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IN MEMORY OF
Bill Delich"K" Battery, 59th Coastal Artillery
Died July 8, 1999.R.I
Memory is a strange
Bell
Jubilee and knell
- Emily Dickenson
Bill was 83, an age he hardly expected to attain. His last journey to Corregidor was early April, 1999, and he was accompanied by his son Bill Jr., my wife Marjean and myself. It was a farewell trip for each of us, and although he was very weak, a very enjoyable experience. The highlight was a visit to Battery Point by banca. Bill's faithful Filipino friends carried him from the banca to his site, the location of Searchlight #1. During the defense, Bill's crew were to turn the light on and light the way for the MacArthur Flotilla to proceed through the mine field. Instead, when the light came on, it was lighting the flotilla! After the surrender, Bill was at Cabanatuan Camp lll, then later taken to Nichols Field, and then to Japan. |
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Bill was a valued friend to all us, but specially to me. Calling him when depression set in, was like a burst of fresh air. He often lifted me from despair, and misery.
Bill will be profoundly missed not only by the "Circle", but also by all Americans who visited the Philippines during the past two decades, and many who reside in the Islands. Bill shared his resources with the inhabitants of Corregidor, including the school children. He put Battery Point on the map, and his wonderful, humorous stories, and his laughter will echo from hills of Corregidor through eternity.
Al McGrew
FROM PATSY'S LOG
First arrived on the Rock in early May, 1941. Was assigned to "K" Battery, Seaward Defense Searchlight on Battery Point. Made Corporal in August and was the Light Commander in October, and to the date when "Skinny" threw in the towel. Joined the "Slopehead" army as a civilian employee on that date. When the "Slopes" threw in their towel in 1945, I re-inlisted in the U.S. Army and remained there until early March and took a discharge so that I could go about spending my back pay and seriously try to drink all of the booze in Illinois. (I failed.)
Returned to the Rock in October of 1978 for the first time and now on my 7th return trip. No longer a tourist, I am now balikbayan. Each trip has been better than the one preceding it. There are no finer people in the world than the Filipinos, especially those on Corregidor. As long as I am able to walk I will make this annual journey to the Philippines and to Corregidor, my home, away from home.
Mabuhay
Bill Delich
Further experiences of veterans revisiting Corregidor can be found on this site at Patsy's Diary and Night at Wheeler Point
Corregidor - Then & Now GHQ | Coast Artillery - Harbor Defenses | 503d RHQ | 503d PRCT Heritage Bn. | Rock Force | Board |
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