History of Corregidor

Corregidor Island was named from the

Spanish word Corregir which means to
correct- all ships that sailed into the
Philippine capital city of Manila had to pass
through Corregidor for the required check and
correction of papers, the island was also used
to signal the Manila government of the
coming of hostile ships (although another
version claims that the island was used as a
penitentiary and corrections institution- which
probably explains another affectionate
nickname for the island- the Rock-
reminiscent of the notorious Alcatraz), thus,
the Spaniards called the biggest island of the
five islands straddling the bay between the
shores of the provinces of Bataan in the north
and Cavite in the south Isla del
Corregidor Island of Corrections.

The Rock was a key bastion of the Allied
Forces during the war. When the Japanese
Imperial Army descended upon the
Philippines in December 1941
immediately after the bombing of Pearl
Harbor, Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried
out a delaying action at Bataan and the
island became the operations center of the
Allies as well as the de-facto seat of the
Philippine Commonwealth government. It
was from the island that Philippine
President Manuel Quezon and General
MacArthur fled for Australia in February
1942 with Lt. Gen. Jonathan M.
Wainwright left in command.
After the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942, the Filipino and American forces held out at Corregidor
for 27 days against the greatest odds. Alas, May 6, 1942 saw their rations depleted; the Allied
forces surrendered Corregidor to Lt. Gen. Homma Masaharu of the Japanese Imperial Army after
having successfully halted the Japanese advance on Australia. It was two years and ten months
later in March 1945 when General MacArthur recaptured Corregidor.

Disappearing Gun, Image by storm-crypt
The island is divided into three parts: Topside, Middleside, and Bottomside. The topside consists
mostly of the fortifications and is where most batteries are located, the most famous bunch of
which are Battery Way (which was named in honor of 2nd Lieutenant Henry N. Way of the 4th
U.S. Artillery who died in service in the Philippines in 1900; this battery was built at a cost of
$112,969US and completed in 1914), Battery Geary (which was named in honor of Capt.
Woodbridge Geary of the 13th U.S. Infantry who died in 1899 in the Philippines; this was built
at a cost of $145,198US and completed in 1907), Battery Crockett (one of the 6 disappearing
guns that formed an interlocking field of fire encircling Corregidor- it is armed with 2 12-inch
seacoast guns that are mounted on a disappearing carriages behind a concrete parapet , Battery
Hearn and Battery Grubbs (which was named in honor of 1st Lieutenant Hayden Y. Grubbs who
belonged to the 6th U.S. Infantry and who died during the Philippine-American War in 1899,
built at a cost of $212,397US and completed in 1909). Building the guns of Corregidor was
massive and one of the biggest American military expenditures in the world during its time- a
timely move to protect its interests in the region.
The Topside also plays host to the most photographed
part of Corregidor, the now-ghostly remains of the
Topside Barracks also known as the Mile-Long
Barracks a three-storey structure that is about 1,520
feet long (not exactly a mile, although, if you run all the
three floors from end to end, it does come to almost to a
mile.) If you are on a package tour, the tramvia would
usually stop at the Pacific War Memorial, a few meters
away from the Mile-Long Barracks. Once, the tramvia
stops- run over to the Mile-Long Barracks to walk
around it and take photos and literally RUN- Tramvias
leave almost on the dot, and there are no taxis on this
island. After you are done with the photos, head back
immediately to the Pacific War Memorial. It has a
museum that houses interesting war regalia and
paraphernalia from American flags with bloodstains
to Japanese katanas and Commonwealth-era coins.
There are two major memorial structures one of which
is the Eternal Flame of Freedom (left), a tall steel
structure erected to commemorate the hopes, struggles,
sacrifices and aspirations of the Philippines and the United States. This is located on a raised
concrete platform at the rear of the circular altar, and affords a stunning view of Manila Bay,
Bataan Peninsula and the Cavite shorelines. The other major memorial structure is the circular
altar which is covered by a dome with a whole on the ceiling- according to guides; sunlight falls
directly on the altar once a year.
Other notable structures in the area are the ruins of Cine Corregidor (a former cinema), the
Spanish lighthouse (the highest point of the island), the Spanish flagpole, the expansive parade
grounds and officers quarters.
The Middleside meanwhile is home to the ruins of the Middleside Barracks, and Army Hospital
as well as to a YMCA and the Youth for Peace campsite, an aviary that houses endemic and
foreign varieties of birds and the Filipino-American Friendship Park. A visiting American might
be overwhelmed how Filipinos value this friendship- a friendship that sometimes, to Filipinos,
feels unreciprocated by the Americans. The Filipinos are still waiting for the return of the two
church bells looted by American soldiers during the Philippine-American war from the island of
Samar.
The Bottomside is where the docks are located, including the Lorcha Dock where MacArthur
uttered his famous message I Shall Return. Whether MacArthur indeed meant to return is the
stuff of debates between war historians. One thing was for sure, MacArthur would have wanted
to return to Manila since it was an open secret that he kept a mistress at the Manila Hotel. The
Japanese Garden of Peace as well as other parks is located in this area. Just east of the
Bottomside is the Malinta Tunnel (left) a tunnel 835
feet in length (East-West Passage), 24 feet wide and 18
feet tall. The tunnel has been dug out of solid rock
under Malinta Hill (elevation -390 feet). There is an
optional tour through the tunnel- usually with a light
and sound show that dramatizes the events that
happened in the Philippines and specifically on the
island. The tunnel served as the headquarters of the US
Armed Forces in the Far East during this time and was
effectively shielded from the massive bombardment.






