“I can't give you men much advice. Just
always remember you are American soldiers,
and act like soldiers at all times. Someday
our troops will be back. Use your heads, for
godsake, and stick together — no matter what
happens.”
— Captain Albert K. Fields
“Beyond Courage”
The Death March was an
approximate 63 mile, or 100km march to San Fernando
on Luzon from the southernmost tip of the Bataan
Peninsula at Mariveles. At San Fernando, prisoners
were packed about 100 men at a time into cattle cars
that should have only held about 40 men, for a train
ride to Capas, and then a final 7 mile march to Camp
O'Donnell. Not all prisoners began the March at
Mariveles, and not all those who were surrendered
made the Death March. There are no known “lists” of
the some 10,000 Americans and approximate 60,000
Filipinos caught up in the March.
