pin
21. Hammer Pin
22. Grip Safety
23. Slide Stop
24. Trigger
25. Thumb Safety
26. Grip (Right)
27. Grip (Left)
28. Grip Screws (4)
29. Sear Spring
30. Disconnector
31. Sear
32. Sear Pin

Parts not included in the above diagrams include the following.

33. Plunger Tube / Spring
34. Magazine Follower
35. Magazine Spring
36. Grip Screw Bushing (4)
37. Main Spring Cap
38. Main Spring
39. Main Spring Housing Pin Retainer
40. Main Spring Cap Pin
41. Magazine Catch Spring
42. Magazine Catch Lock
43. Ejector
44. Ejector Pin
45. Front Sight
46. Rear Sight
47. Slide Stop Plunger
48. Safety Lock Plunger

So with all the parts accumlated, the journey began! All parts are USGI with the exception of the commercial frame. USGI frames are very difficult to come by so I picked up a Caspian frame from my gunsmith friend of mine. Not C&R (FFL03) so I did have to complete the Yellow form for it. Besides, I wanted a tight slide-to-frame fit that I just couldn't get with USGI.

The slide is a Remington-Rand and the barrell is a National Match. The slide stop has the serations and is correct for a Remington-Rand. The grips are Keyes. Again, everything else is US Government issue.



Part II - Assembly and Fitting

When I managed to complete the assembly, all I could say was thank goodness for Dremel and J&B Bore Paste! There definitely were some fitting challenges.

Mainspring Housing Assembly - Keeping the mainspring cap down under spring tension while inserting the mainspring cap pin was a bit of a challenge.

Thumb Safety - Integrating the thumb safety was a task and a half. I had to remove some steel where the safety slot slides into the frame.

Disconnector, Sear and Sear Pin - I had to smooth down and polish the surfaces as they were not moving freely together as an assembly and with the frame.

Slide to Frame Fit - This is where J&B Bore Paste came in handy. The Caspian frame and milspec Remington-Rand slide fit was TIGHT! A little bore paste and about a hundred slides later the mating was smooth as butter and kept the tolerences tight. There is absolutely no play whatsoever.

Ejector - Inserting the ejector pin caused the ejector to sit too high on the frame to a point where the slide would stop. A tap of the rubber mallet cured this issue.

Plunger Tube - The tolerence between the tube and the frame were very loose to a point the slide stop and thumb safety would not function. The slide stop plunger and safety lock plunger would not engage because the plunger tube would pop out of its frame slots. A little Lock-Tite and we were set.

Plunger Spring - One end of the spring was closed too tight and didn't allow the safety lock plunger to fit. So I removed one spring loop. This also softened the spring tension which allowed the slide stop plunger and the safety lock plunger to engage freely.

Grip Safety - There was obvious rubbing of this part with the frame. When engaged, the grip safety would not release. Again, some steel removal was required to allow the grip safety to move freely with the frame.

Slide Stop - The slide would not stay locked with an empty magazine. Plus slide stop would not fit properly with the frame. Again, some steel removal around the slide stop where it was inserted into the frame.

Here's the pistol assembled with fitting completed but prior to finishing.



Part III - Function Testing

There are some basic function tests that need to be conducted before any live round testing. These tests are primarily done to ensure safe functioning of the pistol. Also, it will save time going back and forth between the range and your workshop while working out the "bugs" with your pistol.

Thumb Safety - Pull the hammer back and engage the safety. Ensure that when the thumb safety is engaged, the hammer will not fall when the trigger is pulled.

Grip Safety - Pull the hammer back. Without depressing the grip safety, pull the trigger. The hammer should not release. While pressing the grip safety, pull the trigger. The hammer should release.

Slide Stop - With a magazine inserted, pull the slide back. The slide should lock in its rear position. Pressing the slide stop down with your right thumb while holding the pistol should release the slide into battery freely. Without a magazine inserted, pulling the slide back and releasing it should not result in the slide locking in its rear position.

Magazine Release - Pressing the magazine catch release with your right thumb while holding the pistol should result in the magazine falling freely. This is especially important in pistols being used in competition such as IDPA.

Hammer - The hammer must stay cocked when the thumb safety is engaged. It must also stay cocked when the grip safety in engaged.

Feeding - I ran several types of bullets within the same magazine. I ran variations of round nose, full jacketed and hollow point cast lead and copper bullets. No issues whatsoever with all bullets chambering just fine with a 18# spring.

Ejection - Of course, feeding goes hand and hand with ejection. With the above bullet feeding tests, the pistol also ejected the rounds without any ejector tuning required.


Part III - Tuning and Break-In





Part IV - Finishing



Parting Thoughts

Coming soon...

ATTACK ON AMERICA: September 11, 2001

In the years since, I find it disturbing that 9/11 is dividing the country instead of unifying it. Many have forgotten, or have chosen to forget, what happened on this day and those who died five years ago. Many believe that we're not in a war at all, that we're simply in a state of police action. Half the country still insists that the attacks by our enemies be addressed as a law enforcement issue. But "How do you win a law and order war? You don't."

So yes, 9/11 is dividing this country. The Clintonites laid the seeds. For years their only concern was to keep up appearances only. No depth, no character, no integrity, no action. I blame Spock who raised a generation of spoiled and self-indulgent adult-children of which Clinton was a by-product. If only Dobson had gotten to him sooner maybe things would have been different. The Clintonites will spend their remaining years trying to erase history, trying to change the simple truth that they did not act. They responded to terrorism with tact and political correctness only.

So now, on one hand we want to call our enemies for what they are. But on the other hand, we can't call our enemies the fascist, killers and murderers that they really are. We have to be politically correct (as taught to us by the Clintonites) and we can't appear to be the ugly American. We've given way to our need for political correctness. We've also allowed our drive-by media, leftest newspapers, news television and radio stations drive our thought processes by yeilding to their unbalanced airtime given to the left.

And we've succumb to the powers of our drive-in, fast-food, microwave culture. By doing so, we all expected the war on terrorism to be over by now. And since it's not, we play the blame game.

But you can bet that our enemies are on a different timeline. They've been waging Jihad for thousands of years. They are patient and are waiting for this country to become complacent once again. Sadly, we are doing exactly what they are expecting us to do. We are letting our guard down, we are forgetting.

Let's not fall into this trap. Like the frog who knows no better to jump out of a boiling pot of water being lulled into complacency by the warmth of the surrounding waters. Know and understand what we're in and take action. We are in a state of war. There are people who want to kill you and me and our families for generations to come. Never forget that.

September 11 News

FDNY Never Forget 9/11

September 11 Digital Archive

Never Forget

---------------

ATTACK ON AMERICA: September 11, 2001At 8:45 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loadedwith 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more in higher floors. As the evacuation of the tower and itstwin got underway, television cameras broadcasted live images of what initiallyappeared to be a freak accident.

Then, 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767--United Airlines Flight 175--appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the World Trade Center, and sliced into the South Tower at about the 60th floor. The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris over surrounding buildings and the streets below. America was underattack.

The attackers were Islamic terrorists from Saudi Arabia and several otherArab nations. Reportedly financed by Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist organization, they were allegedly acting in retaliation for America's support of Israel, its involvement in the Persian Gulf War, and its continued military presence in the Middle East.

Some of the terrorists had lived in the United States for more than a year and had taken flying lessons at Americancommercial flight schools. Others had slipped into the U.S. in the months before September 11 and acted as the "muscle" in the operation. The 19 terrorists easily smuggled box-cutters and knives through security at three East Coast airports and boarded four flights bound for California, chosen because the planes were loaded with fuel for the long transcontinental journey. Soon aftertakeoff, the terrorists commandeered the four planes and took the controls, transforming the ordinary commuter jets into guided missiles.

As millions watchedin horror the events unfolding in New York, American Airlines Flight 77 circled over downtown Washington and slammed into the west side of the Pentagon military headquarters at 9:45 a.m. Jet fuel from the Boeing 757 caused a devastating inferno that led to a structural collapse of a portion of the giant concrete building. All told, 125 military personnel and civilians were killed in thePentagon along with all 64 people aboard the airliner.

Less than 15 minutes afterthe terrorists struck the nerve center of the U.S. military, the horror in NewYork took a catastrophic turn for the worse when the south tower of the WorldTrade Center collapsed in a massive cloud of dust and smoke. The structural steel of the skyscraper, built to withstand winds in excess of 200 mph and alarge conventional fire, could not withstand the tremendous heat generated bythe burning jet fuel.

At 10:30 a.m., the other Trade Center tower collapsed.

Close to 4,000 people died in the World Trade Center and its vicinity, including a staggering 343 firefighters and 23 policemen who were struggling to complete an evacuation of the buildings and save the office workers trapped on higher floors. Only six people in the World Trade Center towers at the time of their collapse survived. Almost 10,000 other people were treated for injuries, manysevere.

