Company C, 194th Tank Battalion in the Philippines, 1941-42

This is why I love RP. Not only do I learn history and stories from fellow vets and active duty service men and women, it allows me to truly understand myself as a marine. I am forever growing and feeling more patriotic was the every story I can pass on to my niece's and nephews.

Sad tale. Similar to the 4th Marine Regiment from Shanghai. Both were sent to reinforce a paper army that was ill equipped to fight the Japanese and they paid for it.

I was once the AGR Operations Senior NCO at the Headquarters of the 149th Armor Bn, in Seaside, CA (old Ft Ord), and Company C's guidon was preserved and is displayed in the conference room there. It is the most cherished piece of cloth ever. It was hidden from the Japanese while the unit members were interred (mild name for it) as POWs. It was passed around and kept hidden until they were repatriated in 1945. My office was across the hall in that building, so sometimes when I would feel frustrated and or feel down, I would take the time to sit and look at that guidon and re eflect about my career. It was a reminder of what Ie was there for. What I worked hard each and everyday for. It is still there I believe, and should be preserved forever, as a reminder, that we should never ever send our troops into harms way without proper training and resources. I have had the privilege to dine with the Death March survivors and at any of the Dinings In they never paid for a meal or a drink. We as a nation should protect our heritage, that so many have fought for and died for.