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Barksdale events honor Bataan Death March survivors

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Five Bataan Death March survivors visited Barksdale this week to be honored for their roles and sacrifices during World War II.

This year marks the 70th anniversary since 12,000 U.S. soldiers were captured by the Japanese and forced to march along the coast of Bataan for 80 miles with limited to no resources. Prisoners of war who stopped for water or could not keep up were executed.

"I marched the whole trip in the middle of the road where the Japanese couldn't reach me," said Staff Sgt. Henry Stanley, U.S. Army Air Force. "As long as you kept moving they pretty much left you alone; it's when you got where you couldn't go when they got you. Once we made the march they put us on a train and packed us in an animal cart."

Stanley, along with Capt. William Adair, Army of the U.S., and USAAF Master Sgt. James Haynes, Cpl. Erwin Johnson, and Pvt. James Bollich, were the five survivors honored during the commemoration events.

Events included a dinner on the first day, a tour of the 8th Air Force museum and a luncheon on the second day. At the dinner, guest speakers were Maj. Gen. Steve Wilson, 8th Air Force commander, and Lorenz Walker, Mayor of Bossier City, La. At the luncheon, with guest speakers were Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, and Mayor Walker.

The veterans received various medals and awards at both functions.

They were awarded the Philippine Defense Medal for being a part of the initial resistance against the Japanese, the Independence Medal for all the actions taken to fight for, defend and liberate the Philippines, the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, and the Liberation Medal for driving the Japanese away from the island.

Although they were awarded these medals, the veterans don't consider themselves heroes.

"When you talk to them their comments tend to fall in the category of, 'Hey, I was just doing my job. The ones that didn't come back are the heroes,'" said Kowalski. "President Ronald Reagan said, 'Heroes may not be braver than anyone else, they are just braver five minutes longer,' -- your five minutes turned into a couple of years."

While all of the veterans endured much during their time as a POW, Johnson said he seldom recalls or thinks about the events that took place, only remembering it when attending events like the ones held at Barksdale.

Considering it has been 70 years since the march, a Barksdale Retiree Activities Office official said the event offered a unique opportunity for military and civilian personnel to meet five of the few remaining World War II veterans.

"Your bravery, sacrifice and endurance are inspiring and remind us of what we are capable of overcoming and what we are capable of accomplishing," said Kowalski. "Thank you for your service. You have seen the worst that men can do but also the best that man can be."