Meanwhile, a fourth California-bound plane--United Flight 93--was hijacked about 40 minutes after leaving Newark International Airport in NewJersey. Because the plane had been delayed in taking off, passengers on board learned of events in New York and Washington via cell phone and Airfone calls to the ground. Knowing that the aircraft was not returning to an airport as the hijackers claimed, a group of passengers and flight attendants planned an insurrection. One of the passengers, Thomas Burnett, Jr., told his wife over thephone that "I know we're all going to die. There's three of us who are going to do something about it. I love you, honey." Another passenger--Todd Beamer--was heard saying "Are you guys ready? Let's roll" over an open line. Sandy Bradshaw, a flight attendant, called her husband and explained that she had slipped into a galley and was filling pitchers with boiling water. Her last words to him were"Everyone's running to first class. I've got to go. Bye. "The passengers fought the four hijackers and are suspected to have attacked the cockpit with a fire extinguisher. The plane then flipped over and sped toward the ground at upwardsof 500 miles per hour, crashing in a rural field in western Pennsylvania at10:10 a.m. All 45 people aboard were killed. Its intended target is not known, but theories include the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, or one of several nuclear power plants alongthe eastern seaboard.

At 7 p.m., President George W. Bush, who had spent the day being shuttled around the country because of security concerns, returned to theWhite House. At 9 p.m., he delivered a televised address from the Oval Office, declaring "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve." In a reference to the eventual U.S. military response he declared: "We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them. "Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led international effort to oust the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and destroy Osama bin Laden's terrorist network based there, began on October 7.

SO WHAT MAKES THE FILIPINO SPECIAL?

Recently, I received yet another email (see below) telling my why I am special. So what makes the Filipino special? A question that has been asked AND answered in countless ways already. I grow tired of it.

Yes, I think this passage captures all the attributes that makes us special. But as I read it, I can't help but think of all those other self-lifting, self-gratifying, self-centering Filipino writings I've read over and over again whose one main goal is to make us all feel better about who we are and for being Filipino.

The passage does omit one attribute that is, unfortunately, a strong one amongst many of us. And that is our need to justify to the West why we should fit in. As I've said before, I've seen too many Filipinos, young and old, ashamed or even embarassed of their Filipino roots. Filipino pride lost to years of Western colonialism. I've even seen it everywhere. You can sense the shame and even resentment of being Filipino in their words and in their behaviour.

What's the answer? I think the very last sentence of this passage answers this, "but first, we should know and like ourselves." Don't just read these passages. Understand them by relating to them. These attributes are all around you...in your nanay, tatay, lola, lolo, kuya, ate, tito, tita, they're in your family. Learn and share your family history with your children to nurture identity. This will lead to self-esteem and other critical virtues like integrity. There seems to be something that's particularly important about children knowing where they came from in a larger sense and having a sense of family history and a family place.

--------------------------------------

Filipinos are Brown
Their color is in the center of human racial strains. This point is not an attempt at racism, but just for many Filipinos to realize that our color should not be a source of or reason for inferiority complex. While we pine for a fair complexion, the white people are religiously tanning themselves, whenever they could, under the sun or some artificial light, just to approximate the Filipino complexion.

Filipinos are a Touching People
We have lots of love and are not afraid to show it. We almost inevitably create human chains with our perennial akbay (putting an arm around another shoulder), hawak (hold), yakap (embrace), himas (caressing stroke), kalabit (touch with the tip of the finger), kalong (sitting on someone else's lap), etc. We are always reaching out, always seeking interconnection.

Filipinos are Linguists
Put a Filipino in any city, any town around the world. Give him a few months or even weeks and he will speak the local language there. Filipinos are adept at learning and speaking languages. In fact, it is not uncommon for Filipinos to speak at least three: his dialect, Filipino, and English. Of course, a lot speak an added language, be it Chinese, Spanish or, if he works abroad, the language of his host country. In addition, Tagalog is not 'sexist.' While many "conscious" and "enlightened" people of today are just by now striving to be "politically correct" with their language and, in the process, bend to absurd depths in coining "gender sensitive" words, Tagalog has, since time immemorial, evolved gender-neutral words like asawa (husband or wife), anak (son or daughter), magulang (father or mother), kapatid (brother or sister), biyenan (father-in-law or mother-in-law), manugang (son or daughter-in-law), bayani (hero or heroine), etc. Our languages and dialects are advanced and, indeed, sophisticated! It is no small wonder that Jose Rizal, the quintessential Filipino, spoke some twenty-two languages!

Filipinos are Groupists
We love human interaction and company. We always surround ourselves with people and we hover over them, too. According to Dr. Patricia Licuanan, a psychologist from Ateneo, and Miriam College an average Filipino would have and know at least 300 relatives. At work, we live bayanihan (mutual help); At play, we want a kalaro (playmate) more than laruan (toy). At socials, our invitations are open and it is more common even for guests to invite and bring in other guests. In transit, we do not want to be separated from our group. So what do we do when there is no more space in a vehicle? Kalung-kalong! (Sit on one another). No one would ever suggest splitting a group and waiting for another vehicle with more space!

Filipinos are Weavers
One look at our baskets, mats, clothes and other crafts will reveal the skill of the Filipino weaver and his inclination to weaving. This art is a metaphor of the Filipino trait. We are social weavers. We weave theirs into ours that we all become parts of one another. We place a lot of premium on pakikisama (getting along) and pakikipagkapwa (relating). Two of the worst labels, walang pakikipagkapwa (inability to relate), will be avoided by the Filipino at almost any cost. We love to blend and harmonize with people, we like to include them in our "tribe," in our "family" - and we like to be included in other people's families, too. Therefore we call our friend's mother nanay or mommy; we call a friend's sister ate (eldest sister), and so on. We even call strangers tia (aunt) or tio (uncle), tatang (grandfather), etc. So extensive is our social openness and interrelations that we have specific title for extended relations like hipag (sister-in-law's spouse), balae (child-in-law's parents), inaanak (godchild), ninong/ninang (godparents) kinakapatid (godparent's child), etc. In addition, we have the profound 'ka' institution, loosely translated as "equal to the same kind" as in kasama (of the same company), kaisa (of the same cause), kapanalig (of the same belief), etc. In our social fiber, we treat other people as co-equals. Filipinos, because of their social "weaving" traditions, make for excellent team workers.

Filipinos are Adventurists
We have a tradition of separation. Our myths and legends speak of heroes and heroines who almost always get separated from their families and loved ones and are taken by circumstances to far-away lands where they find wealth or power. Our Spanish colonial history is filled with separations caused by the reduccion (hamleting), and the forced migration to build towns, churches, fortresses or galleons. American occupation enlarged the space of Filipino wandering, including America , and there are documented evidences of Filipino presence in America as far back as 1587. Now, Filipinos compose the world's largest population of overseas workers, populating and sometimes "threshing" major capitals, minor towns and even remote villages around the world. Filipino adventurism has made us today's citizens of the world, bringing the bagoong (salty shrimp paste). Pansit (sauteed noodles), siopao (meat-filled dough), kare-kare (peanut-flavored dish), dinuguan (innards cooked in pork blood) balut (unhatched duck egg), and adobo (meat vinaigrette), including the tabo (ladle) and tsinelas (slippers) all over the world. Filipinos are excellent at adjustments and improvisation, managing to recreate their home, or to feel at home anywhere.

Filipinos have Pakiramdam (deep feeling/discernment)
We know how to feel what others feel, sometimes even anticipate what they will feel. Being manhid (dense) is one of the worst labels anyone could get and will therefore, avoid at all cost. We know when a guest is hungry though the insistence on being full is assured. We can tell if people are lovers even if they are miles apart. We know if a person is offended though he may purposely smile. We know because we feel. In our pakikipagkapwa (relating), we get not only to wear another man's shoe but also his heart. We have a superbly developed and honored rift of discernment, making us excellent leaders, counselors and go-betweens.

Filipinos are Very Spiritual
We are transcendent. We transcend the physical world, see the unseen and hear the unheard. We have a deep sense of kaba (premonition) and kutob (hunch). A Filipino wife will instinctively feel her husband or child is going astray, whether or not telltale signs present themselves. Filipino spirituality makes him invoke divine presence or intervention at nearly every bend of his journey Rightly or wrongly, Filipinos are almost always acknowledging, invoking or driving away spirits into and from their lives. Seemingly trivial or even incoherent events can take on spiritual significance and will be given such space or consideration. The Filipino has a sophisticated, developed pakiramdam . The Filipino, though becoming more and more modern (hence, materialistic) is still very spiritual in essence. This inherent and deep spirituality makes the Filipino, once correctly Christianized, a major exponent of the faith.

Filipinos are Timeless
Despite the nearly half-a-millennium encroachment of the western clock into our lives, Filipinos - unless on very formal or official functions - still measure time not with hours and minutes but with feeling. This style is ingrained deep in our psyche. Our time is diffused, not framed. Our appointments are defined by umaga (morning), tanghali ( noon ), hapon (afternoon) or gabi (evening). Our most exact time reference is probably tanghaling-tapat (high noon), which still allows many minutes of leeway. That is how Filipino trysts and occasions are timed: there is really no definite time. A Filipino event has no clear-cut beginning nor ending. We have a fiesta, but there is bisperas (eve), A day after the fiesta is still considered a good time to visit. The Filipino Christmas is not confined to December 25th; it somehow begins months before December and extends up to the first days of January. Filipino say good-bye to guests first at the head of the stairs, then down to the descamo (landing), to the entresuelo (mezzanine), to the pintuan (doorway), to the tarangkahan (gate), and if the departing persons are to take public transportation, up to the bus stop or bus station. In a way, other people's tardiness and extended stays can really be annoying, but this peculiarity is the same charm of Filipinos who, being governed by timelessness, can show how to find more time to be nice, kind, and accommodating than his prompt and exact brothers elsewhere.

