Too Little, Too Late, by
Keith Ferris
It's almost as if the volcano Mount Pinatubo knew. Almost fifty
years after the "date which will live in infamy," Clark Air
Force Base in the Philippines was back in the news again. In 1991 it
was being buried under tons of volcanic ash, but in 1941, it was
buried beneath Japanese bombs - heralding the start of World War II.
Many forget that Pearl Harbor wasn't the only place that was
attacked on December 7th. Across the International Date Line - making
it officially December 8th - lay Clark Field, which was pounded by
Japanese "Betty" Bombers, then strafed by Zeroes.
But American Society of Aviation Artists' founder and former
president, Keith Ferris, remembers the pilots who managed to
counterattack. Two such heroes, LT. General USAF (Ret.) Joseph Moore
and Colonel USAF (Ret.) Sam Grashio, not only are pictured in this
limited edition fine art print, but countersign it - along with LT. (jg)
Saburo Sakai of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
To make the offer more valuable, each print is accompanied by an
exciting video, capturing the pilots at the signing ceremony, as well
as other events during the Admiral Nimitz Foundation symposium
commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The signatures:
Lt. Gen. USAF (Ret.) Joseph H. Moore was born and raised
in South Carolina. He entered military service as an Aviation
Cadet in 1937, and was awarded his wings and commission as
Second Lieutenant in 1938. When WWII broke out, he was commander
of the 20th Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field. He led three P-40
fighters against the Japanese aircraft which had effectively
destroyed the Philippine air base. Even so, the P-40s shot down
three Zeroes.
General Moore evacuated his squadron to Bataan on Christmas
Eve, where they fought to repel enemy forces attempting to land
on the Bataan Peninsula. He fought throughout the war in the
Pacific and European Theaters. He continued to serve the Air
Force attaining high command positions before retiring.
Col. USAF (Ret.) Samuel C. Grashio was born and raised
in Spokane, Washington. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as
a Flying Cadet in September of 1940. He trained until November
of 1941. He arrived in Manila just eighteen days prior to the
commencement of hostilities. He became a prisoner of war at
Bataan, and survived the infamous Bataan Death March. He was
incarcerated in three different POW camps for 361 days before he
escaped his captors.
He fought with the Philippine Resistance for five months
until he was evacuated by submarine to Australia. He continued
to serve his country in the Middle East, Italy, Canada, and
America until his retirement in 1965. Afterward he worked at his
alma mater, Gonzaga University, as Assistant to the President
and Director of Development.
Lt. Saburo Sakai was born in a farmhouse in Saga
Prefecture. He enlisted as a seaman at Sasebo Naval Barracks in
1933. After graduating at the top of the 38th Pilot Training
Class in 1937, he participated in central China operations. In
1941 he was promoted to the Petty Officer First Class rank, and
became a shotai leader in the battles over the Philippines and
the West Indies.
Despite severe head wounds received in an air action over
Guadalcanal in 1942, he was part of the battle of Iwo Jima in
1944. Failing eyesight finally grounded him. Even so, he is
considered one of the top aces, and is the author of Samurai. |
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Print size: 31 ½"w X 25 ½"h
Limited edition of: 1000 signed
and numbered by the artist: $245
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