CONCEPCION, Tarlac ā In the small barrio of here, a forgotten chapter of World War II resided silently for decades until the University of Illinois at Chicago researchers embarked on a journey to unravel the mystery surrounding an American pilot whose plane was shot down.
This story, shared by a certain Thomas with his daughter, highlights the valiant efforts of Barangay Sta. Rosa resident Ramon Manucduc, Sr. as he rescued the American pilot only to face an uncertain fate.
According to the daughter, the captivating story of Ramon Manucduc Sr., who gallantly saved an injured American pilot parachuting down, was worth the effort to locate his remains after he succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
The fallen aviator found his resting place in the expansive grounds of the now Voice of America (VOA).
Motivated by this narrative, the University of Illinois at Chicago Researchers collaborated with the National Museum of the Philippines to locate the American pilotās remains.
As the researchers arrived in Sta. Rosa, they faced an unexpected hurdle ā the passing of Ramon Manucduc, Sr. Undeterred, they turned to his son, Ramon Manucduc, Jr., hoping to glean information about the heroic act his father had performed. To their surprise, Ramon Jr. revealed that his father rarely spoke of the American pilot, leaving them with little information to guide their search.
Ramon Jr. said it was possible because there were so many airplanes fighting above the barrio.
“My father is also a carabao caretaker thatās why heās always in the field but itās hard to locate the bones of fallen aviators since the Voice of America is 1,000 hectares and we donāt know the exact location. He can be buried anywhere here,” Ramon, Jr. said.
The VOA is a US-funded international broadcaster. It provides news, information, and cultural programming through the Internet, mobile and social media, radio, and television. The area where it is currently located spans the barangays of Tinang and Sta. Rosa in Concepcion, Tarlac.
