Brief History of the Clark Cemetery
The Clark Air Base Cemetery was formed between 1947 and 1950 by moving the headstones/markers and remains from at least four other U.S. military cemeteries (Fort Stotsenburg 1 and 2, Fort McKinley and Sangley Point Naval Cemetery ) to the new 20.365 acre, 12,000 plot cemetery located just inside the Main Gate of Clark Air Base. All WWII dead were moved to the American Cemetery, Manila.
The cemetery contains the remains of U.S. Veterans from the USA, USN, USMC, USCG, USAF, Philippine Scouts (PS) and their dependents. Some, but not, all were veterans of the Spanish/American, Philippine Insurrection, WWI, WWII (died after the war), Korean and Vietnam Wars. The largest category interred are civilian, mostly U.S. and Filipino, all of whom worked for the U.S. Government and their dependents. In addition, nationals from France, Spain, Canada, Japan, China, Vietnam and India are buried there.
The earliest recorded burial is Charles Ehrnberg, Civilian, Quartermaster Corps Saddler, DOD: 11/21/1897. There are no records but it is probable that this individual was moved from either Fort Stotsenburg 1 or 2. The Post is attempting to find out more about this individual.
There are currently 8,362 buried in the Cemetery (as of 4 February 1999). Twenty three U.S. Veterans were added to the cemetery rolls during the 1998 calendar year. Three have been added so far this year.
Dual flags have flown over the cemetery since 12 March 1984. A special waiver was given to the provisions of the 1979 revised MBA to allow the U.S. flag to be displayed. This revision was secured from the Philippine Government at the request of the Commander 13th Air Force, Major General Burns. From 1979-1984, only one U.S. flag had been allowed to be flown on Clark Air Base, the one located immediately in front of 13th Air Force Headquarters.
There are two monuments in the cemetery, the first is a 6 ½ ft marble obelisk carved "Erected to the Memory of United States Soldiers, Sailors and Marines by the Ladies Memorial Association of Manila, 1909", the second is a 3 ft high rectangular stone with a brass plate engraved "Clark's Cemetery site was established 1950 and contains the remains of non-World War II related remains from the base and other U.S. Military Cemeteries in Manila. It is the last active USAF cemetery outside of the United States. The graves date back to 1900. All branches of the United States Armed Forces are represented as well as Philippine Scouts, Philippine Constabulary and citizens of other nations. The cemetery contains 12,000 grave sites in an area encompassing 20.365 acres. Erected by 13th Air Force, 4 July 1984."
The Clark Cemetery was budgeted for and maintained by the U.S. Air Force from 1947 to 1991. When the Air Force departed the Philippines in November 1991, an MOA was signed with the Philippine Air Force where the latter agreed to provide proper care for the cemetery. In less than two years the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) took over the control of the cemetery. No care was provided the cemetery by the Philippine AF/CDC from 1991 to June 1994.
VFW Post 2485 took on the job of maintaining the cemetery after deciding the cemetery condition dishonored all Veterans buried there. A work force of U.S. volunteers (from various Veteran organizations) was organized for the initial cleanup. Limited funds derived from donations were utilized.
In November 1994, VFW Post 2485 signed an MOA with CDC giving the VFW permission to maintain the Clark Cemetery and open it for the burials of U.S. Veterans, including Philippine Scouts.
Currently the cemetery work force consists of supervisors from VFW Post 2485 Cemetery Committee, two full time local nationals and various other volunteers as needed.
In February 1996 CDC contracted for grass cutting, approx 10 days per month, and a clean up crew for trash and leaves on a daily basis.
The National American Legion has made a grant of $3000 a year to the year 1999 for maintenance of the cemetery.
At one time, support from the U.S. Congress to resolve the cemetery funding problems was led by Representative Montgomery in his efforts for action in the Committee on Veteran Affairs. This action apparently died from lack of interest.