Filipinos are Spaceless
As in the concept of time, the Filipino concept of space is not numerical. We will not usually express expanse of space with miles or kilometers but with feelings in how we say malayo (far) or malapit (near). Alongside with numberlessness, Filipino space is also boundless. Indigenous culture did not divide land into private lots but kept it open for all to partake of its abundance. The Filipino has avidly remained "spaceless" in many ways. The interior of the bahay-kubo (hut) can easily become receiving room, sleeping room, kitchen, dining room, chapel, wake parlor, etc. Depending on the time of the day or the needs of the moment. The same is true with the bahay na bato (stone house). Space just flows in to the next space that the divisions between the sala , caida , comedor or vilada may only be faintly suggested by overhead arches of filigree In much the same way, Filipino concept of space can be so diffused that one's party may creep into and actually expropriate the street! A family business like a sari-sari store or talyer may extend to the sidewalk and street. Provincial folks dry palay (rice grain) on the highways! Religious groups of various persuasions habitually and matter-of-factly commandeer the streets for processions and parades. It is not uncommon to close a street to accommodate private functions, Filipinos eat, sleep, chat, socialize, quarrel, even urinate, nearly everywhere or just anywhere! "Spacelessness," in the face of modern, especially urban life, can be unlawful and may really be counter-productive. On the other hand, Filipino spacelessness, when viewed from his context, is just another manifestation of his spiritually and communal values. Adapted well to today's context, which may mean unstoppable urbanization, Filipino spacelessness may even be the answer and counter balance to humanity's greed, selfishness and isolation.

So What Makes the Filipino Special?
We are brown, spiritual, timeless, spaceless, linguists, groupists, weavers, adventurists. Seldom do all these profound qualities find personification in a people. Filipinos should allow - and should be allowed to contribute their special traits to the world-wide community of men - but first, we should know and like ourselves.

Memories of the War in the Philippines

Here are a few actual accounts and memories of the Second World War in the Philippines. These personal accounts, recently shared with me, bring home the message more eloquently and strongly than facts and figures I've read in history books. It is a work in progress as I continue to collect more memories.

Coeurdemienne

I want to share a story I was told when I was a child. I was looking at a beautiful painted picture of a woman holding her baby, a perfect mother and child potrait. I asked my mother who they were. She said that they were my father's older sister and her 4-month old baby.

They were killed by Japanese soldiers with their bayonets during the war. One night, they barged into their home shouting "lalake! lalake!" looking for my aunt's husband to kill him (for what reason I do not know). Knowing that they were coming, my aunt begged her husband to hide on the roof before the Japanese came. He did and while looking down and through a crack in the roof, her husband saw the cruelest most horrible acts before his eyes - his wife and baby being killed by bayonet. The Japanese left after that and my aunt's husband lived to tell the story of what had happened.

He lived the rest of his life full of guilt and sorrow. Some members of our family called him a coward while others felt sorry for him. He remarried but there was no way he could ever forget what happened that night. My dad is still very resentful over the Japanese soldiers' cruelty then up to now. I can't blame him.

Corina

I was barely eight years old in 1941 when WWII broke out in the Philippines, so I have very vague and childish memories of the war. I remember hearing from grownups that Manila had been bombed at about that time. Sometime later there was news that the Japanese had invaded our country and were killing everyone. Everybody was advised to flee and set up evacuation places in the mountains, which my parents did on a piece of land they owned. On Saturdays, if there was no news of Japanese presence, most people would go back to town for the Sunday mass. My younger siblings and myself soon regarded these mountain hikes as exciting adventures and our fears would temporarily vanish. When we were in town, however, the mere sound of an airplane would make us so panic-stricken we'd look for anything to shield us or lie face down on the ground.

Up on the mountains, relatives and some close friends of our older siblings stayed with us. Filipino Guerrillas stopped by our house and were fed. How my mother managed to feed all of us is beyond my imagination. Every meal was like fiesta. I remember cassava planted all around the house. Huge amounts of this was prepared several different ways every meal, everyday.

From conversations and repeated stories of grownups, I heard that shortly before my father was killed in 1942, the Japanese took over the Philippine government. The Filipinos had to surrender once again to foreign sovereignty. The townspeople went down from the mountains and tried to live normally in town. Japanese presence became evidently clear in the whole country. Monetary system was changed to Japanese. Children were made to go back to school and the Japanese language was introduced. I was enrolled in Grade II. Fortunately, the Japs that were stationed in our town were not abusive as we feared them to be. I remember a small Japanese garrison that was established in town, and people had to bow down to the guards every time they passed by it. Our young and innocent minds told my sister Alma and me that, perhaps, as long as we did the kumbawa right they'd not cut our heads off. So we would practice it to perfection. I thought they were really nice when the Japanese officials made an offering of specially baked breads to our parents' framed wedding picture above the piano, in memory of my father. I also remember these soldiers practice boxing with my older brothers.

A few years later, news was going around that the war was ending very soon. In the succeeding days or weeks, a huge barge anchored on our shore and many American soldiers came out and handed out candies, cans of peanut butter, cigarettes, medicines, etc. I actually got a green can of peanut butter---the best I had ever eaten in my life. Practically everybody in town was there to meet them, gleefully shouting "Victory Joe!, Victory Joe!"

This is all I remember and heard from repeated stories.

Note: I would say that Coeurdemienne's story is typical of what most Filipino's experienced at the time of the occupation of the Japanese invader in the Philippines during WWII. Corina's experience, however, is different. I would say a rare and and very fortuante one at that.

Jose (through his son)

Growing up in a Filipino household, I was aware that older members of my family had experienced first hand some of the cruelties. I knew my father was beaten as a young boy, made to carry heavy rice bags (food for the Japanese) in the hot Philippine sun, his father's home burned down, and he was in line for execution if it weren't for my Tia (aunt) who befriended supposedly a Japanese officer who was able to get him released. To this day, and I don't ask, I'm not sure what bargaining chip my Tia used to have my father released.

I remember my father recalling for me the day he heard the news of a weapon (see First Atomic Bomb) that stopped the Japanese invader. The Japanese having burned down his father's home, he and what was left of his family was still hiding out in caves around Naga at the time. As a young boy having experienced this oppression for years first hand it was overwhelming to hear the news. Others could argue that there could have been other causes for the war's end, but for this boy there was no other and it didn't matter. It was over!

So he devoted his ensuing years to his education and training to one day be part of this place. So later, my father moved us to Los Alamos from the Philippines when we were very young. His ambition was to work at the place that, in his mind, literally ended WWII in the Pacific.

Note: If you have any personal accounts of WWII in the Philippines, please contact me or leave comments.

Spanish-American War Parallels with Iraq War

I’m curious if anyone agrees with, buys into, or can make parallels between the Spanish-American War and subsequent Philippine-American War with the current engagements in Iraq.

U.S. President Bush in a state dinner hosted by GMA compared the Philippines as a model for rebuilding Iraq. Quote, “the United States had liberated the Philippines from colonial rule.” A reference to the United State’s “freeing” of the Filipinos from the U.S. itself in 1946 or from years of Spanish rule in 1898? All the U.S. really did back then was to shift sand from one colonizer to anther, right?

Is the Iraqi new government leadership being deceived much like Aguinaldo was lied to by Admiral Dewey? In a previous post, I wrote that John Foreman, American historian of the early Philippine-American War period stated that, "Aguinaldo and his inexperienced followers were so completely carried away by the humanitarian avowels of the greatest republic the world had seen that they willingly consented to cooperate with the Americans on mere verbal promises, instead of a written agreement which could be held binding on the U.S. Government." In fact, Aguinaldo in his book, "A Second Look At America," admits he naively believed that Dewey "acted in good faith" on behalf of the Filipinos. But Bush, I mean McKinley, was already driven by a new policy of imperialistic expansion and International Manifest Destiny had already decided on the fate of the Philippines and had never intended to recognize Philippine Independence.

What about U.S. tactics? From 1898 through the mid-1900s, the strategy was to burn, pillage and kill as many Filipinos as possible while isolating the Filipino guierrillas. Some American soldiers participated in war crimes, including the torture and killing of Filipino POWs. Today, troops are isolating Iraqi insurrgents while performing what I’m disturbingly hearing as being U.S. War Crimes also. This includes the use of napalm at Falluja, firing on medical facilities and personnel, the use of chemical weapons, the gunning down of Iraqi civilians at Ramadi, torture at Abu Ghraib, reports of mass graves of Iraqi civiliians including women and children…the list goes on. But who am I to know what’s factual, I’m not there. Could this just be bias in the liberal media?

What about the Muslims versus the Christians analogy? The Moros were Muslims, an Islamic-based group.

