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Bataan Memorial Death March reenacts WWII POW strife

by Kaitlin | March 30, 2007 at 08:12 am

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Bataan is a region of the Philippines in which battles between American/Philippine forces and Japanese soldiers took place during WWII. After a formal surrender on April 9, 1942, the Japanese found themselves in charge of approximately 75 000 prisoners of war, a number which was three times larger than they expected. The POWs were forced to march 90 miles to a camp, and many of them were already ill with malaria or were emaciated and hungry (many were not fed for days at a time). It's estimated at least10 000 of these prisoners died on the march, though many also escaped along the way.

Every year, to commemorate the death march, US soldiers march 26 miles through the New Mexico desert under the motto, "A test of endurance--an active history lesson."

The Bataan Memorial Death March was started in 1989 by the Army ROTC at New Mexico State University to honor a special group of World War II veterans, many of them from New Mexico. The soldiers were responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines. On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of Americans and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. The 200th Coast Artillery from the New Mexico National Guard was one of the units seized.

The soldiers were marched for days through the scorching heat of the Philippine Jungles. Thousands of men died during the march and the survivors were sent to Japanese prison of war camps.

Herrera

The memorial march is primarily a military event, although some civilians do participate. The event which began with about 100 marchers, now each year draws about 4-thousand participants, and is an international event.

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KensAviation

at 21:15 on April 3rd, 2007

March 25, 2007 was the sixth time I've participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March. I trained for my first march (2001) with the thought that I was proving to myself that I could complete the 26.2 miles. On the actual march I found I was impressed by the military folks that were marching for many reasons. Participants come from all over the US and a good number of countries around the world. I've come to feel I'm marching for those that were at the original death march in 1942 and to thank those who serve their respective countries. They put their lives on the line for all of us regardless of how we might feel about current politics.

On the last few marches, the participants included those that lost limbs in Iraq and Afganistan. I can't begin to really describe my own emotions, much less what these individuals are feeling or what is driving them. I do know that their determination and attitudes impress me. If my being out there as a civilian lets them know that we all care, I'll keep attending these marches as long as I can.

david helms (not verified)

at 18:54 on December 30th, 2008

i have been a big supporter of war veterans for some time . my son and i have interviewed a number of these great and outstanding men of valor and pride. i am trying to reach any survivor ,still alive, that survived the bataan death march carried out by the japanese. can you help me ? i would be most appreciative and grateful.

sincerely,

david helms