Boys of Bataan - 1941
Destination with Destiny - The Boys of Bataan
On May 2, 2025, doors opening at 1:00 pm, at the Historic Washington Education Services Building (WESB), 804 Oak Street, Brainerd, Minnesota, Brainerd Public Schools Archives is hosting a major event honoring the men of the WWII Company A (Brainerd) 194th Tank Battalion: DESTINATION WITH DESTINY – THE BOYS OF BATAAN. There is no cost for the event and the public is invited.
The focus is on the 40 so young men of Company A who had ties to Brainerd Public Schools, two-thirds of the men being lost to the war and many of them having been students in WESB, then known as “Washington High School.” Company A, and their brothers in arms, the men of the 192d Tank Battalion (Illinois), became the very front lines of defense in the first American land and tank battles of WWII to preserve democracy from the authoritarian Japanese Empire and its German and aligned Axis allies.
The event has several components, including extensive exhibits, and some artifacts not having been seen before. One of those exhibits are a number of photographs, including in the Philippines before combat commenced, made by SGT Ken Porwoll (1920 – 2013), who survived WWII and was the next to last man standing after the war.
Another unique exhibit is a continuous loop video presenting short stories about Company A soldiers Jim McComas, Joe Lamkin, Julius St. John Knudsen, Ed Burke, Byron Veillette and Herbert Strobel. The video will be on a large screen adjacent to the lighted display cases and will run during the entire event.
Two separate one half hour long guided tours (only of the first floor of the newly restored Washington), are offered, at 2 pm and 3 pm, including the art deco Tornstrom Auditorium and the Washington gymnasium.
A 4 pm presentation will be made by Jim Opolony, a retired Illinois public school educator, from the www.bataanproject.com, the leading online reference site for content regarding the WWII 192d and 194th Tank Battalions. Mr. Opolony will speak on a Bataan subject of his choice, on the floor of the Washington gym, with the audience also seated in chairs at center court.
The PBS documentary, “The Boys of Bataan,” a 55 minute documentary about the men of Company A, will screen at 7 pm in Tornstrom Auditorium, in WESB.
Present for the event will be Jeff Langholz is a co-author of the best-selling historical novel, “Hold Strong,” a 400 page, with an additional 100 pages of reference books and notes regarding the historical basis for aspects of the novel. This compelling story about largely composite characters but based on real experiences of the men of the 192d and 194th, includes several Brainerd references.
Mr. Langholz has generously provided a box of hardcover copies of “Hold Strong” to Brainerd Public Schools Archives, several of which will be given away to members of the public on May 2. Several more will be available for purchase at a discounted price to assist Brainerd Public Schools Archives in offsetting the cost of presenting DESTINATION WITH DESTINY – THE BOYS OF BATAAN.
Please contact BPS archivist/curator John Erickson at 218-330-1780, or by email at [email protected], with questions about DESTINATION WITH DESTINY – THE BOYS OF BATAAN, including questions about other BPS Archives, programs and collections of artifacts, as well as inquiries about presentations and tours, such as after May 2, which BPS Archives can provide. To see some of the history of BPS and its people, visit HISTORY NOW, the BPS Archives free, downloadable and accessible website at https://bpsarchives181.photoshelter.com
ALWAYS REMEMBER. NEVER FORGET.
The focus is on the 40 so young men of Company A who had ties to Brainerd Public Schools, two-thirds of the men being lost to the war and many of them having been students in WESB, then known as “Washington High School.” Company A, and their brothers in arms, the men of the 192d Tank Battalion (Illinois), became the very front lines of defense in the first American land and tank battles of WWII to preserve democracy from the authoritarian Japanese Empire and its German and aligned Axis allies.
The event has several components, including extensive exhibits, and some artifacts not having been seen before. One of those exhibits are a number of photographs, including in the Philippines before combat commenced, made by SGT Ken Porwoll (1920 – 2013), who survived WWII and was the next to last man standing after the war.
Another unique exhibit is a continuous loop video presenting short stories about Company A soldiers Jim McComas, Joe Lamkin, Julius St. John Knudsen, Ed Burke, Byron Veillette and Herbert Strobel. The video will be on a large screen adjacent to the lighted display cases and will run during the entire event.
