Bataan Memorial Death March

[Old TexMex]

Bataan Memorial Death March – Bataan Memorial Death March
I just got word, my daughter took first place in the half marathon, humping 45 lbs through the desert at White Sands.
Am I proud for her?!
She's a firefighter and an incredible young woman.

Don't mean to sound like I'm bragging y'all, I just really happy for this great young American.
She tells me there were many many Veterans there, Wounded Warriors and 3 remaining survivors of the actual Bataan Death March.

 

[jeffsmith]

And tell me Exactly please, what is WRONG about Bragging on an Exemplary Offspring?

 

[Onomea]

Congrats! That is quite an accomplishment.

 

[JohnRippert]

Give her a hearty "Well done!" from all of us here at the forum.

 

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

Old Texmex, wish I could give you a double like. That is fantastic. My grandson participated one year as am A&M cadet.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I'd be willing to wager that most of the population couldn't do that.

I'm guessing you need new shirt buttons.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Congrats, TexMex

I was honored to be the leader of fifteen Air Force guys based at White Sands Missile Range in the early '90s. Unfortunately I didn't do the Death March then, but when I was back in New Mexico at Holloman AFB (70 miles from WSMR) I put together a squadron team to do the March in 1999. As I recall there were about 2,000 participants from military units around the world (and lots of civilians, too), and our Marines narrowly edged out the British Marines that year in the heavy category.

Our five-person team did the long course (only 25 miles at that time -- they changed it to 26.2 miles the next year).

The opening ceremony included speeches by survivors of the REAL Batan Death March. Their words were both gut-wrenching and inspirational. I could not grasp the hardships they endured.

The "sandy" area of the walk took its toll. In full battle dress, minus the pack, we learned military boots weren't made for walking (with apologies to Nancy Sinatra).

I was the first of my team across the line, but there were no bragging rights entitlements for that. If you finished you were a hero. If you tried but didn't finish, you were a hero. (I'm not talking "participation" tropheys; that course is a B.....)

Congrats to your daughter, OldTexMex!

Cheers,

Bob

 

[bigride]

A proud moment memorializing a sad event. You have every right to brag.

 

[jimmyj]

My American Legion Post #58 is named after two local men that died on the Bataan Death March

 

[Abbynormal]

I know 2 Bataan Death march survivors. They're still alive, lets leave it at that.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I am lucky to get my daughter to school on time.

 

[shouldazagged]

I'd be willing to wager that most of the population couldn't do that.

I'm guessing you need new shirt buttons.

I just hope nobody was wounded when the old ones let go.

Brag away TexMex. That's a fine young woman you folks raised, and she probably won't brag to anybody but you.

 

[armenius]

Nice tribute.Anyone who is really not up to speed on the Death March should do some reading to learn how terrible it was. My Base Commander was a young P 40 pilot who had only been in the Phillipines a few weeks when the Japs hit.They ran out of fuel and he "joined the infantry" so to speak.He was captured and made the March.After several months of severe abuse in a prison camp he escaped with several others, fought with the guerrilas a few months and finally recovered by submarine.
There is a brief history on Wikipedia, and his book Return to Freedom is excellent reading.I found mine used on Amazon.His name is Col. Samuel Grashio.

 

[jag312]

My uncle, Vincent James Jesuele, Uncle Jimmy was one of the survivors of the march. My cousin, Salvatore Jesuele, wrote a book about Uncle Jimmy; Tears of Injustice. I could write more of what my uncle had to endure, but the moderators would not like my language.

 

[30-30remchester]

My dads brother was in the Bataan Death March and later transported on a hell ship and then forced labor in Japan. I have the original Western Union telegram to my grandmother stating her son had been found in a POW camp. This first news came over a year after he was captured. He was allowed to send postcards home , 13 in all IIRC, and I have them tucked away in my gun safe. He told many stories to my dad about his experience. From being beaten periodically for 24 hours for his failed attempt to kill the commandants dog. He was going to eat it but it did not die and ran back to the commander all bloody. While in the Philippine prison camp, they were put into groups of ten. If one escaped the other 9 in the group were shot. He watched many such executions.

 

[jag312]

My dads brother was in the Bataan Death March and later transported on a hell ship and then forced labor in Japan. I have the original Western Union telegram to my grandmother stating her son had been found in a POW camp. This first news came over a year after he was captured. He was allowed to send postcards home , 13 in all IIRC, and I have them tucked away in my gun safe. He told many stories to my dad about his experience. From being beaten periodically for 24 hours for his failed attempt to kill the commandants dog. He was going to eat it but it did not die and ran back to the commander all bloody. While in the Philippine prison camp, they were put into groups of ten. If one escaped the other 9 in the group were shot. He watched many such executions.

My uncle was also transported to Japan on a hell ship. I wonder if they knew each other?

 

[Old TexMex]

Thank you all for your words. I and my Daughter are both humbled.
Thank you,
Jim

 

[Rustyt1953]

Fox did a nice piece on it today:

Bataan Death March memorialized with record-setting crowd | Fox News

And again, congratulations.

 

[30-30remchester]

My uncle was also transported to Japan on a hell ship. I wonder if they knew each other?

There are some great sites online to find out about your relative. My uncle was with the 200th costal artillery. They were left behind to delay the Japs while the rest of the army escaped to the Bataan peninsula. He was defending Clark Field. The 200th has a unit citation declaring them to be the first to fire and the last to lay down their guns that were point directly at the enemy. They fired till they had not a single round of ammo remaining. The survivors them melted into the jungle and made their way back to the others. Through a POW web site I found out my uncle worked in a steel mill in Japan. According to his records he was one of the longest held.

 

[ladder13]

Great career choice for your daughter, Jim. Hope she does very well.
When I was coming on the job there was an old timer, about to leave, who survived the BDM. The guy never talked about it for his 30 year career from what I was told. And he was one tough dude.