What about the timeline? How long will the U.S. really stay in Iraq? The U.S. stayed with us for 46 years effectively wiping out hints of any Filipino identify we had.

And how about the death toll comparisons? During the Filipino-American War, some 16,000 Filipino soldiers were killed and another 250,000 to 1,000,000 civilians died of war, famine, or disease. While only 4,324 U.S. soldiers died and 2,840 were wounded. In Iraq, between 39,942 and 44,451 civilians have been reported killed by military intervention in Iraq. U.S. military casualties in Iraq total 2,591 and 19,270 have been wounded. The only correlation is the obvious imbalance between military and civilian casualties.

Learn from our past, they say, so we don't condemn ourselves to repeat the mistakes.

Atomic Bomb is Dropped on Hiroshima - August 6, 1945

The development and use of the first atomic bomb (code named The Gadget) will always be linked with the Philippines. The use of that weapon ended World War II in the Pacific saving countless Filipino lives in effect. Being a Filipino, I'm personally linked but having lived in Los Alamos, New Mexico my ties are much stronger. The subject of another blog, but for now reference Children of Usher: Growing Up In Los Alamos, Los Alamos: A Summer Under Siege and Awakening from a Cultural Trance.

The Manhatten Project and the Los Alamos National Laboratory was built on a mesa (flat top mountain called a table in Spanish) chosen for its remoteness. Even though the project had over thirty different research and production sites, it was really carried out at three secret scientific locations at Los Alamos, New Mexico; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Hanford, Washington. Oakridge and Hanford were chosen for its access to cheap hydro-electrical power available locally necessary for the production of uranium-235 and plutonium. But it was Los Alamos that provided the main think-tank. Los Alamos was responsible for final assembly of the bombs, mainly from materials and components produced by the other sites. It was the home for Robert Oppenheimer, Niels Bohr, Enrico Fermi and Edward Teller. I'm named after one of them.

My father moved us to Los Alamos from the Philippines when we were very young. His ambition was to work at the place that, in his mind, literally ended WWII in the Pacific. I remember him recalling for me the day he heard the news of a weapon that stopped the Japanese invader. The Japanese having burned down his father's home, he and what was left of his family was still hiding out in caves around Naga at the time. As a young boy having experienced this oppression for years first hand it was overwhelming to hear the news. Others could argue that there could have been other causes for the war's end, but for this boy there was no other and it didn't matter. It was over! So he devoted his ensuing years to his education and training to one day be part of this place.

Some have argued that the US naval blockade would have starved Japan into submission. But others have also argued that without the bomb, the casualties expected with the invasion of the Japanese home islands would have been in the millions.

"Japan was preparing the bloodiest reception ever for the Allies if they had invaded Honshu, the Southern-most island in Japan. Truman would never have been able to hold office if he had a working weapon and choose not to use it. Also, the Alliance between the Western powers and the Soviets was growing tenuous after the fall of Germany; Truman, an unknown quantity to the Soviets, had to show he was unafraid to use a weapon of mass destruction, especially one that only the United States possessed at that time."

After the use of the first atomic bomb, Little Boy dropped by the Enola Gay, the Japanese could have responded to the Allied unconditional surrender calls of August 6 and 7, 1945. But their government did nothing. So, on August 9, 1945, the B-29, Bock's Car, dropped the Fat Man plutonium bomb on Nagasaki, the tertiary target.

On August 15, 1945, the Emperor announced the surrender. The Second World War was over.

In retrospect, consider the following. Pre-invasion calculations predicted that 30% to 35% of U.S. soldiers would be killed or wounded during the first 30 days based upon results of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Other predictions indicate that a 120-day campaign to invade and occupy only the island of Kyushu would result in 395,000 casualties. Also, it was thought that 400,000 Allied prisoners of war and civilian lives would be saved having been spared by Japanese execution as a result of no Allied invasion of Japan. Lets also not forget the Japanese lives spared as well.

Japan accepts Potsdam for several reasons. Earlier in July, Hirohito attempts to send an envoy to Russia to offer a deal that would divide Asia between Japan and the Soviet Union. But Russia declares war on Japan on August 8 after Hiroshima and leads attacks the next day along the Manchurian border. So now with the war in Europe over and no support from Russia, Japan now stands isolated and alone. Also, Hirohito was probably led to believe that the surrender was conditional. Even though the Emperor was subordinate to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, it was hinted that the monarchy would continue. Finally, with two atomic bombs dropped, Manchuria invaded and no hope of support, his own leadership fell to indecision. Hirohito accepts the Potsdam declaration and Japan surrenders.

August 6, 1945 - First Atomic Bomb is Dropped on Hiroshima

On this day in 1945, at 8:16 a.m. Japanese time, an American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, drops the world's first atom bomb, over the city of Hiroshima. Approximately 80,000 people are killed as a direct result of the blast, and another 35,000 are injured. At least another 60,000 would be dead by the end of the year from the effects of the fallout.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman, discouraged by the Japanese response to the Potsdam Conference's demand for unconditional surrender, made the decision to use the atom bomb to end the war in order to prevent what he predicted would be a much greater loss of life were the United States to invade the Japanese mainland. And so on August 5, while a "conventional" bombing of Japan was underway, "Little Boy," (the nickname for one of two atom bombs available for use against Japan), was loaded onto Lt. Col. Paul W. Tibbets' plane on Tinian Island in the Marianas. Tibbets' B-29, named the Enola Gay after his mother, left the island at 2:45 a.m. on August 6. Five and a half hours later, "Little Boy" was dropped, exploding 1,900 feet over a hospital and unleashing the equivalent of 12,500 tons of TNT. The bomb had several inscriptions scribbled on its shell, one of which read "Greetings to the Emperor from the men of the Indianapolis" (the ship that transported the bomb to the Marianas).

There were 90,000 buildings in Hiroshima before the bomb was dropped; only 28,000 remained after the bombing. Of the city's 200 doctors before the explosion; only 20 were left alive or capable of working. There were 1,780 nurses before-only 150 remained who were able to tend to the sick and dying.

According to John Hersey's classic work Hiroshima, the Hiroshima city government had put hundreds of schoolgirls to work clearing fire lanes in the event of incendiary bomb attacks. They were out in the open when the Enola Gay dropped its load.

There were so many spontaneous fires set as a result of the bomb that a crewman of the Enola Gay stopped trying to count them. Another crewman remarked, "It's pretty terrific. What a relief it worked."

August 9, 1945 - Second Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki

On this day in 1945, a second atom bomb is dropped on Japan by the United States, at Nagasaki, resulting finally in Japan's unconditional surrender. The devastation wrought at Hiroshima was not sufficient to convince the Japanese War Council to accept the Potsdam Conference's demand for unconditional surrender. The United States had already planned to drop their second atom bomb, nicknamed "Fat Man," on August 11 in the event of such recalcitrance, but bad weather expected for that day pushed the date up to August 9th. So at 1:56 a.m., a specially adapted B-29 bomber, called "Bock's Car," after its usual commander, Frederick Bock, took off from Tinian Island under the command of Maj. Charles W. Sweeney. Nagasaki was a shipbuilding center, the very industry intended for destruction. The bomb was dropped at 11:02 a.m., 1,650 feet above the city. The explosion unleashed the equivalent force of 22,000 tons of TNT. The hills that surrounded the city did a better job of containing the destructive force, but the number killed is estimated at anywhere between 60,000 and 80,000 (exact figures are impossible, the blast having obliterated bodies and disintegrated records). General Leslie R. Groves, the man responsible for organizing the Manhattan Project, which solved the problem of producing and delivering the nuclear explosion, estimated that another atom bomb would be ready to use against Japan by August 17 or 18-but it was not necessary. Even though the War Council still remained divided ("It is far too early to say that the war is lost," opined the Minister of War), Emperor Hirohito, by request of two War Council members eager to end the war, met with the Council and declared that "continuing the war can only result in the annihilation of the Japanese people...." The Emperor of Japan gave his permission for unconditional surrender."

August 10, 1945 - Japan Accepts Potsdam Terms, Agrees to Unconditional Surrender

On this day in 1945, just a day after the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan submits its acquiescence to the Potsdam Conference terms of unconditional surrender, as President Harry S. Truman orders a halt to atomic bombing. Emperor Hirohito, having remained aloof from the daily decisions of prosecuting the war, rubber-stamping the decisions of his War Council, including the decision to bomb Pearl Harbor, finally felt compelled to do more. At the behest of two Cabinet members, the emperor summoned and presided over a special meeting of the Council and implored them to consider accepting the terms of the Potsdam Conference, which meant unconditional surrender. "It seems obvious that the nation is no longer able to wage war, and its ability to defend its own shores is doubtful." The Council had been split over the surrender terms; half the members wanted assurances that the emperor would maintain his hereditary and traditional role in a postwar Japan before surrender could be considered. But in light of the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, Nagasaki on August 9, and the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, as well as the emperor's own request that the Council "bear the unbearable," it was agreed: Japan would surrender. Tokyo released a message to its ambassadors in Switzerland and Sweden, which was then passed on to the Allies. The message formally accepted the Potsdam Declaration but included the proviso that "said Declaration does not comprise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as sovereign ruler." When the message reached Washington, President Truman, unwilling to inflict any more suffering on the Japanese people, especially on "all those kids," ordered a halt to atomic bombing, He also wanted to know whether the stipulation regarding "His Majesty" was a deal breaker. Negotiations between Washington and Tokyo ensued. Meanwhile, savage fighting continued between Japan and the Soviet Union in Manchuria.