The Clark Cemetery receives no U.S. Government Funding. VFW Post 2485 is only able to budget the maintenance of the cemetery through donations of money and services from various individuals, military organizations, veterans groups (nationally, locally and throughout the VFW Department of Pacific Areas) and civic/business organizations.
Note: The monthly VFW Post 2485 Clark Cemetery Report is available upon request. Contact the Post at: Box R-CV, FPO AP 96517 or mailto: bkhub@mail.ang.sequel.net
Clark Cemetery (1897 - 1999)
U.S. Veterans ....................................2,005
(includes at least 638 Philippine Scouts (PS) from the pre WWII era)
Dependents of U.S. Veterans ................ 676
Civilians (mostly U.S. & RP) .................1,085
Dependents of Civilians .......................2,275
Philippine Constabulary (PC) ..................... 2
Unclassified .......................................... 187
Unknown ....................................................2,132 * plus
Total 8,362
* This number includes three Unknown Spanish soldiers buried in a common grave and the plus comes from at least three group burial sites. Information and historical records on the cemetery are extremely vague or nonexistent.
The Post has computerized all of the available cemetery data which accounts for the changes in numbers. The increase is due to mothers/babies and twins being buried together and originally counted as one grave. There is still some fine tuning to do on the data base but there should be no substantial changes in numbers
VFW Post 2485
Angeles City, Republic of the Philippines District VII Department of Pacific Areas
PSC 517, Box R-CV
TEL: 63 045 892-7147
FAX: 63 045 322-0391
E-Mail: vfw2485@mozcom.com
VFW Post 2485 was chartered in April 1987 and currently consist of 847 members, of this total 820 are Life Members. There are approximately 350 members in the local area.
The Post Home is located at 381 Santol Road, Clarkview Subdivision, Angeles City, Republic of the Philippines. The Post Canteen consist of a bar and restaurant, open 0700-2200, 7 days a week. Of course, we are prejudiced but we feel we have the best food in town, especially our breakfast and lunch.
The Post has purchased a building that will become the new Post Home. It is located at the corner of Santol and Pinatubo Streets (adjacent to the current home). As a Philippine non-profit organization we are allowed to own the property outright. Renovations are underway. There is currently no firm date for the Grand Opening but we are hoping for later this year.
Post
Officers (1999-2000)
Commander: B.K. Hubbard
Senior Vice Commander: Bob McGovern
Junior Vice Commander: Jerry Prinz
Adjutant: Ken Schaefer
Quartermaster: Paul Morganthal
Post activities include:
A. Clark Cemetery: The Post, working under an MOA with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), is caretaker for the cemetery.
- over 8300 persons interred
- grounds maintenance is performed by two to seven U.S. volunteers and two local hires
- the Clark Cemetery receives no U.S. Government Funding. VFW Post 2485 is only able to budget the maintenance of the cemetery through donations of money and services from various individuals, military organizations, veterans groups (nationally, locally and throughout the VFW Department of Pacific Areas) and civic/business organizations.
- receives a grant of $3000 a year from the National American Legion until the year 1999.
- the Post publishes Clark Cemetery Information and Burial pamphlets, available on request.
- coordinates the burial of qualified personnel (U.S. Veterans , including Philippine Scouts) in the cemetery.
- maintenance of the cemetery data base.
B. Cleft Lip and Palate Program: The Post, working with local doctors, sponsors operations for local area children.
- 17 operations during the 1998 calendar year.
- operations cost approximately $400 and it usually take two to three operations per child.
- operations are all paid for with donations and money earned from various fund raising activities.
C. Assistance to Pearl Buck Foundation: The Post provides assistance to the local facility, which has over 800 foundation children in the Angeles City area
- provide intermittent building and grounds maintenance throughout the year
- provide annual Christmas Party (with Santa Claus)
D. Support to local Barangay (County) School:
- cut grass on the school grounds throughout year
- donation of a gate for the school grounds
- donation of sports equipment
E. Support to local Barangay Community: The Post assisted by local doctors and the Angeles University Medical Center supports limited medical attention for the local Barangay Community.
