Corregidor Island in Cavite, Calabarzon, Philippines — Southeast Asia
503rd Airborne- "The Rock Force" -Memorial
Marker panel 1 on top of monument:
”I see the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down.”
These historic words were spoken by General Douglas MacArthur near the site of this memorial on 2 March 1945 after the recapture of Corregidor by the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team. The “Rock Force” commander, Colonel George M. Jones in the presence of his regiment saluted and said in a clear voice, “Sir, I present to you Fortress Corregidor.”
[Insignia of the 503rd Airborne - “The Rock”, and the badge (wings and parachute) of a U.S. Army Paratrooper]
This memorial is a tribute to the men and women who defended and recaptured Corregidor during World War II. Dedicated by Brigadier General George M. Jones, (Retired), and former members of the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team with their families and friends on 16 February 1979, the 34th anniversary of the Recapture of Corregidor.
Marker Panel 2 on east face of monument
The 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team
462nd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
Company “C” 161st Parachute Engineer Battalion
3rd Battalion 34th Infantry Regiment
18th Portable Surgical Hospital (Reinf)
3rd Platoon Antitank 34th Infantry
3rd Platoon Cannon Company 34th Infantry
3rd Platoon Company C 3rd Engineer Battalion
Company A 34th Infantry
3rd Platoon Company C 24th Medical Battalion
Detachment Service Company 34th Infantry
Battery A 950th AAA (AW) Battalion
174th Ordnance Service Detachment (Bomb Disposal)
Detachment 592nd Engineer Boat & Shore Regiment
Detachment 98th Signal Battalion
Detachment 1st Platoon 603rd Tank Company
Detachment 592nd Joint Assault Signal Company
Detachment 6th Support Air Party
Combat Photo Unit A GHQ Signal Section
Combat Photo Unit Q GHQ Signal Section
Erected 1979 by The 503rd Memorial Committee.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II.
Location. 14° 22.835′ N, 120° 34.494′ E. Marker is on Corregidor Island, Calabarzon, in Cavite. Memorial can be reached from Topside Parade Ground just west of Pacific War Memorial & Corregidor Light House. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Corregidor Lighthouse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Spanish Historical Marker (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); To the Angels (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); General Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Corregidor (approx. 1.6 kilometers away); Malinta Tunnel (approx. 1.7 kilometers away); "For the Repose of Souls" (approx. 2.8 kilometers away); "Tribute to the Brave Heroes" (approx. 2.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corregidor Island.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . WW2 Airborne: 503rd RCT. (Submitted on March 12, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,099 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 9, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.