September 2, 1945 JAPAN SURRENDERS

"Aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan formally surrenders to the Allies, bringing an end to World War II. By the summer of 1945, the defeat of Japan was a foregone conclusion. The Japanese navy and air force were destroyed. The Allied naval blockade of Japan and intensive bombing of Japanese cities had left the country and its economy devastated. At the end of June, the Americans captured Okinawa, a Japanese island from which the Allies could launch an invasion of the main Japanese home islands. U.S. General Douglas MacArthur was put in charge of the invasion, which was code-named "Operation Olympic" and set for November 1945. The invasion of Japan promised to be the bloodiest seaborne attack of all time, conceivably 10 times as costly as the Normandy invasion in terms of Allied casualties. On July 16, a new option became available when the United States secretly detonated the world's first atomic bomb in the New Mexico desert. Ten days later, the Allies issued the Potsdam Declaration, demanding the "unconditional surrender of all the Japanese armed forces." Failure to comply would mean "the inevitable and complete destruction of the Japanese armed forces and just as inevitable the utter devastation of the Japanese homeland." On July 28, Japanese Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki responded by telling the press that his government was "paying no attention" to the Allied ultimatum. U.S. President Harry Truman ordered the devastation to proceed, and on August 6, the U.S. B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing an estimated 80,000 people and fatally wounding thousands more. After the Hiroshima attack, a faction of Japan's supreme war council favored acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, but the majority resisted unconditional surrender. On August 8, Japan's desperate situation took another turn for the worse when the USSR declared war against Japan. The next day, Soviet forces attacked in Manchuria, rapidly overwhelming Japanese positions there, and a second U.S. atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese coastal city of Nagasaki. Just before midnight on August 9, Japanese Emperor Hirohito convened the supreme war council. After a long, emotional debate, he backed a proposal by Prime Minister Suzuki in which Japan would accept the Potsdam Declaration "with the understanding that said Declaration does not compromise any demand that prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as the sovereign ruler." The council obeyed Hirohito's acceptance of peace, and on August 10 the message was relayed to the United States. Early on August 12, the United States answered that "the authority of the emperor and the Japanese government to rule the state shall be subject to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers." After two days of debate about what this statement implied, Emperor Hirohito brushed the nuances in the text aside and declared that peace was preferable to destruction. He ordered the Japanese government to prepare a text accepting surrender. In the early hours of August 15, a military coup was attempted by a faction led by Major Kenji Hatanaka. The rebels seized control of the imperial palace and burned Prime Minister Suzuki's residence, but shortly after dawn the coup was crushed. At noon that day, Emperor Hirohito went on national radio for the first time to announce the Japanese surrender. In his unfamiliar court language, he told his subjects, "we have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable." The United States immediately accepted Japan's surrender. President Truman appointed MacArthur to head the Allied occupation of Japan as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. For the site of Japan's formal surrender, Truman chose the USS Missouri, a battleship that had seen considerable action in the Pacific and was named after Truman's native state. MacArthur, instructed to preside over the surrender, held off the ceremony until September 2 in order to allow time for representatives of all the major Allied powers to arrive. On Sunday, September 2, more than 250 Allied warships lay at anchor in Tokyo Bay. The flags of the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union, and China fluttered above the deck of the Missouri. Just after 9 a.m. Tokyo time, Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed on behalf of the Japanese government. General Yoshijiro Umezu then signed for the Japanese armed forces, and his aides wept as he made his signature. Supreme Commander MacArthur next signed on behalf of the United Nations, declaring, "It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past." Ten more signatures were made, by the United States, China, Britain, the USSR, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, respectively. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signed for the United States. As the 20-minute ceremony ended, the sun burst through low-hanging clouds. The most devastating war in human history was over."

FILIPINO-AMERICAN MILITARY TIMELINE

Asian Pacific Americans were the last group of immigrants to flood the shores of America, “the melting pot of the world.”

Until World War II, there had been little effort to document their contributions to United States history and culture.

The following is an extract of significant dates in Filipino-American contributions to the United States Department of Defense and the nation that were compiled by Robert L. Worden of the Library of Congress for a calendar produced by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute:

January

16-1942: Army Sgt. Jose Calugas, a Filipino, earns Medal of Honor for heroism in the Philippines during World War II.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Battery B, 88th Field Artillery, Philippine Scouts. Place and date: At Culis, Bataan Province, Philippine Islands, 16 January 1942. Entered service at: Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands. Born: 29 December 1907, Barrio Tagsing, Leon, Iloilo, Philippine Islands. G.O. No.: 10, 24 February 1942. Citation: The action for which the award was made took place near Culis, Bataan Province, Philippine Islands, on 16 January 1942. A battery gun position was bombed and shelled by the enemy until 1 gun was put out of commission and all the cannoneers were killed or wounded. Sgt. Calugas, a mess sergeant of another battery, voluntarily and without orders ran 1,000 yards across the shell-swept area to the gun position. There he organized a volunteer squad which placed the gun back in commission and fired effectively against the enemy, although the position remained under constant and heavy Japanese artillery fire.

21-1915: Navy Fireman 2nd Class Telesforo de la Crux Trinidad, a Filipino, earned Medal of Honor during boiler explosion incident aboard the USS San Diego.

February

19-1942: U.S. War Department authorizes first Filipino infantry battalion from among Filipino Americans.

20-1943: 1,200 Filipinos serving in U.S. armed forces granted citizenship.

24-1943: Filipino American Maj. Gen. John R. D’Araujo Jr., director of the Army National Guard Bureau, born. He’s thought to be the first Filipino American to hold the rank of major general and the first to hold that position.

July

3-1943: First Filipino infantry battalion sent to Pacific Theater.

4-1946: Philippines gains independence.

August

14-1952: Filipino American Sgt. LeRoy A. Mendonca posthumously presented Medal of Honor for gallantry in repulsing the enemy on July 4, 1951, in Chichon, Korea.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Chich-on, Korea, 4 July 1951. Entered service at: Honolulu, T.H. Birth: Honolulu, T.H. G.O. No.: 83, 3 September 1952. Citation: Sgt. LeRoy A. Mendonca, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. After his platoon, in an exhaustive fight, had captured Hill 586, the newly won positions were assaulted during the night by a numerically superior enemy force. When the 1st Platoon positions were outflanked and under great pressure and the platoon was ordered to withdraw to a secondary line of defense, Sgt. Mendonca voluntarily remained in an exposed position and covered the platoon's withdrawal. Although under murderous enemy fire, he fired his weapon and hurled grenades at the onrushing enemy until his supply of ammunition was exhausted. He fought on, clubbing with his rifle and using his bayonet until he was mortally wounded. After the action it was estimated that Sgt. Mendonca had accounted for 37 enemy casualties. His daring actions stalled the crushing assault, protecting the platoon's withdrawal to secondary positions, and enabling the entire unit to repel the enemy attack and retain possession of the vital hilltop position. Sgt. Mendonca's extraordinary gallantry and exemplary valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

September

24-1911: Filipino Army Pvt. Jose B. Nisperos earns Medal of Honor for heroism in Philippines.

Rank and organization: Private, 34th Company, Philippine Scouts. Place and date: At Lapurap, Basilan, Philippine Islands, 24 September 1911. Entered service at: San Fernandos Union, P.I.. Birth: San Fernandos Union, P.I.. Date of issue: Unknown. Citation: Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had received several spear wounds in the body so that he could not stand) continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was repulsed, thereby aiding materially in preventing the annihilation of his party and the mutilation of their bodies.

27-1922: Benjamin Menor born; becomes first Filipino to serve in U.S. legislature (Hawaiian State Senate, 1962-66).

December

20-1941: U.S. Congress resolutions allows almost unlimited enlistment and employment of Filipino Americans in war effort.

Other notables...

Another was Josefina V. Geurrero, who delivered food, clothing, medicine, and contraband messages to American prisoners of war in the Philippines. She was also a member of the resistance movement and was responsible for preparing a number of maps of Japanese military installations in the Manila area. She was awarded the Philippine Medal of Freedom for her actions.

Josefina Guerrero [Joey], a Filipina, was among the cleverest and bravest women spies of the war, Joey was decorated by the US government with the Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm -the highest award for war service bya a civilian. ..she carried taped to her back, a map of the Japanese defenses north of Manila. The map accurately indicated minefields which the advancing U.S. troops desperately needed to know about. Sick and suffering, Joey Guerrero got the map through and thereby saved hundreds of American lives.

Referencing, JOSEFINA’S SECRET WEAPON, John Maxwell, The Power of Partnership in the Church.

The July 19, 1948 edition of Time magazine told the astounding story of Josefina Guerrero who was awarded the Medal of Freedom for her heroic partnership with the American government in the face of the harsh brutality of WWII. During the war, Joey, as she was called, spied for the Allied forces in Manila.

