Leyte landings: MacArthur's promise kept!

Sixty-one years ago, the American Caesar, Gen. Douglas MacArthur brought a huge invasion force into the Eastern Seaboard of the island of Leyte from Tacloban City all the way to Dulag Beach, fulfilling his promise to the Filipino people, "I shall return," a promise that echoed in the hearts and minds of millions of Filipinos whose only hope for freedom was pinned on his victorious return to our islands.

I've taken my motorcycle to visit Red Beach in Tacloban City several times to see the life-sized monument of Gen. Douglas MacArthur together with Pres. Sergio Osmeña Sr. and Gen. Carlos P. Romulo. Whenever I'm there, it always takes my breath away. The monument immortalized the promise of MacArthur. Filipinos will never forget that part of our history.

But all that wouldn't have happened were it not for that incident that happened here in Cebu, when a Japanese four-engine Kawanishi flying boat crashed 3 kilometers off San Fernando bearing Adm. Shigeru Fukudome, the Chief of Staff of Adm. Mineichi Koga, Commander of the Japanese Combine Fleet, who earned the rare distinction of being the highest ranking Japanese Officer to be captured in World War II. If this didn't happen, MacArthur would have landed in Sarangani Bay in Mindanao.

Adm. Fukudome was captured by the Cebu Guerillas under the command of Lt. Col. James M. Cushing, a story now immortalized by many authors, including my uncle Col. Manuel F. Segura in his books, "Tabunan" and "Koga Papers" and in Steven Trent Smith's "The Rescue".

Last week, we wrote that the official magazine of the US Archives, "Prologue" featured this 12-page story entitled, The Z-Plan Story: Japan's 1944 Naval Battle Strategy Drift's into US Hands. What more do we need to do so we can move Cebu's elected officials to honor or immortalize this incident, which is also part of US War history?

I just got this letter from Mr. Erwin Joseph A. De La Cerna to Vice-Mayor Michael Rama about honoring the late Col. Cushing and the Cebu Guerillas:

"Hon. Michael L. Rama, Vice-Mayor/Chairman Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission Sir: This is in relation to the concern (I don't know if this is the right word) of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines on why there is no marker or monument here in Cebu honoring the late American Col. James Cashing, World War II Hero and Commander of the Cebu Area Command, who led the resistance forces including Filipino Guerillas against the Japanese occupation force throughout Cebu Province. Col. James Cushing's exploits has been told and retold many times, thru word of mouth, books, writings, historical records and in the US War Archives.

Mr. Valeriano "Bobit" Avila, thru his columns in The Freeman and the Philippine Star newspapers, has advocated and been vocal about the idea of putting up a monument or marker for Col. James Cushing. I think this is a very good idea and for all intents and purposes, the time has come to honor the man who has greatly helped the Cebuanos in the struggle for liberation against tyranny and exploitation. Considering that CHAC is the leading proponent in preserving history or anything that is of historical value, we can take the lead in the realization of this dream by the men and women of the Cebu Area Command.

Even my father knows the heroism of Col. James Cushing. I have also read the book of (Ret.) Col. Manuel Segura, "Tabunan" and "The Koga Papers" where the exploits of Col. James Cushing were prominently featured and expounded. If we have to honor the memory of the man who has contributed a lot during the war in the pacific especially in Cebu, there ought to be a marker site or possibly a monument that will be erected as a reminder to the people especially the youth the appreciation of the sacrifices and bravery of Col. James Cushing and the Cebu Area Command. The monument can also be a tourist attraction like the McArthur Park in Leyte.

To start the ball rolling, we can invite for a meeting Mr. Bobit Avila and Col. Manuel Segura to help explain the rationale of the putting up of a monument, Mrs. Therese Gonzales of the Parks and Playgrounds Commission to help us identify a place for the marker or monument, Mr. John Domingo, US Consul in Cebu for possible funding assistance by the US Government and other prominent personalities who are knowledgeable about the situation in Cebu during World War II. Attached herewith is the project proposal for review, comment and recommendation. I don't know if this is possible, but with the right people in place, the right connections and possible funding from the US Government, this project can be done. Erwin Joseph A. De La Cerna."

I haven't met Mr. De La Cerna, but thanks to his effort, complete with a proposed program of ceremonies, I'm sure that CHAC and the Province of Cebu would now take notice that a historical incident can also be a tourism destination, which Cebu is.

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