OPERATION BENJAMIN
MANILA MISSION 2023
Operation Benjamin and the American Battle Monuments Commission
will correct historical errors at the
Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.
Join us for this historic and unique event.
February 13-15th, 2023 - Manila, Philippines Headstone Replacement Mission
February 15-19th, 2023 - Bangkok, Thailand (optional Bridge Over River Kwai extension)
Cost of Manila, Philippines Headstone Replacement Mission: $1,600 (airfare not included)
Cost of Bangkok, Thailand Bridge Over River Kwai extension: Additional $1,600 (airfare to Thailand included)
(Total for Manila Mission and Thailand extension: $3,200)
Scroll down for more information
THE SIX SOLDIERS WE WILL BE HONORING
ABOUT THE TRIP
Monday February 13
Participants will arrive in Manila. Monday evening will feature an in-depth orientation and dinner, with a chance for participants, families, and our hosts from the Manila Jewish community to meet one another.
Tuesday February 14
To create the proper historical context of the sacrifices of these young men, we will head to Corregidor Island. Corregidor was the site of fierce prolonged fighting and was left pretty much “as is” at war’s end. Our soldier, CPL Sam Cordova, was killed in action on December 29, 1941 on the Island at Fort Mills during the first Japanese assault. We will get to the island by ferry, and our private full-day tour will feature an experienced guide and two talks by experts on the Pacific Theater. From the island, we will view Bataan just across the bay, where the infamous Bataan Death March began.
Wednesday February 15
We will be replacing the headstones of 26-year-old PFC Ralph Greenstein, 19-year-old PVT Harvey P. Mashatt, and 23-year-old TEC 5 Eugene Shore. In addition, we will visit 3 additional soldiers to pay our respects and conduct memorial services for CPL Sam Cordova (whose headstone we replaced during COVID), the ONLY Star of David “Unknown” from WWII, and PVT Jethro Cohen (more about this fascinating soldier to follow).
Family members and participants who wish to return to the US, will be able to make a flight Wednesday evening. For those who can extend their stay in the Far East, the group will continue with the following extraordinary events by flying to Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday late afternoon.
Thursday February 16
We will travel by private coach to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum, the infamous Bridge Over the River Kwai and Hell-Fire Pass. We will stay in Kanchanaburi that evening.
Friday/Saturday February 17/18
We will pay our respects to the Allied soldiers at the remote Chungkai War Cemetery and say Kaddish at the graves of Australian Jewish soldiers. We will return to Bangkok on Friday afternoon and then spend Shabbat at the Chabad of Bangkok.
Sunday February 19
Depart back to the US.
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All of your flight, transportation, hotel and meal arrangements will be able to be made with our travel professional, Liora Cohen, who will contact you once you fill out a registration form.
Contact Liora with any questions at:
310-402-4042
CPL Sam Cordova
Headstone Replacement
Manila, Phillipines December 29, 2020