Robert M. Malone, F Btry 200th CA(AA), died March 26, 2012 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Malone and his brother, Richard, were New Mexico National Guardsmen living in Clovis, New Mexico, both assigned to the 200th's F Battery.  The brothers were captured when Bataan fell. Richard passed away in 1998.

Timothy H. Smith, A Btry 515th CA(AA), died in March 2012. An Albuquerque native, Mr. Smith joined the National Guard while a Senior in High School. He was attending the University of New Mexico when the Regiment was federalized. His brother, George, was transferred to the 515th's A Battery when that unit was formed the night of December 8, 1942, and while Tim Smith would make the Death March on Bataan, George escaped to Corregidor. George was liberated from Sendai Camp #8, and passed away in 2001. Tim Smith told of how he and other prisoners ate charcoal to fight dysentery, and in 2007 said, "I think that's why I like burnt toast so much today." Tim Smith was liberated from Maibara in the Osaka area. He went to work for the postal service in Gallup, New Mexico following the war and was the last living survivor in Gallup at the time of his death.

Vincent Silva, G Btry 515th CA(AA), died February 16, 2012 in Antioch, California. Mr. Silva, a survivor of the Death March, with his daughter, told his story in the book, "Senso Owari: The War is Ended." In 2010, at the Bataan Memorial Ceremony in Albuquerque, Mr. Silva recited his poem, "The Defenders of Bataan." The ellipse whereon the podium was placed is flanked by the columns bearing the names of the men, and so, Mr. Silva was in the middle of them (the men) speaking in a clear and strong voice. As his voice cresendoed, the wind came up out of nowhere, the elms showered buds over the crowd like snow, and the flags snapped to their full extension, and the crowd was whispering excitedly, "They're here," and "He's calling them." When the reading was over, the wind died away and the flags relaxed. One veteran asked later if anyone had noticed the contrails over the park from a high flying jet during the poem — the contrails had made a perfect cross over the park. People have been recalling that day since news of his passing reached us.

Morgan T. 'Tommy' Jones, Jr., HB2 515th CA(AA), died February 1, 2012 in San Rafael, California. Mr. Jones played Center for Clovis High School's 1934 New Mexico State Championship-winning football team, and was a 1938 graduate of Texas Tech University. He was a survivor of the Death March and was liberated from Sendai Camp #8 at Kosaka. He authored two books, "MacArthur Went South We Went North or Return to Kosaka" and "Ensnared in a Spider's Web, A World War II POW Held by the Japanese".

Thomas P. 'Tommy' Foy, Jr. passed away October 8, 2011 in Bayard, New Mexico. Tommy Foy was a long time legislator, Representative for Grant County, New Mexico. A graduate of Notre Dame, Foy returned to New Mexico to begin his law practice and joined the National Guard just prior to its begin federalized in January 1941. Following the Death March, at Camp O'Donnell, he heard the shots that killed Captains Gonzalez, Thwaits and Schuetz and 10 other men of the Regiment after they were found with items of Japanese origin in a shake down. For Jim Terr's, "In Their Own Words" he said, "A lot of the New Mexico boys had a lot of stamina because of their home training and because of their upbringing. They were stronger than most of the city kids, and they were the ones who were able to live on a little less. They helped each other. It depended on a man's nature, as to whether or not he could get through the Death March. And a lot of luck and the good Lord taking care of you." Mr. Foy spent time in Zentsuji prisoner of war camp in Japan, and was liberated from the camp at Rokuroshi.

Max M. Casaus, H Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico June 13, 2011. He was 95 years old. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. Casaus was interned at the Hirohata prison camp in Japan, and slave labored for Seitetsu Steel (aka Nippon Steel). He was liberated in September 1945. Many testimonies are left to the harsh and brutal treatment suffered by prisoners of war at Hirohata. Mr. and Mrs. Casaus were portrayed by Performing Arts Department students Diego Maureira and Corinne Sharlet at the College of Santa Fe under the direction of Documentary Theatre Class Instructor Victor Talmadge in the documentary play, "Sacred Mistakes (The Bataan Project)" which premiered at the Greer Garson Theatre in March, 2010. Mr. Casaus was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 99, VFW Post 401, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the German-American Club.

Jose S. 'Chaveta' Chavez, Regimental Headquarters Btry 200th CA(AA), the last 200th Coast Artillery survivor living in Valencia County, New Mexico, died at his home in Los Lunas, New Mexico March 17 2011. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. Chavez was transported to Japan on the Nissyo Maru and interned at Kamioka where prisoners slave-labored in the Mitsui lead and zinc mines. At Kamioka, he was given up for dead and buried alive... twice. In a newspaper article written when Chavez was 68 years old, on display at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts -- exact date and paper unknown -- Chavez recalled for reporter Frank Duran, "The Japanese threw me into a grave and dirt was thrown over me and the rest of the dead, decaying soldiers. I don't know how, but I managed to crawl over many dead bodies and saw a light opening at the top of the grave. It took me two hours, but I made it out. The Japanese were totally stunned. My buddies carried me back to the barracks. Two weeks later, they buried me again." That time, it began to rain, and Chavez was revived.

