History of the Bataan Death March 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 They fought with outdated equipment and virtually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 b