December 7, 1941. A fine morning was turned to chaos when Japan launched an unprecedented raid on Pearl harbor. Aiming to cripple US strength in the Pacific, the attack formally dragged America into the global conflict, worsening the Pacific theatre of the second world war. Sunken USS Arizona. Pearl Harbor, 1941. The attack was done in assurance of Japan's imperial aims, claiming territories in the Far East including the Philippines. The country was then under the US-Administered Commonwealth, and US military might was concentrated in Luzon. One such monumental stronghold is the fortress island of Corregidor. Celebrating Philippine independence at Corregidor. I spent the holiday of Philippine Independence last June 2026 on this island, and I was bare witness to the destruction, the history, and the stories of valor etched in its memory. * * * Corregidor is the last major allied stronghold and its fall on May 6, 1942 meant the defeat of organized US resistance in the P...