AFTER FIVE YEARS I FINALLY FOUND THE FAMOUS HILL - EXPLORING THE OLD CLARK AIRFORCE BASE PHILIPPINES
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- AFTER FIVE YEARS I FINALLY FOUND THE FAMOUS HILL - EXPLORING THE OLD CLARK AIRFORCE BASE PHILIPPINES
Little History of Lily Hill
Located close to the center of the Clark Air Base, this little hill offers a strategic and beneficial view of the airfield complex area. During the Japanese occupation of Clark, this hill was excavated to allow tunnels to be built into its sides for the storage of fuel and munitions in an attempt to protect them from air raids.
Lily Hill was the main staging area for the Japanese defense of Clark. The Japanese vigorously defended Clark as the Americans attempted to once-again control the base. They dug in troops on the forward slopes of Lily Hill and positioned guns to deny access to the airfield’s runways.
In order for the Americans to win-back Clark Field, they needed to neutralize the Japanese Navy and Army troops dug-in on Lily Hill. These last remaining troops were able to delay the capture of Clark by a week by using Lily Hill as an advantageous and superior defensive staging area. Finally, on January 23, 1945, Lily Hill and Clark fell from Japanese hands and were once again in the control of the Americans.
After the American liberation of Clark in 1945, the tunnel entrances were collapsed and covered-over, preventing further access to the dangerous tunnels. Today, the area is a housing area. Today Lily Hill is covered with lush trees and bushes and has a water tank along with telecommunication and cell towers and antennas.
One military man stationed at Clark in the early eighties had this story to tell. In 1982, the day after a large military family picnic at the old base horse stables, now Clark Picnic Grounds Park, along the highway to Mabalacat, Lily Hill literally exploded with a loud bang. There was a full-scale investigation into the incident. The determination was that both American and Japanese military in WW-II had used Lily Hill as a dumping ground for unexploded ordinance and that it possibly could have been one of those old ordinance suddenly detonating on a very coincidental day.
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About me : Retired American Expat Brian & Filipina wife Luisa, living in the Angeles City / Clark Pampanga Philippines.
Nice video Brian. I actually lived in those barracks for 3 months back in 1976. At that time they were listed as Transient Airman's Quarters . They are in an H pattern, as you look down at them. In the middle part of the H you would find the latrines and showers. If you were to do an about face from there and walk about a half mile, you would arrive at the Airman's Open mess, also known as the Coconut Grove, located at the intersection of George Ave and Bong Hiway. I kept my Welcome to Clark Air base brochure from the 3rd Special Services Squadron I was assigned to. Inside is a cool map of the base as it looked back then.
Someone said in a video (can't remember who it was) that the Coconut Grove was torn down and another Airman's Club was built but not sure if it was in the same area....I liked going to the Coconut Grove my dorm was just down the street so in walking distance...... 6922nd Security Group dorms and Lily Hill was behind the dorms and all jungle we got our squadron mascot from the jungle.....a cobra. We were the Cobras and the story I got when I got there was that the houseboys killed the snake in the dorm....not sure what year I got there in Sept 70 - Aug 74. Good times there but didn't do that much touring around base...too damn hot to walk and far from things.....lol didn't have money for a taxi to ride around and you never knew where the CBL bus was going...... cheers :)
I was stationed at Clark AB from 1977-1980 and again from 1985-1988. My son and daughter were born in the base hospital. Most of the tunnels on Lily Hill are located on the bottom of the hill. The tunnels have been capped off with a cement frames and metal doors which are locked and sealed. They also will have what is called an explosive fire symbol located on the door with a warning. I will give you a location of one of the sealed tunnels. Good Luck finding it. As you drive towards the base hospital, with the hospital being on the right side of the road. Lily hill will be on the left side of the road prior to reaching the hospital. On the left side of the road, just before reaching the old NCO club (if it is even there anymore) at the base of the hill will be an entrance to a tunnel. The tunnel is capped off. Back in the day, you could see the entrance from the road. If you knew what your looking for. As far as Lily Hill in general, there is a lot of unexploded ordnance (UXO's) which would often appear after rain storms. The ordnance would often be destroyed in place by EOD. To dangerous to move. I like your videos of Clark. Brings back good times.
Thanks Stephen now I have a little better location for Lili or Lily Hill. Wasn’t the Jungle Survival School some where close to there.? One of the stories about that area was. That was a large python up there. That they could never catch. Rats for bait traps and what ever else they could find. The thing always seemed to get away. That and how the Negretos ( hope I’m spelling that right) helped us get the Japanese off that hill.
@@CSltz The USAF Jungle Survival School and the barracks for the school was in the Lily hill area. I can't remember the exact location. The buildings were in it's own fenced in compound. The buildings were the old U shaped wood type. Painted white. Like the buildings in the video. The actual training was at Camp O'Donnell/Crow valley. Last stop of the Bataan death march. The Negritos did most of the instruction. The story of Lily hill is that it was the last hold out for Japan on Clark AB. They, the US could not capture the hill. An agreement was made with the Negritos to capture the hill. Story goes, they took over the hill in one night. Never heard of the Python story. There is a lot of stories about Lily Hill. Some true, some mostly false.