Joey was young, pretty and vivacious. Her husband was a wealthy medical student at Santo Tomas University. But after the Japanese invaded the Philippians, she joined her friends and together they helped internees and the U.S. prisoners of war – bring them food, clothing, and medicine. She also carried valuable information back to the U.S. military. She mapped the waterfront areas for the Allied army and prowled the restricted areas recording what she saw. From Joey’s drawings, American planes were able to pinpoint their targets. She quickly won the respect and appreciation of the U.S. officials.

For three years – until the war was over – Joey continued her cloak and dagger career – and was never caught. She was stopped several times by suspicious Japanese, but she was never captured or searched – due to her secret weapon. What was it? Leprosy!

As a leper she had been an outcast. No one wanted to have anything to do with her. After the war began, the very characteristic that had isolated her from others helped her to accomplish her mission. Her weakness became the secret of her strength.

FILIPINO AMERICAN WOMEN AWARDED US MEDAL OF FREEDOM!

Guerrero and Finch were awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom after the war for their exploits with the Philippine underground resistance movement that are listed below.

Josefina V. Guerrero supplied American POWs with food, clothing and medicine and passed them contraband messages, Judy Bellafaire (curator of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial) said. "In the early days of the Japanese occupation, she was asked to map Japanese fortifications at the Manila waterfront. Her map included information on secret tunnels, air raid shelters and a number of new installations in which the allies were interested."

Shortly before the American invasion of Manila in 1945, Guerrero carried a map through Japanese-held territory that showed the location of land mines along the planned invasion route, Bellafaire said.

"She walked most of the way with the map taped between her shoulder blades," Bellafaire said. "She strapped a pack on her back, distracting the enemy, who concentrated their searches on the pack rather than on her. She reached the 37th Infantry Division with the map, enabling the Americans to avoid the land mines that had been laid for them."

Florence Ebesole Smith Finch, the daughter of an American soldier and a Filipino mother, claimed Philippine citizenship to avoid being imprisoned by the Japanese, Bellafaire said. "She joined the underground resistance movement and smuggled food, medicine and other supplies to American captives."

Finch was eventually arrested by the Japanese, tortured and sentenced to three years' imprisonment, Bellafaire said. American forces liberated her after she'd served five months of her sentence. She went to Buffalo, N.Y., her father's hometown, and enlisted in the Coast Guard, the curator said, to "avenge the death of her late husband," a Navy PT boat crewman killed at Corregidor, the Philippines.

Rudolph Davila's father was Spanish and his mother was a Filipina. He was the only person of Filipino ancestry to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions in the European theater of WWII.

Second Lieutenant Rudolph B. Davila distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 28 May 1944, near Artena, Italy. During the offensive that broke through the German mountain strongholds surrounding the Anzio beachhead, (then) Staff Sergeant Davila risked death to provide heavy weapons support for a beleaguered rifle company. Caught on an exposed hillside by heavy fire from a well-entrenched enemy force, his machine gunners were reluctant to risk putting their guns into action.

Crawling 50 yards to the nearest machine gun, Staff Sergeant Davila opened fire on the enemy. In order to observe the effect of his fire, Sergeant Davila fired from the kneeling position ignoring the enemy fire that struck his tripod and passed between his legs.

Ordering a gunner to take over, he crawled forward to a vantage point and directed the firefight with hand and arm signals until both hostile machine guns were silenced. Bringing his three remaining machine guns into action, he drove the enemy to a reserve position 200 yards to the rear.

When he received a painful wound in the leg, he dashed to a burned tank and, despite the crash of bullets on the hull, engaged a second enemy force from its turret.

Dismounting, he advanced 130 yards in short rushes, crawled 20 yards and charged into an enemy-held house to eliminate the defending force of five with a hand grenade and rifle fire. Climbing to the attic, he straddled a large shell hole in the wall and opened fire on the enemy. Although the walls of the house were crumbling, he continued to fire until he had destroyed two more machine guns.

His intrepid actions brought desperately needed heavy weapons support to a hard-pressed rifle company and silenced four machine gunners, forcing the enemy to abandon their prepared positions.

Staff Sergeant Davila's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

This in addition to all the Filipino Americans that had served in the Army and Navy.

In 1940, persons of Asian heritage were only 1.9 percent of the U.S. population, or 254,918 out of 131.6 million people. Americans of Filipino ancestry were 0.35 percent of the U.S. population, which made them the third-largest segment of the Asian-American population in the country. But they were the largest Asian-American group in the U.S. armed forces, which was the result of Filipinos serving as part of the U.S. Army in the Philippines. There were two large units with mostly Filipino enlisted personnel -- the Philippine Scouts and the Philippine Division.

Unfortunately, both of these units were destroyed and their members killed, captured, or dispersed when the Japanese invaded the Philippines in January 1940. Some Filipino and American survivors were able to form guerrilla groups in the mountains and engaged in small-scale fighting with Japanese forces until 1945, when the U.S. recaptured the Philippines.

Most Filipino-American military personnel serving in the U.S. military were not native-born citizens. Many took advantage of the citizenship process.

Today, Asian-Pacific Americans comprise 4.5 percent of all personnel on active duty and 3.4 percent of all of those in the Guard and Reserves. These numbers are very close to the representation of Asian-Pacific islanders in the military service age-eligible population.

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DECLARED: June 12, 1898

Someone asked if this day had any special meaning to me, a Filipino-American who had grown up here in the United States. I responded that I thought so, yes.

From a fact-based perspective, I agree that June 12 was the correct choice for the Philippines to celebrate her independence rather than July 4th. June 12th was the date that Filipino independence was proclaimed by General Emilio Aguinaldo and the Filipinos fighting Spain. It was the first proclaimation of Filipino independence from foreign rule. It set the stage for the development of the first Philippine republican government by the Malolos Congress. Sadly, it was short lived. But I felt it also set the stage for the continued desire for Philippine independence until it was finally and officially "granted" by the Americans on THEIR independence day, July 4th.

From a patriotic perspective, however, how I would have loved to been there! The unfurling of the first Filipino flag and the playing of the first Philippine National Anthem at Kawit. Witnessing the birth of a nation really is something I would have loved to have witnessed and been a part of. Many tie Filipino identity to this date.

I agree with Diosdado Macapagal when he wrote that the "celebration of a common independence day with the United States on July 4 caused considerable inconvenience. The American celebration dwarfed that of the Philippines. June 12, on the other hand, would be a greater inspiration to the youth who would consequently recall the heroes of the revolution against Spain and their acts of sublime heroism and martyrdom."

Here's the timeline around this historic Philippine date...

During the Spanish-American War, Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaim the independence of the Philippines after 300 years of Spanish rule.

By mid-August, Filipino rebels and U.S. troops had ousted the Spanish, but Aguinaldo's hopes for independence were dashed when the United States formally annexed the Philippines as part of its peace treaty with Spain. The Philippines, a large island archipelago situated off Southeast Asia, was colonized by the Spanish in the latter part of the 16th century. Opposition to Spanish rule began among Filipino priests, who resented Spanish domination of the Roman Catholic churches in the islands.

In the late 19th century, Filipino intellectuals and the middle class began calling for independence.

In 1892, the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society, was formed in Manila, the Philippine capital on the island of Luzon. Membership grew dramatically, and in August 1896 the Spanish uncovered the Katipunan's plans for rebellion, forcing premature action from the rebels.

Revolts broke out across Luzon, and in March 1897, 28-year-old Emilio Aguinaldo became leader of the rebellion.

By late 1897, the revolutionaries had been driven into the hills southeast of Manila, and Aguinaldo negotiated an agreement with the Spanish. In exchange for financial compensation and a promise of reform in the Philippines, Aguinaldo and his generals would accept exile in Hong Kong. The rebel leaders departed, and the Philippine Revolution temporarily was at an end.

In April 1898, the Spanish-American War broke out over Spain's brutal suppression of a rebellion in Cuba.

The first in a series of decisive U.S. victories occurred on May 1, 1898, when the U.S. Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey annihilated the Spanish Pacific fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines.

From his exile, Aguinaldo made arrangements with U.S. authorities to return to the Philippines and assist the United States in the war against Spain. He landed on May 19, rallied his revolutionaries, and began liberating towns south of Manila.

On June 12, he proclaimed Philippine independence and established a provincial government, of which he subsequently became head. His rebels, meanwhile, had encircled the Spanish in Manila and, with the support of Dewey's squadron in Manila Bay, would surely have conquered the Spanish. Dewey, however, was waiting for U.S. ground troops, which began landing in July and took over the Filipino positions surrounding Manila.

On August 8, the Spanish commander informed the United States that he would surrender the city under two conditions: The United States was to make the advance into the capital look like a battle, and under no conditions were the Filipino rebels to be allowed into the city.

On August 13, the mock Battle of Manila was staged, and the Americans kept their promise to keep the Filipinos out after the city passed into their hands.

While the Americans occupied Manila and planned peace negotiations with Spain, Aguinaldo convened a revolutionary assembly, the Malolos, in September. They drew up a democratic constitution, the first ever in Asia, and a government was formed with Aguinaldo as president in January 1899.

