Took my father in law back to the Philipines to retrace his steps in 2001 when he was 80, has since passed at 93. He landed at Leyte, 3rd landing craft, had to clean up things for MacArthur to return. Was setting on the beach after all the hell cleaning his rifle when Mac made his famous "I shall return" steps on to the beach. Mac walked beside him. He carried a BAR.
He closed his eyes and gave directions where to head back into the jungle, I had a driver and one of my sons. We drove where he told us and he remembered every place!!! We,went to Corregedor also where he was. If you have a minute look up the battle of zig zag pass. Pretty graphic description by a soldier.
My father in law received 14 medals including a Purple Heart, 3 Presidential Citations, Etc. He never complained or even talked about what happened, even when we were there he would just shake his head.
No doubt the Greatest Generation!!
He returned home, married his love, had 4 children, never would talk about anything, just did his duty and moved on.
It was not until after he was 85 or so did he take a single dollar for his actions, malaria reactions all his life, mortar wounds that aggravated him, etc.
He never understood why people would stomp on our flag, protest, want hand outs, etc. He went to his Maker a real hero of life.
It needed, to be told.
