.
General MacArthur learned of the presence of Marines on Bataan and
ordered Battery A to serve as a guard for USAFFE Headquarters. The
officer in charge of the Naval Battalion, Commander Frank J.
Bridget, then directed Lieutenant Hogaboom to return to duty at
Mariveles instead. On 14 January MacArthur wrote directly to Admiral
Rockwell requesting the suspension of Bridget's order. Rockwell
replied the same day that Battery A had yet to be relieved of its
duties at the Mariveles Section Base, and was not yet under Army
direction. MacArthur ended the dispute by issuing Field Order Number
6, assigning two officers and 40 enlisted men from Corregidor to
serve as guards for USAFFE Headquarters, relieving Battery A. |