Division West soldier honors historic heroes in Bataan Death March

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NM, UNITED STATES

03.29.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. April Melton 

5th Armored Brigade

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. – Nearly 7,000 military personnel, retirees and civilians gathered here March 25 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bataan Death March and participate in the 23rd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March, a 26.2-mile marathon.

The event honors the American and Filipino service members force-marched by the Japanese on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines during World War II.

After three months of fighting, Maj. Gen. Edward King surrendered the military troops of the Bataan to Japanese forces April 9, 1942. Between 70,000 and 100,000 Filipino and American service members, suffering from malnutrition and disease, were forced to march to the nearest prison camp.

Nearly 11,000 soldiers died during the nine-day, 80-mile march.
This was the second year 1st Sgt. David Shindel, Headquarters and Headquarters Company “Hammer,” 5th Armored Brigade, Division West, has marched at White Sands in honor of the heroes of Bataan.

“I’m healthy, and I couldn’t imagine being on half rations for three months, then doing this march,” Shindel said. “For me, the most rewarding part of the event is getting to meet and thank the survivors.”

• Date Taken: 03.29.2012
• Date Posted: 03.29.2012 13:17
• Story ID: 85960
• Location: WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NM, US