[GATOR NAVY]

"The first day was beautiful, and by 7 o'clock that evening it was raining," he said. "I think it rained every day for the next 30 days. My uniform just about rotted off me."

I remember on the way into Leyte Gulf we hit a wall of rain that was so heavy we had to turn around and head back out to sea. We were totally blinded visually and the radar picture was solid video. It was the hardest rain I've ever seen.

[Ax]

My first ever overseas tour was at Clark Air Base, north of Manila. I think it was on 4 July 1962 when I was coming out of a bar in Angeles and there was a big commotion. The General himself was riding down the main, muddy drag there, in an open car, looking very regal. The Filipinos adored the man.