THE LAST GASP OF THE PHILIPPINES PT SQUADRON (9, April 1942)

The last gasp of the Philippines PT Squadron came on 9 April at Cebu.  New Jersey-born Lieutenant (j.g.) Ilaf Richardson, executive officer of PT-34, now tells of the death of his stout little warship.  After working his way into the hills, Richardson ultimately became a Major in the Resistance and there remained until repatriated in 1944.  His collaborator, Ira Wolfert, won the Pulitzer Prize for his news dispatches from Guadalcanal.

--S.E. Smith
The United States Navy in World War II
Preface to Part I: Chapter 11: All Gone Now

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Ilaf Richardson: 

Iliff David Richardson
Nickname	Rich
Born	April 9, 1918 Denver, Colorado
Died	October 10, 2001 (aged 83) Houston Texas
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Ensign
Unit	PT 34, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three

Iliff David "Rich" Richardson (April 9, 1918, Denver, Colorado - October 10, 2001, Houston Texas) was simultaneously a US Navy Ensign and a US ArmyMajor whilst fighting with the Philippine resistance during World War II. He recounted his exploits to author Ira Wolfert, who published them in the bookAmerican Guerrilla in the Philippines in 1945. A character based on Richardson was played by Tyrone Power in the 1950 film of the same name.

In 1940 he was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy and was posted to the USS Bittern, a minesweeper in the Philippines. He later transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, commanded by John D. Bulkeley. Richardson was the executive officer of PT 34.^[2] After it was sunk by the Japanese, Richardson served with the US Army, setting off demolition charges in Cebu City.^[3]

Richardson and a dozen Americans attempted to sail a native outrigger to Australia, but the boat was sunk in a storm. Richardson swam for 24 hours to the island of Mindanao, where he was chased by the Japanese. The men eventually joined the Philippine guerrilla forces. Richardson, a former ham radio operator, set up a radio network to keep the various bands in touch with each other and Allied forces in Australia. For his work, Richardson was made a US Army Intelligence major by General Douglas MacArthur, holding commissions in the army and navy simultaneously. He is the only person to receive consecutive medals in both the Army and the Navy.

Ira Wolfert:

Ira Wolfert (November 1, 1908 - November 24, 1997) was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent and writer.

He was born and grew up in New York City. In 1930, he graduated from the Columbia University School of Journalism with a bachelors degree.