Lieutenant Ramsey’s War , From Horse Soldier to Guerilla Commander, by Edwin Price Ramsey and Stephen J. Rivele, Brassey’s 1996, 333 pages, with pictures and maps

The story of the defeat of the US armed forces in the Philippines has been written about many times. The ordeal of the Bataan Death March, the brutality of the Japanese occupation and the privation experienced by those left behind have become legends. This very readable book is a story of a remarkably lucky or unlucky man, depending on how you look at it. He managed to survive the entire occupation of the Philippines while helping build and lead the Philippine guerilla forces that were so important to the retaking of the Philippines by MacArthur’s forces.
A graduate of the Oklahoma Military Academy, Ramsey was from a troubled family, but he found a calling in the US Cavalry. He entered the Army at the end of the history of the horse mounted cavalry, a time of transition and turmoil. A natural rider and leader of men, he loved horses and the cavalry, but there were no billets when he was commissioned, so he started law school. Due to circumstances he had to withdraw and due to the mobilization there was now a call for trained officers. He ended up in the 11th Cavalry, the progenitor of the 11th ACR and then volunteered to go to the Philippines.
Ramsey was assigned to the 26th Cavalry, a unit of the famous Philippines Scouts, which were led by US Cavalry officers, the enlisted ranks being filled with natives. This was the eve of World War II and they were training hard. Very soon the Japanese invaded. Refusing to surrender, he and other officers began recruiting guerilla cadres, ironically using the writings of Mao Te Sung to guide them in their endeavor.
The Japanese were persistent and brutal in their search for Ramsey and his fellow officers. Almost all his compatriots eventually were caught, tortured and killed, but through miracles, incredible feats of personal survival, and sheer luck, Ramsey survived. Often reading like a work of fiction, Ramsey tells these stories very well, as well as his battles with his own demons while trying to survive in the jungles of the Philippines. He describes his relationship with the men and women who risked all for freedom, and often died for the cause, including their unswerving loyalty and his love for them. It is obvious that Edwin Ramsey was a special officer in a special circumstance and like many such men who find themselves in such circumstances, he excelled.
This book is a study in command under incredible physical and psychological stress as well as a story of heroism and loyalty which should be in your library.