Seems like a regiment of hardened China Marines might actually come in handy, but MacArthur seems to think he can defend Luzon, standing on the walls of Intramuros w/his Colt .45. Most of them would rather hit the beaches of Nippon itself than stay here in Army territory.

The appearance of Glory, shortly after the outbreak of war, borne in the arms of a United States Marine, is received by the Altamiras in much the same way as if Christ were to materialize in the center of their living room with the Virgin Mary slung over his back.

All around him, middle-aged women are thudding down onto their knees, as if the place has just been mustard-gassed... Glory alights nimbly upon her high heels, tears exploring the exceptional geometry of her cheeks, and kisses everyone in the entire clan.

Bobby sees a middle-aged woman vectoring toward him, grimly determined to kiss him. He knows that he must get out of this place now or he will never leave it. So, ignoring the woman, & holding the gaze of those stunned boys, he rises to attention and snaps out a perfect salute.

He does not see Glory again.
He manages a conversation w/Uncle Jack, who pulls up alongside in a small motorboat long enough for them to shout a few sentences. Uncle Jack is the last of the Manila Shaftoes, a branch of the family spawned by Nimrod Shaftoe of the TN Volunteers.

Nimrod's daughters returned to @GreatSmokyNPS―Shaftoe ancestral wellspring since they broke out of indentured servitude. Jack stayed in Manila, never married…odd combination of salty waterfront trader & perfumed dandy. He & Pascual have been in business #forever.
#Cryptonomicon