- Mini Med Cap (blood pressure, pulse, vitamins (on occasions)
- CPR training to the Barangay and local civic/business/government organizations
F. Veterans Activities:
- coordinates the Veterans Day Observance at the cemetery.
- although American Legion Post 123 coordinates Memorial Day Observance, the Post provides support at the cemetery.
- provide cemetery support to the local Returned & Services League (RSL) of Australia for celebration of ANZAC Day.
- provide cemetery support to CDC for such activities as Philippine-American Friendship Day and others as requested.
- Post Commander serves as Chairman of the local Veterans Council.
G. Founder's Club: A building fund started by Past Post Commander Ken Schaefer in order to obtain money for the purchase a permanent Post Home. The purchased property can be owned outright by the Post, this is due to the Post being designated as a Philippine non-profit organization by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.
H. Clark Field Museum: At the request of the Director, CDC, the Post Commander serves on the committee created to restore/maintain the museum.
I. Veterans Day Raffle: In an attempt to organize the raffle situation in Angeles City, the local Veterans Council has assigned certain months to different organizations. October and November are assigned to the Post. The yearly raffle culminates at the Veterans Day Picnic at the Post Home. Proceeds from this raffle are used support the programs listed above, as required.
J. Clark Cemetery Grave Diggers: An organization devoted to support of the Clark Cemetery.
- the Grave Diggers were created to hedge against the day when the donations become difficult to obtain.
- for more details about the Grave Diggers, see the application (attached).
K. Pinatubo - Pup Tent 15, Military Order of the Cootie (MOC): The Pup Tent was chartered 29 May 1995 with 21 member, including four Life Members. Currently 39 members, including nine Life Members
- - Pup Tent projects include:
- - Hospital visits in the local area
- - Eye glass project for the needy
- - Support of the Clark Cemetery
- - Administrator of the Clark Cemetery Grave Diggers for the Post
- - Provide limited support to Pup Tent 11 (La Union) for the Heinz Woelke Blind School in Baguio.
- - Currently establishing a reading library for young readers
To contact the Post, utilize:
TEL: 63 045 892-7147
FAX: 63 045 322-0784/0391
E-Mail: mailto:vfw2485@mozcom.com
Note: The Philippines is 12 hours ahead of East Coast time, depending on Day Light Savings
Life Membership
Application
VFW Post 2485
Grave Diggers
Name ____________________________ Member VFW/Auxiliary #__________
Address __________________________ Non-Member ____________________
- This application for the VFW Post 2485 "Grave Diggers" allows you to be buried anywhere you desire and can afford. If burial is at the Clark Cemetery you get a Grave Digger discount on digging the grave and the grave side ceremony (upon request). Furnished piners, lamenters, bewailers, criers, dancers and sack cloth will be at extra expense Note: This membership does not, repeat not entitle you to be buried in the Clark Cemetery, burial at the Clark Cemetery requires eligibility.
- Membership is open to anyone who has a desire to support the Clark Cemetery.
- Upon approval of this application, you will receive a Grave Digger Pin, Certificate and wallet size Membership Card.
- Proceeds from the $25 membership fee will be utilized to support the Clark Cemetery.
- This program will be maintained and administered by Pinatubo - Pup Tent 15, Angeles City, Republic of the Philippines in support of the Post. VFW Post 2485 is the sponsoring Post of Pup Tent 15.
- In November 1994, after signing an MOA with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), VFW Post 2485 assumed full time caretaker responsibility for care and maintenance of the Clark Cemetery.
- The Clark Cemetery receives no U.S. Government Funding. VFW Post 2485 is only able to budget the maintenance of the cemetery through donations of money and services from various individuals, military organizations, veterans groups (nationally, locally and throughout the VFW Department of Pacific Areas) and civic/business organizations.
Mail application and $25 fee to:
VFW Post 2485
Grave Diggers
Box R-CV
FPO AP 96517
Print this page and mail to the address above.