Heads Up!

My Father served as 2nd Liutenant in the Signal Corps of the guerilla movement that was recognized by the United States Army during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during the 2nd World War. The Signal Corps sent vital information to the resistance movement throughout the Philippines as well as to the United States Military. I remember vividly my Dad telling me about how the Japanese Navy were preparing an Armada of Ships to ambush the U.S. Naval fleet somewhere in the Pacific if memory serves me right off the coast of the island of Palau. The Japanese fleet was stationed in a place called "Fabrica" somewhere between the cities of Cadiz and Sagay. He told me how the harbor were the ships were situated would illuminate at night, lights coming from the ships that resembled a city. He could see this awesome sight from the mountains of the city of Cadiz where their Signal Corps Unit was stationed. After confirming that this indeed was a Japanese Armada set to ambush a U.S. Naval fleet in Palau my Father's Signal Corps Unit immediately sent a message through morse code to the United States Military to warn them of a possible attack on their fleet by the Japanese. Because of the authenticity of the message sent by my Father's unit the United States Navy instead launched a surprise attack against the Japanese Naval Armada within the waters of the Philippine Sea. This was a defining moment in our history because what is now known as the Battle of the Phillipine Sea led to the eventual downfall of the Japanese Military in the Pacific. Had it not been for the impecable intelligence gathering and the swift action taken by the men of the Signal Corps Unit in which my Father was a part of one can quickly deduce that the entire outcome of the war would have resulted differently. My Father and his unit were never really given the kind of honor and acknowledgement that they deserved exept for a citation coming from Admiral Nimitz (for a job well done). But in their hearts and minds they will always keep (albeit silently) the memnory of the day they made their mark in history the day they spared hundreds of American lives from what could have resulted into a bloodbath courtesy of the Japanese Navy. Information is vital, give the wrong information and the results may be disastrous. Give the right information and lives may be saved ... it may even make a mark in history.

1Peter 2:2; 2Peter 2:1-2