Bataan Memorial Death March
honors a special group of World War II heroes.
These brave Soldiers were responsible for the defense of the Islands of
Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines.
The conditions they encountered and the aftermath of the battle were
unique. they fought in a malaria-infested region, surviving on
half or quarter rations with little or no medical help. They
fought with outdated equipment and virtually no air power. On
April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino Soldiers were
surrendered to Japanese forces. The Americans were Army, Army Air
Corps, Navy and Marines. Among those seized were members of the
200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard. They were
marched for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles.
thousands died. Those who survived faced the hardships of a prisoner of
war camp. Others were wounded or killed when unmarked enemy ships
transporting prisoners of war to Japan were sunk by U.S. Air and Naval
Forces. the Bataan Memorial Death March (
www.bataanmarch.com)
is a challenging 26.2 mile race through the high desert terrain of White
Sands Missile Range, N.M., conducted in honor of the heroic service
members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II,
sacrificing their freedom, health and , in many cases, their very lives.
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