@@stephencotta2360 I’m sure that there are some real doozy stories about the Philippines. I just wish that I could have taken more time to see more. I did make it to Corregidor what a memorable trip that was. Saw the mile long barracks and the concrete battle ship. Dad and I were walking down the beach and he stopped reached down and picked up a small white pebble. When he got the sand off and could look at it closely. You can see that it’s a very small smiling Buddha. Couldn’t have been taller than a .50 cent piece. As far as lily hill. The story we heard was one night every other throat. I can kind of believe that. With all the Japanese atrocities against the
I was stationed at Clark from 88-91, evacuated during Mt Pinatubo eruption in June 91. Know Lily Hill well, lots of history on that base. Clark was a great base during its time. 👍
Nice video too 👍🤙 Cheers
Thank you Brian for the history lesson (always really cool). I think of those brave selfless men who sacrificed themselves to keep a nation safe and strong. And I look at America today. What a mess. Because selfishness, bigotry, cowardice and hate are more prevalent it seems now in America. So sad. But Glory to the long, lost American heroes of yesterday.
Clark has so much history and so much for people to learn about the past.
Even when I visited 2 years ago I ran out of time to see most of it.
That's great to hear they completely destroyed Subic and got screwed at the port. Ok Please work with me. With President 🥴 😷 In America 🗽🔥 it does not look good for the new build up that was being talked about. Hell US Navy ⛵ Sail Boats hope they bring back the Jolly Roger 🏴☠️ flag and Air Force 🌬 🪂 glider won't require much and the new high tech high powered bow 🏹 and arrow weapons. With AR-15 and 9mm BB guns CO2 legal. Hear there working on secret solar panel ray 🔫. And 🐎🐴 and 🚲 🛴 will be the standard way to get around, with electric 🛵 🚙 and new train system🚊 dam 🐫 might cath on. We can 🛶 ⛵ around the 🌏. Living in ⛺ 🏕 with 🌬 🌞 power to stop 🌐 🌡. As we are celebrating 🎆 🎇 ✨ around the 🌏 No more 🔇 🔕 🚭 🚯 🚱 📵 ☮ ♀️ ♂️ 📴 it's 🆒️ and 🆗️ every thing is 🆓️ the 🆕️ 🆚️ the fake 🆕️ 🚫 so the bottom line ⛔ because your life is life is ⬆️ ↗️ ➡️ ↘️ ⬇️ ↙️ ⬅️ ↖️ ↕️ ↩ ↪ ⤴️ ⤵️ 🔃 🔄 and Biden and Democrat Party 💊 🥴 THE END PERIOD. Please if you still have a sence of humor HIT that 👍 for me, IF YOU ARE SMART, IF YOU READ THIS AND UNDERSTOOD IT 👏 👏 👏
PLEASE MAKE THIS ABOVE MESSAGE GO VIRAL. 🦇
When I was at Clark back in the 80's, Lily Hill was off limits because of the tunnels were thought to be booby-trapped.
My brother was born in that hospital in 1967. We lived across the field from the hospital. The wounded from Vietnam were often brought here. My sister and I used to visit the wounded much as possible to remind them they weren’t forgotten! I was about 9 years old and would go to lily hill exploring caves by myself. At times I would see my Negrito friend and he’d take me to his village. He taught me how to make weapons such as bows and arrows. Amazing place to be as a young boy, I miss the Philippines 🇵🇭 to an extent.
Hey Brian my friend, That k-9 cemetery was really surreal. I will definitely visit that area when I get back to the Philippines. I just want to take the time to say Thank you Brian for inviting us into your everyday life. I for one really appreciate all that you and lot do, in sharing your lives with us who subscribe to your channel. I will always be a loyal subscriber to your channel, and when I finally get back to the Philippines, I would really like to have dinner with you and lot. Please stay safe and healthy, and God bless you, lot, Borges, Miguel, and Hannah grace always. And may God bless your awesome pets.😊 😊 😊 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
When I was a regular visitor to AC 20 years ago for work I always stayed at the Holiday Inn Clark. I enjoyed cruising around the base on the weekends just to explore. Really interesting. Never met an Air Force guy who said being stationed at Clark sucked. When I was in the Navy it was every sailors dream to make it to the P.I.
Interesting stuff Brian, I remember several videos you made years ago about Bataan and also the Kamikaze HQ with some tunnels you wouldn't enter. Perhaps you can create a playlist of your US military history vlogs, many newer subscribers would love to watch them as a series.
Brian, I like all your videos, but I have to say, the videos on Clark showing the places and things related to WWII are my favorite. Thanks for the great history lessons.
I remember as a kid living on Clark, how well kept the grounds was. To bad government can't upkeep the grounds and even the memorials around the Philippines. Maybe Angeles, Clark, Tarlac Capas should invest in these memorial and start national WWII tours instead of culinary and food! Great video!