PERSONALITIES IN CORREGIDOR'S HISTORICAL PAST
In the defense and siege of Bataan and Corregidor, the principal participants included the
United States government, the Philippine Commonwealth, the American and Filipino
forces in the Philippines, and the Japanese invading forces stationed in the island of Luzon.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Manuel L. Quezon, Gen. Douglas MacArthur,
Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, Gen. George F. Moore, and Gen. Masaharu Homma
represented these principal participants, respectively.



Franklin D. Roosevelt
[ U.S. President ]
Manuel L. Quezon
[ Philippine Commonwealth
President ]
Gen. Douglas MacArthur
[ Allied Commander ]



Gen. Jonathan M.
Wainwright
[ Luzon Fil-Am Troops
Commander ]
Gen. George F. Moore
[ Phil. Coast Artillery
Commander ]
Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma
[ Bataan Japanese Force
Commander ]
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States and a strong ally and
supporter of the Philippines. Assuming the Presidency at the depth of the Great
Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt helped the American people regain faith in themselves.
He brought hope as he promised prompt, vigorous action, and asserted in his Inaugural
Address, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Roosevelt was elected President in
November 1932, to the first of four terms. In 1935, he sent Gen. Douglas MacArthur to be
the military advisor to Manuel Quezon, president of the Philippine Commonwealth.
MacArthur's job was to build an army, because it was expected that someday the Japanese
would attack and the Philippines had to be ready. When the Japanese finally attacked
Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Roosevelt directed organization of the Nation's
manpower and resources for global war. He designated Gen. MacArthur as Supreme
Allied Commander of the Southwest Pacific Theater and placed in charge of the American
Forces in the Philippines. Prior to the fall of Corregidor in 1942, it was Roosevelt who
directed MacArthur to leave Corregidor and proceed to Australia for the purpose of
organizing the American offensive against the Japanese forces. As the war drew to a close,
Roosevelt's health deteriorated, and on April 12, 1945, while at Warm Springs, Georgia, he
died of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Manuel L. Quezon, the president of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines,
was advised by Gen. MacArthur to evacuate to Corregidor. The presidential party left
Manila on December 24, 1941 and became refugees in the island fortress. With President
Quezon were his wife, Dona Aurora; his two daughters, Maria Aurora and Zenaida, and
his son Manuel, Jr. Also in the party were Vice President Sergio Osmena, Chief Justice
Jose Abad Santos, Maj. Gen. Basilio J. Valdes, the Philippine Army Chief of Staff, Col.
Manuel Nieto, the President's aide; and Serapio D. Canceran, the president's private
secretary. At the Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor, the quarters of Pres. Quezon and his
family was a lateral beside the 1st lateral and nearest the East entrance to the tunnel.
The inauguration of President Quezon for his second term as President of the Philippine
Commonwealth on December 30, 1941 provided a strange break in the routine of life in the
tunnel. The ceremony was simple, and though seeming pathetic, partook of a special
dignity. President Quezon in his speech said: "Ours is a great cause. We are fighting for
human liberty and justice, for those principles of individual freedom which we all cherish
and without which life would not be worth living. Indeed, we are fighting for our own
independence. It is to maintain this independence, these liberties, and these freedoms that
we are sacrificing our lives and all that we possess." When Quezon left Corregidor by
submarine on February 20, he gave MacArthur his ring, saying, "When they find your
body, I want them to know you fought for my country." While he led the Philippine
government-in-exile in the U.S. for the next two years, Quezon's tuberculosis steadily
worsened. He died on August 1, 1944, less than three months before MacArthur's dramatic
return to Philippine soil.
Douglas MacArthur was a brilliant, controversial, and highly intelligent five-star U.S.
Army General. In 1930, President Herbert Hoover appointed Gen. MacArthur Chief of
Staff, U.S. Army. President Franklin D. Roosevelt retained him in this post until the fall of
1935, when MacArthur returned to the Philippines as military advisor to the newly
established Philippine Commonwealth. MacArthurs principal task was to organize and
train a Philippine Army. Although he retired from the U.S. Army at the end of 1937,
General MacArthur remained military advisor to the Philippine Commonwealth, and was
named Field Marshall of its army.
Due to the spread of the war in Europe and the accelerating Japanese Expansion in the Far
East, the U.S.Army Forces, Far East, were created. President Roosevelt recalled General
