1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) Soldiers win division in Bataan Memorial Death March
United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
04.25.2011 Story by Caroline Goins FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Five soldiers assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg traveled to White Sands Missile Range, N.M. last month to trek 26.2 miles through blazing heat and desert terrain, reaching elevations of 5,300 feet, carrying 40-pound rucksacks, with 40-mph winds blowing on their faces.
They were not alone. More than 6,500 civilians and American servicemembers participated in the 22nd annual Bataan Memorial Death March.
“It was by far the worst march any of us have ever been on,” said Maj. Abraham Foster, as team members beside him nodded in agreement.
At the end of this march, eight of the original Bataan Death March survivors were there to shake hands and speak with the participants.
“It was a very humbling experience,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ben Harcrow. “Their situation was so much worse, without any of the convenience we had to protect us from the elements.”
The Bataan Memorial Death March honors a special group of World War II heroes. These service members were responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines. For six days, American and Filipino soldiers walked more than 60 miles in tropical conditions; 21,000 didn’t live to see the end of the journey.
“At the end of it, I was limping a little and one of the survivors saw me and asked, ‘What are you limping for?’” said Sgt. Adam Kourelis. “I just looked at him, but I had nothing to say.”
The team finished first among 38 teams in the heavy co-ed military division.
“The march required determination, intestinal fortitude and motivation from each other to keep us going, especially in the last few miles when we were out of gas,” said Sgt. Maj. Abraham Sanchez.
The 1st SWTG(A), part of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, is responsible conducting initial and advanced training for U.S. Army Special Forces, civil affairs and military information support operations soldiers.
Stumble It!