I did 3 tours of duty to the Vietnam War aboard USS Ranger CVA-61. Got to see Lt Dengler arrive back to our ship after he escaped from North Vietnam POW Camp. Watch the movie "Lt Dengler Learns to Fly". My late Brother IN law was stationed at Clark and he was a Guard Dog Handler. His dog died there and is buried on Clark Field. He used to travel to Subic and visit me and he stayed over on my ship USS Ranger CVA-61. The ship was scrapped out a few years ago in Texas. I arrived Clark Field March 1966 in Dress Blues and on arrival we all changed into our Dress Whites and it was super hot then we were bused to Subic. My late father in law was a survivor of the Japanese Death March. I sure have enjoyed your Videos. My grandfather built the old Gun Mounts on Grande Island. He was serving in the New Mexico National Guard.
Thank you for your service Shipmate, I was a Seabee. Of corse much later than your time in service.
Thanks for sharing your story .
@@Jimbocue a seabee that's sounds interesting
@@johngreenwell8420 It is!
@@Jimbocue My mother worked at the Port Hueneme, CA. Seabee base, and I still live nearby. I've always admired all military people, including our fine Seabees! 🙏👍🇺🇲
Interesting video nice to find the tunnels as well . When you walk threw old places forgotten as well it makes you remember everything changes and how we wish could go back to those times .
I always enjoy your trips to Clark where you look at historical sites. I know I could spend months wandering around and looking at many of those places.
Enjoyed Clark, I worked in the hospital in the early 70's. Worked on 4th floor for 1 1/2 years. Was a beautiful place at one time. As a medic, we treated many wounded and mentally ill patients coming out of Vietnam, Thailand and PI. Wow, brings back memories....
*An intriguing video,thanks for sharing interesting history. Take care Brian* 👍🇺🇸
I was at Clark 85-88 and yes my daughter was born at the hospital. When she was born they were averaging 97 births a month.
The story i heard on lily hill was when Clark was taken back from the japanese the were hold outs that hid in the tunnels and caves in lily hill. I was told that 3/4 of the hill was destroyed from artillery and bombing runs from us army air force. That did not stop the japanese from doing nightly sabotage, cutting power lines, fuel lines, just being a real nuisance. The story goes that a local chief offered to help, we took them up on their offer and after several nights of no sabotage we searched the tunnels and caves and found the bodies of the japanese soldiers many were "dispatched" in their sleep. They were still finding relics while i was there and some were dangerous so they sealed them up. Still just chismis but heard they found that the caves were being used to stash stolen items untill they could transport them off base. Part of the base agreement was anything they got out the gate was theirs and we would not persue or attempt to recover.
Yep, thats a combination of all the Lily Hill stories that I've heard while there in the 80"s. I recall when a group of Budists came to Clark, and put up the shrine. Lily Hill was kinda unofficially off limits, like people didn't really go there a lot, probably saw it as haunted because of the Negrito (?) tribesmen's slaughtering all of those Japanese in their sleep.
Sad to see these statues being neglected...
Stationed at Clark ‘76-‘78 thanks for the tour , loved that place !
I was medivaced to Clark back in 87 from Japan. That was my first time going to Clark, went back two more times for Cope Thunder exercises.
Another "sentimental" thank you for your video. My dear old dad was admitted at that base hospital in 1986, treated successfully, and discharged after 2 weeks. Sadly, he was admitted again a year later but did not survive the cardiac arrest he was admitted for. The U.S. military bases where boon to many but vain for some - especially to many politicians who where anti-American. Anti-bases Filipino lawmakers championed the idea that the continued US presence in the country undermined the Philippines' sovereignty, while others feared it could promote prostitution in the area. They were Senate President Jovito Salonga and senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Agapito Aquino, Joseph Estrada, Teofisto Guingona Jr., Sotero Laurel, Orlando Mercado, Ernesto Maceda, Aquilino Pimentel Jr, Victor Ziga, Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada - who authored Resolution 1259 of Non-Concurrence to the proposed treaty. As a retired U.S. Naval Officer, I felt a personal loss and sadness of this political process. As a Filipino, on the other hand, I personally respect the political aspirations of Filipinos. President Manuel L. Quezon boldly put it this way, "I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a country run like heaven by the Americans, because however a bad Filipino government might be, we can always change it. These were foreshadowing words because it seems the Filipinos now have a government that is... (I'll leave this blank for the reader's own assessment.) Maraming salamat, Brian.
I was there when the POWs from Vietnam came back to Freedom in February of 1973. They came in on C-141s to a waiting crowd of thousands of base personnel and their dependents and who ever else wanted to be a part of history. Lots of cheering and flag waving. Shortly after their arrival, they boarded those long blue hospital buses and were driven straight to the base hospital. Everyone seems to think they had something akin to full blown Thanksgiving dinner waiting on them. No such luck. The Docs had already decided to gradually ease these guys into eating real food. (They had been eating almost nothing but rice for many years). So... no Thanksgiving dinners. When asked what he wanted for dinner, one POW answered, "Anything...as long as you can't eat it with a spoon." Their overwhelming favorite request was for ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream. After about a week or so, and they had gained a little of their strength back, they were taken over to the main Base Exchange. It was closed for everyone else. They were allowed to buy personal items and pretty much anything they wanted. Candy bars were a big favorite. No communications satellites back then, so base telephone operators cleared the decks for POW calls (made them priority calls) so these guys could call their wives and families back in the States. Unit missions on Clark AB almost came to a standstill as everyone was in a "support the POWs" mode. It was really something to be there and to see it all unfolding. It made you so proud to be an American!