Charles F. 'Charlie' James, F Btry 200th CA(AA), a lifelong resident of Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away at his home on March 13, 2011. A New Mexico National Guardsman, James' battery was federalized for one year of active duty service just three days after he was married. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, James was shipped to the Yodogawa prisoner of war camp in Japan, and when that camp was closed, removed to Oeyama prison camp in May 1945. He was rescued at Oeyama in September 1945. Post-war, Mr. James was a rancher. In July 2010, [then] Congressman Harry Teague named James, Veteran of the Month. James was the last 200th/515th Coast Artillery survivor living in Carlsbad.

Beltram Chavez, A Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Chavez was evacuated to Australia with the severely wounded on the last ship out of the Philippines, the Mactan, in January 1942.

Evans R. Garcia, H Btry 515th CA(AA), passed away January 29, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. Garcia was liberated from Fukuoka POW Camp #17 at Omuta, Japan. He was featured in the 2002 documentary, "Colors of Courage: Sons of New Mexico, Prisoners of Japan" by Tony Martinez, the son of the 200th's Eddie Martinez. In 2007, the Evans Ramirez Garcia ROTC Scholarship was established at New Mexico State University. Mr. Garcia was 97 years old.

Lee C. Roach, E Btry 200th CA(AA), a resident of Clovis, New Mexico, passed away January 20, 2011 in Farwell, Texas. Mr. Roach was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He slave-labored at Nichols Field south of Manila where prisoners worked at extending the runways under the supervision of the sadistic “White Angel”, before being transported to Japan. In Japan, he was put to work in a graphite factory. He then spent time on a "rock-moving" detail, before finally winding up on the docks unloading ships for Tsuruga Transportation Company. Post-war, Mr. Roach was employed by Cannon Air Force Base for 26 years, retiring in 1978. According to his son, he never passed up the chance to travel. Following retirement, he traveled the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Irvin R. "I.R." Butler, H Btry 200th CA(AA), of Portales, New Mexico, a survivor of the Bataan Death March, passed away on Christmas Day, 2010 in Lubbock, Texas. He was the last 200th Coast Artillery survivor living in Portales. During the course of the war, and during his 3-1/2 years as a prisoner of war, Mr. Butler's family was notified by the government of his death. Butler survived, weighing under 100 pounds when he was liberated in September 1945 from Sendai Prisoner of War Camp #3 (Hosokura) where as POW #922 he slave labored for Mitsubishi Mining Company, forced to mine and produce lead and zinc. Post-war Mr. Butler was a dairyman and a retired groundskeeper for the Portales Public Schools. In 2004, Mr. Butler was honored for his World War II service, accepting a place on the Airman Leadership School’s Wall of Heroes at Cannon Air Force Base.

Eliseo Lopez, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 515th CA(AA), passed away in Atlanta, Georgia on November 11, 2010, Veterans Day. When Bataan was surrendered on April 9, 1942, Eliseo Lopez was initially put on a truck. Off-loaded somewhere in the vicinity of Orion and Balanga, the following day he would begin the March of Death to San Fernando where 100 men were packed into train cars only meant to hold 40 men for the ride to Capas, before the final march to Camp O'Donnell. Transferred to Cabanatuan in June 1942, Eliseo Lopez would remain there until March 1944. He was loaded onto the Taikoku Maru bound for Japan via Formosa, where he would slave labor in the copper mine at Hitachi, until transferred to Ashio prison camp, again to labor in a copper mine, in August 1944. He was liberated in September 1945. Post-war, Mr. Lopez would marry the sister of Robert Young, also a 200th Coast Artillery man. Robert Young was lost in the October 24, 1944 sinking of the Hell Ship Arisan Maru, the worst maritime disaster in American history. In 2003, Eliseo Lopez was recognized by the "National Veterans Day in Birmingham" organization. A non-profit organization formed in 1945, recognized nationwide as one of the finest groups of its type, the National Veterans Day in Birmingham hosts the nation's oldest and largest Veterans Day celebration.

Silverio M. Garley, D Btry 515th CA(AA), passed away in Tacoma, Washington on September 17, 2010. He was 94. Mr. Garley slave labored in the coal mines at Fukuoka Camp #23. He was liberated in September 1945.

Carlos R. Montoya, Regimental Headquarters Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away August 24, 2010 at the veterans hospital in La Jolla, California. He had been a long time resident of San Diego. Mr. Montoya was a survivor of the Bataan Death March, the Tayabas Detail, and was liberated from Niigata POW Camp. For many years, he was the Commander of the Western States Chapter of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. He was featured in the History Channel's “The Bataan Death March” and in an episode of “Major Military Events”. In 2007, Mr. Montoya's story, “Carlos: A Tale of Survival”, was published.

Edras S. Montoya, G Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico July 24, 2010. Suffering from a bayonet wound and malaria, Mr. Montoya nearly completed the March of Death. About a mile from San Fernando, while Japanese guards were firing on a group of prisoners attempting to get water from a well, he escaped into the jungle. With the aid of Filipino civilians and guerrillas he survived mostly alone for the next three years. In January 1944, he made contact with American forces landing at Subic Bay. Mr. Montoya is one of four men profiled in Dorothy Cave's “Four Trails to Valor”.

