American Courage in the Philippines: An Eyewitness and a Hero
As we start a new year full of promise, it’s not only important to set our goals, but to look back at the lessons the past can teach us. Last month, there was a major milestone in American history as we observed the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. These attacks brought America into the devastation of the Second World War — with over 16 million Americans serving their country in that period.
One such person is Fame Academia. A boy growing up in the Philippines with his early life full of acts of incredible bravery, including saving two American pilots from the horrors of the Bataan Death March. (One made it back to American safety and the other did not.) Fame went on to join the U.S. Navy and became a naturalized American — rising through the ranks to work alongside former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Thomas Moorer.
On Wednesday, December 29th, Fame passed away, securing his legacy as an American hero. Fame’s father was the mayor of a small Filipino village when the war started. His mother died in childbirth and he was the youngest of nine children. Throughout the war, his father helped several American pilots who had escaped the brutality of the Japanese evade capture by hiding in his orchard. One time, Fame’s father hid him, as a small child, from the Japanese invaders in a Catholic church, in a little wooden box on the altar.
One of the pilots was re-captured and tortured in front of the villagers. Throughout the beatings, this American pilot showed tremendous courage. Like something out of the movies, he smiled at the village kids and flashed the V-for-Victory sign (which the Japanese did not understand). Later he was hauled off in a pick-up and taken away. That pilot’s cool-headedness and kindness was something that the young boy — then a 90-year old man — never forgot. He never found out what happened to this brave American.
After seeing and experiencing the Japanese invasion of the Philippines firsthand as a child, Fame felt compelled to join the United States military. So, at the age of 17, Fame joined the U.S. Merchant Marines since no other service would allow a 17-year-old to join. He served in the Merchant Marines for 8 years on a sea-going tugboat and on the LSM463.
He also helped with efforts to bring ammunition and vital war cargo to allies and allied forces during World War II and the Korean War. Fame received a Purple Heart after protecting his ship from intruders and sustaining injuries to both of his Achilles tendons.
Following his Merchant Marines service, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Manila in 1954. During his 20-year naval career, Fame traveled the entire world aboard 13 different vessels which included the USS Iowa BB-61 (his first battleship), the USS Northampton CLC-1 (Command Light Cruiser) in which he crossed the equator, several Aircraft Carriers (USS Ticonderoga CV-14 and USS Kittyhawk CV-63, both during the Vietnam War) and several destroyers including the USS John Paul Jones DD-932 which departed Newport, RI on top secret orders where he stood on board during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Fame finished his distinguished Navy career serving for 8 years as a Personal Aide to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Thomas Moorer.
Fame was a devout Catholic and active member of St Andrew Catholic Church where he served as Sacristan. Still an avid fisherman and gardener, had many hobbies that kept him busy. Perhaps his time on the water was a time for him to reflect. Fame loved wearing his military uniform and he wore it as much as possible. “He wore his country on his heart,” said his daughter Lynnette Academia-Herbine.
“He loved serving his country and was so thankful to the military for the opportunity to see the world and make his home in America,” his daughter Gail Bogarde added.
Fame had top secret military clearance with the US government for 40 years. He never revealed the dangerous missions he was a part of and he never said a word about his early life under Japanese occupation until he happened to meet Kirsten Fedewa on a chance flight to Cleveland in August 2016.
From there, the story of his adventures unfolded as he recounted to her the tales of his life in the 1940s, which included saving American pilots and the dangers they all faced during war.
After getting Fame him a rare ticket to the GOP Convention and escorting him that day, Ms. Fedewa subsequently wrote an article in The Washington Times about the chance encounter and invited him to participate as a special guest of honor at several high-level events in Washington, DC. She also embarked on several research projects with her team of students to find the missing WWII pilots. (More details to follow)
Fame was regularly a guest of honor at the Holiday Veterans Tribute in Washington D.C. — hosted by the Capitol Hill Club alongside Fedewa & Associates — planning to attend in 2021.
He was chopping wood outside in early December and was planning to attend the December 14, 2021, holiday veterans’ tribute in Washington, D.C. It would have been his fourth appearance at the popular event since 2017. The first event he attended was hosted by Fox National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin (in picture).
Fame will be posthumously honored and will receive the US Merchant Marines of WW2 Congressional Gold Medal and the Filipino Veterans of WW2 Congressional Gold Medal.
Fame was the loving father of Elaine (John) Schaller, Lynnette (David) Herbine, Gail (Dean) Bogarde and James (Lea) Academia. Beloved grandfather to Mark Jr (Ariane), Stephen, Kristen Comtois; David II, Derek (Stella), Daniele, Dana, Deven Herbine; Dean II, Scott, Ava Bogarde; and Ysabelle, Sophia Academia. Fame was also survived by many nephews and nieces. His funeral service was in Fort Myers, FL on January 13, 2022.
