USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -After the U.S. surrender of the Bataan Peninsula in 1942 during World War II, the Japanese took control of the area, and the prisoner of war (POWs) were subjected to brutal treatment by Japanese guards. An estimated 17, 000 men perished during and after the Bataan Death March.

Detailed explanation-2: -Those who survived were taken by rail from San Fernando to POW camps, where another 16, 000 Filipinos and at least 1, 000 Americans died from disease, mistreatment, and starvation.

Detailed explanation-3: -After the fall of the Philippines in 1942, American POWs initially were kept in filthy, crowded camps near Manila. Over time, the majority of those POWs were transported to other parts of Japan’s wartime empire to serve as slave laborers.

Detailed explanation-4: -Upon arrival at the Capas train station, they were forced to walk the final 9 miles (14 km) to Camp O’Donnell. Even after arriving at Camp O’Donnell, the survivors of the march continued to die at rates of up to several hundred per day, which amounted to a death toll of as many as 20, 000 Americans and Filipinos.

Detailed explanation-5: -Paul Kerchum has dodged death at every turn. He came of age during the Great Depression, survived the nightmarish Bataan Death March and endured three and a half years as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II.