Bataan Death March

                         New Mexicans had history with the Bataan Death March because of the 18,000 soldiers that went to Bataan. Although we weren't at war in the Pacific, the Japanese had attack the Philippines. We had an artillery regiment there in Bataan. There was lack of food, ammunition, and other supplies that where needed. This had caused the people there to surrender quickly and what some had called a dishonorable surrender. After they had surrendered the New Mexicans and other American troops had faced  a hard journey ahead to reach the O'Donnell POW Camp just north of Bataan. On the way they troops had faced lack of water, food, and rest. They had also been abused along the way there. The Japanese  had poorly treated the POWs that where in the camps, and as well as getting to Japan in the Death Boats that had many killed cause of unmarked boats that where fired upon.
                            The survivors of the Bataan Death March and the POW camps are very older and some might not be around forever. I personally have never met a survivor of the Bataan Death March. Nor have I had any that has knew or is related to those of the Bataan Death March. Although, I have never had any relatives or people that knew or is related to any survivor of the March I still feel the sting of the wound that that experience has left on the citizens of New Mexico and the United States.

Bataan Death March

1.  What is the connection between Bataan and New Mexico? Why is Bataan still remembered in New Mexico, especially Las Cruces, today? Please give examples to support your answer and use your own words.
- The video mention, it's because the two hundred coast artillery of the New Mexico    National Guard was   there.


2.  What were some of the challenges that U.S. military personnel, including New Mexicans, faced in the Philippines?
- There were lack of food and water. Sometimes marching for the entire day. They got only a handful of rice for nourishment and often not even that. The man who tried to eat food on the road offered by civilian were shot. In addition there were disease going around.
Over eighteen hundred men who went the Philippines only about nine hundred ever returned home.

3. How old are Bataan survivors today? Have you ever met a Bataan survivor or had a personal experience related to remembering the survivors of the Bataan death march?
- The survivor from Bataan death march, now are eighty or ninety. I don't have a personal experience with Bataan survivor. But if I have a chance to talk with them I will be very glad to listen their experience.

Bataan Death March

The Bataan death march was so important to New Mexico because only 900 of the 1800 New Mexicans made it back home alive. Today the Bataan death march is especially important in Las Cruces because is holds one of the only memorials for that day. In the Philippines soldiers including New Mexicans were challenged by the lack of food, and medical care. the soldiers suffered many diseases and died from them. many Bataan soldiers if still alive are about 80 to 90 years old and although i have never met one, i would love to hear some of their stories.

bataan death march

bataan is connected to new mexico because of the 1500 that went, only 800 returned. this was devastating for nm because it has such a low population for it's area.

Bataan Death March 1.5

What is the connection between Bataan and New Mexico? Is that we spoke some Spanish and we could communicate with the locals and we had a lot of people from Las Cruces that surved and still being honored.

Why is Bataan still remembered in New Mexico, especially Las Cruces, today? It is remember in Las Cruses because many of the solders were from there and they have a memorially.

What were some of the challenges that U.S. military personnel, including New Mexicans, faced in the Philippines?They were given hand me downs and rusty guns. They were given little suplies of food, weapons, and medican. The guns were at a high need.

How old are Bataan survivors today? They are about 85 years old. 

 Have you ever met a Bataan survivor or had a personal experience related to remembering the survivors of the Bataan death march? No i have not met a surviver yet.

Bataan Death March

1. The  Bataan Death March is still remembered in New Mexico because the majority of the solders that suffered  there where New Mexicans.
2. Living condition's where horrible in the Internment camps, up to 40 people died a day from malnutrition and exhaustion.  
3.  Bataan Death March survivors  that are still alive today are over 85 years of age.   

bataan death march

we are so connected to the death march is because about 1800 men from New Mexico were in the death march and only ruffly 900 returned. this was a great loss for such a small state. we are so connected to it because we want to respect and honor the dead and the survivors for enduring such hardships, trying to protect our country. the survivors are about 80-90 years old, and hod to face eating maggot with rice and mud, python, monkey, and slugs. they also had to deal with all kinds of different types of deasies, and torture from the Japanese and the 60 mile journey.