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Post by 79thfoot on Mar 10, 2008 19:08:31 GMT -5
Anyone here with relatives in the 61st Division?
My late grandpa was Major Delfin Estolloso in Col.Albert Christie's force on Panay in 1941. I've been doing research on him mainly because in the family he's 'the big hero' in our family tree but mainly because I just want to know him better because I carry his name.
Apparently he was Battalion XO, don't know which battalion - 63rd Infantry or the provisional 64th and 65th, not sure - and he surrendered after Corregidor fell. As far as I know he never actually saw any actual fighting. He was then sent to Capas, so the story goes, where he was in charge of graves detail.
He passed away some ten or so years ago and is buried at Live Oak Cemetary in Monrovia where my grandma, his wife, still lives. Will be visiting her this coming month hopefully!
Salutes, Tom
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Post by legionnaire on Mar 10, 2008 20:36:44 GMT -5
Hi Tom,
I believe the 61st Div. was Philippine Commonwealth Army.
Most of the US based pinoy reenactors here are in Southern California area. We can try and help you if you want to reenact PA to give tribute to your Grandfather. In terms of getting gear or uniforms. Cheers.
Philip
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Post by 79thfoot on Mar 10, 2008 21:17:41 GMT -5
That would be nice :-) I'd like to get something together eventually (gear, uniforms) as it is part of the family history and I'd appreciate all the help I can get - the WW2 Philippine Commonwealth army isn't exactly my field of specialization.
Thanks very much! Tom
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Post by legionnaire on Mar 10, 2008 22:27:28 GMT -5
Tom, Just let us know when you visiting Monrovia s that is near Pasadena. Im here in San Diego but visit friends up there in the LA area. the Philippine commonwealth Army used the Guinit Hat before and during the war. Short pants and short sleeves shirt were khaki and gear and equipment were WWI issue. Here is an example of basic PA uniform and gear pinoyhistory.proboards22.com/index.cgi?board=photos&action=display&thread=1176768708Philip
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Post by 79thfoot on Mar 10, 2008 23:11:32 GMT -5
Thanks Philip, those look real good - I think I may have the helmet, indeed IIRC it came from my grandpa thru my grandma but it seems to be made of plastic not guinit so I'm not sure if he bought it because it reminded him of his old helmet or its somehow genuine. It does look a lot like the ones in your 21st Division photos.
Would you have a list of webbing/equipment to look out for in case I'm in an Army Navy store with money to spare? I'd like to recreate his uniform - Major Phil.Commonwealth army.
Thanks! Tom
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Post by legionnaire on Mar 10, 2008 23:27:16 GMT -5
Officers in the PA worn khaki long trousers and shirt and khaki tie. shoulder boards. Will check on the tie Sam brown belt with brown holster Officers usually wore high Cav. boots. Will check on this. Officers wearing long trousers. Col. PA with Mascot. Philip
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Post by 79thfoot on Mar 13, 2008 3:00:46 GMT -5
Hi Philip,
I found the hats and they're definitely plastic but they do look like the ones in the above photos albeit with more holes on the sides and front - one is khaki and the other, the one that was supposed to be my late grandpa's (though I'm thinking he might have just gotten it to keep the sun out of his eyes much later) is periwinkle blue.
Salutes, Tom
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Post by legionnaire on Mar 13, 2008 13:00:46 GMT -5
Hi Tom,
Can you take a photo of it as I am really cuirious to see them.
The Original ones were made from coconut husks. And the back tail visor were extended just like what the firemen's hat style.
Philip
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Post by 79thfoot on Mar 16, 2008 2:07:24 GMT -5
Will ask my bro to take one with his camera. I think they should have them available at Army Navy stores in the US. Yeah they do look very much like 'firemans hats' w/c may mean that the ones I've got aren't exactly the same (the back of the visor seems not to be extended). Maybe lolo just acquired it to keep the sun out of his eyes.
Salutes, Tom
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Post by VeeVee on Mar 16, 2008 7:25:31 GMT -5
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Post by 79thfoot on Mar 22, 2008 10:26:16 GMT -5
Ah yes, that's the one.
