Recollections of the Philippine Scouts
This section is dedicated to telling the Scouts' stories⏤whether it be remembering their experiences in the Philippine Scouts, or telling us about their current activities related to preserving the memory of the Scouts.
Do you have a story you would like to share? Send it to info@philippinescouts.org
The Bataan Death March
By Maj. Federico Foz. When the Bataan Forces surrendered to the Japanese invaders, approximately 76,000 men were captured, including 15-18,000 sick and wounded in two hospitals in Little Baguio. On the same day on April 8, 1942, Gen. Wainwright ordered the three battalions of the 45th Infantry Regiment (PS) be moved to Corregidor to stiffen the defenses of the island. But the buses were snarled along the way.
Childhood Memories of the PS
By Colonel Burton F. Hood, Jr., Ret. My memories of the Philippine Scouts date back to 1924-26, but there may be some faint memories of that period still existant. My father, Captain Burton F. Hood USA arrived in Manila in 1924.
Letter from an "Army Soup"
1st Sgt. Felix D. Saguing, USMC Retired. My father served in the Philippine Scouts, retiring in 1948. He was with the 12th Medical Battalion stationed at Fort William McKinley where I and another brother was born just before WWII. I am proud of my scout connection and to be referred to as an "Army Soup", a monicker given to children of scouts.
A Letter from Col. Morris L. Shoss
By Col. Morris L. Shoss. My first military assignment on graduating from West Point in 1940 was to the harbor defenses of Manila and Subic Bays on Corregidor... I took my bride, who with all the other dependents was fortunately evacuated during May and June 1941 back to the USA.
Dad Was in the Scouts
By 1st Sgt. Felix D. Saguing, USMC Retired. Dad has always said that he was not a hero, although I considered him one. I can remember how he would stare into the distance as he narrated to me and a younger brother his youthful experiences and how he came to be in the Philippine Scouts, and I can remember all too well how his eyes would moisten and his shoulders sag as he spoke of friends and comrades lost on Bataan and during the infamous Death March. But, in the end, his shoulders would always straighten and you could detect the glint in his eyes as he proudly relates the heroic stand of the Scouts on Bataan and Corregidor. He passed away on October 12, 1972, but not before he instilled in me pride in being the son of a Scout.
Poem: To the Philippine Scouts
By 1st Lt. Henry C. Lee, 12th MP Co., during the Battle of Bataan. Lt. Lee was taken prisoner when Bataan fell and perished in the sinking of a Japanese “Hell Ship” Oryoko Maru transporting American POWs to Japan towards the end of WWII.
Poem: Bataan
By Mrs. Farrell [1885-1971], poet and wife of a US Army Colonel, penned this shortly after the fall of Bataan. One of her sons, Capt. William E. “Willie” Wilson Farrell, West Point Class of 1937, was a 31st Infantry officer on Bataan. He died on the Hellship Brazil Maru. She also was the mother of Col (ret) Norman Farrell, Class of 1939, a close friend and comrade-in-arms of Col. Mel Rosen, who provided us with the poem. Editor
Poem: Bataan Falls!
By Don Blanding, noted lecturer, poet and artist, expresses the spirit of the Bataan defenders in his poem “BATAAN FALLS!” This poem was used by the U.S. Treasury in its war bond advertising campaign.