Filipino Performing Troupe Welcomed Aboard, 1945

Officer of the Deck, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Howard W. Milke, USNR, welcomes entertainer Pascacio Alinangohan as he boards the ship in 1945. Mr. Alinangohan, a former guerrilla Captain whose stage name is “Professor Paz,” led a troupe of dancers, singers and guitarists in a show for the carrier's crew. The plaque behind them features a quotation from the speech given by Philippine President Manuel Quezon at USS Bataan's launching ceremonies on August 1, 1943: “...The valor of the American and Filipino fighting men who battled through the long months on Bataan will serve as an inspiration to the men of this fine new ship. To the people of the Philippines, who live only for the day of victory and liberation, the Bataan will be a symbol of the inevitable defeat of Japan. Our fighting comradeship was sealed in the foxholes of Bataan and hallowed forever in the shallow graves of that bloodstained bit of land ...” Right Click and choose "View Image" to enlarge.