Thanks for sharing that information .
Thanks for all your walking and talking, it is very interesting to see all of those things, I feel sad that such a big and beautiful hospital was allowed to fall into ruins when it could have been put to such good use.
Brian thanks for sharing. I was stationed at USAF Hospital Clark from 1966 to 1968, it was just a few years old then. Lily Hill used to be a radar site and the jungle around it was noted for Philippine King cobras. There used to be an Air Police HQ at the bottom of the hill. Lily Hill was near the Hospital area and the PACAF Jungle Survival School which was out behind the hospital area. Kelly Theater was named for Capt. Kelly and Wagner High School was named for Col. Wagner. The elementary school was Wurdsmith elementary during my time. My filipina wife and I are celebrating our 53rd anniversary this month, we were married at Aldergate Methodist Church in Angeles City. I used to hang out at a small bar (Ada's place) on Anecito Gueco st. in just about the same location where Lot's store is now located. We used to live on Hadrian St. in Mt.View, just down the road from Lot's store.
Man, can you imagine going back and visiting such a place where you were around 55 years ago? Nostalgic
My stepdad(&our family)were there in 67-68. He worked at the radar site on Lily Hill. We lived in Diamond Subdivision.Don't remember much else except outdoor movies & Sat mornings at the NCO Club.
I went to Lily Hill Middle School, 5th grade to 8th. There is an active FB group for Lily Hill Middle School Alumni. I would walk to the base Hospital after school sometimes for my dental appts.
Lily Hill Middle School is still being actively used as a school by the PH AF dependents. I checked it out in 2016, the teachers were nice enough to let me walk around as the school was in session. Some of the classrooms, admin bldg, and Gymnasium are still there. Half of the classroom buildings didn't survive Mt Pinatubo.
I just went to the 3rd SPG Reunion from Clark Air Base, Philippines, We had it in San Antonio, the home of the Air Force Security Police/Forces. The Statue for the K9 Cemetery is there and I have a photo of it with the family of the Airman who died on duty at Clark Air Base that the statue was carved in his likeness. I want to send you my photos so you can share them with your followers. You are friends with Robert Kirkman on FB, we can get together through him.
Michael...3rd SPS 84-87. Not on FB any longer. Cheers my friend
@@brpnw4r94 I have not way to identify you from BRPNW4R? Did we know each other?
Rex Andreasen. Cheers
Sad that these bases are gone. I remember how they where. Great memories. Sometimes we don’t know what we have, until it’s gone.
Great tour and history class. 👏🏻👏🏻
2:24 everytime i pass there i go down and give them a salute to those two. And respect. And about the lily hill has a lot of story to tell. The clark authority has nothing to tell. 😆 so sad. All they know is rich greedy investor to come into the clark.. yes brian there are a lot of cobras there.
I went to Lily Hill Middle in the 80s. It was blocked off due to live ordinance & periodically one would go off & drive the snakes down the hill onto campus.
Nice to see and hear all the histories of the Clark Air Base👍looks like been abandoned for a while already👍thanks for the tour😎
Great video. Thanks for the walk. I love history
Clark is a special place.....
The greatest country on the planet
Hey Brian, when I come back to the PI I will take you for a drive on Clark and give you the "back when the base was open" tour. I was an SP K9 Handler and my dorm was 5273, which was on the other side of Lilly Hill. The legend goes that the US forces tried twice to take the hill from the Japanese and could not. The Igarot Chief told the US commander that if he would feed his people, they would take the hill for them. The legend of the marked book originated there. BTW, the base hospital was the top in the Pacific. The only thing they did not do at the hospital, which was a USAF Regional Medical Center, was brain surgery. You probably don't know this, but it was a teaching hospital for Filipino doctors and nurses. In the back of the building was a dorm for the female nursing students. My buddy and I did a video driving around Clark in 1990. He is transferring it to disk again currently. I sent you some clips from the K9 section on your FB Messenger.
Thanks for sharing that information.
Wes, do you have any insight into why the K9 cemetary is so large?
I would sometimes eat lunch in the shade across from the K9 kennels and one day saw an airman bringing his dog to his doghouse, when a very fierce shepherd broke his thick chain and attacked the two. the airman did his best to escape by climbing a very thin tree nearby (not nearly high enough) while his dog did it's best to fend off the other while still wearing a muzzle! This was out of sight from others so we shouted the alarm loud enough for people to go out and help matters. It was bloody scary.
Ive heard alot of stories about the aetas (negritos) helping us during the war at clark but never this one. The tactic to take the hill was point blank tankfire to keep our casualties low (survivors were still being discovered till war's end.) One things for sure, the aetas adored americans and would help us any way they could. The ones i talked to in 2000 still held out hope that the americans would return some day.