Esperidion "Nino" Archibeque passed away May 2, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Archibeque was orginally a Band member in the 200th Coast Artillery. After the attack on Clark Field, he was transferred to the 515th Coast Artillery when the Regiment was split and that unit was formed from its ranks, and made a Medic. A survivor of the Bataan Death March and Camp O'Donnell, Archibeque joined the staff at the camp hospital at Cabanatuan prison camp, the camp he was rescued from in January 1945 in a daring raid by Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts and Philippine Guerrillas.

Everette M. "Dick" Morris, F Btry 515th CA(AA), of Hobbs, New Mexico, passed away May 1, 2010. At the time of his passing Mr. Morris was the 200th Coast Artillery's youngest living survivor — the 515th being born from the ranks of the 200th. Because birth dates are lacking for some of the men in the Regiment from states other than New Mexico, we cannot say for sure, but it may be that Mr. Morris was the 200th's youngest soldier, only 17 when he was surrendered on Bataan. Mr. Morris turned 18 on the Hell Ship Rykuyu Maru on its way to Japan with its prisoner cargo, where he would be interned at Kobe POW Camp 1B. He was rescued from Kobe POW Camp 2B when the first camp was destroyed in a fire bombing. His brother Jeff, also a 200th Coast Artillery man, succumbed at Cabanatuan prisoner of war camp in 1942. The Morris' mother was a Charter Member of the Bataan Relief Organization. Post-war Mr. Morris owned restaurants in Carlsbad and Hobbs, New Mexico.

Claude A. Hatch, Headquarters Btry 2nd Battalion 200th CA(AA), New Mexico's oldest living Bataan Death March Survivor to date, passed away April 23, 2010. Mr. Hatch, was sent out on air field details as a slave laborer for the Japanese. He was not shipped north to Japan. He remained in the Philippines and was liberated from Old Bilibid Prison by US Army forces on February 3, 1945. When General MacArthur came to Bilibid, Claude Hatch shook his hand. Post-war, he and his younger brother Stewart started Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland, New Mexico. Mr. Hatch was a member of the Upper Fruitland Chapter of Navajo Nation.

Frank N. Lovato, Headquarters Btry 1st Battalion 200th CA(AA), a survivor of the Bataan Death March, passed away April 20, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Lovato was transferred to the Provisional Tank Group (half-tracks) after the bombing of Clark Field on December 8, 1941 (December 7th in the US). Following liberation from Fukuoka Camp 1, Mr. Lovato re-entered the service, in the new United States Air Force. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Leo J. Padilla, B Btry 200th CA(AA) passed away at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico March 9, 2010. One of the younger survivors of the 200th Coast Artillery, Mr. Padilla joined the National Guard at age 14 (in 1937) in order to get the “high boots” the National Guardsmen wore to keep his feet dry while irrigating the fields. He was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He was transported to Manchuria via Korea on the Hell Ship Tottori Maru in October 1942. He was liberated from Hoten POW Camp at Mukden, Manchuria in September 1945. Mr. Padilla was active in the Albuquerque Chapter of the Bataan Veterans Organization. In 2002, 200th Coast Artillery veteran/survivor, Alex Tovar of San Antonio, Texas talked about Mr. Padilla helping him with his disability papers, “All the way from Albuquerque!” Leo Padilla was instrumental in the establishment of the Bataan Memorial at Bataan Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, dedicated in 2002.

George F. ‘Tony’ King, passed away in Artesia, New Mexico December 7, 2009. Mr. King was member of the 200th Coast Artillery's Regimental Band. He played the clarinet. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. King slave labored in the Yokohama Brick Yard. When the camp was destroyed in a bombing, he was removed to Niigata Camp #5. He was liberated in September 1945. Mr. King served as a Post Master for 37 years before retiring in 1981. In a special ceremony on the 43rd anniversary of the fall of Bataan, Mr. King and 12 other men received Bronze Stars for their part in the Bataan campaign at White Sands Missle Range; four of those men posthumously, having died as prisoners of war.

Joseph J. Bandoni, A Btry 200th CA(AA), died in Albuquerque, New Mexico November 3, 2009. Mr. Bandoni joined the New Mexico National Guard with Orlando DeVenzeio, Reynold Armijo and Ernest Montoya, in 1939. Armijo died at Camp O'Donnell just after the Death March of Bataan, while Bandoni, DeVenzeio and Montoya would survive the 3-1/2 years of imprisonment. Mr. Bandoni was liberated from Old Bilibid Prison in Manila in February 1945.

Horacio H. Montoya, H Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 27, 2009. Mr. Montoya and his brother Ben, also with H Battery, were transported to Japan on board the Hell Ship Clyde Maru and interned at Fukuoka POW Camp #17 at Omuta, Japan. Ben Montoya died in 2007. Horacio Montoya published, "Rising Sun Over Bataan: Memoirs Of War", in March 2009.

Woodrow M. Hutchison, B Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away October 21, 2009 in Sacramento, California. A legendary basketball coach and athletic director at American River College, after retiring in 1980, he was honored on campus with the naming of Woodrow M. Hutchison Gym. Pre-war Mr. Hutchison was offered a tryout by the Detroit Lions, was a decathlete, and upon graduation from New Mexico Normal College in 1940, was the third-highest scorer in collegiate basketball history, playing AAU ball in Los Angeles until drafted. Post-war, Mr. Hutchison played AAU basketball at New Mexico Highlands University, and in 1946, was recruited by the Sacramento Senators to play basketball. Recognized nationally as a leader in college athletics, Mr. Hutchison advised the President's Council for Physical Fitness. He received many awards for community and athletic contributions and was inducted into many sports halls of fame, including the first class of the ARC Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2009.

