| As a CCKW 2 1/2 ton, 6 by 6 truck loaded with supplies exists USS LSM-223, 2 Filipino children watch the landings in Olongapo, Zambales, Luzon Philippines. Securing Manila was significant for both military and psychological reasons, but from a logistical point of view the seizure of Manila Bay was especially crucial. The supply lines at Lingayen Bay, which had so ably supported the American advance south on the capital, were strained almost to the breaking point. Yet, despite the fact that Manila’s world-class harbor was in American hands, it could not be used unless the Bataan Peninsula, which encompassed the bay’s western shore, was secure. Prior to the assault, American intelligence had badly overestimated enemy strength, predicting that the Japanese had nearly 13,000 soldiers on Bataan. However, having decided that the defense of Manila Bay was also beyond the capabilities of his 14th Area Army forces, Imperial Japanese Army General Tomoyuki Yamashita (November 8, 1885 – February 23, 1946) had the Kembu Group commander, Major General Rikichi Tsukada (December 15, 1892 – May 19, 1958), place fewer than 4,000 of his troops on the peninsula. The main defensive force was Nagayoshi Detachment, a regiment from the 10th Division under Colonel Sanenobu Nagayoshi. On the morning of January 29, nearly 35,000 American troops landed just northwest of the peninsula. Elements of the United States Army 38th Infantry Division immediately dashed inland to take the San Marcelino airstrip, but found that Filipino guerrillas under the command of Philippine Army Captain Ramon Magsaysay (August 31, 1907 – March 17, 1957), later president of the Republic of the Philippines, had secured the field 3 days earlier. Elsewhere, surprise was complete. In fact, the only casualty on that 1st day was an American enlisted man, who was gored by an ornery bull. The next day Subic Bay and Olongapo were occupied. The Japanese chose to make a stand in the rugged Zambales mountains at the northern base of the peninsula, which Americans dubbed the “ZigZag Pass.” Colonel Nagayoshi had plenty of supplies and ammunition for a long battle, but his main defensive line was a mere 2,000 yards long, leaving his position open to flanking maneuvers. On January 31, Hall’s forces advanced east, seeking out both Japanese flanks. But unfavorable terrain and determined resistance by the Japanese made it difficult. During the next 2 weeks, elements of the 38th Division struggled to open the ZigZag Pass, and by 8 February they had overrun the main Japanese positions, killing more than 2,400 defenders. Colonel Nagayoshi and 300 of his men escaped farther south and joined other defenders who held out until the middle of February. But before then the vital shoreline of Manila Bay had been secured. USS LSM-223 was laid down at the Dravo Corporation in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 23, 1944. Launched into the Christina River on August 15, 1944, and sailed into the Delaware River. Commissioned into the United States Navy on September 8, 1944, Lieutenant Phelan C. Hawn (July 11, 1920 – September 11, 1993), United States Naval Reserve, in command. After the Lingayen Gulf operation and the Olongapo landing, USS LSM-223 landed in Borneo June 26 – July 6, 1945. She served in occupation duty in Japan from September 7 – November 30, 1945. Struck from the Naval Register in 1946, USS LSM-223 received 2 battle stars for World War II service. LSM-223 was sold for scrapping to Fairbanks Morse Company, Chicago, Illinois on January 13, 1948. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1802.jpg |
| Image Size | 393.93 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1400 x 1561 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | January 29, 1945 |
| Location | Olongapo |
| City | Zambales |
| State or Province | Luzon |
| Country | Philippines |
| Archive | United States Army Center of Military History |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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