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.

September 1, 1941

Today is mass induction ceremonies in all PA Military Districts. All Os and EMs of the 1st Regiment and other key personnel of each of

September 3, 1941

Our Q-Boat depth charge firing exercises against submarine targets will continue during the week to finally complete the training program. Then, I understand the selection

September 16, 1941

The OSP seems to be much ahead of their Training Program than the other branches of the PA. While the Training Schools for Os of

September 20, 1941

The 1st Q-Boat Squadron under Capt. Navarrete started its tactical training exercises for the first time as a unit with the newly assigned permanent Os

September 27, 1941

Army HQ issued a GO today for all regular officers below field rank (majors) promoting them one rank higher in temporary rank. And so, 3rd

September 28, 1941

PT (Patrol Torpedo) Squadron 3, USN under Lt. John D. Bulkeley arrived today in Cavite. PT Boats are the USN version of the British MTB

October 6, 1941

Our general mobilization is going according to schedule in all ten PA Military Districts. Personnel of the 2nd Regimental PA Reserve Divisions started reporting for

October 11, 1941

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

October 14, 1941

Reinforcements in equipment, ordnance and personnel that left USA last August started arriving in Manila Sept. 20 last month. Today, the good news is about

October 16, 1941

The 1st Q-Boat Squadron had been training since last March and after six months tactical exercises in various scenarios, it is confident of performing anticipated

October 24, 1941

For the past few months, Gen. MacArthur, as CG, USAFFE had made repesentations with Pres. Quezon for additional lands in the perimeter of Clark Field

November 3, 1941

My friend, Lt. Sidney L. Huff, our Naval Advisor, once told me that since Gen. MacArthur assumed CG, USAFFE he had repeatedly requested Washington to

November 4, 1941

Complimenting the good news yesterday about Maj. Gen. Lewis H. Brereton, USAAC assuming command of the new USA Far East Air Command are the arrivals

November 11, 1941

The re-election of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon and Vice Pres. Sergio Osmeña for another term was announced yesterday which means that after the expiration

November 17, 1941

The special Command and Gen. Staff Course (CGSC) in Baguio City that started last Sept. 1, graduated its students of Senior Army O’s for assgmnts.

November 24, 1941

The US 16th Naval District HQ at Cavite Navy Yard welcome today the arrival of four large submarines to augment the Asiatic Fleet under Adm.

November 27, 1941

I perceived diplomatic talks in Washington between Japan and USA is not progressing well after Adm. Thomas Hart USN Commander of Asiatic Fleet issued today

November 28, 1941

Today all Q-Boats completed re-provisioning –fully refueled, torpedoes fully charged, depth charges all set, AA guns with the required ammo and adequate food supplies to

December 1, 1941

Today, as diplomatic talks in Washington between Japan and USA are going on, British Far East Commander Admiral Sir Tom Phillips RN arrived in Manila

December 8, 1941

I will not forget this day as long as I live. Although my Q-Boat was on “war footing” condition since last Nov. 27, the seriousness

December 10, 1941

I heard over the radio the stirring “Day of Infamy” speech of Pres. Roosevelt before the US Congress that ultimately declared war against Japan, Germany

December 12, 1941

Japanese landings in Legaspi and Davao reported. Ft. Wint and Olongapo also bombed. I am saddened when my boss and idol Maj. Andrada USNA ’30

December 15, 1941

Our Manila Bay Q-Boat Patrols continue, nothing unusual to report –no hits, no runs, no errors, so to speak. Our general situation is “lumalaon bumubuti,

December 17, 1941

The disaster in Pearl Harbor resulted in the silent quick relief of its top commanders. Today without ceremony in his office, Gen. Walter C. Short,

December 19, 1941

Today is a historical day for the OSP. The whole OSP command was inducted into the USAFFE this morning and two hours after the ceremonies

December 22, 1941

I had lunch at USAFFE HQ today with my friend, Sid Huff, and was surprised about his conversion from Lt. (SG) USN to Major US

December 24, 1941

News and what happened today are devastating. I learned that the simulteneous Japanese landings two days ago in Lingayen Gulf and Lamon Bay were not

December 27, 1941

C.,OSP conscripted a 40 ft boat, armed her with two .30 Cal. MGs christened “Danday”, Mrs. Jurado’s namesake, for use by the OSP Lamao Beach

December 30, 1941

I was privileged today, Rizal Day, to witness the oath-taking ceremony, for their 2nd term of Pres. Quezon and VP Osmeña before Chief Justice Jose

February 1, 1942

The conference at USAFFE HQ presided by Col. R. Marshall G-4 that I attended addressed the acute food shortage of our Bataan troops. Among others