Benjamin E. Martinez, D Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico, October 17, 2009. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. Martinez was liberated from Fukuoka prisoner of war camp #3 in September 1945. Post-war, Mr. Martinez worked in construction, and for the US Postal Service.

Francis Earle Bergquist, B Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away at the age of 90 in Denton, Texas September 19, 2009. He was a resident of Justin, Texas at the time of his death. He was a retired CPA. Mr. Bergquist was liberated from Nagoya Camp #2B in September 1945.

Carl A. Pasurka, C Btry 515th CA(AA), 92, passed away August 29, 2009 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. He was liberated from Maibara POW Camp. He was a retired employee of Illinois School District 214.

Telesforo Archuleta, G Btry 200th CA(AA), died August 20, 2009 at his home in Blanco, New Mexico. Charles Sanchez, another 200th man, once credited Archuleta with saving his life. Archuleta tied a very sick Sanchez to his belt to keep him safe while the two were being transported to Japan on a Hell Ship. Archuleta himself, would lose part of his hearing due to the severe beatings he received as a POW — possibly while a prisoner at Sendai Camp #7, where mistreatment of the prisoners slave laboring in the copper mines was a daily occurrence. Mr. Archuleta was 94.

Felix M. Salas, H Btry 200th CA(AA), from Bayard in the southwestern part of New Mexico, passed away on July 12, 2009. Mr. Salas, a survivor of the Bataan Death March, was liberated from Hanaoka Prisoner of War Camp in September 1945.

Lazaro A. Chavez, B Btry 515th CA(AA), died May 24, 2009 in Farmington, New Mexico. Mr. Chavez was surrendered on Corregidor. As a prisoner of war, he slave-labored, barefoot, as a “fire-tender” in an iron works foundry in Japan. Following liberation, he was a farmer and an employee of New Mexico Natural Gas Company.

John W. Griffing, B Btry 200th CA(AA), died April 18, 2009 at the age of 93 in Beeville, Texas. Mr. Griffing was liberated from Sendai prisoner of war camp #3 in September 1945. Post-war, Mr. Griffing earned a BS in Petroleum Engineering from University of Texas at Austin, and was a Registered Professional Engineer for 30 years. He retired from Amoco in 1981 and worked as a consultant until 1985.

Louis R. "Kildee" Herring, H Btry 200th CA(AA), passed way March 20, 2009. Mr. Herring was a resident of Fort Sumner, New Mexico. At the age of 15, Mr. Herring drove a herd of cattle from Muleshoe, Texas to Fort Sumner in the snow, alone — the same gumption that would help him survive the Bataan Death March and keep him alive for 3-1/2 years as a prisoner of war. According to his daughter, Mr. Herring received the nickname "Pack Rat" in prison camp because he would gather anything he could and steal from the Japanese to help keep his fellow prisoners of war alive.

John L. Johnson, B Btry 515th CA(AA), age 93, passed away at the Thomas Creek Veterans Home in Amarillo, Texas. At the time of his death, Mr. Johnson was the oldest living member of the Portales (New Mexico) American Legion Post #31. He was a survivor of the Bataan Death March and a recipient of the Purple Heart and a member of the VFW. He collected and restored antique autos and was a member of numerous antique car clubs in New Mexico and Texas.

Heinz L. Rhee, Headquarters Battery 2nd BN, 200th CA(AA, died February 8, 2009 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In July 1941, the Albuquerque Journal reported that Rhee — whose father fled with his family from Nazi Germany in 1936 and settled in Bernalillo, New Mexico — entered the Army the same day he filed his first papers for US citizenship. Mr. Rhee, 93, was at the time of his death, and had been since the 1950s, a resident of Guadalajara, Mexico where he established a tool and dye company. Mr. Rhee was liberated from an Osaka area camp in September 1941.

Morris L. Lerner, H Btry 200th CA(AA), died in San Antonio, Texas October 27, 2008. Mr. Morris was liberated from Fukuoka POW Camp #5 aka Omine Machi.

David N. Chapa, A Btry 200th CA(AA), age 91, passed away in Little Canada, Minnesota September 16, 2008. Mr. Chapa, a survivor of the Bataan Death March, in a family video, described the death on that march and how he “kept quiet and kept moving.” A Texas native, Mr. Chapa relocated to Minnesota after the war. His family, with the aid of Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, applied for Mr. Chapa's medals which did not arrive before his death, but were on hand for his funeral service.

Albino Lopez, A Btry 515th CA(AA), died August 5, 2008. Mr. Lopez was liberated from Sendai Camp #6 in Hanawa, Japan.

