JE28M

The 28th Bombardment Squadron was first organized at Kelley Field, Texas May 17, 1917 under the name 28th Aero Squadron. Captain James R. Alfonte was the first commanding officer of the squadron. Among the first group of men who formed the enlisted personnel of the squadron was a private named Lester J. Maitland, who later became commanding officer of the squadron at Clark Field.

The squadron was soon moved to Canada for basic training with the Royal Air Force, then back to Fort Worth, Texas for intensive training. On February 25, 1918, the squadron embarked on the "S.S. Olympic" for Europe. The squadron arrived in France on March 17, 1916 and were then assigned to the R.A.F. for bombardment training.

On August 15, 1918, the 28th entrained for the American front and active duty. They were equipped with (25) Spad XIII's. These were the first American planes equipped with light bombing racks. They were used to bomb and strafe troops from low altitudes. During World War I, the 28th was highly publicized for the many battles engaged in, the daring feats of bravery, and the many enemy planes shot down. The casualty rate of the squadron was very high. For this meritorious service, the 28th received commendations from the War Department.

On June 16, 1918, the squadron was demobilized at Mitchell Field, New York. The 28th Bomb Squadron was again ordered mobilized at Mather Field, California for duty in the Philippine Islands on September 20, 1921. The squadron became active in the Philippine Islands at Clark Field on October 21, 1922.

The squadron was initially equipped with B-2 and B-3 bombers. Later, the squadron received B-10 and B-18 medium bombers. Upon my arrival at Clark Field on June 24, 1941, there were approximately fifteen B-18 and six B-10 medium bombers in operation.

A serviceman's life at Clark Field at that time was beyond one's fullest expectations. Duty hours were brief, leaving much time for the pursuit of personal pleasures. There was golf, tennis, and frequent jaunts to Fort Stotsenburg for horse back riding. The 26th Cavalry Unit at Fort Stotsenburg made their horses available for our enjoyment for a small token of appreciation. On weekends, the barracks would empty, some going to the local barrios, some trotting off to Manila, and the remainder pursuing their pleasures in "Angeles". After imbibing at several bars and checking out the local taxi-dance halls until the early morning hours, they would generally hire a calesa to take them back to Clark Field. These ponies knew the route to Clark Field so well, they could have made the trip blindfolded.

During the month of September 1941, things began to change at Clark Field. The 19th Bombardment Group was formed and thirty four B-17s were flown from the U.S. bases to Clark Field. Anti-aircraft guns, searchlights, and tanks began to arrive and were dispersed near the perimeter of the air field. Fox holes were dug around the field and duty hours were extended. Armed guards were stationed around all the aircraft. There was the sudden realization that we were getting prepared for something serious. With the sudden influx of servicemen at Clark Field, fulfillment of one's personal pleasures began to diminish. The 28th Bomb Squadron became a part of the 19th Bomb Group, with the anticipation of becoming a heavy bombardment squadron. However, because of conditions beyond the control of those who made the plans, the 28th became a heavy bombardment squadron in name only.

On December 8, 1941, the Japanese air force attacked Clark Field and practically destroyed the U.S. Army Air Corps capability of conducting an offensive action against the enemy. Damage to the physical structures at Clark Field was immense. This included the barracks which housed the personnel of the 28th. As a result, the entire squadron was ordered to bivouac in a nearby rifle pit. Confusion was the order of the day. A limited few were assigned to help repair and salvage parts of the remaining planes. There was very little for the remaining squadron personnel to do. The most important event most of us can recall prior to leaving Clark Field, was watching Captain Colin Kelley's B-17 being shot down by Japanese fighter planes. We were shocked when we discovered that the enemy planes were attempting to machine gun those who had parachuted to safety from the burning B-17.

On Christmas eve of 1941, the 28th evacuated Clark Field and went by train to Bataan. The squadron was bivouacked approximately two miles east of Corregidor. The road to Bataan was crowded with trucks carrying food and equipment in to the area. Little did we know at that time, that the last stand in the Philippines would be in this area

On the 29th of December 1941, the 28th received orders to travel to the port of Mariveles. During our journey to the port, we witnessed the Japanese air force attempting to bomb Corregidor. Anti-aircraft batteries from Corregidor was intense against the enemy, however, we saw no planes shot down. Arriving at the port of Marveles, we were instructed to board the inter-island steamer, the S.S. Moyon. Our destination was unknown at that time. That evening, near the hour of nine, the ship sailed from the port. It traveled all night, and at daylight, anchored off the I stand of Mindoro in an attempt to keep away from the enemy naval forces. However, much to our dismay, we found that this area was not a secret sanctuary, inasmuch as a Japanese patrol bomber spotted the S.S. Moyon and attempted to bomb it. The plane dropped six bombs without making a serious hit on the ship. At nightfall, the ship once again initiated its journey southward. The next morning, we anchored in a small cove for protection once again. There was an enormous amount of life preservers and debris on the water in this cove. We learned that the Japanese had sunk the sister ship of the S.S. Moyon, named the S.S. Panay, where we had recently anchored. That night, the ship sailed once more and arrived at the port of Bugo, Mindinao the next morning.

