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Post by RayAdillO on Jun 30, 2008 10:17:03 GMT -5
Hello folks, this my late uncle George......  Here are a few pics from his old Alma Mater scrapbook....... The old pre-war PMA emblem, note the lance?...that's one real traditional pinoy weapon ;D  Pre-war PMA color guard. my uncle George was a tall fellow at 6 ft 1 inches. He's the one carrying the Philippine Flag.  INSPEC-SHUN!  Cartoon from the "The Corps" Magazine regarding prospects among the PA service branches upon graduation.  This is the old Philippine Commonwealth Army marching song. My dad still knows how to sing it except for the last four lines in the chorus. IF ANYBODY SOMEHOW KNOWS HOW TO SING THOSE LAST FOUR LINES , PLEASE..PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU FOR THE SAKE OF HISTORY AND HUMANITY TO SHARE IT WITH US.   Here's a very nice playbill for the 100 nights show, featuring the play "Journey's End.  |
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Post by VeeVee on Jun 30, 2008 10:29:18 GMT -5
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Post by 26th on Jun 30, 2008 19:47:03 GMT -5
hey Ray
Notice the patch on his arm. is this dress or a feild uniform??
Rudy
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on Jun 30, 2008 21:17:01 GMT -5
What is that over his right pocket in the first photo with the patch?
Martin
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Post by 26th on Jun 30, 2008 23:26:46 GMT -5
Boy that patch throws out a lot of talk that the patch was not worn on field uniforms.
What a family tradition you Ortega's have in the military. I am honored to have met you all.
Rudy
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on Jul 1, 2008 9:14:40 GMT -5
I am pointing out what appears to be a Presidential Unit Citation. That was not awarded until after actions in 1942. I think that may be a post 1944 picture if it is.
Martin
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Post by RayAdillO on Jul 1, 2008 9:18:39 GMT -5
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on Jul 1, 2008 9:23:16 GMT -5
I get very detailed when looking at photos. I do thank you for sharing them. Please do not let my examination, look like an attempt to take anything away from them.  Martin |
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 1, 2008 10:30:50 GMT -5
Oh yeah that was definitely a postwar or liberation era picture with the Philippine Department patch. I remember from the Rays of a Setting Sun book that they were Firsties (seniors) at the PMA when war broke out. They were commissioned into the Philippine Army outright after they were trucked down from the academy in Baguio to Quezon City area. At that time the Japanese had already landed in north Luzon and President Quezon was afraid his prized future officers would be cut off. George Ortega wouldn't have belonged or worn the Philippine Department patch at that time. They were assigned to PA units right away. If I remember correctly, the author, Col. Rio was sent to the south Luzon force riding in the same truck as George Ortega. They were both 3rd Lt.'s at that time (PCA's had 3rd Lt's). So yes that picture in khakis with the Phil. Dept. patch was taken later on after they got back to American control. Ray, Thanks for the guinit helmet. Let me know how much. I may have to do PCA in Reading next year  Priceless pictures! |
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Post by RayAdillO on Jul 1, 2008 10:44:30 GMT -5
I am pointing out what appears to be a Presidential Unit Citation. That was not awarded until after actions in 1942. I think that may be a post 1944 picture if it is. Martin Oh now I see what you and Capt. Rudy mean. George Ortega was with the Philippine Department post liberation 1945 as regular officer, 1st lieutenant U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which is why he wears the sealion shoulder patch. He was assigned to the Philippine Scouts very briefly when the war broke out but transferred to the 1st Regular Division Philippine Army when a vacancy for an engineer officer opened up, and so it was as such that he served during the Bataan campaign. Upon liberation, he was re-admitted to the PS. So technically he's more of what was called a "New Scout". You are correct that most decorations were awarded or given only after the war based on citations and commendations for acts during wartime service, particularly for Bataan and other pre-liberation 1944 service. There were many firefights by the 26th Cavalry PS in-between the wars where the patch must certainly have been proudly worn into battle......so Capt. Rudy? I think it's safe to wear the patch for your pre-WW2 PS cavalryman impression. Even so, I personally can't say for sure that the Philippine Department shoulder patch was never worn into combat by the 26th Cav during the Bataan campaign, notwithstanding the presence or absence of wartime regulations regarding its proper wear. I mean, there will always be a maverick "killroy" type with style and "panache" who likes letting the enemy know which U.S. unit is murdering them.  |
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on Jul 1, 2008 21:38:07 GMT -5
It is cool that people use the patch as a memorial to the units. Using other thought processes are not as acceptable in the world of the hardcore reenacting.
When there is little to no evidence of patches being worn on shirts, a person would conclude that it would be highly uncommon for it to be worn. There are enough strange and really cool things that make up this period, that patches become trivial.
The Philippine Army uniform alone is just plain cool. Denims with a coconut fibre helmet? How different is that?
I like the US impression with pith helmets and khaki Daisy Maes. I also have denim pants to wear. I haven't got my coffee dyed Navy whites together yet.
On another note, what color would those stripes on the pants be?
