On the east side of the road.

A freestanding stone monument commemorating the USS Stingray and U.S.Philippine wartime submarine operations, the memorial features a rectangular concrete pedestal with a metal plaque on its front, engraved with a detailed account of World War II resistance activities, U.S. Navy submarine missions, and the Stingrays role in supplying Filipino guerrillas. Crowning the pillar is a large metal anchor with an attached chain, symbolizing naval service and sacrifice, while the inscription notes that a corresponding anchor and chain rest offshore in remembrance of submarines lost during the war.

STINGRAY MEMORIAL

From the first days of WWII, Filipinos and Americans
set up resistance throughout the country; the first to
attack the Japanese was the Abian-Madamba
Guerrilla Unit of Northern Luzon.

When Gen. Douglas MacArthur learned of the native
resistance he asked the U.S. Navy for submarines
to supply the Philippine underground.

Cmdr. Chick Parsons, who had earlier escaped
from Japanese captivity in Manila, organized
and directed the 20 Spyron Special Mission
Submarines which completed 49 secret missions.
They delivered arms, ammunition, medicine,
radios and specially-trained commandos.

The returning U.S. forces were met by 350,000
guerrillas; there were over 200 radio/coast
watcher stations sending vital information
to MacArthur.

These 20 submarines were a major factor in the
liberation of the Philippines, and were the most
successful patrol mission boats of WWII:
Narwhal Nautilus Bowfin Stingray Ray
Angler Redfin Gudgeon Blackfin Seawolf
Trout Gar Crevalle Gunnel Grayling
Harder Cero Hake Thresher Tambor

On this point, Caunayan Bay, in the early morning
of August 27, 1944, the USS Stingray offloaded
15 Fil-Am commandos, led by Capt. Joe Valera,
and 6 tons of arms and supplies for the
guerrillas and bolomen. This was the last of the
major submarine landings, just weeks prior to
the Leyte Invasion.

This anchor and chain represents the loss of 9
by those submarines who left them behind
in their often-hasty departures.

An anchor and chain lie underwater 100 meters
from this spot where they were left by the Stingray
during its harried exit. She was surrounded by
21 Japanese vessels, but escaped to deep water
without firing a shot.

This memorial is anchored in freedom,
enshrined in friendship.

PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MONUMENT