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15 APRIL 1945 - First Lieutenant Robert T. Davis, pilot of "Playmate 37", departed Puerta Princessa (Palawan) at 1710 on a heading for Palabao Lighthouse on the southern tip of Balabso Island, 60 miles North of Borneo. [map] An urgent radio message had been received late in the afternoon of 15 April, stating that the US Radar garrison had been attacked by a superior force of Japs and were in imminent danger of being killed or captured. Lieutenant Davis advised them to proceed immediately Eastward across the narrow neck of land for a distance of one and one-half miles to Clarendon Bay where they would find a large life raft which was to be used on effecting their escape from the Japs.

Lieutenant Davis circled the beach until 1945, when he landed 300 yards off-shore. The US soldiers had safely reached the raft and were paddling vigorously toward the rescue ship which was taxiing in the circle to avoid being blown against the reef. The boat load of six survivors approached the rescue ship at 2040, drifting directly into the path of the moving Catalina. The evacuees, fearing that they would be cut to pieces by the propeller, dived into the sea, one man remaining in the raft which passed beneath the port wing. Five men were left behind struggling in the water and crying for help. The rescue ship was brought about and taxied toward the desperate men. Two members of the rescue crew dived overboard at the risk of being lost in the darkness, to assist the men, while another crew member spotted the men with the Aldis Lamp. Since the Catalina was taxiing continuously, the rescue was effected with great difficulty. After 30 minutes of exhausting effort and much confusion due to darkness, five of the six evacuees were taken aboard the Catalina. One man was seen to sink beneath the waves and was lost. Lieutenant Davis exhibited considerable skill in landing and taking off the heavy ship in darkness. He stated that he did not cut the engine during the rescue operation because of the on-shore wind and strong tide which threatened to carry him onto the surrounding reefs. The five men, all of whom were in good condition, were returned to Puerto Princessa.

Three American soldiers and two Filipino guerillas were rescued. The Filipinos, being expert swimmers, were of great assistance in aiding their companions to escape a watery grave. The survivors stated that the garrison was attacked by a force of Japanese soldiers at daybreak. During the engagement, one Filipino soldier was killed and another mortally wounded. The Japs were finally driven away from the lighthouse, partially encircling the garrison on the land side. Fearing another attack after night fall, the garrison radioed for help. In their escape from the lighthouse, they left the dead and wounded Filipinos behind. The survivors were as follows: Pfc Isadore Swdarsky, Pfc Virgil Marsalis, T/5 Andrew Buchan, members of Company B, 504th S.A. Bn. and Filipino guerillas, Precario and Onsino. Pvt George Vaughn was drowned during the rescue operation.

Rescued men:  Pfc Isadore Swdarsky, Pfc Virgil Marsalis, T/5 Andrew Buchan, members of Company B, 504th S.A. Bn. and Filipino guerillas, Precario and Onsino

AIRCRAFT: OA-10A   44-33876  CALLSIGN:  "PLAYMATE 37" CREW: (P) 1Lt Robert T. Davis, (CP) F/O John F. Leonard, (N) 1Lt Laurence B. Craig

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