On February 4, what became known as the Philippine Insurrection began when Filipino rebels and U.S. troops skirmished inside American lines in Manila. Two days later, the U.S. Senate voted by one vote to ratify the Treaty of Paris with Spain. The Philippines were now a U.S. territory, acquired in exchange for $20 million in compensation to the Spanish. In response, Aguinaldo formally launched a new revolt--this time against the United States. The rebels, consistently defeated in the open field, turned to guerrilla warfare, and the U.S. Congress authorized the deployment of 60,000 troops to subdue them.

By the end of 1899, there were 65,000 U.S. troops in the Philippines, but the war dragged on. Many anti-imperialists in the United States, such as Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, opposed U.S. annexation of the Philippines, but in November 1900 Republican incumbent William McKinley was reelected, and the war continued.

On March 23, 1901, in a daring operation, U.S. General Frederick Funston and a group of officers, pretending to be prisoners, surprised Aguinaldo in his stronghold in the Luzon village of Palanan and captured the rebel leader. Aguinaldo took an oath of allegiance to the United States and called for an end to the rebellion, but many of his followers fought on.

During the next year, U.S. forces gradually pacified the Philippines. In an infamous episode, U.S. forces on the island of Samar retaliated against the massacre of a U.S. garrison by killing all men on the island above the age of 10. Many women and young children were also butchered. General Jacob Smith, who directed the atrocities, was court-martialed and forced to retire for turning Samar, in his words, into a "howling wilderness."

In 1902, an American civil government took over administration of the Philippines, and the three-year Philippine insurrection was declared to be at an end. Scattered resistance, however, persisted for several years. More than 4,000 Americans perished suppressing the Philippines--more than 10 times the number killed in the Spanish-American War. More than 20,000 Filipino insurgents were killed, and an unknown number of civilians perished.

In 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was established with U.S. approval, and Manuel Quezon was elected the country's first president.

On July 4, 1946, full independence was granted to the Republic of the Philippines by the United States."

Timeline: Philippines History
Part I: Magellan, Rizal, and Philippine independence
by David Johnson and Shmuel Ross

About 25,000 B.C.
The ancestors of the Philippines' aboriginal inhabitants—the Negritos or Aeta—come from the Asian mainland, crossing shallow seas and land bridges. (Archaeological evidence suggests that the Philippines may have been inhabited many thousands of years before then, but that can't be stated with certainty. The oldest human fossil found so far is 22,000 years old.)

About 3000 B.C.
New inhabitants come from Indonesia. This is repeated around 1000 B.C.

About 200 B.C.
The first of several waves of Malayan settlers arrives from South China.

1300s A.D.
Extensive trade is being conducted with India, Indonesia, China, and Japan. Arab traders from Indonesia introduce Islam to the Filipinos.

1521
Ferdinand Magellan explores the islands now known as the Philippines

1542
Spanish military party claims islands for Spain; names them "Philippines" after Prince Philip, later King Philip II of Spain; Philippines becomes part of Spanish Empire

1886
José Rizal publishes anti-Spanish novel, Noli Me Tangere (The Lost Eden); popularizes independence sentiment

1896
Spanish execute Rizal for instigating insurrection; public outrage spawns rebellion

1899
Treaty of Paris ends Spanish-American War, cedes Philippines to U.S. Filipinos declare their independence; Emilio Aguinaldo leads guerrilla war against U.S.

1901
U.S. captures Aquinaldo; William Howard Taft arrives as first U.S. governor of Philippines

1902
Insurrection ends; Taft improves economic conditions, settles disputes over church ownership of land, establishes pensionado program, allowing Filipinos to study in U.S., which helped modernize and westernize the country

1916
U.S. government passes Jones Law establishing elected Filipino legislature with house and senate

1934
U.S. approves Tydings-McDuffie Act promising Philippine independence in 1946; transition to independence begins

1935
Filipino people approve constitution creating Commonwealth of the Philippines with Manuel Quezon y Molina as president

1941
Japanese invade Philippines, and defeat Gen. Douglas MacArthur at Bataan and Corregidor; Quezon establishes government in exile

1944
Quezon dies; Vice President Sergio Osmeña takes presidency; MacArthur reinvades Philippines

1945
MacArthur liberates Manila; Osmeña establishes government

1946
Philippines becomes independent nation; Manuel Roxas y Acuña elected first president

THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY: May 1, 1898

At Manila Bay in the Philippines, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron destroys the Spanish Pacific fleet in the first battle of the Spanish-American War. Nearly 400 Spanish sailors were killed and 10 Spanish warships wrecked or captured at the cost of only six Americans wounded.

The Spanish-American War had its origins in the rebellion against Spanish rule that began in Cuba in 1895. The repressive measures that Spain took to suppress the guerrilla war, such as herding Cuba's rural population into disease-ridden garrison towns, were graphically portrayed in U.S. newspapers and enflamed public opinion.

In January 1898, violence in Havana led U.S. authorities to order the battleship USS Maine to the city's port to protect American citizens.

On February 15, a massive explosion of unknown origin sank the Maine in the Havana harbor, killing 260 of the 400 American crewmembers aboard. An official U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry ruled in March, without much evidence, that the ship was blown up by a mine but did not directly place the blame on Spain. Much of Congress and a majority of the American public expressed little doubt that Spain was responsible, however, and called for a declaration of war.

In April, the U.S. Congress prepared for war, adopting joint congressional resolutions demanding a Spanish withdrawal from Cuba and authorizing President William McKinley to use force.

On April 23, President McKinley asked for 125,000 volunteers to fight against Spain. The next day, Spain issued a declaration of war.

The United States declared war on April 25. U.S. Commodore George Dewey, in command of the seven-warship U.S. Asiatic Squadron anchored north of Hong Kong, was ordered to "capture or destroy" the Spanish Pacific fleet, which was known to be in the coastal waters of the Spanish-controlled Philippines.

On April 30, Dewey's lookouts caught sight of Luzon, the main Philippine island. That night, under cover of darkness and with the lights aboard the U.S. warships extinguished, the squadron slipped by the defensive guns of Corregidor Island and into Manila Bay.

After dawn rose, the Americans located the Spanish fleet: 10 out-of-date warships anchored off the Cavite naval station. The U.S. fleet, in comparison, was well armed and well staffed, largely due to the efforts of the energetic assistant secretary of the navy, Theodore Roosevelt, who had also selected Dewey for the command of the Asiatic Squadron.

At 5:41 a.m., at a range of 5,400 yards from the enemy, Commodore Dewey turned to the captain of his flagship, the Olympia, and said, "You may fire when ready, Gridley."

Two hours later, the Spanish fleet was decimated, and Dewey ordered a pause in the fighting. He met with his captains and ordered the crews a second breakfast. The four surviving Spanish vessels, trapped in the little harbor at Cavite, refused to surrender.

At 11:15 a.m. fighting resumed.

At 12:30 p.m., a signal was sent from the gunboat USS Petrel to Dewey's flagship: "The enemy has surrendered."Dewey's decisive victory cleared the way for the U.S. occupation of Manila in August and the eventual transfer of the Philippines from Spanish to American control. In Cuba, Spanish forces likewise crumbled in the face of superior U.S. forces.

On August 12 an armistice was signed between Spain and the United States. In December, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the brief Spanish-American War. The once-proud Spanish empire was virtually dissolved, and the United States gained its first overseas empire. Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the United States, the Philippines were bought for $20 million, and Cuba became a U.S. protectorate.

Philippine insurgents who fought against Spanish rule during the war immediately turned their guns against the new occupiers, and 10 times more U.S. troops died suppressing the Philippines than in defeating Spain.

MAGELLAN KILLED IN THE PHILIPPINES: April 27, 1521

After traveling three-quarters of the way around the globe, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan is killed during a tribal skirmish on Mactan Island in the Philippines. Earlier in the month, his ships had dropped anchor at the Philippine island of Cebu, and Magellan met with the local chief, who after converting to Christianity persuaded the Europeans to assist him in conquering a rival tribe on the neighboring island of Mactan. In the subsequent fighting, Magellan was hit by a poisoned arrow and left to die by his retreating comrades.

Magellan, a Portuguese noble, fought for his country against the Muslim domination of the Indian Ocean and Morocco. He participated in a number of key battles and in 1514 asked Portugal's King Manuel for an increase in his pension. The king refused, having heard unfounded rumors of improper conduct on Magellan's part after a siege in Morocco.

In 1516, Magellan again made the request and the king again refused, so Magellan went to Spain in 1517 to offer his services to King Charles I, later Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.In 1494, Portugal and Spain, at the prompting of Pope Alexander VI, settled disputes over newly discovered lands in America and elsewhere by dividing the world into two spheres of influence. A line of demarcation was agreed to in the Atlantic Ocean--all new discoveries west of the line were to be Spanish, and all to the East Portuguese.

Thus, South and Central America became dominated by the Spanish, with the exception of Brazil, which was discovered by the Portuguese explorer Pedro Llvares Cabral in 1500 and was somewhat east of the demarcation line. Other Portuguese discoveries in the early 16th century, such as the Moluccas Islands--the Spice Islands of Indonesia--made the Spanish jealous.

