Life started out simply enough for a child born in 1918.
He had just turned eleven when the stock market crashed but he knew things would change. His Pop told him so!
He had the same aspirations as anyone back then, finish school, get a job, get a sweetheart, get married and raise a family.
He had it all figured out until WWII came along, and he did what most young men of that era did, he volunteered!
After basic training he became a radio operator in the Signal Corps and was shipped off to Australia, then to New Guinea.
Dad was also an artist and he frequently sent artwork to my Mom while waiting for a mission.
He would draw a few caricatures of the guys!
He wasn’t shy about sending a hint of intention to his sweetheart in the form of a cartoon!
Finally he is given a mission!
A one-way mission at that!
The only plan for extraction was for MacArthur to return, as promised to the Philippine people!
He lead a five-man signal team onto Japanese occupied Philippines and used the Top-Secret radar that had just been developed to report on enemy air strength. This radar set was so small it could actually fit through the hatch of a submarine! Technology huh! So the USS Narwhal took them there and dropped them off at night. The Philippine guerilla forces paddled them, in outriggers, the five miles to shore. They immediately set about finding their target airfield. They would observe type and number of aircraft, transmit their information and beat feet, since the Japanese would triangulate their position and come after them! Nowadays this would be a mission for Navy Seals or the like, not a bunch of green radio operators!
After completing their mission, debilitating jungle disease took over the squad.
Some VERY courageous Philippinos hid them from the Japanese at GREAT risk to themselves. The Yap family that hid my father were forced to watch as the Japanese set fire to their invalid mother and burned her alive. I owe my very existence to those villagers that risked so much for someone they only knew as an American Soldier, but to them he was a hero too!
MacArthur did return and so did my Dad and his whole team to the USA!
Dad made spending time with us his top priority!
He always supported us in whatever activities we were in!
He sustained contact and friendship with the family that saved his life and in 1972 he returned to the village of Salong and got a heroes welcome by the Mayor and the many families!
He always told us that there were dozens of teams that had the exact same mission and that he didn’t really do anything special. In his mind he wasn’t so special, but I think he was very special, he was my hero.
I miss my hero more than anyone can know.
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Comments: 118
Thank you!
Outstanding. Heros never know they're heros. Most heros never have even the opportunity to prove they are heros. Wow.
Warm Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
I am SO glad I stopped by to read this. I love it so much. What a great way to show your admiration and love for your father. What a remarkable man and story. I love the art that he made and all the images. True treasures for sure. I am very impressed and wish you luck in the writing contest.......however, it seems you have already won so much more!
Sincerely,
Jackie
The winner will be selected by the ratings here, but it is OK, I did this as much for my Dad and family as I did for the contest!
I am just glad I got the chance to share a peek at my Father with all of you!
Blessings all around!
Also, I love what you and your siblings decided to do with your parents remains. I didn't know your parents, but I'm sure they would have loved this idea.
I am sorry for your loss. I don't know what else to say except that I am so touched by your work and his:)
I'm honored to see the sketches and documentation that you have from your Dad.
When you watch the news and hear people disclaiming things that happened as part of WW11...I'm so amazed. We need to never forget what War means and honor those that kept freedom alive.
Great tribute to your father...wonder!
You made me cry. :-(
I feel the love and bounce it
all right back to you!
I was in the Royal Australian Signal Corps of the Australian Army (decades after WWII) but still found this a moving tribute.
During WWII Aussie Coast Watchers spied years from behind Japanese lines for years at great risk to themselves and the locals who helped them.
My entire family's in the army and I know how it feels to go through such wonderfully written articles....
Kudos to you buddy.....Go on!!!
My entire family's in the army and I know how it feels to go through such wonderfully written articles....
Kudos to you buddy.....Go on!!!
(This story would make an awesome movie, by the way!)
You have served him well by posting such a memorable tribute, Thank you, Eric.
our country well during their generation.
Your father was a hero, that many kids today should be taught about. He was a hero of a caliber none of todays generation seems to understand. When they hold a rapper or sports star as a shining example, after that "hero" has committed some sort of crime, it is sad that they do not even know what a true hero is!!
Your father was a hero in more ways than one, and your portrayal of the kind of father he was should also be an example for many today.
You were lucky to have him for a father, but he was lucky to have a son such as you, that will continue to honor and keep his memory and his record alive. You have a very special family.
Again, thank you for sharing this with us.
I love your sense of humor that you share with your dad. What a great place for his honored remains. He and your mom can be part of the family at all times.
This is definitely one of the best articles I've seen on Gather. You are an AWESOME photo essayist. I know this article has been entered into a contest and although I haven't read the other entries.... I feel sure that yours has a great chance at winning. I'd like as many people to read it as possible so I just went to all my groups that this article is in... and featured it.
*Keepsakes*
*Inspiration Station*
*WHAT'S ON YOUR NOGGIN'???*
*What Makes You Smile?*
*Photos 4 Us*
*Blast From The Past*
I know it's a bit late to be featuring them since the contest is over tomorrow. I sure hope it helps a little though.
Thanks so much for sharing this piece with us Eric and for posting it to my groups. It's such a beautiful, inspirational, heartfelt....very touching piece. Good luck in the contest!!
WwW.SparkleTags.Com
Dads make wonderful sons and you are one of them. So be a true Hero your self and past on those wonderful geans. congratulations on making the top ten. dee-dee
Sorry it didn't come through the first time days ago!
The love and admiration you have for your father shows so truly in this tribute to him. I can only imagine the pain your heart feels from the "missing" of your father. Thank you for sharing these pictures and memories and stories with us. I'm sure he was and still is very proud of you.
Thanks for the warm feeling.
I feel like a I spened time with your dad, and what a great artist he was.
very touching
Well done...
Eric, can you point me in the direction of the announcement? I'd love to see it. :o)
Family Tales
What a wonderful story about a wonderful man! Thank you SGM.
gave to him much respect and showed your gratitude in
all that you wrote from the heart! This story touched my
heart learning of all he accomplished and his bravery in
doing so. I stand to salute him and thank him for serving
and keeping us free. I loved MacArthur as a child he was
my hero back then. I loved the drawings your father did,
the caricatures were fantastic! All the pictures you posted
were marvelous Eric. I thank you for sharing all this about
your loving father, also your mother. The ammo can and the
cookie tin what a novel idea Eric I'm sure they were proud
of their send off. I can now see why you were and are still
are so proud of your Dad. He is now a hero as well as you in
mine eyes and heart. You penned a marvelous tribute to your
Dad and I thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Congratulations to you once more Eric, job well done!
~Barbara~
But just a great tribute to your dad Eric, I am sure he was very proud of you as well.
Keep in touch my friend, ..........Sincerely, Buck Buchman
I cried throughout your article. My dad left for the South Pacific the day I was 3 weeks old, and did not return until I was 3 years old, after serving in the India, Burma Triangle. He had many stories and pictures of the men he served with, and the planes he worked on. Your story was wonderful, and you deserved to win. I loved the way you handled your parents burials. You can tell how greatly they were loved. My dad will celebrate his 90th birthday on October 19, 2007, and we plan a big celebration. I will remember your dad as well. God bless you and yours.
My brother traveled the same route and at the same time as your dad. He never told us anything till he wrote a book in 1988. That part about your hero going into the Island before Mac was tough. He had to have a lot of guts to do that. He new if the Japs got him he was done. I gave you a ten. Enjoy your win.
Ed