WHO IS RAMON ALCARAZ and why is the latest warship acquisition named after him . . Ramon Alcaraz belonged to the pioneer class in Philippine Military Academy. After his graduation in 1940, he joined Offshore Patrol (OSP), which is the forerunner of the Philippine Navy today. 2. Alcaraz became the captain of Q-112 Abra, which was one of only three motor torpedo boats in the Philippine Army. He saw action during World War II under the direct command of Field Marshal Douglas MacArthur. 3. He was tasked to scuttle and sink 15 Japanese ships in the Pasig River to prevent their capture. 4. On board the torpedo boat, Alcaraz was also able to shoot down three low-flying Japanese planes, which were supposed to drop bombs in Bataan on January 17, 1942. This became his most famous exploit for which he received a Silver Star from MacArthur himself. 5. Japanese forces eventually captured Alcaraz near the shore of Paombong after Q-112 Abra was scuttled four miles off Bataan province on April 10, 1942. He was subsequently incarcerated in Malolos. 6. After he was freed, Alcaraz joined the Philippine Constabulary and used it as a cover for guerrilla operations in Bulacan and Northern Luzon. He served as regimental commander of a guerrilla unit. 7. Alcaraz went back to OSP in order to modernize and strengthen what became the Philippine Navy. 8. Under the orders of then Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay, he was sent to the United States to study the organization of the U.S. Marines in 1950. His report was instrumental for the organization of the Philippine Marine Corps.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 02:45:25 +0000
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