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Post by legionnaire on Sept 14, 2008 1:11:17 GMT -5
Hi Tom, I did some research and You mentioned that your Grandfather Major Delfin Estolloso first served with the 71st Div. which is based in Camp O Donnell, Capas Tarlac, 3rd Military District, Northern Luzon Force, then was with the 61st Div. 61st Division PA
Visayas-Mindanao Force
mobilization center - Iloilo City, Panay.
Sixth Military district area.
A Christie, Army serial # 1049131
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Post by 79thfoot on Sept 14, 2008 2:49:57 GMT -5
You know, that's what I thought at first - that's why I first mentioned the 61st Division - I knew he served in the Visayas area and possibly Panay as his family is from Antique. However, when I got a hold of the records that my grandma has here it clearly stated the 1st battalion, 75th Infantry Regiment PA of the 71st Division. He had been a school teacher in Dumaguete when the war broke out and apparently the 71st formed a provisional 75th Regiment in Negros when the war started. He was inducted at La Carlotta, Negros Occidental and served first as A Coy CO and then before the surrender was the battalion XO. The 75th really is rather a mystery to me as I've only seen it mentioned once or twice but apparently a number of the older men from Negros served in its ranks. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Philippines_(1941%E2%80%9342)#USAFFE_order_of_battle.2C_30_November_1941_and_3_December_1941.3B_casualty_reportswww.asia-planet.net/philippines/dumaguete.htmApparently it was one of those units that just came into being because of the war and since Negros wasn't really 'invaded' bloodily it just kinda 'faded away' when Wainwright surrendered in 1942. Any ideas though where I can inquire as to my grandpa's complete records? I've tried looking at the US Veterans Affairs webpage but there doesn't seem to be any forms I can fill out to request info on service records, decorations, etc. Many thanks, Tom
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Post by legionnaire on Sept 15, 2008 13:11:04 GMT -5
Hi Tom,
When you return to Manila try and get in touch with Dr. Rico Jose as he is the best person who can possible help you locate any of your grandfather's complete records with the PA. I know Perry has his contact #.
Philip
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Post by 79thfoot on Sept 15, 2008 16:38:37 GMT -5
Thanks Philip! I shall :-) Meantime I'll still bug my grandma about where I can get Lolo's records. I'd love to get that ribbon bar done at least before I go.
Oh, by the way, about collar insignia - what should I get for PCA 1st Lt/Capt? The US insignia or crossed rifles pins etc.
Salutes, Tom
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Post by legionnaire on Sept 15, 2008 18:45:07 GMT -5
Crossed rifles definitely and since his PA infantry, then you would need the Major's gold oak leaf as his highest rank he achieved. You can also get both 1st Lt. and captain's silver bars if you want to show case the history of ranks he was commissioned.
Philip
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Post by 79thfoot on Sept 16, 2008 18:26:39 GMT -5
I got the major's gold oak leaf last time I was here I think - so no US discs and stuff? I really wish that Osprey or someone would do a book on the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Scouts or just basically the Philippine campaign in WW2. It's really weird, they have so much stuff on other topics but nothing on the Spanish colonial forces throughout the ages (w/c I'm researching for the 1762 British invasion/Diego Silang/Palaris era) and almost zilch on other topics on the Philippines except for the Phil-Am War and WW2 and very little at that too.
Many thanks though for helping me through this - I fear you guys are pretty much the only source I've got at this point in time.
Salutes, Tom
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Post by VeeVee on Sept 17, 2008 6:36:32 GMT -5
BNK is working on it
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Post by legionnaire on Sept 17, 2008 13:38:17 GMT -5
Hi Tom,
No disc's as those are for enlisteman's collar. And no US pin as your Grandfather was a commisioned officer of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines not US Army.
Philip
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Post by 79thfoot on Sept 17, 2008 18:09:42 GMT -5
Yay for BnK!! I really look forward to seeing that - it was a trifle awkward at Fort Mac going up to the Spanish 1898 reenactors and having to convince them that I wasn't just pulling my Guardia Civil Uniform out of thin air - apparently they had refs for Cuba but not so much for the Philippines.
Ahhh... thanks for clearing that up. I fear that WW2 US isn't really my area of expertise as I've been focusing more on the 18th and 19th centuries. Crossed rifles then.
Many thanks, Tom
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