CORREGIDOR is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese forces during World War II.

Also known as "the Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan. Corregidor became the headquarters of the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government. It was from Corregidor that Philippine President Manuel Quezon and General MacArthur left for Australia in February 1942, leaving behind Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright in command. (http://www.corregidorisland.com/)

The Battle for Corregidor was the culmination of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Philippines.  The island bastion of Corregidor, with its network of tunnels and formidable array of defensive armament, along with the fortifications across the entrance to Manila Bay, was the remaining obstacle to the 14th Japanese Imperial Army of Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma. The Japanese had to take Corregidor; as long as the island remained in American hands, they would be denied the use of the Manila Bay, the finest natural harbor in the Orient. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corregidor)

Filipino-American Friendship Park - the park commemorates the close friendship and camaraderie between the Philippines and the United States in times of war and in peace which is depicted by ten-foot high statues of a Filipino and American soldier. An inscription reads:

"In these hallowed surroundings where heroes sleep may their ashes scatter with the wind and live in the hearts of those who were left behind. They died for freedom's right and in heaven's sight. Theirs was a noble cause."

MALINTA TUNNEL had been dug through solid rock and offered complete protection from artillery or air attack. Command communications and medical units were located there. Gen. MacArthur set up the headquarters of USAFFE inside the tunnel where men and women would live and work during the siege of Corregidor. The tunnel was originally designed to house huge quantities of ammunition, food and supplies, and an underground hospital with a 1,000-bed capacity. The location of the tunnel beneath Malinta Hill made it ideal as a bomb-proof headquarters for the embattled Filipino and Americans defenders of Corregidor during World War II.

The tunnel complex was described as damp and poorly ventilated and, except for the hospital, it was not designed to quarter humans. Although it was safe inside, morale of the personnel was lower than elsewhere on Corregidor.  Its occupants, numbering over four thousand, and sixty-eight women, including nurses and seventeen civilians and army wives, complained of dust flying around, the flickering blue mercury vapor lights, and the dull boom of exploding bombs when the island was under siege. Little black flies swarmed everywhere, bedbugs prickled the flesh, and dust hung in a pall despite the continuous daily mopping. Although no shrapnel could get through, yet the tunnel dwellers felt suffocated, helpless and trapped being unable to fight back.

There were 23 batteries installed on Corregidor, consisting of 56 Coastal guns and mortars. In addition, Corregidor had 13 anti-aircraft artillery batteries with 76 guns (28 3-inch and 48 50-caliber) and 10 60-inch Sperry searchlights.

During the siege, the island had ample armor-piercing ammunition but very little of the anti-personnel type, which then was of greatest demand for use against land targets on Bataan. In fact, most of the anti-personnel shells were only for the 12-inch mortars of Batteries Way and Geary. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Corregidor)

The big guns of Corregidor are now silent and the ruins of buildings, structures, and tunnels in the island tell a very moving story of a war that has claimed so many lives. A visit to this former battleground is a memorable experience especially for those who cherish and value peace and freedom. In his speech delivered at the signing of the surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri at Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur said, "It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past - a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice." (http://www.corregidorisland.com/)

The lighthouse is one of the oldest landmarks in Corregidor. A lighthouse with a beam range of 33 miles. It was first built by the Spaniards in 1836 and was replaced with a better one in 1853. The second lighthouse was further improved in 1892 but was reduced to ruins during the siege of Corregidor. This rehabilitated lighthouse stands on the same spot where the second lighthouse stood before.

"I SHALL RETURN."

This phrase -- among the more famous in American history -- is practically synonymous with Douglas MacArthur, known even to those who know nothing else about him.

To others it was an arrogant empty words but for McArthur it was an all consuming passion.

"I have promised the people of the Philippines, that I will return -- I have to keep my word, I cannot break the word. The United States would hate me, if I didn't keep my word."

For others "I SHALL RETURN" was meaningless but for the thousands of American and Filipino soldiers who were left fighting in the Philippines and for the entire Filipino nation  it was the promise that gave them hope in those dark and turbulent times... it was the promised that fueled them to continue fighting in spite of overwhelming odds. 

