AIRCRAFT PARTS FROM 2nd LT. EARL STONE’s P40E WARHAWK AND SGT. TOSHISADA KUROSAWA’s MITSUBISHI KI-27 “NATE” FROM MT. MARIVELES CRASH SITES – アメリカのP40Eと日本のキ27の航空機部品。アメリカのストーン中尉と日本の黒澤利貞が操縦していた

WWII Battlefield Archeology:
AIRCRAFT PARTS FROM 2nd LT. EARL STONE’s P40E WARHAWK AND SGT. TOSHISADA KUROSAWA’s MITSUBISHI KI-27 “NATE” FROM MT. MARIVELES CRASH SITES – アメリカのP40Eと日本のキ27の航空機部品。アメリカのストーン中尉と日本の黒澤利貞が操縦していた。

MENTORS IN WWII HISTORY – 第二次世界大戦の歴史における指導者
It was just a meeting with some of the guys I am acquainted in WWII History but with whom I have high respect and considered part of group of mentors as I journey in my passion for history: Randy Anderson, Sr. (Hellship Memorial), Kevin Hamdorf (geologist and WWII enthusiast) and Spike Naysmith (American POW in Vietnam, history enthusiast).

SURPRISE HAND-OVER OF RARE WWII ARTIFACTS – 第二次世界大戦の貴重な遺物の引き渡し
It turned out, as a simple opportunity for the handing-over of precious WWII artifacts: aircraft parts of American Army Air Corps pilot Lt. Stone’s P40E Warhawk (17th Pursuit Squadron) and Japanese Air Army pilot Sgt. Toshisada Kurosawa’s Mitsubishi Ki-27 “Nate” (50th Air Regiment, 4th Air Brigade); both recovered on the actual crash sites on the steep side of Mt. Mariveles in 2006 by Kevin Hamdorf himself during field recon conducted.

AMERICAN P40E WARHAWK AND JAPANESE MITSUBISHI KI-27 – アメリカ軍機 P40E ウォーホークと日本軍機 三菱 キ27
The artifacts collection comprised of parts of P40E (except for the blast tube for P-40D, cannibalized and fitted on the “E” model) such as gun blast tube, canopy, plexiglass, dented .50 caliber rounds, projectiles and casings, etc. For Sgt. Kurosawa’s Ki-27, is a piece of aircraft aluminum skin with the red paint of the “Hinomaru” still visible.

DOGFIGHTS OVER MARIVELES, BATAAN – バターン州マリベレス上空で航空迎撃
On February 9, 1942, Lt. Stone took-off from Bataan Airfield on escort mission for photo recon on Japanese artillery positions near Cavite by Capt. Jesus Villamor piloting a Boeing Stearman Model 76D. Sgt. Kurosawa’s Ki-27 took-off from occupied Clark Field along with other 5 Nates. Over the skies of Mariveles, a dogfight ensued where both American and Japanese pilots were lost.

The following are photos of the type of American P40E Warhawk and Imperial Japanese Army Air Service Mitsubishi Ki-27 used in the Philippine Campaign 1941-1942.

IN SEARCH OF LT. STONE’s REMAINS – ストーン中尉の遺体を探して
In 2006, efforts were made to recover the remains of 2nd Lt. Stone on the steep slope of Mt. Mariveles. In one of those field reconnaissance conducted by a team, Kevin Hamdorf successfully recovered the parts of aircraft belonging to Lt. Stone and Sgt. Kurosawa. Remains of Sgt. Kurosawa were also found at the crash site of his Ki-27, but those of Lt. Stone were never found. The remains of the Japanese pilot were handed-over to the representative of Kurosawa Family. Lt. Stone’s name is inscribed at the Tablet of the Missing at the American Cemetery in Manila.

RELICS AND COLLECTIONS AT THE BAMBAN WWII MUSEUM – バンバン第二次世界大戦博物館の遺物とコレクション
We believe these aircraft parts of the wrecks of both pilots are important WWII artifacts that should be exhibited at a WWII Museum as dedicated like the Bamban; in memory of the 2 gallant pilots.

We are forever grateful to Kevin.

Also handed-over is a photo album containing photographs of Sgt. Kurosawa and his family from Sapporo, Japan. Another notable relic are wooden pieces of “Jarrah sleepers” from railway tracks at the town of Terowie, South Australia; where Gen. MacArthur made his famous “I shall return” speech to media on March 20, 1944.

Truly, these important collections are important tangible artifacts and items in the study and understanding of WWII History that our Bamban WWII Museum can provide.

© 2026 Rhonie C. Dela Cruz
Bamban WWII Museum/Historical Society
Bamban Center for Pacific War Studies
WWII Remembrance Network – Hell Ships Memorial
PGT – Tarlac Provincial Tourism Office