@@qawwss2000 thanks for the great story. I was a K9 Handler at Clark from 89-91. The K9 cemetery goes back a long ways, but the remnants of what you see today are the result of MSgt Mark Franzoni, Retired USAF. When he was the head trainer and a SSgt at Clark he initiated a self help project on the cemetery in 1989. The base supplied the needs supplies and the kennels completed the project. When it was finished there was a decorative iron fence that went around all the headstones. Plus he took one of the wooden K9 statues, that were sold downtown and given as going away gifts, to sculptor downtown and had it made near life size. It was placed on a cement pedestal at the end of a sidewalk. The pedestal is still there. After Pinatubo, the statue was sent back to the states and is currently on display at the Security Police/Security Forces Museum on Lackland AFB, TX. All the other historical items from the 3rd Security Police Group were sent to Elmendorf AFB, AK where the 3rd Wing was re-established after Clark closed. I don't know what the exact reason for the cemetery being the size it is but I surmise it is because of two reasons. 1. The K9 section at Clark was the largest military or civilian K9 section in the world. We had 126 dogs there during my time and I know that through the years that number had been larger. 2. They used the footprint of the existing K9 cemetery when they renovated it. I know there are no dogs buried in the cemetery because I was tasked with burial detail while assigned to training at the kennels when I first arrived. We buried dogs to the left and right and in back of the cemetery. My K9 supervisor (Top Dog) had been first stationed at Clark in 1976 and has the best knowledge probably of anyone still alive. He told me there are no dogs buried in the actual cemetery as well. The "Negritos" were so trusted by the US Air Force that we only had one dog team between their village and our Priority B resource the Elephant Cage, 6922nd. I could go on forever. I lived in the Philippines until Covid-19 drove us out in 2020. I am a Life Member of VFW Post 2485 in Angeles City.
@Wes Kerlin ...I have buddies who were handlers as well as HP in the mid to late 80 while I was assigned to the 3rd SPS. So many memories. There were two posts at the Elephant Cage and often received food from the Negritos on the other side of the so called fence. Gracious people. Two and a half years of my career that I'll never forget. I spent the last year or so as a desk Sgt working CSC and JDOC. Again, so many memories.
@@brpnw4r94 I hated that post. As a K9 Handler, it was boring and almost nobody ever came out to visit you. It was impossible to get out of the rain and there were no natural places to sit down. The other thing I remember about the K9 post at the Elephant Cage was there were some small concrete ditches from past construction projects that caused one to be very cautious when walking through the grass.
Graduated from Wagner High School 1977... lived on Bong highway.. hung out at the bowling alley and played football at the bamboo bowl... nice video... 62 and still going strong.. hope I get back to walk the ground again
I lived in Bldg 5204, the SP Barracks. The only thing between us and Lilly Hill was a parking lot where we held guardmount.
Mainer here checking in! We were stationed in Clark in the 90’s. Big change since then I supposed. Just a shout out to you guy’s and be safe, we’re a new follower of your channel. Thank you for the updates. Be safe ❤️
The hospital is always a good trip. Exploring is always interesting.
We had a communication van next to the radar site. It was used to patch phone lines to the flying command post whenever it was in the area.
Yes, Wagner HS/Jr High was named after Lt Col Wagner...Kelly theater/cafeteria was named after Colin Kelly....
Thanks Brian I totally enjoyed your blog today hopefully you will find the tunnels one day
Salamat Po
Wow! My grandfather was in that battle. He was in the 37th infantry division from Ohio.
Quite an adventure and I found it all fascinating...good job!!!
3rd SPS 1984-87. Our barracks were near Lily Hill. EOD would conduct demolition operations of found ordnance on the hill every now and again. A few of us raced bicycles and were sponsored by the BX. We'd ride thru base then top it off with a hill climb of Lily Hill. The armory/MWD facilities were a short walk If I remember. Barrack 5273 rings a bell. Cheers.
I never get tired of seeing historical stuff. If I ever make it to the Phils, I really want to check out the old military hospital, etc. Great video, and as always, thumbs up. Thanks for your hard work, Brian, we appreciate it.
Was in that hospital in 76, thanks for the tour
So Much history on clark. Time has not been good to the place. At least parts of the old base is being used but so much wasted area's. I have heard the hospital is haunted and of course listening to the soties are intersting. Thank you once again Brian for the tour and the updates you provide. take care
Hey Brian...those were both Filipino and US facilities. Mainly Filipino civilian employee offices but merchandise control, drivers license and a few other orgs were also located in those buildings. One of the main tunnel entries is located on the north side. It's probably gated and barricaded. The sad part about the hospital is that they (Filipinos) didn't take advantage of the facilities and turn it into a Filipino hospital. Thanks for the memories.
Great video!
Lilly Hill. I went to wagner middle school & Wagner High in the early 70’s
Although I was never stationed there permanently, I went through Clark AFB a few times in the mid-70’s, so I always enjoy the videos of the base.
