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Ramon A. Alcaraz

Ramon A. Alcaraz

(August 15, 1915 — June 25, 2009), member of the first cadre of officers for the Philippine Navy (Offshore Patrol of the Philippine Army); founder of the Philippine Marines.

May 27, 1941

Briefly, the situation in the Philippines, a US territory with a Commonwealth Gov’t. led by Pres. Quezon, whose legislature passed CA #1, Defense Act, is

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May 28, 1941

Today, I got engaged to my American girl friend, Lucy  Johnson of LA.  She and sister Helen are students at American School in Taft Ave.

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May 29, 1941

The OSP Navy idea as a branch of the PA is the brainchild of MacArthur and Eisenhower who immediately asked the USN if they can

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May 30, 1941

All hands at OSP are jubilant hearing the approval of a request by C,OSP to begin construction of the hull for eight (8) new  Q-Boats

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May 31, 1941

Due to the fact that OSP top leadership are all USNA graduates ranging from Capt Jose V Andrada ’31 to Lt C J Albert ’39,

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June 1, 1941

I had dinner with Lt Sid Huff USN and we talked about the 21-months ongoing war in Europe.  By this time, virtually all Europe from

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June 4, 1941

Let me tell you about my present rank and pay.  Post WW II Peemayers are better off because upon graduation they are commissioned as 2nd

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June 5, 1941

Today, our training aboard Q-Boats starts about the practical application of the academic theories, principles, nomenclatures about torpedoes we learned at OSP School.  The maintenance,

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June 7, 1941

As war clouds continue to gather in our Pacific region with intense Jap mil activities in nearby Indo-China, emboldened by their pact with Germany and

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June 11, 1941

Despite Hitler’s nightly air raid, Churchill’s England keeps fighting back.  Their radar system are a great help.  The PA’s two elite branches, the OSP and

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June 15, 1941

Today’s Manila News front pages says  Hitler is again up to something big.  Several Divisions of German troops are massing along the Soviet borders. Another

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June 17, 1941

Japanese military adventurism emboldened by their treaty with Germany and Italy continues unabated in Indo-China. Finally, today there is a reaction from USA. News report

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June 18, 1941

News we got in Manila today states that Washington (DC) orders all German Consulates in USA be closed.  At the same time, Canadian Prime Minister

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June 19, 1941

Things are getting interesting. In answer to Washington’s order closing all German consulates in USA, today Germany and Italy order closure of all US Consulates.

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June 21, 1941

This is the third week of intensive torpedo training by the 1st Q-Boat Squadron under the supervision of Chief Torpedo man William Mooney USN.  We

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June 25, 1941

Front page news today says FDR pledges all possible support to USSR  under German attack on wide front since June 21.  Also, Wilhelm II, German

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June 28, 1941

Today’s Manila News says Finland declared War on USSR.  And Louis Chevrolet, builder of my favorite car, died at age 63, but I am still

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July 1, 1941

Manila News today reveal about massive Nazi attacks on USSR stretching 2,000 miles front from Arctic region to Black Sea. This is a massive confrontation

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July 6, 1941

Today’s Manila News says Gen Castroux proclaimed Syrian independence on behalf of Free France.  USSR checked main German drive, hurling the Nazis back  at Latvian

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July 12, 1941

Today’s front page news says Germany and Italy announced plans to divide Yugoslavia and Croatia to be independent. FDR announced the appointment of  William Donovan

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July 21, 1941

Our training during the past week on the 1st Q-Boat Squadron was hectic and very extensive. Torpedo firing exercises were conducted under the watchful eyes

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July 27, 1941

I did not pay so much attention when Lt. Sid Huff, USN, our OSP Advisor on the Staff of Gen. MacArthur, told me last month

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August 2, 1941

My friend and OSP Advisor, Sid Huff informed me that their new USAFFE HQ is located at No. 1 Calle Victoria, Intramuros a couple of

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August 4, 1941

Our Q-Boat Squadron’s Tactical Training Sked this week is about night attacks against imaginary enemy landing ships at night which is the most advantageous using

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August 7, 1941

My Tocayo Olbes visited his former OSP chums at Muelle del Codo after coming from HPA on OB.  We had a mini-reunion dinner at Legaspi Garden.

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August 13, 1941

Our Q-Boats night attack exercises continue under different situations with greater intensity.  My PAAC Mistah Aranzaso also reported that the 6th Pursuit Sqdn. where he

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August 15, 1941

This is a significant day for our young 5-year old Phil. Army.  In consonance with Pres. Roosevelt’s order last July 26, the Phil. Army Air

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August 18, 1941

Gen. MacArthur as CG, USAFFE orders the establishment of a Command and General Staff  School (CGSS) in Baguio to train prospective Division Commanders and their

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August 21, 1941

Our Q-Boat tactical training, AA firing drone targets towed by airplanes is going on as scheduled. All hands (Os & EMs) are required to man

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August 29, 1941

All ten Military Districts in the Philippines are extra busy since yesterday.  One Infantry Regiment and Key O’s and EM of other organic units of

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