By: Stephaine Penick - Positively Naperville


Thanks to 600 heroes who served the 672nd in the Phillipines during World War II

On a cool, breezy autumn weekend in October 2010, the annual reunion of the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion was held at the Naperville Holiday Inn Select. 

The revolving reunion, usually held in cities back East, was organized by Naperville resident and World War II Army veteran Paul Junkroski, Sr., with the assistance of his son, Paul Junkroski. The Naperville event to share a common bond that dates back to 1945 attracted five veterans from the 672nd and their families and friends from across the nation.

The 672nd participated in one of the most notable rescues in history during WWII as they liberated 2,147 internees from the Los Banos Japanese Prison Camp in the Philippines. 

As the story was told, before dawn on on Feb. 23, 1945, the soldiers boarded 54 tracked amphibious assault vehicles of the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion commanded by Lt. Col. Joseph W. Gibbs and ventured into Laguna de Bay, heading for Mayondon Point, near San Antonio, some two miles from the interment camp. Several hours later, they made their way to the camp, about 40 miles behind enemy lines. They loaded about 30 internees into each of the amphibious tractors and carried the internees back to Mayondon Point in the largest release of civilian prisoners ever.

The day of the rescue, the Phillipines "went to bed under the rising sun and woke up under the stars and stripes," said one of the attendees.

Friday evening, four members of the battalion and about 40 family members attended the opening reception in the Bailey-Hobson Room at the Holiday Inn Select.

Singer Joe Cantafio entertained with patriotic music and songs from the World War II era. Cantafio, an active veterans' advocate, shared stories of his travels to entertain the troops here and there. Photographers and videographers also recorded the event for a USO show Cantafio hosts titled "Stories of the USO."

                  

                             
Cantafio exchanged stories with two reunion attendees who had been held prisoner at Los Banos for three years as children of missionary parents. During the reunion Friday evening, a video crew filmed the event for an upcoming show titled "Stories of the USO."

Tables provided an exhibit for mementos, pictures of all 600 members of the battalion, photographs, books, scrapbooks, training films, etc.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, the veterans and their families visited Cantigny where they toured the informal and formal gardens in all their autumn splendor, watched a Civil War Enactment and toured the World War II museum.

Late Saturday, a fifth veteran who served in the 672nd arrived.

Their annual meeting, held Saturday afternoon after the tour of Cantigny, included the charge to host the 2011 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion Reunion in late September or early October in Sharon, PA. Inspite of declining numbers, the veterans want to continue hosting their reunion, said Paul Junkroski, Jr.

That evening, a quartet from the Chorus of DuPage entertained in barbershop harmony as attendees arrived for the banquet.</span>

Mayor George Pradel stopped by to greet the World War II veterans with a warm welcome and to express his appreciation for their service.

Father Dindo Billote, Parochial Vicar at St. Raphael Catholic Church, was the featured speaker at the Saturday evening banquet. Billote's family came to America from the Philippines, not far the where Junkroski and the 672nd served in World War II.

"If if weren't through the men we're having dinner with tonight, we wouldn't be here," said Billote during his remarks, noting that he was born in the Philippines 47 years ago and recognizing his Filipino parents were in attendance at the dinner, too.

Hudson Hess, a missionary who traveled from Houghton, NY, to attend the reunion with his brother and two sisters, also presented thoughts on behalf of his family. His parents were missionaries in the Philippines and his parents and three siblings had been internees in Los Banos Japanese Prison Camp for more than three years.

"We come to these reunions because we love you guys," said Hess, who was 10 years old at the time of the rescue. "We want to tell you how much you mean to us as I was one of 2,147 internees liberated that day."

Several stories about the rescue are featured online. Here's one:

World War II: Liberating Los Baños Internment Camp

Editor's Note: At the invitation of Mary Ann Junkroski and Paul Junkroski, PN had the priviledge to meet five American heroes, all World War II Veterans from the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion. We are ever so grateful for the service of all men and women who have served in the military.