Pilgrimage to Hill 1700, Circa February 2005.

BHS Exploration Team led by Romel Dela Cruz conducted a pilgrimage to the site of the flag raising in Hill 1700 (February 25, 1945) which the Aetas called Gusi Hill. This was the actual site where the three soldiers of Company D, 185th Infantry raised the Old Glory while there was still stiff fighting (actually it took the 185th 10 days of fierce combat against Japanese Naval Defense forces). The drama of the flag raising, in actual combat, was captured by the Signal Company of the 40th Division, US Army. A copy of the flag raising photo was already presented to the US Embassy in Manila and now a part of the exhibit inside the halls of the embassy. However, the three soldiers who took part in the event are still inknown up to this date. Efforts are already being made along with contacts in the U.S. to identify the three soldiers.