World War II Honoree

Ramon A. Alcaraz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippine Islands

Honored By

Navy Capt. Ven S. de la Cruz (Ret)

Relationship

WWII Comrade

AS A REGULAR PHILIPPINE ARMY OFFICER INDUCTED INTO GENERAL MACARTHUR'S U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST PER ORDERS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT JULY 26, 1941. SAW GALLANT ACTION DURING EARLY WWII AT BATAAN, CORREGIDOR AREAS AS COMMANDING OFFICER Q-112, 1 OF 3 BRITISH-MADE TORPEDO BOATS, 1ST Q-BOAT SQUADRON PHILIPPINE ARMY. TOGETHER WITH 6 U.S. NAVY PT BOATS OF LIEUTENANT J. D. BULKELEY, THESE 9 TORPEDO BOATS WERE THE PRIMARY NAVAL U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST SUPPORT AS THE ASIATIC FLEET OF ADMIRAL T. HART ABANDONED THE PHILIPPINES BEFORE THE END OF 1941. Q-112 TRANSPORTED MACARTHUR AND PARTY FROM CORREGIDOR TO BATAAN ON JANUARY 10, 1942 TO INSPECT FRONT LINE TROOPS. SHOT DOWN 3 JAPANESE ZEROS AFTER BATTLING 9 OF THEM ON JANUARY 17, 1942 OFF BATAAN COAST. SMUGGLED FOOD STUFF FROM BATANGAS TO CORREGIDOR ON FEBRUARY 1, 1942 FOR STARVING TROOPS. AFTER BATAAN SURRENDERED, HE WAS CAPTURED AFTER SCUTTLING HIS Q-BOAT AND WITH HIS CREW, WERE CONCENTRATED AT O'DONNELL POW CAMP, WHERE HE WAS RELEASED 4 MONTHS LATER AS A SICK POW. LATER, HE JOINED THE BULACAN GUERILLAS TO BECOME REGIMENTAL COMMANDER, KAKARONG REGIMENT THAT LIBERATED THE TOWNS OF PLARIDEL, GUIGUINTO, BIGAA AND PANDI EVEN BEFORE THE U.S. LIBERATION FORCES ARRIVED IN THE AREA ON FEBRUARY 3, 1945.