Sam P. Buse, F Btry. 200th CA(AA), of Palermo, California, died in Oroville, California on July 27, 2008. Mr. Buse joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at the age of 13. He joined the New Mexico National Guard prior to its federalization on January 6, 1941. In 1943, a series by Clark Lee ran in newspapers across the country titled, “In The Pacific”. Sam Buse was one in a group of 200th men who described the destruction at Clark Field on December 8, 1941 to Mr. Lee. Mr. Buse was liberated from Toyama POW Camp in Nagoya, Japan in September 1945. In the 1960s, Mr. Buse worked on the Oroville Dam in California (the tallest dam in the United States), setting up the turbine engines inside the Dam.

Robert L. “Bob” Williams, C Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away July 19, 2008 in Aztec, New Mexico. He was 94. In “Beyond Courage”, Dorothy Cave wrote that Mr. Williams was rejected by the Marine Corps when he was drafted because he had crooked teeth, and so, he wound up in the Philippines with the 200th Coast Artillery. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. Williams was shipped north to Japan on the “Hell Ship” Noto Maru. On his passing, his son Bob stated that his father, “never thought of himself as a hero, just a soldier doing his job.”

David Johns Jr., G Btry 515th CA(AA), of Silver City, New Mexico, passed away June 25, 2008 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mr. Johns re-enlisted after the war, retired from the Army, and then from a second career in Civil Service. He was a former Commander of the New Mexico Bataan Veterans Organization.

Robert L. Johns, Hq Btry 1BN 515th CA(AA), of Churchville, Virginia, died May 13, 2008 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Mr. Johns was a survivor of the Bataan Death March and the December 1944 sinking of the Oryoku Maru. He was liberated from Fukuoka POW Camp #4 in Moji, Japan at war's end. Post-war, Mr. Johns was employed by the Atomic Energy Commission in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He was a was a steam engine and antique car enthusiast and a collector of Model T Fords.

Donald M. Dansby, F Btry. 200th CA(AA), of Artesia, New Mexico, passed away on April 23, 2008. Then a resident of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Mr. Dansby joined the National Guard in 1940. He was surrendered on Corregidor and liberated from a prisoner of war camp in Yokohama, Japan at war’s end. After the war, Mr. Dansby returned to his pre-war occupation in the frame and axle business, owning and operating his own business in Odessa, Texas for many years before returning to New Mexico.

Jose Leandro Quintana, A Btry. 200th CA(AA), a survivor of the Bataan Death March, died April 13, 2008. A lifelong resident of Española, New Mexico, Mr. Quintana passed away at the VA Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a Purple Heart recipient, and when liberated from Kawasaki POW Camp #1, weighed only 96 pounds. Mr. Quintana and his brother built the “Club Tropicana” in Española.

Alexander H. “Koot-ooks-Tah-Kah” Mathews, former Pawnee Tribal President (1993-1995), H Btry. 515th CA(AA), passed away in Lawton, Oklahoma on March 14, 2008. Mr. Mathews, a survivor of the Bataan Death March, was a Traditional Chief of the Chaui Band of Pawnee. He was the State Commander for the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Department of New Mexico in 2001-02. After graduating from Haskell Institute in 1946 he went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and saw service in many tribal agencies across the Country. He retired in 1974. As President of the Pawnee Nation, on April 29, 1994, Mr. Mathews addressed President Clinton during a Whitehouse Conference with Native American Leaders. He was a former member of First United Methodist Church in Anadarko, Oklahoma, and was a teacher for the Senior Citizens Sunday School class for 12 years. He was also a champion traditional Southern Straight Dancer.

Jess J. Whitted, F Btry. 200th CA(AA), passed away in Tucson, Arizona on March 9, 2008. Mr. Whitted was surrendered on Corregidor. He was liberated from Omi POW camp at Hitachi.

Clyde D. Gomez, G Btry. 515th CA(AA), passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 8, 2008. Mr. Gomez was liberated from Oeyama prisoner of war camp.

Robert Medina, H Btry. 200th CA(AA), died February 29, 2008. He was from Cañon in Taos, New Mexico.

Edward L. Rollie, D Btry. 515th CA(AA) died February 19, 2008 in Reno, Nevada. He was originally from Gallup, New Mexico.

Francis H. Van Buskirk, C Btry. 200th CA(AA), passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico on February 7, 2008. Mr. Van Buskirk met his wife while he was a patient at Bruns General Hospital in Santa Fe after liberation. He has been described as a quite man, a carpenter, a man who lived a good life.

Virgil L. Aimes, D Btry. 515th CA(AA), died at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico February 3, 2008. When the Japanese attacked Clark Field December 8th, Mr. Aimes fought back with a 30.06 rifle. He was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He began the march at Mariveles, and chose to march on the inside of column after determining that men on the outside suffered most of the abuse by handed out by their captors. He was suffering from malaria, and lost all track of time on the march to Camp O'Donnell. At Cabanatuan prisoner of war camp, where he worked in the gardens, growing vegetables for the Japanese while prisoners starved, he witnessed the execution of fellow 200th man, Thomas Hunt. Friends since their youth, through training, and after the Regiment was split, Mr. Aimes would load onto the Nissyo Maru in July 1944, and never see Jack Hnidak again. Post-war, Mr. Aimes returned home and married Jack's sister, Eda Mae. Jack would lose his life in October 1944. Mr. Aimes was sent to Fukuoka 23 (Keisen) where he would be liberated in September 1945. After the war, Mr. Aimes made his living as a carpenter, and belonged to Local Union 1319. Never wanting to officially join the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Foundation of New Mexico Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Aimes were present from its formation in 1999 up until his death.