MacArthur to active duty to command these forces. The President also directed that the
Philippine army be called upon to serve with United States forces. Mobilization, planning,
organization, training, re-equipping, and supplying his command occupied the General
until Dec 8, 1941. Although built up considerably prior to the outbreak of war, especially in
their air strength, the U.S. Philippine units were no match for the combined naval-air-
ground assault by the Japanese. Having fallen back on the Bataan peninsula and the
fortress islands blocking Manila Bay, most notably Corregidor Island, the Americans and
Filipinos under General MacArthur brought the Japanese to a standstill.
Since no significant reinforcement could reach Bataan and Corregidor and the disease
ravaged, ammunition-short Filipinos and Americans could not be expected to hold out
much longer, President Roosevelt ordered General MacArthur to leave the Philippines and
to proceed to Australia. The General, his family, and a nucleus staff left Corrigidor in a
torpedo boat for Mindanao, whence they flew to Australia. From April 1942 to October
1944, General MacArthur trained, organized, planned for, and led his Southwest Pacific
Command through New Guinea, New Britain, the Bismarcks, and Morotai to an
enormously successful landing in Leyte in the central Philippines which ultimately led to
the defeat of the Japanese forces in the Philippines. For his dogged, brave defense of the
Philippines, General MacArthur was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He died
at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. on April 5, 1964.
Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright was the Commander of the Filipino-American forces in the
Island of Luzon. When MacArthur was ordered off Bataan in March 1942, Wainwright,
promoted to temporary Lieutenant General, succeeded to command of US Army Forces in
the Far East, a command immediately afterward redesignated US Forces in the
Philippines. When Corregidor was still under siege, Wainwright's concern became twofold:
to preserve the morale and fighting spirit of his men, and to try to arrange for the
evacuation by submarine of selected personnel, including intelligence specialists, grounded
aviators, and nurses. His remaining duty was to tie up the Japanese for as long as possible.
He chosed to stick it out in Corregidor and stay with his men. His last duty was to
surrender Corregidor to the Japanese on May 6, 1942 which turned out to be the most
painful and shattering experience in his military career. He was then held in prison camps
in northern Luzon, Formosa, and Manchuria until he was liberated by Russian troops in
August 1945. After witnessing the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri on
September 2, 1945 he returned to the Philippines to receive the surrender of the local
Japanese commander. On his return to the United States, he was given a hero's welcome,
promoted to General, and awarded the Medal of Honor. He retired from active duty in
August 1947 and died at San Antonio, Texas on September 2, 1953.
Maj. Gen. George F. Moore was the commander of the Philippine Coast Artillery
Command and the defense of Corregidor was his responsibility. He was described by those
who served under him as a soft-spoken, self-possessed person. Gen. MacArthur had earlier
informed Gen. Moore that negotiations with Japan were breaking down and that he should
prepare his men for war. Gen. Moore's unit was organized into three commands: Seaward
Defense, with responsibility for keeping Japanese warships out of the bay and away from
Manila; Anti-aircraft Defense, with responsibility for repelling air attacks; and Beach
Defense, with responsibility for defeating enemy landings on the shores of Corridor.
Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma was the commander of the Japanese forces in Bataan and
Corregidor. He launched the final battle to capture Bataan and Corregidor on April 3,
1942 with 50,000 Japanese troops, including 15,000 new arrivals from the 4th Japanese
Army Division and the Nagano Detachment. In his meeting with Gen. Wainwright in
Bataan, Gen. Homma demanded the unconditional surrender of all American and Filipino
forces in the Philippine Islands. Homma made the threat of considering the captives on
Corregidor as hostages and not prisoners of war and that they could be slaughtered if his
conditions of surrender were not met.
ISLAND'S GEOGRAPHIC SECTORS
Topside - is the highest geographic sector in the island where the terrain elevation
above sea level ranges from about 400 feet and higher. Topside is said to be the
nerve center of the island fortress. It is here where you will find the ruins of the
following buildings: Mile-Long Barrackes, Post Headquarters, Cine Corregidor,
and a number of buildings previously used as quarters for bachelor officers as well
as the senior officers of the garrison. All the major gun emplacements are also
located around this high ground. The parade ground, a small golf course, the old
Spanish flagpole, and the reconstructed Spanish lighthouse are similarly located at