I have never heard of this place... But thank you for the history lesson... Have a great day
Hey Brian, I was Security Police there from 86 to 91, we had a post up on top of Lilly Hill after Mt Pinatubo erupted to maintain surveillance of the Volcano for concurring eruptions. Our Security Police dorms were near the hill. Doesn't look the same, very overgrown now. By the way, my oldest daughter was born in that hospital. My wife can't watch your videos of it now, it hurts her to see it that way. Take care, thanks!
David...3rd SPS 84-87. Owned the Red 72 Plymouth Roadrunner. So many memories
Nice trip to Lily Hill and the 13th Air Force Medical Center. I was stationed at the hospital 1987-1991. I worked in the Dental Clinic which was located of the far left side of the hospital. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!!🤙
Kelly Theater and Wagner High School is my guess for namesakes of the memorials. I was there 1967-1971. Loved every second of Clark AFB and the Philippines. Dependent. Old enough to drive a motorcycle at 15 years/8 months old. Went everywhere on my Honda Sportcub 65! Lived up on the top of the base just down from the water tower. The "Blue" stopped just past our house. Back gate was just around the corner where we'd go see the guards on duty.
Great video. Love history. Thank you for taking time to show it to us. Did you know the first Kamikaze unit was formed on Oct 19th 1944 in Mabalacat , near Angeles. Named Shinpū(often pronounced kamikaze). It was made up of 24 men divided into 4 squadrons. Their first attack was on oct 25th 1944 on U.S warships Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Great video Philly!
The Negrito were excellent reconnaissance scouts during WW II. Also; they participated in training scenarios in the on base Jungle Survival School. Their small slender fit body helped their stealthy maneuvers throughout the jungle environment.
I’ve often wondered what happened to them
That was a great presentation this time. I always had an interest in the history of the Philippines. Those people have lived through some terrible times but they always persevere.
I spent many days on guard duty on Lily Hill. Our Security Police Headquarters and my barrack was at the base of the hill..
James....3rd SPS 84-87. Cheers
Wow awesome video brian very nice thanks
Hello Brian! Your friendly neighbor “Big Foot Dave” signing in from the upper end of McArthur Hwy here in Angeles City. Been a while since I last signed in but you struck a nerve with this video of Lily Hill. I first step foot on Philippine soil on October 27-1976 arriving on a military chartered Transamerica Airlines DC 8. I was 20 years of age at that time, single and assigned to the 1961st Communications Group and my Barracks was the one located at the Base of Lily Hill where you entered across from the road that lead to the K-9 cemetery. Times were good back then with 44, 000 active duty military personnel assigned to Clark Air Base where everyone both enlisted and officers were a golden friend. Lily Hill was the land mark of how I located my barracks during my first week of arrival as Clark was a big base and was learning my way around. Lily Hill was always a mystery during that time as it was off limits except for the Air Police vehicles that frequently patrolled that area nightly as you could always see their vehicles going up the access road. I do remember there was a spider monkey that use to come down from the hill at night from time to time. The 69th Security Police squadron was located across the street from my barracks now presently being occupied by buildings such as Duty Free stores. Wow that was 47 years ago and I am now 64 years of age and still going. I was assigned to the (Automatic Digital Switching Center) AUTODIN which was located at the back side of Clark Air Base some distance away near the Mabalacat gate. As for Philippine Cobras, well they were all over the location where I worked and during the rainy season you could always see them lying in the street of the access road that was located near the Clark cemetery that led to my job site as they did not like the rain but dry locations. The first day I arrived at Clark and while being giving the tour of my work site , the subject of Philippine Cobras came up and no sooner than said as the cover of a man hole was removed by one of my co-workers showing the location of a shut off valve for Diesel Fuel day tank, a Philippine Cobra circled round and round a few time then stood up in the strike position as his neck began to spread. One of my co-workers had the crazy idea of capturing the cobra using a glass sight glass and placed it in a large water bottle were it was on display for all to see inside the facility. Cobras on Clark Air Base during that time were quite prevalent almost any place there were tall grass. It was not unusual at night to see Cobras moving through tall grass upon Clark near the Bus Stops and at night their eyes lit up like two small flash lights. Some of the small cobra baby snakes took on the appearance of a brown rubber band all tangled in a ball but as you approach it it would unravel itself and try to strike. I had many encounters like these just walking from my barracks to the mail room located in an adjacent barracks nearby so if you wore open shoes such as sandals you had to be very careful. Pythons were also frequent at the base of the hill area also as the barracks vehicle parking were located right at the base of Lily Hill for barrack occupants. I recall being told of a large python making it way into the engine compartment of one of the cars which was discovered when one of the guys had a hard time trying to start the engine of his car and found a python wrapped around the fan belt when he raised the hood. A very large python was also found at the work site was I was assigned about 7 feet long. The house keeping cut it up with his machete and took it home to be eaten. I have never seen cobras within the inner city of Angeles City and although much vegetation have been removed in some locations of Clark for new construction, I am sure there are plenty of Philippine cobras remaining at Clark in the surrounding areas in the tall vegetation and grass. Rice bugs were also prevalent also in the tall areas of grass on Clark which I have not seen since the 70’s. There is a lot of history of Clark AB which the stories