Ramon A. Alcaraz

Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz (August 15, 1915 - June 25, 2009) was an officer in the Philippine Navy during the Second World War. A member of the 1st graduating class (4-year curriculum) of the Philippine Military Academy in 1940. He served with Philippine Army after graduation then joined the Offshore Patrol, predecessor of the Philippine Navy. Imprisoned by the Japanese after the Fall of Bataan in Malolos POW Camp.

World War II
During the war, Alcaraz served as the Commanding Officer of the Q-112 Abra, a 55 ft stepped-hull torpedo boat with aftward launch torpedo chutes built for the Philippine Commonwealth Government by the British shipbuilding firm John I. Thornycroft & Company - one of three "Q-boat" torpedo boats used by the offshore patrol during the war.

Under Alcaraz' command, the Abra took down three of the nine Japanese "Zero" fighters before he and his crew were captured. Imprisoned by the Japanese at the Malolos POW Camp, Alcaraz was appointed as a head among the prisoners, and took care of his fellow POWs in that capacity.

Post-war
Alcaraz was a staunch critic of Ferdinand Marcos' administration.

Retirement and Death
He retired as Commodore, Philippine Fleet in 1966, and died on June 25, 2009. He is currently buried in Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, CA, U.S.A.

Legacy
On May 6, 2012 Philippine President Benigno Aquino III announced that the country's second Gregorio del Pilar class frigate would be named the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), in honor of Alcaraz' long service to the nation. Formerly known as the United States Coast Guard Cutter 	Dallas, the Ramon Alcaraz was formally transferred to the Philippine government on 22 May 2012 (23 May 2012 Philippine standard time) under the auspices of the United States Foreign Assistance Act, with ceremonies held at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Pier Papa in North Charleston, South Carolina.