“…toughness of spirit, … heart, and humanity. … Claire did not fit the easy mold of a noble hero…in the end she was a hero and a survivor…”
This is the story of Claire Phillips:
“Good spies and heroes are not necessarily Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Claire Phillips was deceptive and foolish at times, but she also fought on behalf of the United States to defeat Japan in occupied Manila. For the eighteen months she was running her nightclub, Claire and the women who worked for her risked their lives nightly to gather intelligence faster than it could be assimilated and used by MacArthur’s intelligence headquarters in Australia. .. First she sweet-talked men who, hopelessly drunk with love, provided the names of their crews, their travel dates and itineraries. And then, after a final kiss, they would have been blown out of the water by U.S. ships and airplanes.” … from MacArthur’s Spies
MacArthur’s Spies:
“It’s a barn-burner of a story, a fight for love and glory, and Eisner’s impeccable research and reporting bring it to life. Here’s looking at you, Claire.”
“This is a spy story about a remarkable woman who, through her own cunning and considerable charm with the men in her life, manages to survive—a triumph of the human spirit.” From Thomas Maier, author of Masters of Sex and When Lions Roar: The Churchills and the Kennedys.
Peter Eisner 
Mr. Eisner, I read your Smithsonian article with intense interest. My father, Lt. George A. King, was a PT Boat commander in the South Pacific during the Philippine Liberation (Squadron One PT 27), was in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, as was his cousin for whom I was named. He served on Luzon, was stationed in Manila and was among those who took American POWs from Amboina. I have his service jacket–incomplete, due to wartime restrictions–and scores of photos, including those from Japanese POW camp seized from a downed Japanese pilot. I was wondering I might find more information on his service there. And, after reading your article, wondering whether Chick Parson’s might have been on his Boat.
Looking forward to reading your book, MacArthur’s Spies.
Best wishes,
Joe Cutshall-King
Hello Mr. Cutshall-King, I am double checking on my responses to queries, and am not seeing an answer I thought I had given you. If I never sent an answer please accept my apologies. I meant to say that this would indeed take some research at the national archives in college park. They have ship rosters and deck logs. If You need more help please let me know. Sorry if I’ve been confused in your case, but these have been busy days. All the best. Peter
Hello Mr. Eisner,
Thank you very much. The archives have been on my to-do list since I wrote a novel based upon my father’s post-war life that involved him Saratoga Springs politics, illegal casinos, in the mob, the Kefauver Committee, and arson.
Best regards,
Joe
Hello Mr. Eisner,
Thank you very much. The archives have been on my to-do list since I wrote a novel based upon my father’s post-war life that involved him Saratoga Springs politics, illegal casinos, in the mob, the Kefauver Committee, and arson.
Best regards,
Joe