Posted 6:50 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2013
Students in UW-La Crosse’s ROTC program took part a challenging march in New Mexico during their spring break.
[caption id="attachment_21921" align="alignnone" width="770" caption="UW-La Crosse’s ROTC program successfully completed a challenging march in New Mexico during their spring break last month."]
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Students in UW-La Crosse’s ROTC program took part in a challenging march in New Mexico during their spring break.
On Sunday, March 17, nine US Army ROTC Cadets and Lt. Col. James R. Hill, professor of Military Science from the UW-L Eagle Battalion, successfully completed the 24th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. They participated in the full 26.2 mile marathon in the heavy category, carrying ruck sacks that weighed 35 pounds or more.
“For all, the event was both physically and mentally challenging, but it was also a great esprit de corps and team building opportunity,” says Hill.
The march honors a special group of World War II heroes responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines. They fought in a malaria-infested region, surviving on half or quarter rations with little or no medical help. On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. They were marched 80 miles for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles without being given any food or water. Thousands died or were killed. Those who survived faced the hardships of a Japanese prisoner of war camp.
[caption id="attachment_21920" align="alignright" width="400" caption="The UW-La Crosse Eagle Battalion pose for a picture at the 24th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in March."]
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Those from the Eagle Battalion who successfully completed the challenge along with Hill included: Ben Ziegler, Adam McMurray, Travis Beard, Megan Sopkowiak, Nora Krueger, Jacob Johansen, Jason Jennings, Ron Zaleski and Aaron Kelling.
Four WW II Bataan Death March survivors and some of their descendants attended the event. Also, members of the US Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, and Wounded Warriors were present, along with service members from Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom.
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Students in UW-La Crosse’s ROTC program took part in a challenging march in New Mexico during their spring break.
On Sunday, March 17, nine US Army ROTC Cadets and Lt. Col. James R. Hill, professor of Military Science from the UW-L Eagle Battalion, successfully completed the 24th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. They participated in the full 26.2 mile marathon in the heavy category, carrying ruck sacks that weighed 35 pounds or more.
“For all, the event was both physically and mentally challenging, but it was also a great esprit de corps and team building opportunity,” says Hill.
The march honors a special group of World War II heroes responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines. They fought in a malaria-infested region, surviving on half or quarter rations with little or no medical help. On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. They were marched 80 miles for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles without being given any food or water. Thousands died or were killed. Those who survived faced the hardships of a Japanese prisoner of war camp.
[caption id="attachment_21920" align="alignright" width="400" caption="The UW-La Crosse Eagle Battalion pose for a picture at the 24th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in March."][/caption]
Those from the Eagle Battalion who successfully completed the challenge along with Hill included: Ben Ziegler, Adam McMurray, Travis Beard, Megan Sopkowiak, Nora Krueger, Jacob Johansen, Jason Jennings, Ron Zaleski and Aaron Kelling.
Four WW II Bataan Death March survivors and some of their descendants attended the event. Also, members of the US Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, and Wounded Warriors were present, along with service members from Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom.