We join the Nation in remembering the courage and heroism of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought in the Philippines during World War II.

This holiday is also known under different names, such as Bataan Day, or Bataan and Corregidor Day, or Day of Valor.

This day commemorates the Battle of Bataan which began on January 7, 1942 and lasted for three months, ending on April 9, 1942, when the commander of the Luzon Force, Major General Edward P. King, Jr., surrendered to Japanese troops the army of more than 76,000 solders, starving and disease-ridden (66,000 Filipinos and 12,000 Americans). Since the Philippine Commonwealth Armed Forces is part of the US military, this marks the largest surrender of US troops since the American Civil War in the 1860s.
Their surrender marked the beginning of the infamous Bataan Death March, the 145 kilometer (90 miles) forced walk from Saysain Point, Bagac, Bataan and Mariveles to Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, via San Fernando, Pampanga. The soldiers, barefooted, some carrying heavy loads. died due to execution, dehydration, starvation, various kinds of diseases, or some were left dying on the road before reaching the Camp. Only 54,000 out of 76,000 soldiers came to their destination.

While fighting was raging in Bataan in early 1942, Corregidor served as the headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur until he was ordered to leave for Australia in March. Attacks were occurring often. The Japanese had cut off Corregidor’s supply line from Bataan. The Japanese continued to hit Corregidor even harder after the fall of Bataan. The Japanese had to take Corregidor. As long as the island remained in American hands, they would be denied the use of Manila Bay, the finest natural harbor in the Far East. On May 5, 1942 they began their approach to the shores of Corregidor. The Americans tried desperately to counterattack, but when Japanese tanks were deployed, their fate became apparent. On May 6, General Wainwright made the decision to surrender Corregidor, because of the lack of supplies and the losing battle. The fall of Corregidor signaled both the fall of the Philippines and Asia at that point in World War II.
But the Americans returned to the Philippines in full strength in October 1944. The US and Filipino army recaptured Corregidor in 1945.

#BahayNakpilBautistaBalikaral
@BahayNakpilBautistaPH

Xiao Time: Ang pagbagsak ng Bataan, simbolo ng katapangan at kabayanihan – YouTube
Xiao Time: Ang pagbagsak ng Corregidor – YouTube See Less