World War II Honoree

Ramon A. Alcaraz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippine Islands

Honored By

Capt Manuel A. Gomez

Relationship

Comrade

INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST IN 1941 UNDER GENERAL MACARTHUR, HE WAS THE CAPTAIN OF Q-112, 1 OF THE 3 BRITISH MADE THORNY CRAFT TORPEDO BOATS, 1ST Q-BOAT SQUADRON, PHILIPPINE ARMY, UNDER CONTROL OF U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST HEADQUARTERS IN CORREGIDOR FROM JANUARY 1, 1942 TO MARCH 11, 1942 WHEN MACARTHUR LEFT FOR AUSTRALIA. ON JANUARY 10, 1942, Q-112 TRANSPORTED GENERAL MACARTHUR AND HIS STAFF FROM CORREGIDOR TO BATAAN AND BACK IN THE ONLY INSPECTION HE MADE OF THE BATAAN FRONT LINE TROOPS. Q-112 SHOT DOWN 3 JAPANESE ZEROS ON JANUARY 17, 1942 DURING AN AIR-SEA BATTLE WITH 9 ENEMY PLANES. HE AND ALL HIS CREW WERE AWARDED SILVER STARS FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION. IN ADDITION, HE WAS PROMOTED TO 1ST LIEUTENANT BY GENERAL MACARTHUR. WHEN BATAAN SURRENDERED, HE SCUTTLED HIS BOAT AFTER HIS ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE SOUTH FAILED. WHILE SWIMMING ASHORE NEAR BULACAN COAST ON APRIL 10, 1942; HE AND HIS CREW WERE TAKEN PRISONERS OF WAR. CONCENTRATED IN POW CAMPS FROM WHICH HE WAS RELEASED AS A SICK POW 5 MONTHS LATER. SOON AFTER HIS RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS, HE JOINED THE GUERILLAS AND BECAME REGIMENTAL COMMANDER OF THE KAKARONG GUERILLA REGIMENT, THAT LIBERATED SEVERAL TOWNS EVEN BEFORE THE AMERICAN FORCES LANDED IN LINGAYEN GULF IN EARLY 1945.