from the house keepers (house boys) whom had been employed for as long as 30 years were always happy to take time to share. Most people that was assigned here at Clark back in the 70’s or 80’s would not recognize Clark or Angeles City as the place is always changing in structure as well as demographics. I met my Philippine wife of 37 years here in 1977 but it was the warm hearts and kindness of the Philippine people that has kept me here but most of all affordable housing. Brian your videos are always interesting and have educated me in detail about historical sites here. As for Lily Hill we were told during the time I was assigned here that there were ammunition still stored within Lily Hill and there was not much discussion about tunnels since Lily Hill was off Limits. I do know that unexplored ordinance was always washing up during the rainy season on Clark from World War II. When the new commissary was built back in the 80’s it cut through Lily Hill and the new NCO club was built at a new location. I do miss those days back in the 70’s however martial law was in effect with a curfew since Marcos was still president. That meant you had to be off the streets from 12 midnight to 4:00 a.m.. I also would like to mention that you could find dedication cement plaques near the entrance of every barrack commemorating Air Force Officers that gave their lives in the line of duty during World War II as well as other locations such as the ones you read. Ghost Chases the T.V. series did come over and do an investigation on the old hospital at Clark some time back. I do have footage that I downloaded from you tube shot and posted from the cell phone of a group of local Angeles City citizens taken at the old Clark Hospital here of an actual spirit of what appears to be a American service man sitting down and it’s quite impressive. If you ever saw the movie “ Predator” an all star cast with Arnold Schwarzenegger where they are battling with an alien that appear invisible traveling through the jungle via trees but you can see just the outline with the jungle in view. Well the footage looks like that and this is as close as I have ever come to seeing spirits. I realize that this is a very long commentary and thank you for taking the time to read it but Clark Air Base carries lots of precise memories for me and I am sure from many others just from reading some of the other commentary here. Take care Brian and your videos are not only enjoyable but informative. Big Foot Dave signing off.
Clark was beautiful at least back in 86 to 91 then the volcano erupted and the military and families were evacuated, it's too bad it wasn't reopened, the military brought a lot of income to the Philippines
i was at clark '90 and lily hill was on my running route 2 times a week with a nice view past this gate,. for those inclined, fen hill a tad shorter but steeper .
the clark base theater was named 'the kelly theater'. my kids went to lilly hill school. also born on base.names of streets were changed, so it's hard to map where you visit some times. the airman's club was fantastic. the music was great , food reminded you of home. mid '60's you stayed across from the airman's club in half tents,very hot, when you arrived pcs to clark before getting assigned to a barracks. my old barracks is still there, 1705. very near the air terminal.. shame aquino nix'd clark rebuild. if clark and mactan were there today , don't think china would be an issue in the region. thanks for the tour.
Very interesting Brian 👌
I was stationed at Clark 82-86 and 89-91. As aa cop was told lily hill was off limits because ordances and snakes in under growth
An interesting post enjoyed it
I was at Clark 1968-1969. 6200 Security Police. Lily Hill ran down to our parking lot, North side of the Hill. On the Northwest side of the Hill was a large pad locked door which I assumed was weapons storage, therefore I think it was one of the tunnels you refer to in your video. The barracks on the north side of the parking lot was called PMO Provost Marshals Office. It was also Security Police operations and armory. The SP office later moved to near the flight line nest to Central Security Control. On top of Lily Hill was a radar tower.
Spent many a night on guard duty at Lily Hill. August 67- February 69.
I was a dog handler at Clark 1969-1970 and I don't remember the dog cemetary. Would love to see if Brutus and Heine are buried there.
6922nd Electronic Security squadron, 1968-69, further down the same road as the K-9 cementary.
Parts of the Flr-9 antenna, also known as 'the elephant cage' are still there. Great days at a great duty station.
Brian, From what I can tell from your video, those barracks appear to be the old Airmen’s Transient Quarters (TAQ). When I arrived to Clark AB in 1964 I stayed in those barracks for a few days before finally moving into my assigned squadron barracks. The Airmen’s Club (The Coconut Grove) was close by the TAQ. During those days Clark was a huge, beautiful, thriving base. The entire base was kept in great condition by the many roads and grounds maintenance crews.
Thank you for the tour.
Thanks for making this video. I’m very interested in WWII history
i love those places i went to subic and operated ham radio from one of those old bunkers worked stations from all over the world.i would love to operate ham radio from the old clark hospital when i go back,many states guys i talk to from australia into the united states worked and spent time in a/c during the days,most were chopper pilots one guy his wife was a school teacher on the base.so many ham radio guys lived and worked in the base.
Maybe it is me Philly, but on your past few vlogs you look more fit and energetic. Thank you for the walkabout. Stay safe and healthy from the CHIMMP. God bless you and your family.
Monument / Plaques very very cool, Thank you!
I used to live in base housing near there and my daughter went to Lily Hill elementary school. Lily Hill was the last stand for the Japanese. They used to come there and worship their ancestors every year. The Japanese heavily mined the hill so much so it was off limits when I was there. Every year during rainey season you could hear the old mines exploding!
At 6:57 I can see my old barracks! It's still standing. I recall those trees behind it and the approach to Lily Hill! Thanks for sharing. Lily Hill was off limits while I was at Clark.