Cipriano B. Ramirez, 200th CA(AA) Band, passed away in Pico Rivera, California February 1, 2008. Remembering coming out of a particularly bad episode of malaria at Christmas in 1942 at Cabanatuan prisoner of war camp in a 2002 interview, Mr. Ramirez said, “We sang ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Noel, Noel,’ I cried and cried with joy I had survived.”

Pragedis M. Sora, B Btry. 200th CA(AA), died in San Antonio, Texas January 18, 2008. He was liberated from Maibara prisoner of war camp.

Reverend Cecil C. Uzzel, E Btry. 200th CA(AA), a survivor of the Bataan Death March, died in Clute, Texas January 3, 2008. Rev. Uzzel re-enlisted in the Army following his release from a prisoner of war camp in Niigata, Japan, eventually obtaining the rank of Warrant Officer. While stationed in Germany, he helped start an English-speaking Baptist Church.

William P. Bunch, F Btry. 515th CA(AA), a survivor of the Bataan Death March, died in Dallas, Texas on December 21, 2007. Mr. Bunch was one of the 200th's National Guardsmen federalized in January 1941. He was a slave laborer for the Yodagawa Steel Company on the island of Honshu, Japan before liberation.

Nicholas Chintis, G. Btry. 515th CA(CA), passed away in Tucson, Arizona December 13, 2007. While a student at New Mexico State Teachers College, Mr. Chintis was a member of the basketball team that in 1940, beat the UCLA team on which Jackie Robinson played. He was inducted into the Western New Mexico University Hall of Fame in 1988, based on his two All Conference years in 1939 and 1940 (for football). Post-war, Mr. Chintis gave war crimes testimony. He was supervisor of Grant County Schools from 1951-1953 and afterwards served in many director level positions at Western New Mexico University.

Fred M. (Federico) Brewer, Regimental Hdqtrs. Btry. 200th CA(AA), died November 19, 2007 in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Brewer was the assistant to the Regiment's Chaplain, Frederick “Ted” Howden who would later die of starvation in Davao Penal Colony on Mindanao. Post-war, Mr. Brewer was a Spanish Professor at Texas Western College-UTEP for 29 years and was a Founding Father of Bethany Christian Church in El Paso.

Pedro “Pete” Espinosa, D Btry. 200th CA(AA), died October 25, 2007 in Socorro, New Mexico where he had lived for the last couple of years. Mr. Espinosa received the “Commander’s Appreciation Award” from Gallup, New Mexico’s American Legion Post 8, the only award of its kind in the Post’s 86-year history. Mr. Espinosa and his brother Damian were National Guardsmen from Gallup. Damian succumbed to dysentery and malaria in Cabanatuan prisoner of war camp.

Harold C. Hise, D Btry. 515th CA(AA), passed away October 23, 2007 in Roswell, New Mexico.

Valentine S. “Val” Santillanes, D Btry. 200th CA(AA), passed away in Boise, Idaho October 17, 2007. Mr. Santillanes received three Purple Hearts on Bataan. He was a volunteer at the VA Hospital in Boise, often playing his guitar and singing Hank Williams and Randy Travis songs for patients. He was a past Post Commander as well as a past Post Chaplain of VFW Post 63 in Boise and once served as Grand Marshall during a 4th of July in that city.

Eduardo A. Sandoval, A Btry. 200th CA(AA), passed away on October 15, 2007 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Sandoval was a slave laborer for Mitsubishi Mining Company at Sendai POW Camp No. 3 (Hosokura). He was liberated in September 1945.

Alfredo N. Levrier, G. Btry. 200th CA(AA), died September 15, 2007 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Levrier was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He was a prisoner at Hoten Camp, Mukden, Manchuria and there suffered frostbite to his feet which plagued him the rest of his life. He weighed only 87 pounds when he was liberated.

Cecil E. Mauldin, E Btry. 200th CA(AA), a resident of Artesia, New Mexico, died in Lubbock, Texas August 26, 2007.

Oscar A. Cox, F Btry. 200th CA(AA), died August 12, 2007.

Celso H. Lucero, D Btry. 200th CA(AA), died June 26, 2007 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Lucero escaped capture and spent the war fighting as a Guerrilla in the Philippine jungles. Mr. Lucero would lose his brother-in-law, Uvaldo Garcia, when the “Hell Ship” Shinyo Maru transporting him to Japan was sunk on September 7, 1944. On April 7, 2002, when the new Bataan Memorial was dedicated in Albuquerque, Mayor Martin Chavez declared the day, “Celso Lucero Day”.

