How many American Bataan Death March Survivors are still alive??

[Dakota]

I was thinking about a story one of my neighbors told me about a WWII Veteran who lived down the street from me(He died after I was born, and his grandson and great grandson live down the street in the same house) He was a Bataan Death March Survivor, and I was wondering if anyone knows:

 

How many American Bataan Death March Survivors are still alive? I couldn't find anything on google etc.. Anyone able to shed light?

 

 

 

 

Dakota

[cutiger83]

I am currently reading the book "Some Survived - An Eyewitness Account of the Bataan Death March and the Men Who Lived Through It".

 

I don't know how many are still alive but it is amazing that any of them survived.

 

...Kat

[k8innm]

I have participated in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March for several years. At the last event held in March they estimated 100 US survivors still living. However, I have seen several obits of survivors come up this year, maybe as many as 10.

 

Via a google alert I have compiled a list of 75 survivors. You can view it here:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key...b3NRUlpfWDFpMEE

[Scarecrow]

While not still alive my great Uncle George F. Braga was a Bataan Death March survivor. He was serving with the 31st Infantry Regt., Phillipine Scouts. He won 2 DSC's for his actions on 1/3/42 and again on 1/20/42. Tragically he took his own life in the 1960's. My grandmother (his sister) said that her brother George was never quite the same man he was before his capture and POW status.

[Garandomatic]

It is a wonder any made it past the 1950s due to complications from ailments incurred when held as POWs in such barbarous conditions. The one man I know of from my town died in about 1993.

[cutiger83]

My grandmother (his sister) said that her brother George was never quite the same man he was before his capture and POW status.

 

After reading the book "Some Survived", I can see why. The book is about a soldier who survived both the death march and the hell ships. I believe the "Hell Ships" were worse than the Death March.

 

...Kat

[tsakers85]

I would say they are fast fading. I became acquainted with one here in Oklahoma through the York Rite of Freemasonry.

 

His name was Joe Tannehill and he died last April at the age of 94. He served with the horse cavalry in the Philippines.

 

Obituary: http://mcalesternews.com/deathnotices/x733...hill-dies-at-94

[Bugme]

When I was growing up my dad's friend was a guy by the name of Floyd Meyer, he survived the Bataan Death march.He never weighed more than 120 pounds and was in the hospital a lot as a result of beriberi and other physical maladies from his many years in confinement but, he was one tough old bird! Even taught me a little Japanese.

[ASMIC2971]

As of July 18th 2012 there was at least one Bataan survivor from the 194th Tank Battalion, my guard unit that mobilized out of the same Armory as I did, he even made it to the BN dining out that day which I unfortunately was not present for!

 

Drew

[Bob Hudson]

Figure that anyone who was in the military on Pearl Harbor Day has to be at least 87 today (figuring they were at least 27 then): but the average age of a US soldier in 1941 was 26, which would equate to an average age of 96 if alive today. So, wartime injuries and disease aside, both of those numbers are far beyond the average lifespan of men born circa 1916-1925.

[k8innm]

If you can ever make it to the Bataan Memorial March you will never regret it!! www.bataanmarch.com It's an amazing event. There are survivors in attendance (usually ~15) and you can meet them and hear their stories. It is a humbling experience to be among greatness like I have never known.

 

Some travel great distances to come. Many lied about their age to get into the Army to escape the depression, so their ages vary, but all are in their 90s.

 

One survivor, Ben Skardon, participates in the march. He walks the first 8 miles with a group of friends and family.

 

My favorite is John Mims. He is such a character and a ladies man. He is shown in my avatar kissing my hand at the finish line. That kiss alone is worth every step of the 26.2 miles through the desert!

 

Another great book to read is Hell's Guest http://hellsguest.com/. Col. Frazier attends and is a pleasure to meet.

 

I find it amazing the spirit of the survivors. They are not bitter, they have forgiven those who tortured them, and they lived happy lives. I think their spirit is why they are still alive. They did not let their experience ruin them.

 

The last few years, I have walked in honor of a local man who died in a Hell Ship, and I agree with the post that said they were worse than the march. His daughter wrote a book on it called The December Ship.

 

Amazing men.

 

My story of the Memorial march is on here. http://kateediger.blogspot.com/

[Keith]

I have a couple of items that belonged to an Army Captain by the name of George A. Reed. Captain Reed was already in the Philippines when the War started. He was in an Artillery unit. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines he stole a small boat and headed to sea. He was captured by a Japanese vessel and taken to the POW camp where the Bataan survivors were. At times he was the senior officer, other than medical, at the camp. He was taken to Japan in a "Hell Ship" which was bombed by a US aircraft which killed about 200 of them. He did survive the War and wrote his story in a small pamphlet of which I have a copy. Hero's all. Regards.

[ithaca37]

I had the privledge to meet Col Glenn Frazier last spring at the gift shop at the USS Alabama. I purchased his book which he signed for me. I was able to visit with him for about half an hour or so. What an interesting gentleman. He thanked me for buying his book. My reply was something like: what I did was buy a book. What you did serving and protecting our freedoms was incredible. Thank you.

 

The book "Hells Guest" is an amazing read.

[Dakota]

I have participated in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March for several years. At the last event held in March they estimated 100 US survivors still living. However, I have seen several obits of survivors come up this year, maybe as many as 10.

 

Via a google alert I have compiled a list of 75 survivors. You can view it here:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key...b3NRUlpfWDFpMEE

 

K8innm, if theres a possible chance, around the early 2000s, a man named John Dragis? Dragous,(Something that starts with DRAG and ends with s) had passed away, and was a POW, Is there a possible chance that you could find out who this man is? He was from Ohio.

 

 

Dakota

[ASMIC2971]

My battalion holds a Bataan marathon every year, last year I participated in it while stationed in Kuwait. Did the 26.2 heavy with a thirty five pound ruck. Sure was glad I did it, pain was worth it but nowhere close to what these guys went through.

[k8innm]

K8innm, if theres a possible chance, around the early 2000s, a man named John Dragis? Dragous,(Something that starts with DRAG and ends with s) had passed away, and was a POW, Is there a possible chance that you could find out who this man is? He was from Ohio.

Dakota

 

 

My list is of living survivors, but I did find a John Dugan from Springfield OH on the Cabanatuan Roster list. It lists him as a Private First Class. http://philippine-defenders.lib.wv.us/cgi-...uan_roster.html

 

This link has many rosters that you might search if that's not who you are looking for. I'm sorry, I do not have time to search them for you.

 

http://www.west-point.org/family/japanese-pow/Rosters.htm

 

Check also this list:

http://www.battlingbastardsbataan.com/bob1.htm

There is a Jesse J Driggers, possible?

[Dakota]

My list is of living survivors, but I did find a John Dugan from Springfield OH on the Cabanatuan Roster list. It lists him as a Private First Class. http://philippine-defenders.lib.wv.us/cgi-...uan_roster.html

 

This link has many rosters that you might search if that's not who you are looking for. I'm sorry, I do not have time to search them for you.

 

http://www.west-point.org/family/japanese-pow/Rosters.htm

 

Check also this list:

http://www.battlingbastardsbataan.com/bob1.htm

There is a Jesse J Driggers, possible?

 

Its John Draggith, or Dragus. But thanks for the links!

 

 

Dakota