SGT. PHILIP V. MANDRA

By Irene Mandra

 

 

Dedicated to Sgt. Philip V. Mandra, my beloved brother, my friend, my playmate, my protector, till we meet again.

 

Born May 2,1931, Philip was my older brother. We attended Catholic grammar school and had the good fortune to belong to a closely knit Italian family. Phil was an alter boy. He was deeply religious throughout his life. There was a three year difference in our ages; yet we double dated together and had mutual friends. When the Korean War broke out, Philip join the Marines in September 1950. Our first cousin and uncle was a Marine; and when you earned the title Marine upon graduation from basic training, you deserved it. It wasnt willed to you. It isnt a gift. The title Marine is a title few can claim. No one may take it away. It is yours forever. Phil loved the Marine Corp.

 

Phil landed in Korea January 1952 as part of D Company 2 Battalion-5 Regiment, First Marine Division. In July 1952, Phil was involved in fierce fighting. He was hit in both his arms with shrapnel; yet he wrote home telling us not to worry. He was awarded the purple heart with a cluster. It wasnt until years later, that my family was notified that on that July 5th and 6th, Phil bravely maintained his position in the face of intense enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire. Phil seized an automatic weapon and delivered effective counter-fire on the hostile troops, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers. Encountering one of the enemy, armed with an automatic gun, Phil maneuvered his fire team in a tight defensive perimeter around the outpost; and immediately charged and killed the intruder with his bayonet. Phil rendered invaluable assistance to the outpost commander, constantly encouraging the men and administering first aid to the wounded. For his leadership, conspicuous gallantry, and courage in helping other wounded Marines, Phil was awarded the Silver Star. I accepted that medal on Phils behalf, telling myself that Phil will be surprised when he comes home.

On August 7, 1952 a day that is emblazed in my heart till I die, my brother disappeared. I did not find out until much later, that four other Marines also disappeared during the battle, on Bronco Hill with my brother. Bronco Hill is the outpost for a larger hill called Hook. The four other Marines who disappeared with my brother are Sgt. Junior J. Nixon, Sgt. Robert H Malloy, Cpl. Thomas L. Edwards and Pvt. Thomas Montoya. Some of these men were wounded due to concussion grenades thrown by Chinese forces. My brother was one of the men that was hit and knocked unconscious.

I was fortunate to find a Marine who witnessed what happened on that day. I was told that within fifteen minutes, my brothers unit got reinforcements and charged the hill again and learned all the wounded men disappeared. I dont think I have to tell MIA family members about the anguish and tears,׋} 㩋 ׋щU Ћ] ##] Ӌ}  ֋֋## ]] ׍0og# #Ë] ]܍9L*}Ћ 33ϋ} B9 ϋ33:q] 33Ӌ]"am 3։U 3Ӌ] 8 ЋE 3Ë]̍D꾤 33ˍK ߋ}؋33ύ`K 33M䍔 p ʋU30~( u33֍' Ӌ]Ћ3370ԋ 33]ԍ ˋ]389ً Nj33}썼: Ћ33}>| 33}č9eVċ  3MD") ȋ 3E؍*C ‹ 3U# ֋ 3uЍ79  3}썌9Y[e  3Mȍ  ȋ 3E䍔} ‹ 3U] ֋ 3u܍7O~o  3}9,  3MԍC ȋ 3EN ‹ 3U̍~S ֋ 3u荼75:  3}č9*  3ˍӆMӋY ЋAӉAA _^QA []ÐUM33Ҋ@S ^Tr]ÐUUSVW^3t=t^|_^3[]_^[]ÐU<^USVWtM3Ɋ:S ^u&Ar^3t=t^|_^[]_^[]ËE rE33Ɋ.3ҊV F3N F3 F3ɊvF F3Ҋv ʁ333ʋЁ33֋33Ɓ33֋33΋сUUUUUUUU333ʋ333‹UUUUUUUU333ʋЋ  с t^%M ȅt  % Ћʁ ϋ ϋ  V ^ W ^ ދuD>t퍅xP VxWQBxERPM Pу3+3<u\t;s2FP5OӋM33<u\t;w 2BP׍MЍEQjL2PPQR*EPEMUPEMPMЉUjQUjR(_^[]ÐU,SVW}3<>uD>tEPVMWQ(UERPM `у3+3<u\t;span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> promised to write our story; but never published it. The media claims that Russia is no longer Communist, I disagree. The Russians were polite but gave no information except the names of people involved in my brothers case, (which I might add my government refused to give me).

While I was in Russia, Vice President Gore was there. I visited his hotel and left a note for him asking for his help and explaining who I was and what my mission was about. I never heard from our Vice President. I wrote Vice President Gore a letter, when I got back to the states, asking for his help in finding my brother again and getting cooperation with Russia. I received a letter back from him that was so cold and heartless, it enraged me so, that I sent it to my Congressman. I wish I could find a copy of that letter, now that Gore wants to be President. I would turn it over to the media.

There is much to be done for the MIAs from Korea and Cold War. The most important of which for many family members is the cooperation of Russia and China. These countries still refuse to admit to us that they did indeed transfer Americans from North Korea into China and the Soviet Union. These files are with the GRU. We need a White House who genuinely has an interest in the POW/MIA issue and will pressure these nations to give us an honest accounting.

 

I still hope and pray that some day soon, I will received the answers I so truly desire. heard a saying the other day that applies to each and every unaccountedfor MIA, TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE LEFT BEHIND, IS NEVER TO HAVE DIED.

 

Although I can no longer hug you, the tears have never ceased. Till we meet again, my beloved brother.

 

 

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