After a week-long Joint Tactical Training between our Q-Boat Squadron and PT Ron Three, the OSP Officers hosted a dinner dance for the USN Officers at the Winter Garden, Manila Hotel. I invited my good friend Lt. Sid Huff USN to the affair. He escorted former Miss Philippines, Miss Conching Sunico.
It was an impressive social gathering of the cream of Manila socialites and among those that graced the affair were Erlinda Kalaw; Josephine, Purita and Baby Yulo; Eva and Nina Estrada; Helen Bennett; Alice Dreyfus; Aurora Zablan; Paquita Puzon; Amparito Gutierrez; Leonor and Maxime Carmelo; Helen and Evelyn Fabella; Betty Arrastia; Erlinda Garcia, Susan Magalona etc. This is not surprising as the Head of our Invitation Committee was Lt. Charlie Albert ’39.
The atmosphere was joyful with a scent of Christmas. After dinner our guest enjoyed dancing with their new friends from Manila. Dancing lasted past midnight with our guest expressing profound thanks for a memorable evening. Lt. John D. Bulkeley, Sqn. Comdr. PT Ron Three told me how much they enjoyed the honor accorded them.
Manila’s front page good news announced USSR Red Army stopped the German advance towards Moscow.