Topside. The more recently constructed buildings and structures that are now
found at Topside include the following: The Pacific War Memorial Dome, sculpture
of the Eternal Flame of Freedom, and a museum.
o Mile-Long Barracks - This is a three-story concrete building which was
constructed to be hurricane-proof. It was used for the billeting of American
officers and enlisted personnel detailed at the garrison. The entire length of
the building measures about 1,520 feet that it became popularly known as the
world's longest military barracks. Although it is just less than a third of a
mile long, it was, however, commonly referred to as the Mile-Long Barracks.
The headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur was also located in this
building.
o Pacific War Memorial - The memorial was erected to honor of the Filipino
and American servicemen who participated in the Pacific War. Financed
with an appropriation by the United States Congress, it was completed in
1968. The major memorial structure is a rotunda in which a circular altar
falls directly under the dome's open center through which light falls on the
altar during daylight hours. The altar symbolizes a wreath of victory with
the following words inscribed on its rim: "Sleep, my sons, your duty done,
for Freedom's light has come; sleep in the silent depths of the sea, or in your
bed of hallowed sod, until you hear at dawn the low, clear reveille of God."
The memorial also houses a museum which serves as the repository of relics
and memorabilia related to the history of Corregidor.
o Eternal Flame of Freedom - A large steel sculpture which symbolizes the
Flame of Freedom burning eternally. It is located at the rear of the Pacific
War Memorial dome on a raised platform which provides visitors a
breathtaking panoramic view of Manila Bay, the Bataan Peninsula, and the
coastline of Cavite. Designed by Aristides Demetrios, the sculpture
commemorates the sacrifices, hopes and aspirations, and the heroic struggle
by the United States and the Philippines to preserve freedom for future
generations. The sculpture stands as a reminder that all men will fight as one
if need to be to defend a nation's liberty.
o Spanish Flagpole - This old historic flagpole, just like the many other relics,
buildings and structures in Corregidor, serves as a reminder of the
Corregidor's colorful and glorious past. The flagpole was the mast from a
Spanish Warship captured by the American fleet of Admiral George Dewey
at the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898 and erected at its present site by
the Americans. When the defenders of Corregidor surrendered to the
Japanese forces, the American flag was lowered down from this flagpole on
May 6, 1942. When Gen. MacArthur returned to Corregidor on March 2,
1945 following the recapture of the island, he ordered the hoisting of the
American flag on this flagpole. Finally, on October 12, 1947, in a moving and
colorful ceremony signifying the turnover of Corregidor to the Republic of
the Philippines, the stars and stripes was hauled down for the last time and
the Philippine flag was hoisted in its stead. Corregidor once again belonged
to the Filipino people.
o Cine Corregidor - To the left at the entrance to the Pacific War Memorial
are the ruins of what used to be Cine Corregidor, a movie theater. It was
erected during the pre-war period to cater to the entertainment needs of the
personnel of the garrison as well as their families. Nothing much is left of the
building except portions of its concrete walls, a stairway leading up to its
upper balcony, and the concrete floor of what used to be its stage. Its former
lobby now houses two black vintage cars which were used by President
Quezon and Gen. MacArthur.
o Spanish Lighthouse - At its current site, the original lighthouse was built by
the Spaniards in 1836. Sixty-one years later a need for a much bigger
lighthouse was conceived which led to the erection of another structure to
replace the old one. However, the lighthouse was destroyed during World
War II. The current lighthouse was constructed on the same site at an
elevation of 628 feet above sea level. Being the highest point in the island,
visitors who climb up the stairs of the lighthouse can have a breathtaking
view of Corregidor, Manila Bay, the South China Sea, and the neighboring
provinces of Bataan and Cavite. Beside the lighthouse is a small gift shop
where visitors can buy souvenirs.
Middleside - is a sector located within the tadpole head of the island where the ground elevation
approximately ranges between 100 feet and 400 feet above sea level. It lies between the
Bottomside and Topside sectors where a number of landmarks, buildings, and structures are
found. Currently, the Filipino-American Friendship Park, Aviary and Bird Park, and the Youth
For Peace Campsite are found at Middleside. It is also at this sector where you will find the ruins
and former sites of the following: YMCA, Middleside Barracks, Post Stockade, Officers Club,
quarters for officers and enlistedmen, warehouses, some service and utility buildings.

