Bataan Death March
Annual Remembrance Ceremony at the
Brainerd 194th National Guard Armory
March 9, 2022: The 80th anniversary of the fall of Bataan in the Philippines, March 9, 1942, at the beginning of World War Two. It was February 1941 when Brainerd's 34th Tank Company was federalized and sent to the Philippines to help protect the country. Japanese attacked on December 8, 1941. Americans and Philippine troops fought bravely and successfully until they ran out of ammunition, food and medical supplies. Surrender seemed the best course of action to save lives. Then the Japanese forced the captured to walk 60 miles to a prison camp without food or water in the tragedy known as the Bataan Death March. Of the 64 soldiers who left Brainerd, three were killed in action and 29 died as prisoners of war in this war crime. Only 32 survived to return home.
Speakers in Brainerd on March 9, 2022, included Santiago "Sonny" Busa, who was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the US with his father, a US Navy Chief Petty Officer. He is a retired diplomat with over forty years of government service as an Army officer and Foreign Service officer with the US Department of State. Also speaking was Major General Lang (retired). It was stated that descendants should be proud of their heritage. Congressional Gold Medals were given to the families of Julius Knutsen and Herbert Strobel. Both are presumed dead in Bataan. Dog tags with the names of the 64 were hung on a display.
Other speakers included Chaplain Todd Wooden, LTC John Hobot, and Champlain Carroll Janzen. There was a three-volley gun salute by the Brainerd Honor Guard along with Taps.
Speakers in Brainerd on March 9, 2022, included Santiago "Sonny" Busa, who was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the US with his father, a US Navy Chief Petty Officer. He is a retired diplomat with over forty years of government service as an Army officer and Foreign Service officer with the US Department of State. Also speaking was Major General Lang (retired). It was stated that descendants should be proud of their heritage. Congressional Gold Medals were given to the families of Julius Knutsen and Herbert Strobel. Both are presumed dead in Bataan. Dog tags with the names of the 64 were hung on a display.
Other speakers included Chaplain Todd Wooden, LTC John Hobot, and Champlain Carroll Janzen. There was a three-volley gun salute by the Brainerd Honor Guard along with Taps.
