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Post by nwilson on Nov 9, 2007 17:11:07 GMT -5
January 11-12 Regiment marced to bivouac at Bagac in 1st Philippine Corps reserve.The Regiment remained at Bagac about 2 weeks.From this bivouac normal reserve functions were performed.These included a counterattack at Muron by Troop E, and one at KN post 168 by Troop G,both aginst enemy troops which had infiltrated through lines of 1st Philippine Div ( eventually surrounded and forced to withdraw).Casualties were suffered in both engagements including 1st Lt Ethan R Cunningham and Clifford Hardwicke Jr,Killed. 1st Lt. Ethan R Cunningham was my father. This is the first and only mention of him on the Internet that I have been able to find. I was told he was killed in action in the Pacific during WW II, but didn't know any details about exactly where or when. I would love to find out more about my father if anyone knows any information or sources. I was only 4 mo. old when he died, and never got to see him or learn much about him or his side of the family. I legally changed my name to Wilson as a teenager to honor my maternal grandfather, Col. Arthur Harrison Wilson, soon after his death in the early 1950's. He was a West Point graduate and career horse cavalry officer who was awarded the Medal of Honor as a young lieutenant for bravery in action during the Philippine Insurrection. I grew up in his household in Brownsville Texas, where he retired from the U.S. Army, and where he was one of the last post commanders of Fort Brown. I recall family stories about life at Fort Riley, The Presidio of San Francisco, and Fort Bliss. He was also captain of the West Point Polo Team when it won the world championship, and was an avid polo player well into middle age.
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Post by 26th on Nov 9, 2007 18:47:48 GMT -5
Hey Nwilson:
Wow someone that is related to a medal of Honor winner. Ironic that your dad's name is mentioned in the Philippine reenactors site. That your grandfather won that medal against the Filipino is even more ironic. No disrespect, just thinking out loud. Welcome to the forum. My uncle was in Troop E and it would be nice to know all the name that were involved in the last charge. Troop E and F were combined by then for that patrol with Ramsey. Again great to have you onboard. Rudy 26th cav
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Post by VeeVee on Nov 9, 2007 19:04:43 GMT -5
Hello NWilson, Welcome to the forum. Have you checked with the Philippine Scout Heritage Society website for information regarding your father? Some surviving veterans may have information about him.
Do you have any pictures of your father and grandfather that you'd like to share?
Thanks and welcome! -victor
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Post by nwilson on Nov 12, 2007 23:44:29 GMT -5
Hello NWilson, ... Do you have any pictures of your father and grandfather that you'd like to share? Thanks and welcome! -victor Yes, I have a couple of pics of my grandfather, Col. Wilson to share if you'll tell me how to upload them.
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Post by VeeVee on Nov 13, 2007 22:49:26 GMT -5
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Post by VeeVee on Nov 14, 2007 13:06:23 GMT -5
I thought I'd post information provided by Capt. Fernandez about what he could recall re: Lt. Cunningham:
---------------- Dear Victor, I promised that I will try to dig my old memory for information about Lt. Ehtan Cunningham. He was reserved officer called to active duty and assigned with Headquarters Troop, 26th Cavalry (PS) as a Scout Car Platoon Commander. Dec. 12 reports were received that there was a Japanese landing at Aparri and that Lt. Cunningham with two other Lieutenants, Cahoon and Graves, were sent to Cagayan Valley with seven scout cars to assist existing forces there. I don't know what happened there but on the 29th of December, the three officers rejoined the Regiment at Mexico, Pampanga. 7 January, when we were at Culis, Bataan, the Scout Car Platoon was detached since they could not go through Mount Natib. At that point the Scout Cars were attacked by advancing Japanese, three cars were destroyed and Lt. Graves was killed in Action. Lt. Cunningham was able to escape and did patrol duties with his scout cars at Aglaloma beach. On the 22 January 1942 six days after the famous mounted charge, a firefight took place at Aglaloma between infiltrating Japanese and our Philippine Army units, Lt. Cunningham was killed at KM 168. (Gleaned from memory and records) - Felipe
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