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. A plaque at the park bears
the following statement: "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."

Middleside Barracks - a large military barracks made up of two three-story buildings which was
referred to as the Middleside Barracks because it was constructed in the middleside sector of the
island. Personnel of the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment and the 91st Philippine Scout Coast
Artillery Regiment were billeted in this barracks. It was also briefly occupied by elements of the
4th Marine Regiment upon their arrival in Corregidor on December 1941.

Aviary and Theme Park - a 3,000 square meter complex managed by Feathered Friends
Foundation which houses local and foreign varieties of birds such as the red-vested cockatoo,
Indonesian parrot, Philippine horned owl, Brazilian sun conure, and the Indonesian rainbow lory.
A number of monkeys are also kept in a large cage. It has a propagation facility for showcasing
eco-tourism.

Army Hospital - the ruins of a three-story building formerly used as the island's main medical
facility prior to its transfer to Malinta Tunnel is found at Middleside. The building was shaped
like a cross when viewed from the air to distinguish the structure from the other buildings in
Corregidor.

YMCA and the Youth for Peace Campsite - the campsite is an open area intended for out-of-
school youth, scouts, and student campers and hikers. Behind it are the ruins of the former
YMCA building which served as a recreational facility for the military personnel detailed in
Corregidor.
Bottomside - generally, this sector encompasses the lower part of the island. Except for the
current location of Corregidor Hotel, the terrain is mostly a flat stretch of land where the
elevations measured above sea level are lower than 100 feet. Landmarks such as the North
and South Dock, Lorcha Dock, and the former site of Barrio San Jose are found at
Bottomside. Among the more recently reconstructed buildings, parks, and structures found
in this area are: Administration Building, Gen. MacArthur Park, San Jose Chapel, Gen.
Wainwright Park, a basketball and tennis court, and Corregidor Hotel.
South Dock - this was formerly a U.S. Navy wharf. Currently, it is used by yachts,
ferry boats and vessels of the Philippine Navy. The South Dock offers a convenient
alternative for landing on days when strong winds make it difficult for vessels to
dock at North Dock. In the afternoon after work, employees who work and reside in
Corregidor and their dependents usually come to the dock to fish. Nearby is a beach
where you will find picnic sheds. The beach is also a favorite among visitors and
tourists who come to gather "bloodstones" as a souvenir to take home. These stones
were called as such because of the varied blood-like design patterns on its surface.
Legends say that these stones were tainted by the blood of Filipino, American, and
Japanese soldiers who died in Corregidor during the war. A geologists, however,
will contradict these legends and explain that this is only the result of a chemical
reaction caused by sea water on the the type of rock found in the island.
Lorcha Dock - it was at this dock where on March 11, 1942, Gen. Douglas
MacArthur boarded PT (torpedo) Boat 41 under the command of Navy Lt. John
Bulkeley which took him to the Bogo dock of the Del Monte Pineapple Canning
plant in Misamis Oriental where he later proceeded to Australia by aircraft. Only
the ruins of the dock could now be seen aside from rusted tracks of an old railway
system which connected Lorcha Dock with Malinta Tunnel. This rail transportation
not only brought personnel to different parts of the island but it also allowed the
quick and efficient transport of ordnance and war materials from this dock to the
tunnel.
North Dock - is the service dock for the island. This pier is also known as the North
Mine Wharf. North Dock, which is facing in the direction of the Province of Bataan,
is the main docking facility of the Island of Corregidor.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur Park - this park has a larger-than-life bronze statue of the
general which was erected in his honor near the ruins of Lorcha Dock. His famous
message, "I Shall Return" is inscribed in a concrete marker erected beside his
statue.
Barrio San Jose - used to be an old civilian community where the families of Filipino
servicemen who were detailed in Corregidor lived. It does not physically exists
anymore, however, there are plans to revive the barrio to portray life in this
community as it was during the pre-war days. When completed, there will be
facilities for entertainment and recreation, including dining places, a shopping
center, a theater-museum, and accompanying service facilities.
Administration Building - this building is currently used as an office of the