Brian,it was a majestic hospital.i had some friends who was patients.in1983..in there..
Great video Brian I love history too.
My daughter was born in that hospital.
As I recall on one side of that hill, base commissary side, were tunnels that had been closed but clearly visible from the road. An amazing amount of history on that base.
I was at Clark in 67. While there, I was sent to Lily Hill harvest some banana trees for our barracks area. This even though it was still off limits because of the unexploded ordinance though to be there. While on the southeast side of the hill we discovered a couple unmarked Japanese dug caves. They ran back some distance, made a right angle turn for some distance. Then another right angle turn to another long shaft to a second entrance(exit). At the corners, a small rectangular hole could be found where they had placed anti-personnel mines set off with trip wires. The idea was that when GI's found the hidden entrance, the Japanese would retreat back into the cave and arm the mines as they went. They would then flee though the second entrance. We were there 22+ years after the caves were dug. I was surprised to see them in such good condition.
Hey bro, thanks for sharing your videos. I enjoy them all, specially the ones 20 mins or shorter.
Keep posting
Hi Brian.........I applaud your love of history, especially anything WW II. Best regards/murray.vancouver
I used to live on Simon St. down from Lilly Hill Middle School. I remember riding our bikes up that road on the other side of Lilly Hill up to that water tank. I was born on Clark in 1978 and my parents returned in 1984-1988. Good memories of growing up there. I went to school at Grissom Elementary on the other side of the base. It was destroyed by ash and is gone now. I remember the school buried a time capsule in the main lawn back in 1987. I've always wondered if it was retrieved or forgotten. Maybe something you can look into.
Some of your best work Brian yeah I like learning about the history to especially Lily Hill and those plaques. I hope there's a few more hidden treasures in that historical Clark area waiting to be filmed.
Thanks for the vlog, Brian.
Yes, the high school was named after col wagner. My hobby there in 1966 was exploring the local battlefields to find artifacts from ww2. There was plenty oif it still, because the military declared the area beyond the boundary fence (later replaced by cinder blocks) to be off limits due to all the unexploded bombs laying around. So the presense of guards every 50 yrds in the housing area made sneaking under the fence on a sat morning alot more challenging. We'd successfully sneak off base and spend the whole day exploring one specific area eash weekend. Lilly hill was well known to have numerous japanese caves and a long battle fought for the hill, but the vegetation was too thick to do exploring. They did a good job filling in known caves, making it too difficult to explore and not worth it. Some big caves were still accessable but they were all picked clean.
I volunteered after school as a stretcher bearer at the hospital. This was when the vietnam was was ramping up and a big train of medical evacuations was getting swamped. We would hang out at the emergency entrance while waiting for another busload of wounded brought in from the flightline.
Thanks for sharing your story .
Nice video, Stay safe
cool video! My Dad's uncle is buried at Clark. He was a Philippine Scout in the early 1900s. Interesting that there are cobras in PI, notably the Philippine Cobra. Keep up the cool videos!!! Watching from Kentucky!
One of the caves behind the old NCO club is where we went spelunking as a dependent. The cave entrance was cemented over and the main tunnel was dynamited at one point to make it impassable. Where there is a will, there is a way. And when you try that hard to keep folks out, curiosity drives you. We dug around the cement and the caved in parts, and had to swim about 75 yards further to find the main shaft. There were rats and occasional snake sightings, but we were determined. With only make-shift headlamps and old angled flashlights, we made our way into the main room if you will. There were a few remains of Japanese soldiers guarding the main entrance, but in the far end was I presumed to be the CO. From the position of the remains and the sword, he had committed Hari-Kari and fell over next to a small chest. Within it were the other swords, and a kimono, along with documents. We bagged what we could and made our way out. When I tried to bring my souvenirs back to the States, US Customs folks got involved and said no. They contacted the Japanese embassy in Manila, and I had to wait, as the remaining ancestors and family of the Japanese officer and soldiers came to Clark. All I wanted was to be able to leave, and bring my souvenirs. But after they arrived, there was a big ceremony to present the remains to the families, and show them where we found them. You did have to be extra careful back then, as many of the so-called souvenirs were booby trapped with whatever ordinance or weapons they could come up with.
This was a fantastic tour Brian. Thank you for showing us that area.
Have a pleasant day .
Lilly Hill was a DOD Elementary school. During war 2 it was a Japanese stronghold, and battlefield. Up until the mid 80's the NCO club was between there and the Hospital.
Great video Brian I love this stuff. Stay safe.
Really enjoyed! Thanks 👍
This was pretty interesting Brian! I enjoy hearing Philippine history 👍
Good video. Clark and Philippines had a lot of history fromWWII. Stationed there for six years and probably could write a book on my experience there. My wife’s grandfather was in the Death March and is still alive. There was a tunnel from Lily Hill that ran into the Commissary. Another tunnel entrance is past the old NCO club on the right on the other side of the old commissary. Hope to move back shortly. With construction, they often find relics and unexploded ordinance.
Bataan also rich in history all the way to Tarlac Camp O'donell I think it was where the death march end.