To King Charles, Magellan proposed sailing west, finding a strait through the Americas, and then continuing west to the Moluccas, which would prove that the Spice Islands lay west of the demarcation line and thus in the Spanish sphere. Magellan knew that the world was round but underestimated its size, thinking that the Moluccas must be situated just west of the American continent, not on the other side of a great uncharted ocean.

The king accepted the plan, and on September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain in command of five ships and 270 men. Magellan sailed to West Africa and then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that would take him to the Pacific. He searched the R?o de la Plata, a large estuary south of Brazil, for a way through; failing, he continued south along the coast of Patagonia.

At the end of March 1520, the expedition set up winter quarter at Port St. Julian. On Easter day at midnight, the Spanish captains mutinied against their Portuguese captain, but Magellan crushed the revolt, executing one of the captains and leaving another ashore when his ship left St. Julian in August.

On October 21, he finally discovered the strait he had been seeking. The Strait of Magellan, as it became known, is located near the tip of South America, separating Tierra del Fuego and the continental mainland. Only three ships entered the passage; one had been wrecked and another deserted. It took 38 days to navigate the treacherous strait, and when ocean was sighted at the other end Magellan wept with joy. He was the first European explorer to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic. His fleet accomplished the westward crossing of the ocean in 99 days, crossing waters so strangely calm that the ocean was named "Pacific," from the Latin word pacificus, meaning "tranquil." By the end, the men were out of food and chewed the leather parts of their gear to keep themselves alive.

On March 6, 1521, the expedition landed at the island of Guam. Ten days later, they reached the Philippines--they were only about 400 miles from the Spice Islands. After Magellan's death, the survivors, in two ships, sailed on to the Moluccas and loaded the hulls with spice. One ship attempted, unsuccessfully, to return across the Pacific. The other ship, the Victoria, continued west under the command of the Basque navigator Juan Sebasti?n de Elcano. The vessel sailed across the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived at Seville on September 9, 1522, becoming the first ship to circumnavigate the globe.

BATAAN DEATH MARCH: April 10, 1942

In March 1942, Homma began his plans for the American and Filipino troops who would become Prisoners of War. He planned on moving them to Camp O'Donnell, about one hundred miles away. According to the Japanese military, this was not a long distance, and their troops could easily accomplish it within a few days. However, those on Bataan were not in good physical health. Since January they had been on half-rations or less. During the surrender agreement, King told Homma that he had more men than the Japanese planned for and that they were ill and undernourished. But Homma ignored these facts, plus King's offer to drive the troops to the prison camps. According to the Japanese, once the POWs were in their captivity, they could do with them as they wished, and King's requests were disgraceful.

From the day of surrender on, the POWs would be harshly beaten and killed for the slightest or no reason at all. Officer status did not provide protection either. First the troops were searched. Any prisoner found with Japanese souvenirs was executed immediately, because the Japanese believed the soldier must have killed a Japanese soldier in order to get it. Many soldiers had found these items, such as money and shaving mirrors. Their own personal property was usually stolen as well.

The Bataan Death March began at Mariveles on April 10, 1942. Any troops who fell behind were executed. Japanese troops beat soldiers randomly, and denied the POWs food and water for many days. One of their tortures was known as the sun treatment. The Philippines in April is very hot. Therefore, the POWs were forced to sit in the sun without any shade, helmets, or water. Anyone who dared ask for water was executed. On the rare occasion they were given any food, it was only a handful of contaminated rice. When the prisoners were allowed to sleep for a few hours at night, they were packed into enclosures so tight that they could barely move. Those who lived collapsed on the dead bodies of their comrades. For only a brief part of the march would POWs be packed into railroad cars and allowed to ride. Those who did not die in the suffocating boxcars were forced to march about seven more miles until they reached their camp. It took the POWs over a week to reach their destination. Those on Corregidor would suffer the same fate as their fellow soldiers on Bataan did as they too were transferred to Bataan.

Courtesy of USD History Department

MACARTHUR ORDERED OUT: February 22, 1942

On this day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders Gen. Douglas MacArthur out of the Philippines, as the American defense of the islands collapses. The Philippines had been part of the American commonwealth since it was ceded by Spain at the close of the Spanish-American War.

When the Japanese invaded China in 1937 and signed the Tripartite Pact with fascist nations Germany and Italy in 1940, the United States responded by, among other things, strengthening the defense of the Philippines. General MacArthur was called out of retirement to command 10,000 American Army troops, 12,000 Filipino enlisted men who fought as part of the U.S. Army, and 100,000 Filipino army soldiers, who were poorly trained and ill prepared. MacArthur radically overestimated his troops' strength and underestimated Japan's determination.

The Rainbow War Plan, a defensive strategy for U.S. interests in the Pacific that was drawn up in the late 1930s and later refined by the War Department, required that MacArthur withdraw his troops into the mountains of the Bataan Peninsula and await better-trained and -equipped American reinforcements. Instead, MacArthur decided to take the Japanese head on--and he never recovered. On the day of the Pearl Harbor bombing, the Japanese destroyed almost half of the American aircraft based in the Philippines. Amphibious landings of Japanese troops along the Luzon coast followed.

By late December, MacArthur had to pull his forces back defensively to the Bataan Peninsula--the original strategy belatedly pursued.

By January 2, 1942, the Philippine capital of Manila fell to the Japanese. President Roosevelt had to admit to himself (if not to the American people, who believed the Americans were winning the battle with the Japanese in the Philippines), that the prospects for the American forces were not good--and that he could not afford to have General MacArthur fall captive to the Japanese.

A message arrived at Corregidor on February 20, ordering MacArthur to leave immediately for Mindanao, then on to Melbourne, Australia, where "You will assume command of all United States troops." MacArthur at first balked; he was fully prepared to fight alongside his men to the death if necessary. MacArthur finally obeyed the president's order in March.

TREATY OF PARIS ENDS SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR: December 10, 1898

In France, the Treaty of Paris is signed, formally ending the Spanish-American War and granting the United States its first overseas empire. The Spanish-American War had its origins in the rebellion against Spanish rule that began in Cuba in 1895. The repressive measures that Spain took to suppress the guerrilla war, such as herding Cuba's rural population into disease-ridden garrison towns, were graphically portrayed in U.S. newspapers and enflamed public opinion.

In January 1898, violence in Havana led U.S. authorities to order the battleship USS Maine to the city's port to protect American citizens.

On February 15, a massive explosion of unknown origin sank the Maine in Havana harbor, killing 260 of the 400 American crewmembers aboard. An official U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry ruled in March, without much evidence, that the ship was blown up by a mine, but it did not directly place the blame on Spain. Much of Congress and a majority of the American public expressed little doubt that Spain was responsible, however, and called for a declaration of war.

In April, the U.S. Congress prepared for war, adopting joint congressional resolutions demanding a Spanish withdrawal from Cuba and authorizing President William McKinley to use force.

On April 23, President McKinley asked for 125,000 volunteers to fight against Spain. The next day, Spain issued a declaration of war.

The United States declared war on April 25.

On May 1, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet at Manila Bay in the first battle of the Spanish-American War. Dewey's decisive victory cleared the way for the U.S. occupation of Manila in August and the eventual transfer of the Philippines from Spanish to American control. On the other side of the world, a Spanish fleet docked in Cuba's Santiago harbor in May after racing across the Atlantic from Spain. A superior U.S. naval force arrived soon after and blockaded the harbor entrance.

In June, the U.S. Army Fifth Corps landed in Cuba with the aim of marching to Santiago and launching a coordinated land and sea assault on the Spanish stronghold. Included among the U.S. ground troops were the Theodore Roosevelt-led "Rough Riders," a collection of western cowboys and eastern blue bloods officially known as the First U.S. Voluntary Cavalry.

On July 1, the Americans won the Battle of San Juan Hill, and the next day they began a siege of Santiago.

On July 3, the Spanish fleet was destroyed off Santiago by U.S. warships under Admiral William Sampson, and on July 17 the Spanish surrendered the city--and thus Cuba--to the Americans.

In Puerto Rico, Spanish forces likewise crumbled in the face of superior U.S. forces, and on August 12 an armistice was signed between Spain and the United States, ending the brief and one-sided conflict.

On December 10, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the Spanish-American War. The once-proud Spanish empire was virtually dissolved as the United States took over much of Spain's overseas holdings. Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the United States, the Philippines were bought for $20 million, and Cuba became a U.S. protectorate. Philippine insurgents who fought against Spanish rule during the war immediately turned their guns against the new occupiers, and 10 times more U.S. troops died suppressing the Philippines than in defeating Spain.

MACARTHUR RETURNS: October 20, 1944

After advancing island by island across the Pacific Ocean, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur wades ashore onto the Philippine island of Leyte, fulfilling his promise to return to the area he was forced to flee in 1942.

The son of an American Civil War hero, MacArthur served as chief U.S. military adviser to the Philippines before World War II. The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, Japan launched its invasion of the Philippines.

After struggling against great odds to save his adopted home from Japanese conquest, MacArthur was forced to abandon the Phil