Zg141. We are raising the 48 Star US Flag on the flagpole of the new First Flag Memorial/Marker, just west of the former Fort Mills Parade Ground.
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Zg142. The 48 Star US Flag is raised again on Corregidor on the 78th Anniversary, 16th Feb. 2023.
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Under the guidance of the webmaster of corregidor.org and who is an honorary member of the 503d PIR Association, four of us returned to Corregidor between the 15th and 19th Feb. 2023 and commemorated the event on the 16th of Feb. 2023 on this 78th anniversary.
With permission of the Corregidor Foundation INC and their cooperation and with their 48 Star Flag which was donated by the Gen. of the Army Douglas MacArthur Memorial we raised the Flag again and conducted a short commemoration. The flag was raised and the commemoration was conducted at the site of the new First Flag Memorial/Marker, just west of the former Fort Mills Parade Ground. The Flag will remain flying until our departure.
Ze002. Ze002. The dramatic image of the WWII image of Paratroopers raising the first US flag on Corregidor on the 16th Feb. 1945. T/5 Frank Guy Arrigo accompanied by Pfc Clyde I. Bates raised the flag. Photo courtesy of Corregidor.org. That is the reason we are here, this was the first step of the Liberation of Corregidor in 1945.
In the Corregidor Forum, one50 writes this, in this URL, click here:
-When the 503rd returned to Corregidor, 1st Sgt. Carl N. Shaw of Reg. HQ and HQ Co. saw to it that the flag be raised again shortly after landing. His 2 volunteers were T-5 Frank G. Arrigo and Pfc. Clyde I. Bates.
The pole they used was not the Old mast flag pole. It was a tall old telegraph pole on the western end of the parade ground. The pole was already spiked for climbing and the 2 men went up under Japanese sniper fire. The flag remained on this pole for 2 weeks during the fighting. It was not until the fighting was all but finished and orders were given to move the flag higher on the parade ground where a formal ceremony took place.
That was taken from the book “Combat Over Corregidor” by Dr. Charles H. Bradford page 49-50.
In the book “The Return to Corregidor” by Harold Templeman, he has an account too. You can actually see a photo of the 2 men mentioned above putting up the flag. The photo is on page 5 and the caption gives these 2 men credit also.
“The Return to Corregidor” by Harold Templeman, page 7 starts off by saying that “Climaxing a fortnight of bitter fighting, Corp. Donald G. Bauer (from Ohio) hauled the Stars and Stripes to the top of a bomb and shell scarred mast, in a short simple ceremony.”
A fortnight is equal to 14 days, or 2 weeks. So with this information we know where the flag was for the first fortnight and who raised it. We also know who raised it at the official ceremony and where the Flag was put, on the old mast.
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Zg143. The CFI Staff! Right is Mr. Fidel Dellosa (On Island CFI Supervisor), left is Mr. Jerry Rollin (Honoree CFI Operation Advisor). These Gentlemen are always helpful and particular are supporting our annual flag raising anniversary to commemorate the liberation of Corregidor and open Manila Bay to the world again.
Zg144. The 4 Corregidor Friends who are frequent Corregidor Visitors and have returned for the 78th Flag Raising Anniversary. Left to right, Kevin Strahm (grew up in the Philippines & visited Corregidor in 1990); Karl Welteke, retired US Navy man, visited Corregidor over 60 time; Paul Whitman, web master of Corregidor.org, a writer and uniquely (His father, as an Australian Service Man, served on Gen. MacArthur’s’ Staff); John Moffitt, Canadian and like me has visited Corregidor over 60 times.
Zg145. The venue of the First Flag Memorial/Marker, just west of the former Fort Mills Parade Ground.
Zg146. The other two Friends of Corregidor next to the First Flag Memorial/Marker, John Moffitt and Paul Whitman. The 4th Friend, Kevin Strahm did not get on these pictures, he was the photographer.
Zg147. One of the plaques on the First Flag Memorial/Marker telling the story of T-5 Frank G. Arrigo and Pfc. Clyde I. Bates
Here are two URLs that give you some history about the First Flag Monument, click here:
And click here:
Zg148. I added this picture because it is about a Corregidor Hero, Pvt. Lloyed G. McCarter. This sign is posted near where he did his magnificent fighting. And I want to show the shirt I wore for today’s flag raising event. Yes, I know, I’m Navy but I like this shirt for walking and the Army guys are my brothers and buddies. We have a web page for Pvt. Lloyed G. McCarter, click here:
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These 4 images where shot by Mr. Jerry Rollin, the Corregidor Island Operations Consultant who assisted us with the CFI On-Island Staff.
Zg153. The 48 Star US Flag is raised again on Corregidor on the 78th Anniversary, 16th Feb. 2023. This picture is courtesy of Mr. Jerry Rollin, the Corregidor Island Operations Consultant who assisted us with the CFI On-Island Staff.
Zg154. The 48 Star US Flag is raised again on Corregidor on the 78th Anniversary, 16th Feb. 2023. This picture is courtesy of Mr. Jerry Rollin, the Corregidor Island Operations Consultant who assisted us with the CFI On-Island Staff.
Zg155. The 48 Star US Flag is raised again on Corregidor on the 78th Anniversary, 16th Feb. 2023. This picture is courtesy of Mr. Jerry Rollin, the Corregidor Island Operations Consultant who assisted us with the CFI On-Island Staff.
The 4 Corregidor Friends who are frequent Corregidor Visitors and have returned for the 78th Flag Raising Anniversary. Kevin Strahm (grew up in the Philippines & visited Corregidor in 1990); Karl Welteke, retired US Navy man, visited Corregidor over 60 time; Paul Whitman, web master of Corregidor.org, a writer and uniquely (His father, as an Australian Service Man, served on Gen. MacArthur’s’ Staff); John Moffitt, Canadian and like me has visited Corregidor over 60 times.
Zg156. The 48 Star US Flag was raised again on Corregidor on the 78th Anniversary, 16th Feb. 2023. This picture is courtesy of Mr. Jerry Rollin, the Corregidor Island Operations Consultant who assisted us with the CFI On-Island Staff.