Two separate one half hour long guided tours (only of the first floor of the newly restored Washington), are offered, at 2 pm and 3 pm, including the art deco Tornstrom Auditorium and the Washington gymnasium.
A 4 pm presentation will be made by Jim Opolony, a retired Illinois public school educator, from the www.bataanproject.com, the leading online reference site for content regarding the WWII 192d and 194th Tank Battalions. Mr. Opolony will speak on a Bataan subject of his choice, on the floor of the Washington gym, with the audience also seated in chairs at center court.
The PBS documentary, “The Boys of Bataan,” a 55 minute documentary about the men of Company A, will screen at 7 pm in Tornstrom Auditorium, in WESB.
Present for the event will be Jeff Langholz is a co-author of the best-selling historical novel, “Hold Strong,” a 400 page, with an additional 100 pages of reference books and notes regarding the historical basis for aspects of the novel. This compelling story about largely composite characters but based on real experiences of the men of the 192d and 194th, includes several Brainerd references.
Mr. Langholz has generously provided a box of hardcover copies of “Hold Strong” to Brainerd Public Schools Archives, several of which will be given away to members of the public on May 2. Several more will be available for purchase at a discounted price to assist Brainerd Public Schools Archives in offsetting the cost of presenting DESTINATION WITH DESTINY – THE BOYS OF BATAAN.
Please contact BPS archivist/curator John Erickson at 218-330-1780, or by email at [email protected], with questions about DESTINATION WITH DESTINY – THE BOYS OF BATAAN, including questions about other BPS Archives, programs and collections of artifacts, as well as inquiries about presentations and tours, such as after May 2, which BPS Archives can provide. To see some of the history of BPS and its people, visit HISTORY NOW, the BPS Archives free, downloadable and accessible website at https://bpsarchives181.photoshelter.com
ALWAYS REMEMBER. NEVER FORGET.
October 29, 2024: The Brainerd Honor Guard presented the flag at a screening of the Boys of Bataan documentary in the Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Taps was played. This one-hour documentary, narrated by local historian John Ericson,aired on Lakeland TV on Veterans Day, November 11th.
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The second installment of Lakeland PBS’ local military story initiative premieres on
Veteran’s Day. However, community members are invited to Central Lakes College for
an early screening of the documentary on October 29th.
“The Boys of Bataan” is an hour-long documentary that tells the powerful story of
young men from Brainerd, MN, who served in the 194th Tank Battalion, Company A in
the Philippines during World War II. Narrated by John Erickson, Archivist for Brainerd
Public Schools, the documentary follows their journey from high school to the Battle of
Bataan, concluding with an annual memorial ceremony at the National Guard Armory
in Brainerd.
“The Boys of Bataan” Screening will be held at the Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes
College on Tuesday, October 29th, doors open at 5:30pm with the screening starting at
6:00pm. The event will be kicked off with a tribute from the Brainerd Lakes Area Honor
Guard.
This is the second of four local military documentaries from Lakeland PBS to be
released over the next year. Lakeland PBS is excited to be highlighting important
military history and veteran’s stories from their broadcast communities, bringing to
light the heroic efforts of our neighbors, and preserving the stories of sacrifices made
for future generations to learn from.
“This film is a great tribute to the brave soldiers of the 194th Battalion and the greatest
sacrifice one can give for their country,” says Lakeland’s Program Manager, Meghan
Jewett. “We gratefully help preserve the memory of their legacy and what it means to
their families and the community they called home through this film. We are excited to
gather and watch this powerful piece together and hope that it serves as a reminder of
the importance of community, service, and gratitude.”
“The Boys of Bataan” will premiere on Lakeland PBS on Monday, November 11th at
8:00pm and 9:00pm. Community members can also watch on demand using the free
PBS app or on their website, lptv.org.
About Lakeland PBS: Lakeland PBS’ mission is to educate, inform, and enrich
viewers with the programming we produce right here in northern Minnesota and the
nationally available programs we know our members enjoy. Lakeland PBS’ vision is to
be a valued and trusted source of news, entertainment, and storytelling that connects
and uplifts our diverse region. We strive to empower citizens while serving and
connecting the diverse communities across our broadcast region.