And McArthur did return. He return to fulfill his promise.  He returned to liberate the country where  his mother had died, where he had courted his wife, where his son had been born.

Today, Corregidor is a historic monument as well as a tourist destination. Many travel companies offer day tours on the island featuring military installations used during World War II. Most of the war-ravaged buildings have not been restored, but have instead been left in reverence to the Filipino and American soldiers who died there. Standing on the highest part of Corregidor's west side is the Pacific War Memorial, which was built by the United States Government to honor the Filipino and American soldiers who participated in World War II. It was completed in 1968 at the cost of three million dollars.

The Malinta Tunnel, which is the last stronghold of the joint Philippine and American military prior to the Japanese takeover during the last world war, is now home to an audio-visual presentation of the events that took place on the island, including the reluctant departure of General Douglas MacArthur and the evacuation of the Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon and his family to unoccupied areas of the Philippines and then to exile in the United States. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corregidor)

The major structure in the Pacific War Memorial  is a rotunda in which a circular altar falls directly under the dome's open center. Each May 6th, the sun is in such a position that its rays fall into the exact center of the altar at noon.

The altar symbolizes a wreath of victory in which the words "Sleep my sons...." was inscribed on its rim.

The memorial also houses a museum which serves as the repository of relics and memorabilia related to the history of Corregidor.

Unsung Heroes: Twenty-eight Filipino nurses staffed the hospital in Malinta Tunnel, and like the American nurses, survived months of bombardment and the fall of the island. Unlike their American counterparts, collectively known as the "Angels of Bataan", the Filipino nurses have no monument on an island that probably has more monuments per square foot than any other place in Asia.

Filipino Heroes Memorial - the memorial is one of the newest landmarks in Corregidor which honors Filipino heroes and martyrs in their struggle for freedom and independence. It was erected and inaugurated in 1987 and 1992, respectively, and has 14 murals  depicting the different eras in struggle from the Battle of Mactan in 1521 to the more recent People Power Revolution in 1986. Other murals depicted include the Dagohoy Revolt in 1744, the 1782 Palaris Revolt in Pangasinan, the 1896 Philippine Revolution, and World War II.

Statue of the Filipino Woman - an inscription at the base of the monument reads: "Dedicated to the Filipino Woman, for her involvement in the many events in our history. But more importantly, served as a symbol of peace and inspiration to our gallant men in their fight for the preservation of our honor and freedom."

Gen. Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial - near Corregidor Hotel is a small plaza which was erected in honor of Gen. Wainwright, the former deputy of Gen. MacArthur who took over command of the Filipino and American forces in the Philippines when MacArthur left Corregidor for Australia. Inscribed on a marble tablet is a citation which partly reads as follows: "He distinguished himself by intrepid and determined leadership against greatly superior forces. At the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in his position he frequented the firing line of his troops where his presence provided the example and incentive that helped make the gallant efforts of these men possible. The final stand on beleaguered Corregidor for which he was in an important measure personally responsible commanded the admiration of the Nation's allies. It reflected the high morale of American arms in the face of overwhelming odds. Gen. Wainwright's courage and resolution were a vitally needed inspiration to the then sorely pressed freedom loving peoples of the world."

 After the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, Gen. Wainwright was one of the American and Filipino soldiers who became prisoners of war. It has been said that Wainwright expected to be court martialed upon his return to the United States after the war for having surrendered to the Japanese, but instead he found a grateful nation that was proud to have him back.

Japanese Garden of Peace - this garden features a 10-foot high stone Buddha with a reflecting pool, a shinto Shrine, and other Japanese soldier memorial shrines and markers. It is also used as a praying area for Japanese war veterans and the families and relatives of Japanese soldiers who served or were killed in Corregidor during World War II. Also on display within the garden are anti-aircraft guns which are relics of the war. A small pavilion houses some Japanese memorabilia and World War II photographs. The construction of this garden was made possible through funds generated by a Japan-based private group.

Today, with her guns finally silent, Corregidor Island stands as a monument to the thousands who gave their lives in World II -- a shining symbol of valor for all freedom-loving people of the world.