Corregidor Foundation which is responsible for the management and maintainance
of the island. During the pre-war days, it used to be a one-room school building for
children of military personnel who were detailed in Corregidor.
San Jose Chapel - this chapel was reconstructed at its former location and based on
its original architectural and structural design. During the pre-war days, religious
services were conducted in this chapel for the military personnel in the garrison as
well as for their families.
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.
Tail End - is the remaining portion of Corregidor's long and twisting tail which was not given a
particular name. The western half of this narrow, two-and-a-half mile area consists of a low ridge
with several distinct hills which is said to have assumed crucial military importance during the
siege of Corregidor in 1942 by the Japanese forces and also during its recapture by the American
forces in 1945. A portion of the eastern end of the tail, being a fairly level terrain, was leveled off
for the construction of the island's only airstrip which was named Kindley Field. East Point, at
the island's extreme tail, contained a small cemetery. Just a little further beyond it is Hooker
Point which is often separated from East Point during high tide. In the early years of the presence
of American forces in Corregidor, Hooker Point was a favorite place for hikers and sightseers.
Among the recently constructed buildings, structures, and parks that are now found at the Tail
End include the following: Statue of The Filipino Woman, Filipino Heroes Memorial, Japanese
Garden of Peace, the two parks which were erected in honor of Presidents Manuel Quezon and
Sergio Osmena, and the Corregidor Beach Resort.

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."

President Manuel Quezon Park - it is at this park where a statue of President Quezon was
erected. Beside the statue are a number of permanently erected stone and concrete markers which
have been inscribed with some of the famous quotations of the president. This memorial park is
directly across the north entrance of Malinta tunnel which leads to the hospital laterals and a
lateral which was occupied by Quezon and his family during the seige of Corregidor. It was in
this vicinity of Malinta tunnel where Quezon and Osmena were inaugurated as the president and
vice-president, respectively, of the Philippine Commonwealth for a second term. Pres. Quezon
and his family occupied one of the laterals of Malinta Tunnel from Dec. 29, 1941 to Feb. 20,
1942 or a total of 53 days. With his family and staff, Quezon slipped off the island aboard the
submarine, "Swordfish," which was under the command of Commander Chester C. Smith.

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. The memorial complex was
designed by Francisco Manosa while the murals and a statue of a Filipino soldier-farmer were
sculptured by Manuel Casal.

President Sergio Osmena Park - located beside the Filipino Heroes Memorial is a small park
dedicated to Sergio Osmena, the second president of the Philippine Commonwealth. Erected in
this park is the statue of President Osmena which was inaugurated on May 23, 1998 through the
efforts of the Corregidor Foundation and the Cebu Newspaper Workers' Foundation with the
assistance of Sen. Marcelo B. Fernan.

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.

Kindley Field - this airfield, which was named in honor of an early hero of the U.S. Army Air
Corps, was operated by the Army during the pre-war period. It also had a hydroplane hangar
which was used by the U.S. Navy. The runway, which was constructed in the early 1920s to
accommodate light-fixed wing aircraft, is about 3000 feet in length and consists of a grass-gravel
surface with a 300-foot long concrete portion at both ends. A small Air Corps installation which
included barracks and hangars were built at the western end of the airstrip just after World War I.
It is also at this end where a control tower building was reconstructed.
GUN EMPLACEMENTS
The defense of Corregidor was the immediate responsibility of the Philippine Coast
Artillery Command under Major General George F. Moore. To carry out this important
mission, 23 batteries were set up on Corregidor and the adjoining islands at the outbreak
of World War II in 1941. These consisted of 56 coastal guns and mortars which formed the
main power of the island fortress. Corregidor had 13 anti-aircraft artillery batteries with
76 guns, twenty-eight of which were 3-inch and forty-eight 50-caliber. With all the gun
emplacements set up in the island, Batteries Geary and Way proved to be the best and most
effective for the defense of Corregidor during the siege by the Japanese forces. The
following six most accessible batteries in Corregidor were visited and photographed for
portrayal in this website:

