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We're the battling bastards of Bataan;
No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam.
No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces,
No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces.
And nobody gives a damn.
Nobody gives a damn.
- Frank Hewlett, 1942
No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam.
No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces,
No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces.
And nobody gives a damn.
Nobody gives a damn.
- Frank Hewlett, 1942
THE 22nd ANNUAL BATAAN MEMORIAL MARCH, SEPTEMBER 21st 2019
Thanks for helping us commemorate the 21st Annual March this past September. Registration for next year's march is already open!
The Brainerd Bataan Memorial March commemorates the sacrifices of those who suffered the infamous Bataan Death March of 1942. On December 8th, 1941, Japan attacked US and Allied Forces on the Philippine Islands. With the US Pacific Fleet decimated by the same-day attack on Pearl Harbor, Allied Forces were cut off from resupply and reinforcements. The soldiers in the Philippines, including Brainerd Minnesota’s A Co. 194th Tank Battalion, put up a brave and determined fight against the overwhelming Japanese Army. After three months of fighting, Allied Forces were out of food, medicine and ammunition. On April 9th, 1942, Allied Forces on the Philippines were ordered to surrender.
What followed came to be known as the Bataan Death March. 78,000 individuals were forced to march over 55 miles with no food or water and under the constant danger of beatings, bayonettings and executions by their Japanese imprisoners. Nearly 20,000 military and civilian personnel died during the march. Those who survived had to enduring the grueling existence of Japanese prison camps for the next three years until the Japanese surrender on August 15th, 1945.
This annual event honors and remembers the amazing sacrifices of those incredible heroes. The event features a ceremony dedicated to those who suffered Bataan, a Half Marathon and Full Marathon run/walk and a Half Marathon Ruck March.
“Remember Bataan, Never forget!”
The Brainerd Bataan Memorial March commemorates the sacrifices of those who suffered the infamous Bataan Death March of 1942. On December 8th, 1941, Japan attacked US and Allied Forces on the Philippine Islands. With the US Pacific Fleet decimated by the same-day attack on Pearl Harbor, Allied Forces were cut off from resupply and reinforcements. The soldiers in the Philippines, including Brainerd Minnesota’s A Co. 194th Tank Battalion, put up a brave and determined fight against the overwhelming Japanese Army. After three months of fighting, Allied Forces were out of food, medicine and ammunition. On April 9th, 1942, Allied Forces on the Philippines were ordered to surrender.
What followed came to be known as the Bataan Death March. 78,000 individuals were forced to march over 55 miles with no food or water and under the constant danger of beatings, bayonettings and executions by their Japanese imprisoners. Nearly 20,000 military and civilian personnel died during the march. Those who survived had to enduring the grueling existence of Japanese prison camps for the next three years until the Japanese surrender on August 15th, 1945.
This annual event honors and remembers the amazing sacrifices of those incredible heroes. The event features a ceremony dedicated to those who suffered Bataan, a Half Marathon and Full Marathon run/walk and a Half Marathon Ruck March.
“Remember Bataan, Never forget!”
