Reflecting on February 1945, Father Kennedy said, "I prayed that God would not make it too tough on my men (of U 130) since, for many, it was their first time in combat.

"Water was our most critical concern. After air drops of ammunition and rations which, at the time, weren't really needed, the C-47 cargo plane returned and we saw the blue parachutes suspending a large canister.

"We watched as the chutes drifted and drifted until ending up in the hands of the enemy."

A more desperate feeling he had never experienced watching the precious water elude their grasp.

After 36 hours without water, engineers who had been pressed into service as water carriers came upon the scene of I Company's men, some delirious, and all

with swollen tongues and parched lips. When Captain Kennedy's I Company was finally relieved, among the casualties were a I st Lieutenant, a Platoon Sergeant, two squad leaders, 7 Pfcs.; eleven dead in an engagement he initially felt would be minor. The way it turned out 1/130 experienced the worst of what could happen in a campaign.

For his efforts, Captain Kennedy collected a wound by a Japanese Nambu light machine gun and a Bronze Star. (He later added a Silver Star north of Baguio.)

Following the engagement an excerpt from a General Clarkson commendation read "...the aggressiveness, skill and courage displayed by your officers and men merit high praise. The manner in which your company refused to fall back when conditions were practically unendurable was superb.

"This letter will express to all personnel of I Company my sincere appreciation for an unexcelled performance."

Casualty List || Personal Accounts