February 23, 2022. What a story this rusty Colt could tell. The M1911 pistol, which is more than a vintage military weapon, is more than a sidearm. It is a symbol for courage, determination, triumph over adversity. This pistol was used to cross the 2,060-mile open-boat ocean from the Philippines to Australia. The Minesweeper U.S.S. skipper and 17 crewmen were rescued by Quail in May 1942. Quail bravely decided to sail from Manilla, Philippines to Darwin, Australia instead of surrendering to the Japanese. Lt. J.H. Lt. J.H. This Colt M1911 is one of the featured “Guns of the Day” on the NRA Museum’s Facebook Page. You can find hundreds of other interesting firearms. We believe this remarkable story deserves to be told. Colt M1911 Pistol — Escape From Corregidor
The U.S.S. minesweeper U.S.S. Quail was the last American naval vessel to be operational in the Philippines during Japan’s occupation in May 1942. After his vessel was disabled at the strategically-important island of Corregidor near the entrance to Manilla Bay, Lt. Lt. Commander J. H. Morrill scuttled his ship and offered his crew a choice. He wanted them to either surrender to Japan or try to escape by sea to Allied territory thousands miles away. 17 crew members opted to join Morrill for a dangerous passage in an open launch/lifeboat of 36 feet. The crew scavenged gear, including the M1911 that was found from a fallen serviceman. Morrill and his men completed the epic 2,060-mile journey to safety and Australia in 58 days with very few navigational aids and charts.
Corregidor Island today with War Memorial
Credit NRA Museum, Corregidor.org and U.S. Government photo taken from Wikipedia.
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