On a Mountainside: The 155th Provisional Battalion Against the Japanese on Luzon

By Malcolm Decker

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1881325741
• ISBN13: 9781881325741
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Yucca Tree Press
• Length: 225 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Thread of One's Journey Contributing to the Overall Fabric of Life

I had the great pleasure of meeting Malcolm Decker at my family reunion Sept. 3, 2005 in Griffith, IN. My name is Monica J Fassoth-Kelly, daughter of Vernon T Fassoth, grand-daughter of William J Fassoth. My grandfather, grandmother, Catalina and great-uncle, Martin Fassoth established the "Fassoth Camp" (chapter 6) with the help of Vicente and Arturo Bernia. Malcolm's father, Doyle knew my grandfather and rested and nourished in his camp. I however, never met my grandfather, grandmother and great-uncle and have always wondered how it would of been to be there at the camp, knowing and helping them. To experience how they dealt day to day in this terrible war, reaching out, sacrificing, risking all knowing there was no other choice for this was the only right choice - to help all they could. Malcolm's book about his father's flight of survival, the dangers and fears, lonliness and abandonment, artrocities witnessed yet coupled with the human compassion of others, safe haven and welcomed needed nourishment in all aspects transferred me right there in the middle of it all. I could not only envision it but I could hear, taste, and smell the complete scenario. My heart and every emotion were in each character and conversation. I could feel it in my racing heart and tear-filled eyes as I (walked alongside) Doyle's path of resistance for every step he took guided and led him to his survival. I have nothing but respect and gratitude for Doyle and all our brave young men who persisted on in this horrible event. Malcolm has enabled me to "experience and witness" my family's unselfish act through Doyle - Thank You Malcolm! The love of mankind when in unity is a strength that can never be broken. They say they are only "survivors" but truly they will always be "our heros". Monica J. Fassoth-Kelly

A Chronicle of Courage and Perseverance

On A Mountainside is a chronicle of courage and perseverance. It traces the escape of U.S. Army Private Doyle Decker and several others from the Bataan Death March, their finding refuge among the rural Filipino population, and, finally, their joining a fledgling American-led guerrilla initiative which organized armed resistance by forming the 155th Provisional Guerrilla Battalion, manned primarily by the tiny Negrito tribesmen. The Negritos were a primitive group of pygmies similar to Australian aborigines. Their presence in the Philippines predates the arrival of the ethnically Malay groups from which most Filipinos are descended. They also proved to be excellent at guerrilla warfare. Doyle Decker, orphaned at nine, dropped out of school at twelve to earn his keep wandering from farm job to ranch job, often working for no more than room and board. Joining the U.S. Army during the Great Depression, he followed a route out of poverty taken by many before and since. This undereducated farm boy could not have foreseen that this enlistment would lead to three years of living like a hunted animal as he fought off disease, avoided Japanese patrols, and helped organize a Negrito guerrilla resistance army. It is a wonder he survived, but survive he did and was promoted to a leadership position in the guerrilla battalion. When General Douglas MacArthur finally led U.S. forces back to Luzon, Doyle and his fellow officers positioned the 155th Provisional Guerrilla Battalion in a successful blocking action that prevented many Japanese from escaping into the Zambales Mountains and inflicted heavy casualties on those who did. In writing his book, Malcolm Decker leaned heavily on conversations with his father and Bob Mailheau, his father's close friend and comrade in the guerrilla resistance. He also conducted considerable historical research. Written in narrative form and using dialogue developed through these personal conversations, the author gives an intimacy to the story that might otherwise have been lacking. The book is certain to induce a patriotic glow in its readers. It is a moving tribute to sustained courage in the face of almost unimaginable adversity. The timing of its publication is particularly appropriate as our country, being tested yet again, has placed large numbers of its sons and daughters in harms way in foreign lands. J. Michael Houlahan Editor, Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Newsletter www.philippine-scouts.org

On A Mountainside - a story of four years of survival

Much has been written about the fall of the Philippines during WW II: Corregador, the infamous Bataan death march and General Mac Arthur. Little has been written about the men that chose to fight and survive rather than surrender to the Japanese. The American guerrillas survived four years living off the land and avoiding the occupying Japanese Army. Malcolm's unique writing style puts the reader in the jungle with his Dad and the other Americans. Finding food, shelter and avoiding poisonous snakes and insects is daunting enough without having to avoid an implacable enemy. Malcolm also gives us an in depth look at how the Philippine natives, the Negritos, aided the Americans both the guerrillas and Mac Arthur's forces. This was a well researched and documented book that reads like an adventure novel.

A stirring, personal account

"On A Mountainside" takes you through a long and troubling four year journey with young Doyle Decker, a private in the United States Army, shipped to the Philippines just before the start of World War II. After the fall of Bataan, Decker and a few other Americans evade the Japanese, hide in the jungles, and seek ways to help General MacArthur when his army finally returns. The book is written in a present tense style that keeps you involved in Decker's life and adventures on a day to day basis. As a reader, you live these moments with him, meet the people he meets, and experience the dangers and frustrations that faced Doyle Decker and the few men who survived with him. I have read many books and documents about the plight of our fighting men who were left to defend the Philippines, and this is perhaps the most personal account published.

On A Mountainside: The 155th Provisional Guerilla Battalion

In the above mentioned book, Malcolm Decker explains, very clearly, the plight of American military men who managed to escape capture to survive behind enemy lines. These courageous individuals were ordinary men who found their way into the United States military during those Depression Era days immediately preceding World War II. Many of these men were shipped to Luzon, Philippine Islands, considered by some career army and naval officers to be a country club for military service. Into this environment went soldiers like Doyle Decker, Bob Mailheau, Henry Clay Conner and countless others. All were sent to this island paradise that was invaded by the Japanese in late 1941 and early 1942. Malcolm Decker's book is primarily the story of his father's military experiences during World War II. But Pvt. Doyle Decker's wartime tales are not ordinary in nature. As a member of Battery H, 200th Coastal Artillery, he was sent to the Philippines shortly before Japanese bombs rained down on Manila. Although confined to the hospital, he left a sick bed to join his unit in the hopeless defense of Bataan, and when that peninsula fell to invaded forces, he managed to slip past his enemy - through hostile country and deadly mine fields - to survive amidst some of the most treacherous jungles and mountains found anywhere in the world. Although Malcolm's book journals his father's four-year fight to survive, this wonderful work reads like an adventure novel. The story of Doyle Decker is filled with all sorts of twists and turns, all of which are historically accurate and well documented. The book is really an adventure story supported by a wonderful array of maps and photographs. I spent many years researching guerrilla warfare and survival on Luzon and became friends with several of those included in Malcolm's book - Doyle Decker was one of them. I mention this only because after completing my work I felt as though there is nothing else to learn about this subject. Reading On A Mountainside has proved my feelings to be incorrect. In fact, this marvelous story only renewed my interest in the subject and gave me a clearer understanding of Doyle Decker, and of others who fought along side him during this remarkable quest for survival. It's a story with a happy ending. The American military returned to Luzon in 1945, and Doyle Decker assisted this operation by gathering intelligence about the enemy - information that saved lives and made liberation easier. Malcolm Decker's book, On A Mountainside: The 155th Provisional Guerilla Battalion Against the Japanese on Luzon is a wonderful read - a story that will be of paramount interest to anyone who is patriotic, enjoys history, likes adventure and truly loves a good mystery. Wayne L. Sanford, Indianapolis, IN