Agapito E. ‘Gap’ Silva, D Btry. 515th CA(AA), former Commander, American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and long-time Commander, Bataan Veterans Organization, Albuquerque Chapter, passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 17, 2007. Mr. Silva received severe leg wounds on Bataan when a bomb dropped directly on his battery. Avoiding capture on Bataan when it fell, Mr. Silva made his way to Corregidor by barge. Surrendered there one month later, Mr. Silva was held at Cabanatuan prison camp in the Philippines. He was assigned to the infamous “burial details” when hundreds of prisoners were dying each month of disease and starvation at Cabanatuan. He was transported to Japan in August 1943 on the “Hell Ship” Clide Maru. While a prisoner at Fukuoka prison camp #17 near Omuta, Japan, he slave-labored in the Mitsui Mining Company’s coal mines where he suffered a broken back during a mine cave-in. When he fell ill in 2006, Mr. Silva’s doctors attributed his condition, in part, to exposure in the coal mines and the harsh treatment suffered while a prisoner of war. In 1999, Mr. Silva joined the class-action lawsuit brought by veterans across the country against the Japanese corporations who profited from American slave-labor during World War II. To this day, all suits have been nullified by the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951. In 1998, angered by the City of Albuquerque’s attempts to remove the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery monument placed in Bataan Memorial Park in the 1960s to a new park, the City’s removal of memorial trees planted in memory of fallen 200th and 515th men, and the unsightly mess created by power lines and power boxes which obscured the memorial garden originally planted by the mothers, wives and daughters of the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery men, Mr. Silva joined together with fellow Albuquerque veterans to found the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Foundation of New Mexico, Inc. with the purpose of “preserving the historical integrity of Bataan Memorial Park for future generations.” Two days before the 60th anniversary of the fall of Bataan — April 7, 2002 — the Bataan Memorial was dedicated at Bataan Memorial Park in Albuquerque. The memorial lists the names and batteries of each of the 1,820 men of the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery (Anti-aircraft). He fulfilled a promise made by the City of Albuquerque in 1943 to the families of the men who were then suffering as prisoners of the Japanese. He said, “One day, my grandchildren will have children, and I want them to come to the park and say, ‘There is Agapito Silva, my grandpa. He was at Bataan.’”

Larry R. Sandoval, Hq Btry. 1BN, 515th CA(AA), passed away May 22, 2007 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Sandoval lost his right leg above the knee in Mitsui mine at Omuta (Fukuoka 17, Kyushu Island, Japan).

Ernest D. Prehm, Hq Btry. 2BN, 200th CA(CA), died April 27, 2007.

Macedonio B. Lebya, C Btry. 200th CA(AA), a survivor of the Bataan Death March, died in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 17, 2007. Mr. Leyba’s brother Ramon, also with C Battery, was lost on the “Hell Ship” Arisan Maru on October 24, 1944.

Ben Montoya, H Btry. 200th CA(AA), passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 16, 2007.

Robert J. Welch, D Btry. 200th CA(AA), died March 7, 2007 in Gallup, New Mexico. Mr. Welch a survivor of the Bataan Death March, was a retired US Postal Service employee.

William B. Clark, B Btry. 200th CA(AA), a survivor of the Bataan Death March, passed away in Terre Haute, Indiana on February 13, 2007. He was a resident of Jasonville, Indiana at the time of his death.

Joe L. Sanchez, D Btry. 200th CA(AA), died January 25, 2007 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Sanchez, a survivor of the Bataan Death March, was a resident of Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Baltazar M. Apodaca, D Btry. 515th CA(AA), died January 17, 2007.

Robert P. Garcia, Medical Detachment, 200th CA(AA, died November 8, 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Marvin Bailey, F Btry. 515th CA(AA), died October 22, 2006 in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Wayne O. Lawrence, C Btry. 200th CA(AA), died October 14, 2006 in Rockdale, Texas.

David O. Tellez, A Btry. 200th CA(AA), died October 4, 2006 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

William E. Jensen, G Btry. 515th CA(AA), died September 19, 2006 in Big Spring, Texas. Mr. Jensen was one of 107 200th/515th Coast Artillery men who made their way to Corregidor when Bataan was surrendered. As a prisoner of war, his jaw was broken in three places and most of his teeth were knocked out when he was hit by the butt of a rifle for not saluting the Japanese flag at Cabanatuan. Mr. Jensen was also a combat Korean War Veteran.

Howard T. Chrisco, E. Btry 200th CA(AA), passed away in St. James, Missouri August 24, 2006. Mr. Chrisco was commandeered to a trucking detail after the fall of Bataan and was not forced onto the March of Death. He and several other men were assigned to drive and maintain American-made trucks out of Bacolod, Negros. In July 1943, Chrisco and a handful of other prisoners escaped. Finding refuge and fighting with Guerrillas, Chrisco was rescued by USS Crevalle (SS291) in May 1944. In 2003, Mr. Chrisco was recognized as an “Outstanding Missourian” by the Missouri House of Representatives.

Benjamin F. Williams, A Btry. 200th CA(AA), died August 17, 2006 in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Ramon Z. Corona, H Btry. 200th CA(AA), died July 18, 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Before his death, Mr. Corona was the oldest living 200th/515th Coast Artillery veteran. He was 93 years old.

James F. Schiffner, Hq Btry. 1BN, 200th CA(AA), died July 14, 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Manuel A. Carrillo, Hq Btry. 1BN, 200th CA(AA), died May 14, 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Carrillo was liberated from a POW camp in the Tokyo Bay area.

Ralph E. Moore, G Btry. 200th CA(AA), a resident of Montrose, Colorado, passed away at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center in Casa Grande, Arizona on March 21, 2006. Mr. Moore was a survivor the Bataan Death March.

