More than 3,800 people, both military and civilian, representing all 50 states plus the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Korea participated in the 2006 Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. on March 26.
Mike Smith
Posted on 03/29/2006 3:13:01 PM PST by SandRat
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (Army News Service, March 29, 2006) – The 2006 Annual Bataan Memorial Death March was conducted March 26 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The event drew nearly 3,900 service members and civilians to the Army test range in southern New Mexico.
Marchers represented all 50 states as well as the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Korea.
The march offers a 26.2-mile course and a 14.2-mile course. Both take marchers through sandy trails and washes. The longer course includes an elevation incline from 4,100 to 5,300 feet, and has been called one of the toughest marathons in the U.S.
Honoring WWII heroes
Now in its 17th year, the memorial march honors a special group of World War II heroes who 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. The Soldiers fought in a malaria-infested region, surviving on half or quarter rations with little or no medical help, using outdated equipment and virtually no air power.
On April 9, 1942, about 75,000 Filipino and U.S. 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.
The prisoners were forced to march about 100 kilometers north in the scorching heat of the Philippine jungles to Camp O'Donnell, a prison camp. During the journey, prisoners were beaten randomly and denied food and water for several days. Those who fell behind were executed, and thousands died.
Survivors faced the hardships of living in the POW camp. Others were wounded or killed when U.S. air and naval forces sank unmarked enemy ships transporting prisoners of war to Japan.
Survivors show support
More than 30 survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March attended the memorial march, greeting participants at the start and finish lines.
Bataan survivor John Mims traveled from North Carolina to be a part of the day.
“It’s important every year that I be here,” Mims said, “I don’t care if I have to crawl, or how I have to get here. I want to be here because I owe it to these people who come out each year to support us.”
The next Bataan Memorial Death March is scheduled for March 25, 2007.
(Editor’s note: Monte Marlin works for the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs Office.)
March 29, 2006
Volunteers offer water and sports drink to marchers along the route.
by Mike Smith
March 29, 2006
Patriotism ran high during the 2006 Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range. Many participants carried flags to honor the nation and contributions of American warfighters.
Not nearly as high as at the original though.
Did any Japanese show up?
Bump for my Father in law who survived that original march...
Don't know.
"Bump for my Father in law who survived that original march..."
My mother's cousin was also a survivor. He survived the march, but saw several friends killed. In the camp, he survived by repairing the shoes/boots of the guards.
About 40 years ago I read something interesting in a survival book I had.
It said that after the surrender of US forces, the death toll was so high at the Battan death march because many of the prisoners were city boys who stood around waiting for someone to take care of them.
The country boys were not about to surrender to some "slant eyed g**ks" and took to the hills to join the gurrillas fighting the Japanese.
I don't know if this is true or not. I have known one survivor back in the early 1960's and he still had physical problems due to being a POW there.
The longer course includes an elevation incline from 4,100 to 5,300 feet, and has been called one of the toughest marathons in the U.S.
Here in my neck of the woods, we have a marathon that starts below sea level in Death Valley and goes to over 8,000 feet in elevation at the base of 14,496' Mt. Whitney.
I believe that statement is false. I knew of several that were surrendered because of a sense of duty and following the orders of their superiors. The men I know were from North Texas (Wichita Falls area) and rural West Tennessee. There is a museum dedicated to the men of Bataan in Wichita Falls that was destroyed by the April 10th, 1979, tornado (F-5).
My uncle also. He wrote a book about it, Late summer of 1941 and my war with Japan. He is still alive, and lots of family attends the memorial march.
The book is so understated it is almost ridiculous. He covers the bomb on Nagasaki (which he saw) in just 3 or 4 sentences. He went to the end of the war in their camps. He worked in the mines, was beaten, had TB, beriberi and pellagra, was bombed, had bowel surgery with just a shot of novacaine, and watched his friends die.
When I read the book, I can't understand how he survived. I wouldn't have lived two days. It's incredible.
Very interesting thread, SandRat. Thank you.
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
BTTT
I know for sure that he helped the prisoners, mostly by insisting that they eat the beans they were given, which they thought made their bowel problems worse but Johnny knew was the only high-quality protein they were getting.
He came home thin as a rail and ate only one small meal a day for the rest of his life.
Bump for Johnny Rizzolo
“It’s important every year that I be here,” Mims said, “I don’t care if I have to crawl, or how I have to get here. I want to be here because I owe it to these people who come out each year to support us.”
John is my next door neighbor and a fine American. He is on up there in age and his health isn't all that great. He lost his wife, Juanita, a couple of years ago as well as his granddaughter, Elizabeth (Wendy), to a drug overdose not long after. He is as kind as they come and never fails to tell his stories to my kids. Just some info on one of these vets.
The Boy Scout Troop on Ft Huachuca went and did the march as a Scout Troop instead of attending the District Camporee last weekend.
Considering what they endured, it's amazing that there are any Bataan survivors still alive!
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