World Battlefronts: Volunteer

Three months ago Douglas MacArthur's Artillery Chief, Major General Edward P. King Jr., cemented a personal friendship of long standing with the Balugas, aboriginal Negrito tribe in central Luzon. In gratitude for rescues of many U.S. pilots after forced landings in the mountains, he cut his arm with a Boy Scout knife, bathed the knife in his blood and presented it to Baluga Chief Tomas.

The gift was duly appreciated. A few days after the Jap came to Luzon, Chief Tomas picked up three Nip pilots forced down in his territory, trussed them like pigs, delivered them to his Yankee friends. This week Tomas decided the time had come for a more decisive step. With a sling of poisoned arrows over his shoulder, an ancient cartridge belt around his middle and a gleaming bolo in his hand, he looked up the U.S. Army. Drawing himself up to his full height (4 ft.), he announced that the Balugas had unanimously voted to help the U.S. defeat Japan. Tiny but mighty in battle, the Balugas may come in handy.