The Lost Guerrilla of Baroy – The Search for 1st Lt. Roy E. Welbon

In this episode, we tell the story of First Lieutenant Roy E. Welbon — a Canadian-American mariner turned guerrilla communications officer — who was killed defending a radio station in Baroy, Lanao del Norte, in January 1944. We explore how contemporary evidence, declassified documents, and modern forensic methods are giving new hope to a case long considered closed.

Main Topics:

• Roy Welbon’s maritime career as a radio operator and his transition to guerrilla communications in the 10th Military District
• The establishment of “Welbon Station” and its critical role in Fertig’s network
• Helen Welbon’s evacuation on the USS Narwhal and Roy’s decision to stay behind
• The February 1944 Tenth Military District report confirming recovery of his body from a marked grave in the Baroy plaza
• The Tarkington manuscript account of the small white cross placed on the plaza in front of Father Thibault’s church
• Post-war loss of the remains and the challenges of MIA recovery in the Philippines
• Current efforts by AMAG to investigate the Baroy plaza area using ground-penetrating radar and local coordination
• The power of combining archival research with forensic science to bring closure to families

Key Evidence Highlighted:

• Knudsen eyewitness report (26 Jan 1944)
• Fertig-signed 10th Military District Casualty Report (25 Feb 1944)
• Tarkington manuscript (There Were Others) via Father Haggerty
• 1945 newspaper interview with Helen Welbon

Connect & Support AMAG’s Mission:
If this story moved you, please consider supporting AMAG’s efforts to locate and recover American MIAs from World War II in the Philippines. Your donations directly fund field investigations, ground-penetrating radar surveys, DNA analysis, and coordination with local communities in places like Baroy. Every contribution helps bring heroes like Roy Welbon home.

Visit https://amagonline.org to learn more or make a donation today. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind - Its About Time