Martin
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Post by RayAdillO on Jul 2, 2008 5:31:27 GMT -5
It is cool that people use the patch as a memorial to the units. Using other thought processes are not as acceptable in the world of the hardcore reenacting. The reenactment community is a world of impressions, we try our best to look like that soldier in the history books simply because that's what he looked like. In that sense we memorialize his service to the nation. However, the intents and purposes of why that soldier in history wore or didn't wear this or that can have a relevance that was unique only to his time and situation. They were black stripes. I'm glad you enjoyed the scrapbook pics, I'm a fan of your photos as well. |
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on Jul 2, 2008 10:18:11 GMT -5
I was discussing things like this with a nit picky freind (like myself) and we came up with the most logical basic reason. We are more inclined to do this, as it gives a "dignity" and "sanity" to the practice of dressing up in old clothes.
There is really nothing normal about the hobby of reenacting. We are a sub culture. Do we really need to dress up to discuss this album or to even study this period?
We do it cause we like it. We may find ourselves linked to it somehow by wearing similiar clothes. We may use it as a tool to draw attention and give others a link to the period. It is not a higher calling as some would like to believe. It is a silly game and only our minds can honor these men, not a bunch of old clothing.
Not trying to get off track, just trying to think about why wearing authenticity is, inspired by photographic research such as this, is even important.
Martin
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Post by 26th on Jul 2, 2008 10:37:22 GMT -5
Hi Martin:
Funny you mentioned sub culture and all that.
I never even knew there were reenactors until later in my life. I, just like a lot of us wore my dad's and brother's stuff because it was fun and there.
I wear some original stuff and people think I am crazy. "Do you know how much that it worth"? "No and who cares"!! is my usual reply.
Again Ray, thanks for posting outstanding family history and that those things were saved from the war. All my dad's stuff was destroyed by the bombings and typhoons.
Rudy/26Cav
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Post by indiosbravos on Jul 2, 2008 15:53:04 GMT -5
This forum never ceases to amaze me...Thank you guys...
Not all the lessons of history are written in books.....
Martin well said.
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 2, 2008 19:06:33 GMT -5
We do it cause we like it. We may find ourselves linked to it somehow by wearing similiar clothes. We may use it as a tool to draw attention and give others a link to the period. It is not a higher calling as some would like to believe. It is a silly game and only our minds can honor these men, not a bunch of old clothing. We do it cause we like it. (check) We may find ourselves linked to it somehow by wearing similiar clothes. (yup) We may use it as a tool to draw attention and give others a link to the period. (absolutely) It is not a higher calling as some would like to believe. (depends on the person, it's a calling only if you think it is -- it's not if you don't think so) It is a silly game (yes, it's supposed to be fun) ...and only our minds can honor these men, not a bunch of old clothing. (true but only if the old clothing is not given context) At the last PSHS reunion, PS cavalry veteran Felipe Fernandez came up to us with a twinkle in his eyes and muttered... "I feel like I'm back in time." At the same event, the daughter of a PS vet said "You guys gave me goosebumps when you marched in in uniform carrying those flags..." In Reading 2006, a woman approached me and asked if I was portraying the PS. Turned out her late father was a Scout in Bataan. She spotted my PS patch, the lone PS among hundreds of reenactors -- she was very appreciative and launched into a long story about her father. In the 2007 PSHS reunion, veteran Dan Figuracion came up to me and asked where I got my cavalry boots from (a farby one at that), then bent down and offered to show me the technique on how he used to quickly lace them up back in the day... I don't know... but during those moments it sure felt like a higher calling, and honor was given by some old clothes. "Cavalry boots $300. Plane ticket to Seattle, $500. Being shown by a cavalry vet how to lace boots up... priceless." |
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on Jul 2, 2008 20:50:21 GMT -5
There is a certain element in reenacting, that seem to live vicariously through the deeds, of which we study. They seem to believe by putting on the clothing, they are somehow part of the unit and its history. Those are the scary ones. It is some kind of reenacting stolen valor.
Using this type of thought process, they make the history into something than what it is. Why do the research? Why bother figuring out what things were like? They can use the new reasoning of the "current" unit and do what they feel/think. That makes no sense. That is when it becomes very strange.
Martin
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 2, 2008 21:59:05 GMT -5
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Post by RayAdillO on Jul 4, 2008 8:19:07 GMT -5
Yes, except the last four VeeVee. The chorus is quite catchy and original when singing the lines "Here comes the infantry" and so on. Unfortunately, I can only guess how the last four lines go, starting from "we're in the Army now, we surely shoot and plough" and so on. Speaking of things unique to a soldier's time, I now figured out why there are these extra leather pieces attached inside pre-war Pershing caps...........Their purpose is to keep off pomade grease from seeping through the hat, on the count that wearing hair pomade was the "in-thing" in those days. ;D  |
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mish
History Buff
Kalayaan
Posts: 135
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Post by mish on Jul 4, 2008 12:42:49 GMT -5
This is interesting. Their Pershing caps were locally made? I guess that's a vouch for local craftsmanship? Or pre-war austerity?
This opens up another question. As far as PS uniforms are concerned, would anyone have any information re: which items were made locally and which were not?
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