Ramon B. Cisneros, G Btry. 200th CA(AA), died March 13, 2006 in Price, Utah. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. Cisneros was liberated from a POW camp in the Tokyo Bay area.

Norman J. Chesser, Regimental Hdqtrs. Btry. 200th CA(AA), died March 6, 2006 in Brownwood, Texas.

Joseph “Joe” F. Martinez, F Btry. 200th CA(AA), died February 5, 2006 in Fort Garland, Colorado. Mr. Martinez was a slave-laborer at Hirohata POW Camp. He was rescued in September 1945.

Abel A. Garcia, Medical Detachment 200th CA(AA), died January 13, 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Garcia joined the New Mexico National Guard at the age of 18. He was a survivor of the Bataan Death March and rescued from Hoten POW Camp in Mukden, Manchuria. Following the war, Mr. Garcia spent 9 months recuperating at Bruns General Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Lloyd R. Byers, G Btry. 515th CA(AA), died December 23, 2005 in Magna, Utah. Mr. Byers joined the New Mexico National Guard in 1938. He was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He was liberated from Sendai #6 POW Camp in Hanawa, Japan. Post-war, Mr. Byers worked for Kennecott Copper Corporation, retiring after 29 years.

Raymond V. Mares, H Btry. 200th CA(AA), died November 7, 2005 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a survivor of the “Hell Ship” Nissyo Maru. He was rescued from Kamioka POW Camp (Nagoya 7-B).

Ralph M. Perry, G Btry. 200th CA(AA), died August 14, 2005 in Brownwood, Texas.

Gavino Rivera, C Btry. 200th CA(AA), a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, died in Albuquerque on May 17, 2005. Mr. Rivera was a National Guardsman in the 200th when the Regiment was federalized on January 6, 1941. He was liberated from Fukuoka POW Camp 17 (Omuta).

Juan Antonio Trujillo, F Btry. 515th CA(AA), passed away in Las Vegas, New Mexico on May 8, 2005. Mr. Trujillo first served in Headquarters Battery 2nd Battalion 200th Coast Artillery. He was reassigned to the 515th Coast Artillery when that unit was formed on December 8, 1941. After 3-1/2 years as a prisoner of war, Mr. Trujillo was liberated from a POW camp in Osaka, Japan.

Robert C. Davis, D Btry. 515th CA(AA) passed away April 22, 2005 in Redding, California. Mr. Davis was the subject of the book, “In the Shadow of the Rising Sun : The story of Robert Davis, POW and D Battery 515th CAC, Orphan Unit of Bataan” by Yvonne Boisclaire. He was liberated from Tsuruga POW Camp, Honshu, Japan. Mr. Davis was also a Korean War veteran. In 1999, he served as the grand marshal of the Veterans Day Parade in Shasta Lake, California.

Jack W. Bradley of San Jose, California passed away on April 8, 2005 in Palo Alto, California. Bradley was a sergeant when New Mexico's National Guard 200th Coast Artillery Regiment was federalized on January 6, 1941. When Bataan fell, Bradley had been advanced to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and had been reassigned to the 515th Coast Artillery. He was a Professor of Psychology and was one of the founding fathers of West Valley College in Saratoga, California (in 1964). While a prisoner of war in Zentsuji POW camp, 1LT Bradley held psychology classes for fellow prisoners. He was liberated from Rokuroshi POW camp in September 1945.

Charles B. Gavord, B Btry. 515th CA(AA), passed away on March 30, 2005. He was a resident of Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Gavord was a New Mexico National Guardsman attached to the 200th Coast Artillery when the Regiment was federalized on January 6, 1941. When the 200th was split on December 8, 1941 in order to provide anti-aircraft protection for Manila forming the 515th Coast Artillery, the first battle-born unit of WWII, Gavord was reassigned to the new Regiment. He was surrendered on Bataan and survived the Death March to Camp O’Donnell. After 3-1/2 years of captivity, Mr. Gavord was liberated from a POW camp in the Nagano area of Japan. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

John J. Murphy, Medical Detachment 200th CA(AA), died February 28, 2005. He was from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Herbert J. Rolstad, H Btry. 515th CA(AA), died February 20, 2005 in Chatham, New Jersey. Mr. Rolstad was liberated from Hirohata POW camp.

Peter J. Eresh, A Btry. 200th CA(AA), died January 30, 2005 in Saint Louis, Missouri. He was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Teodoro S. Saavedra, B Btry. 200th CA(AA), passed away at his home in Luis Lopez (Socorro), New Mexico January 28, 2005. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, Mr. Saavedra was an honorary guest at the first-ever presentation of the WWII Veterans Scholarship Award at Socorro High School in May 2003. In August 2004, Mr. Saavedra was again honored by Socorro High School when he received his long overdue high school diploma in a ceremony to honor World War II veterans who went to war before they could graduate. A flag was flown at half-staff in Ballad, Iraq in Mr. Saavedra’s memory at the request of his daughter-in-law’s brother, who is presently stationed in Iraq.

Homer Buel Hobbs Jr., E Btry. 200th CA(AA), passed away at his home in Portales, New Mexico on January 12, 2005. He was a survivor of the Bataan Death March.