Memoirs of a Philippine scout cavalryman

Fernandez, Felipe A.

Memoirs of a Philippine scout cavalryman by Captain Felipe A. Fernandez - [S.l.] : Blurb.com, c2007. - 85 p. : ill., 25 x 20 cm.

This slim book is the story of a hardy Filipino who became a professional soldier with the Philippine Scouts before World War II, and who continued on in the US Army after the war. Fernandez joined the 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) in 1936.

Fernandez vividly tells of pre-war training and garrison life with the regiment, and of the many battles he fought in, especially those on his mount, Mike, while trying to stop the Japanese advance in northern Luzon. Mike, as with all the other surviving horses of the regiment, were taken over by the Quartermasters in Bataan to be slaughtered for food for the starving garrison. That day was one of the saddest in his life. When Bataan fell, he was able to board a boat for Corregidor; he endured the siege until the Japanese assault, and then became a prisoner of war. After his release, he lay low with his wife, returning to military control only in 1945.

Fernandez’ memoirs also incorporate the experiences of some of his other fellow cavalry veterans; photos of post-war reunions and reenactments illustrate the book. - Prof. Ricardo T. Jose


English

(softbound)


Soldiers--Biography.--Philippines
Soldiers--Biography.--United States
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Philippines.
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, Philippine.
World War, 1939-1945--Regimental histories--Philippines.

26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) POW Philippine Scouts Philippine defense campaign personal account – Filipino Luzon campaign life under the Japanese Corregidor cavalry operations Bataan

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