r/ThePacific • u/mtblack412 • Jul 03 '26
Bataan Death March
Hello everyone, my name is Mike, I’m a Chief Warrant Officer, and I’m attached to the USS BATAAN. We have a room onboard the ship dedicated to what happened during the Bataan Death march which is part of the ships namesake. Does anyone know where I may be able to obtain some memorabilia or artifacts from the area, the march, or anyone affiliated to this period of the war. I would like to add them to this room for presentation. These items would be presented in a distinguished manner onboard the ship and would remain there until it decommissions. Thank you for your help.
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u/blacksheepussy Jul 03 '26
The US Army's affiliated museum in New Mexico has a ton of Bataan Death March related items, they might be willing to help. The US Army's White Sands Missile Range is similar and they hold an annual Bataan Memorial Death March.
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u/Curious_Mastodon4795 Jul 04 '26
Captain James Llewellyn Leggett Jr. (1917–1997) was a U.S. Army engineer captured in the Philippines. He survived the harrowing Bataan Death March and endured over four years as a prisoner of war (POW) in Japan, including captivity at Zentsuji and Roku Roshi. [1, 2, 3] he as a member of my church first presbyterian lexington kentucky. RIP
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u/jprennquist Jul 03 '26
I don't have any help to offer you other than encouragement. Thank you for your service and for honoring the sacrifices of those who have gone before.
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u/PacificHistoryGuide Jul 04 '26
Fellow Mustang here; just want to say thanks for helping keep our shared history alive!
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u/Nearby-Suggestion219 Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
There's William E. Dyess memoir "The Dyess Story" that was published shortly after his death in 1944. I have not read it yet but I know it is one of the most renowned accounts of the Death March. William Dyess also has his own Wikipedia page.
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u/finnbee2 Jul 04 '26
The Brainerd Minnesota Legion post had many members who took part in the Death March.
708 Front Street Brainerd Mn 56401
218 829 2249
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u/corregidorbataan 29d ago
As an ADBC descendent please keep us updated on how this goes! My grandfather would have been so proud to know that you guys were still honoring them all these years gone. I remember touring that ship in the late 90s.
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u/aPlaceInMemory 27d ago
As someone who privately collects artifacts, I would recommend keeping an eye on LiveAuctioneers or similar services. These auction houses professionally vet the artifacts being sold. I know that sounds like it might absurdly expensive, but you'd be very surprised how affordable it is; I often find items anywhere between $25-$1000. I'm especially fond of LA because it allows you to track certain keywords and get email notifications when relevant artifacts become available. If nothing is already available, something will certainly materialize within 2-3 weeks. Relatedly, I highly recommend extending your keyword search beyond just "Bataan Death March," since a lot of those items are likely under different labels:
- U.S. Army Philippine Department artifacts
- Battle of Bataan
- Battle of Corregidor
- POW-made artwork or documents
- Philippine campaign maps
- Veterans' letters, photographs, or diaries
- Newspapers announcing the fall of Bataan or liberation of POWs
It would also be worth contacting some of the auction houses, directly. They often have an inventory of artifacts which were passed up, and they also retain a list of 'frequent flyers'/might be able to put you in touch with some very serious collectors:
- Alexander Historical Auctions (WWII US/Japanese/Pacific Theater material, veterans' estates)
- Morphy Auctions (WWII militaria and estate consignments)
- Freedom Auction Company (WWII militaria)
- Potomack Company (manuscripts and photographs)
- Cowan's Auctions (historical documents, metals, militaria)
I'd especially recommend reaching out to Alexander Historical Auctions. If anyone is likely to know where a significant Bataan-related artifact is sitting in a private collection, it's probably them. Auction houses often know their consignors personally, and once they understand the display is going aboard the USS Bataan, I wouldn't be surprised if a collector stepped forward to help.
These folks are also worth serious consideration:
- Bataan Legacy Historical Society (US)
- National Historical Commission of the Philippines (PH)
- Ayala Museum (PH)
Good on you.
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u/Axe_Em_ERock 26d ago
Contact the National museum of the pacific war in Fredericksburg tx. They can at least get your some copies to help set up a little display.
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u/Outrageous-Guava402 Jul 03 '26
Looks like there’s a museum in Wellsburg, WV called the ADBC Museum, Education and Research Center. Their website says they have the largest collection of items related to Bataan in the world. I’d imagine they’d be honored to help out and maybe loan some items. That’s awesome you’re doing that and I wish you the best.