At Bugo, we were issued an "Enfield" rifle fully coated with cosmoline. It suddenly dawned on all of us that we would no longer be air force personnel, and that we would be infantrymen henceforth. After cleaning our rifles, we embarked on buses to Malaybaly and stayed overnight. The next day, the enlisted men of the 28th, along with a few officers, were transported further southward by bus to Carmen Ferry on the Pulangi River. We were approximately forty miles from the city of Davao, where the Japanese armed forces were entrenched. Our orders were to guard the ferry and patrol the Pulangi river.

On April 16, 1941, the personnel of the 28th Bomb Squadron was ordered north to Maramag, Mindinao. Maramag was the site of a secret air field which was hopefully to be used by the U.S. Army Air Corps. However, this part of the Philippine Islands defense plans was never fully developed due to enemy action.

On May 7, 1942, most of the personnel of the 28th, along with servicemen from other air corps units of the 19th Bomb Group, were ordered to embark for an area in central Mindanao known as Alanib. Everyone turned in their rifles and were issued shovels and dry food rations. At Alanib, the entire group started on a twenty three kilometer hike to another area in the enter of Mindanao named Bosok. This area was not accessible by truck. The group's assignment was to prepare entrenchment's for Filipino troops to guard a back trail which could have permitted the Japanese armed forces to infiltrate the central part of Mindanao and cut communications of all the U.S. Armed Forces on Mindinao. The Arnerican force, having reached approximately one kilometer from its destination of Bosok, was ambushed by a Japanese patrol. The infiltration had already begun. Fortunately, there were few casualties during this encounter. However, having only shovels and no weapons, the entire force proceeded to backtrack toward Alanib, the embarkation point. The Japanese patrol was in hot pursuit. Having no weapons, we envisioned that we would be massacred by the Japanese troops. However, much to our astonishment and delight, there were U.S. Army trucks at Alanib when we arrived there. This was May 10, 1942. The drivers of the trucks informed us that all of the Armed Forces in the Philippine Islands had been ordered to surrender as of that day. The trucks were there to transport us to Maramag and then to a prisoner of war camp at Malaybaly, Mindinao. Such is the story of the 28th Bomb Squadron.

In a way, the 28th did distinguish itself during World War II, by being a part of the defense establishment in the Philippine Islands that disrupted the timetable of the Japanese Armed Forces in conquering Southeast Asia. This gave the United States government and its Allies sufficient time to arm Australia, halt the Japanese advance in Southeast Asia, and then proceed with the task of winning the war.

A number of the 28th personnel died in Japanese prisoner of war camps and on the Japanese hell ships enroute to Japan. Also, a large number have died since their liberation, which may be attributed to the direct result of residual affects of torture, starvation, and inhumane treatment accorded them in Japanese prisoner of war camps.

At the time of surrender on May 10, 1942, the squadron roster disclosed the following information:

Killed in Action: Corp. Joseph Hriuo, Pvt. Robert Jennings, Pvt. Van Dyke, Pvt. Darrell I. Edwards, Pvt. Dhester Pokrzywa

Prisoners of War: Second Lieutenants H. Bryant, Robert D. Downes, Victror J. Howard, Robert D. Lanier, Donald L. Larson, Basil H. Lewis, Willis"' F. Lovegreen, Charles L. Mathis, Joseph C. Milligan, Boy D. Russe]].

Master Sergeants: Stanley A. Bowes, John W. Britton, Wilbur F. Disosway, Albert G. Kovel, Artie V. Larnbert, Isadore Oricht, Westley H. Owens.

First Sergeants: J. Kristapoviz, Jr.

Tech Sergeants: Harold F. Beasley, Willie L. Cress, Harold J. Glass, Mike Sidas, Lloyd T. Leicester, Francis G.Lovelady, Andrew J. OItz

Staff Sergeants: Reid Brock, Charles Daley, Auorey Freeman, Julle A. Hanson, Eugene L. Hartson, Watson J. Henley, Wi]liam F. Hoy, Cart R. Jones, Paul E. Riddle, John Seres, William Tires, R.D. Sollenberger, AIfred R. Young.

Sergeants: L. Bellus, M. Birmingham, William A. DeRosa, Wiley L. Forrell, Frank R. Blaydes, Charles Callahan, Henry C. Tilly, Robert I. McCord, Henry J. Comellisson, Clarence E. Ryley, Lee D. Stephens, John J. Furtado, Boy A. Hall, William A. Howard, Jr., Boy L. Jobe, Edward A. Kozer, Donald J. McPherson, Donald A. Munn, Donald L. Naumann, Robert L. Renfro, Mike Tereletsky, John W. Weir, Ralph L. Westervelt, George S. Williamson, Dwight 0. Woodall.

Corporals: M.0. Algoe, George Wood, Ray Barger, Harold A. Bergbower, William P. Biggs, Marvin C. Buckem, Joseph C. Burke, Cordon Carnes, LeRoy Casey, Ben L. Creagle, William R. Diskauski, Jack C. English, William T. Frederick, Ralph E. Gottovi, Robert A. JamIuer, [Continued but not available]