It was the other Pearl Harbor; December 8, 1941 on the island called the Philippines.

General Douglas MacArthur was the Commander of the Allied Forces in Manila on the day of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

MacArthur’s forces were caught off-guard by the Japanese attack, and eventually received criticism for his lack of defensive action in the eight hours he had to prepare for the Japanese air assault, much in the same way the commanders fielded criticism in Hawaii.

MacArthur’s dependence upon his young air commander of two months, General Lewis H. Brereton, has been offered as an explanation for his inaction by his defenders.

Despite the militaries clear warnings of Japanese aggression, Brereton had not transitioned his air defenses to a war footing, and like the air commanders at Hickam Field at Pearl Harbor, failed to disperse aircraft properly in camouflaged revetments to limit damage from incoming air raids.

To his defense, Brereton’s difficulties were magnified by the fact that the Far East Air Force (FEAF) was mostly a motley collection of obsolescent U.S. and Philippine Air Force planes. The FEAF was, however, in possession of 72 operational front line P-40 Warhawk fighters. MacArthur’s lack of aggressiveness led to most U.S. aircraft being caught on the ground and destroyed, very similar to the situation in Hawaii.

The loss of lives was second only to Pearl Harbor, and forced the unflappable MacArthur to promise the Filipino people as he left, “I will return.” General MacArthur did just that on October 20, 1944.

The Allied Forces landed at Leyte Island and won the fight at the Battle of Luzon and the battle of Manila. Despite a massive Japanese naval counter-attack, their forces were unable to stop the invasion or do more than slow the re-conquest of the islands.

Military representation reveals that MacArthur made full use of amphibious and combined operations, while utilizing paratroop, motorized infantry, and even indigenous guerrilla forces for special operations and to multiply his force advantage. With the reconquest of the islands, MacArthur moved his headquarters to Manila, where he announced his intentions to then invade Japan in what he labeled Operation Downfall.

It was never necessary due to something called the nuclear bomb.

Today, as you visit Manila – as I did over an eight-day period - the Filipino people are still thankful for the great sacrifice of the American Soldier and the US Military, delivering the country that is made up of over 1,000 separate islands from the force of the Japanese regime and into a land of democracy.

While I was having lunch on one of the Philippines’ islands, the Island of Bohol, a Filipino woman approached my table.

She had noticed a few Americans enjoying the white sand beaches; she decided it was time to say thank you once again. She mentioned her role as a mayor’s assistant, something that was made possible by the United States of America.

“Your MacArthur said he would return, and he did…this is why I have a life and a job in politics today in my home of the Philippines,” she stated with pride. “Thank you for your countries great sacrifice, we are forever grateful to the United States…we will never forget what your people did for our people here on the islands.”

During our return to the Capitol City, our group had time to tour the American Manila Military Cemetery that rests in the Capitol City. As you drive up to the gate, the first thing you notice are thousands of crosses, as well as Star of David’s, positioned perfectly throughout the rolling, green hills of the highest point of Manila.

The grounds are manicured to perfection, with a rolling walkway that wraps the immediate courtyard.

Quiet, honorable and greatly respected by the Filipino citizens; the Manila cemetery features one of the best real estate locations in the Philippines, a great instructional presentation inside of the open museum, as well as a prayer chapel that features a guest book full of patriotic, thankful and prayerful greetings for the United States of America.

Walking thought the American Manila Cemetery builds a well a great respect for the our military, country and the ideals of liberty for all who desire to fight for it with us. The Filipino people are ripe with respect and appreciation; something that is lacking within our own borders today.

In Manila there was a promise to return, and we did. 

In Manila there is a promise to never forget, and they don’t.

In Manila, there is a correction presentation of America’s ideals and determination for the world - delivering liberty to those who are oppressed, and independence to those who will rise with us and fight for it.

As the head stone tower memorial states, “Here are recorded the names of Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who sleep in unknown graves,” (1941-45).

Another example of the greatness of our country; May ‘we’ never forget it. And ‘thank you to the great Filipino people’ who are determined to see that we never do forget what so many offered for her liberty.

God bless America, and thank you veterans.