This site marks the location of the Del Monte Airfield which served as a base for the B17 Bombers of the 19th Bomb Group and the aircaft of the 24th Pursuit Squadron. This airfield become the strategic staging point of the remaining air assets of the United States Armed Forces Far East (USAFFE) until the surrender in May, 1942.
On December 14, 1941, six B17's from the Del Monte Airfield were dispatched to attack the Japanese Invasion Fleet in Legaspi, Albay. Only the Flying Fortress flown by Capt. Hewitt "Shorty" Wheless made it back after staging a dozen enemy fighters and crash landing in Cagayan de Oro City, earned him the distinguished service cross.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the USAFFE, after a daring escape by PT Boat from Corregidor, flew out from Del Monte on March 17, 1942 with his family and General Staff to Australia, when he declared the famous Phrase "I Shall Return" .
The President of the Philippine Commonwealth, Manuel L. Quizon, his family and party also took off from this airfield for the historic evacuation to the United States.
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