Battery Way - Work on setting up of Battery Way started in 1904 and it was completed
in 1914 at a cost of $112,969. It was named in honor of 2nd Lieutenant Henry N. Way of
the 4th U.S. Artillery who died in service in the Philippines in 1900. Armed with four 12-
inch mortars, it was capable of lobbing a 1000-lb deck piercing shell or 700 lb high
explosive shell 14,610 yards in any direction. This gun emplacement was equipped with
anti-personnel firepower. It was designed to penetrate the thin deck armor of warships and
against any enemy entrenched on higher grounds in Bataan. Its firing elevation was from
45 degrees minimum to 70 degrees maximum. The length of its rifled bore is 10 ft. To fire
each mortar, a standard crew consisting of 14 men were needed. Three of the serviceable
mortars opened fire on April 28, 1942 and on May 2, 1942. After the 12 hours of continuous
firing, the remaining mortar finally frose tight on May 6, 1942. It was the last of
Corregidor's "concrete artillery" to cease firing before the surrender of Bataan.

Battery Hearn - The Americans started setting up Battery Hearn in 1918 and completed
work on it in 1921 at a cost of $148,105. This 12-inch seacost west-ranged guns had a
maximum range of 29,000 yards and was capable of firing in all directions. It was one of
the last major additions to Corregidor's defense system which was intended to defend the
island against enemy naval threat from the South China Sea. Battery Hearn had been in
action firing towards Cavite from February 1942 and on April 8 and 9, 1942, towards
Bataan. This gun emplacement was captured nearly intact by the Japanese when
Corregidor fell and it was subsequently repaired by them and put back into action. It was,
however, completely neutralized by American aerial bombardment in January and
February of 1945.

Battery Geary - The setting up of Battery Geary started in 1907 and was completed in
1911 at a cost of $145,198. It was named in honor of Capt. Woodbridge Geary of the 13th
U.S. Infantry who died in 1899 in the Philippines. With a maximum range of 14,610 yards,
it was capable of firing in any direction. The eight 12-inch mortars of this battery were
considered the most effective anti-personnel weapon in Corregidor. The battery had two
mortar pits with 3 magazines and its standard crew consisted of 4 men per mortar. The
vertical plunging trajectories of these mortars made them ideal for use against enemy
entrenched on higher grounds in Bataan.

Battery Grubbs - Work on this $212,397 battery started from November 1907 and it saw
completion early in 1909. It was named in honor of 1st Lieutenant Hayden Y. Grubbs who
belonged to the 6th U.S. Infantry and who died during the insurrection in the islands in
1899. Battery Grubbs was armed with two 10-inch guns mounted on disappearing
carriages and located well inland in the west central part of Corregidor. This gun
emplacement was intended to fire to the northwest. At the start of the Second World War
the battery was not originally manned. It was put into active service in early April 1942 but
was quickly knocked out of service and subsequently abandoned.

Battery Crockett - This gun emplacement was initially constructed in 1905 and was
completed in 1908 at a cost of $290,049. It was one of the six "disappearing" gun batteries
that formed the interlocking field of fire which totally encircled the island. The battery was
armed with two 12-inch seacost guns mounted on disappearing carriages behind a concrete
parapet. Its range was 17,000 yards and was capable of 170-degree traverse with
overlapping fields or a total of 220 degrees coverage for the battery. The design of this
battery was very similar to Battery Cheney and Battery Wheeler. It was located centrally
on the island and firing basically south across the major southern channel into Manila Bay.


Some of the other batteries that were set up in Corregidor included: Wheeler, Ramsay,
Morrison, James, Smith, Cheney, Monja, Kysor, Hamilton, Cushing, Sunset, Hanna,
Keyes, Rockpoint, Wright, and Rose.