Students learn from past to prepare for future

Eleven Chadron State College students unveiled exhibits for Survey of American Military History: The Battle For Bataan, Tuesday afternoon in the lower level of Crites Hall.

The Bataan Death March occurred after the April 1942 invasion of the Philippines by Japanese Imperial Forces. It is estimated that 60,000-80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war were forced to trek 80 miles through deplorable conditions to a prisoner camp. No food was provided for the
prisoners of war during the march, and water was scarce. An estimated 100-650 soldiers died during the march, as Japanese troops would frequently beat and bayonet prisoners that would fall behind.

An interdisciplinary studies course, Survey in American Military history contains mostly ROTC cadets and Museum Studies students and is instructed by faculty from both programs. At the beginning of the semester, the students were separated into three groups, began researching the Battle for Bataan, and prepared exhibits focusing on the Bataan Death March.

Students also conducted weekly “ruck marches” and physical training as part of the course, carrying increasing weight loads over an increased distance. The training prepared the students for competition in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March on March 17, aboard the White Sands Missile Range, N.M. All of the students said that the experience helped them grow together as a tight-knit team.

The students also visited museums and attended military history presentations during the New Mexico trip, and were given the opportunity to speak to a select few living Bataan Death March survivors.