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Located 6,972 miles west-southwest of San Francisco, 3,044 miles north-northeast of Syndey, Australia, 692 miles south of Hong Kong and 628 feet above sea level, on the top side of Corregidor Island, Philippines, is the Corregidor Lighthouse.

The first lighthouse was built here by the Spanish in 1836, however it was torn down in favor of a taller version in 1897. The light from the beacon could be seen for 36 miles out in the China Sea.

The lighthouse survived the Spanish American War in 1898, the Japanese capture of Corregidor in 1942 and the recapture by the Americans in 1945. Lighthouse files indicated that the lighthouse was totally destroyed during the battles for control of the island, however this is incorrect. Although the lighthouse was severally damaged, it did indeed survive. Apparently it was decided that the tower was to heavily damaged to be saved and was eventually torn down. In 1950, a new lighthouse was built, (in many respects, resembling the original tower) from the bricks from the original lighthouse. Although the new lighthouse is used to guide ships into Manila Harbor it is the only functional item on Corregidor. The rest of the entire island, including the current lighthouse, is a memorial to the thousands who died defending it.

During World War II, U.S. troops, on the island, although bombed continuously, held Manila Harbor for five months. Japanese forces took control of the island in 1942, however the stubborn defense put up by U.S. forces prevented the Japanese from their planned invasion of Australia. When Allied forces recaptured the island in 1945, over 6,000 Japanese soldiers lost their lives, many by suicide. Only 26 prisoners were taken alive.

This story appeared in the June 1999 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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