The March of All Marches: The Bataan Memorial Death March

By Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana Army National Guard

The sun beamed down as winds whipped sand and dust in the faces of marchers while they trudged through the 80-85 degree heat of the mountainous, desert terrain of southwest New Mexico, March 30.

The Bataan Memorial Death March is an annual event that takes place at White Sands Missile Range, honoring those who fought to protect the Philippines on the Bataan peninsula, and were captured by Japanese forces during World War II.

American and Filipino forces were surrendered by their commander on April 9, 1942, after 20 days of fierce ground fighting with Japanese forces on half or quarter rations, and were made prisoners of war. The Bataan Death March lasted six days and over 62 miles.

The sun rises over marchers as they prepare to endure the Bataan Memorial Death March, a 26.2 mile rugged course through mountainous desert terrain at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., honoring World War II veterans who fought and were captured by Japanese forces on the Bataan peninsula, March 30. Photo by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana National Guard

On foot, the starving, injured and severely dehydrated American and Filipino troops marched over 62 miles to Camp O'Donnell, a Philippine Army camp converted to a temporary POW compound, where they were held.

Thousands of American and Filipino troops succumbed to thirst, starvation, disease and infection from wounds sustained from fighting along the route, and many others were killed by the Japanese as a result of falling out of the group.

Pre-race ceremonies honored the sacrifices and bravery of remaining survivors that attended the festivities and the ones no longer with us.

This was the 19th year of the 26.2 mile march. Since its beginning in 1989, it has grown with a new record of over 4,400 participants this year from all over the world.

Indiana Army National Guard officer candidates with the Indiana Military Academy take part in the Bataan Memorial Death March held at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., March 30. Photo by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana National Guard

Teams from the U.S., Germany, Great Britain, Australia and many other countries' military men and women, as well as civilians, were on hand to take part in the appreciation and sport of the event.

The Indiana Army National Guard had four teams, three heavy teams and one light team, and a few individuals that participated in the event.

Pvt. Benjamin Grimes, a 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team initial entry training Soldier who is training to be an intelligence analyst at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., said he was proud to take part in this type of event.

Spc. Eric Hamlin, Indiana Army National Guard, Long Range Surveillance Troop C, 2nd Battalion, 152nd Calvary Squadron, shakes hands with World War II veteran Lloyd Hackenberg of Las Cruces, N.M. Hackenberg was at check point #7 to greet all those participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March held at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., March 30. Photo by Spc. William E. Henry,Indiana National Guard

"I enjoy backpacking and the challenge of something like this; plus we get the chance to honor the POWs for their sacrifices, and challenge ourselves at the same time," said Grimes.

Military category participants in the event must wear their uniforms during the march and heavy teams must carry a minimum of 35 lbs., light teams must have a load bearing vest with at least one canteen, or in place of the LBV, a hydration pack worn on the back.

-more- "When I heard about it, it sounded like a good thing and the historical piece to it, I love it," said Maj. Cris Fink, executive officer for the Indiana Army National Guard recruiting and retention, who participated in the military individual heavy division.

"I think the experience of meeting the survivors was great. It's another experience and accomplishment to be able to say that I did it," added Fink.

Indiana Army National Guard Soldiers, Spc. Richard Codd and Sgt. 1st Class Brian Skinner, Arms Readiness Group, Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind., rough the hot and dry conditions of mountainous foothills during the Bataan Memorial Death March held at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., March 30. Photo by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana National Guard

To a participant in the National Guard light division, Capt. Shawn Eaken, an operations officer with the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, this is his 8th year participating and knows that the elements can affect the outcome of the finish.

"Every year the time is a little bit different. It depends on the wind and the heat.

We've won it with a 4:20:00; we've won it with a 5:30:00. We just run hard and enjoy the day and we'll see where it goes. There are times on a bad day six hours can win our category, and on a good day maybe four hours," said Eaken.

All the teams sent from Indiana placed in the top five of their categories.

Teams included the Small Arms Readiness Group from Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, which placed 2nd in the National Guard heavy team division. Just behind was the Long Range Surveillance Troop C, 2nd Battalion, 152nd Cavalry Squadron, headquartered in Seymour, Ind., which placed 3rd in the National Guard heavy team division. The Indiana Military Academy Officer Candidates CAJMTC, placed 5th in the military coed heavy team division, and the Long Range Surveillance C Troop, 2nd Battalion, 152nd Cavalry Squadron, also headquartered in Seymour Ind., placed 3rd in the National Guard light team division.

Officer Candidates Laura Sizemore and Daniel Taylor both agreed that training up for something like this is difficult to do, especially in Indiana. "It's difficult to mimic the terrain," said Taylor.

"It's a little harder than we thought it would be," said Sizemore, who also said she'll be returning next year to compete in the military female heavy team division.

To find out how you can sign up for the next marathon or to inquire about more information on the Bataan Memorial Death March, please visit: www.bataanmarch.com.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com