Bataan Death March Memorial - Cherry Hill, NJ - Remembering FEPOW on Waymarking.com

This memorial shares opposite space with the Jose Rizal Monument along the banks of the Cooper River. Both memorials make a figure 8 when looked at from Google Earth. The Bataan memorial sits at the northeast and the Rizal memorial sits at the southwest. There is a definite Filipino flavor at this site. They chose to place the Rizal memorial here because Dr. José P. Rizal was a Filipino polymath, nationalist and the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is considered the Philippines' national hero and the anniversary of Rizal's death is commemorated as a Philippine holiday called Rizal Day. Rizal's 1896 military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution. [from Wikipedia]

Within this immediate area I found ten total memorials, most of them war related. I have observed many gatherings here on important anniversaries of WW II by the local VFW as well as local veterans. This place holds deep significance and meaning for our township's war heroes. A quick search on the internet will yield many events and gathering that have taken place at this memorial.

This site has a few pictures of the memorial and some links to go with it. Here is another link of the park system where the memorial can be found. Finally here is a web page with some excellent pictures at an anniversary celebration/observance taken at the memorial.

There is a really neat tiled walkway which leads to the memorial which has a wavy American flag painted or embossed on it. (See picture) The memorial front has the inscription "Courage Valor Camaraderie" written in bold, gilded letters. On the top is an extensive inscription which tells the story of the death march. (see picture) The five foot high memorial sits on a circular bed of pebbles and is surrounded by a circular wall of polished black stone. In back of the memorial is a flag pole.

Here is the text that can be found on the top of the stone monument:

This memorial honors the joint forces of 66,000 Filipinos and 12,000 American Heroes who fought against the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. The joint forces were positioned to stall the Japanese invasion of the whole Philippine Archipelago, and to allow time for the American pacific naval fleet to rebuild after suffering heavy losses at Pearl Harbor. Despite the shortage of food, water, ammunition and in total exhaustion, they fought gallantly but their weakened forces were no equal to the well equipped Japanese imperial army. Hence, on April 9, 1942, surrender was the only choice. Thus began the infamous ‘Bataan Death March’.

From Mariveles [Mariveles is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines.], Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga – a 65 mile trail, the march lasted from 5-9 days. The prisoners were tortured along the way, shot where they fell and some were buried alive or driven over by passing trucks. The soldiers were then cramped into train cars bound for Capas, Tarlac, a 24 mile punishing ride, where some died standing before reaching their destination.

Of the 78,000 brave men, only 54,000 made it to camp O’Donnnel in Capas, Tarlac, where 20,000 Filipinos and 1,600 Americans perished during the first four months of incarceration.

To these valiant soldiers, we dedicate this memorial. Indeed, both Filipinos and Americans from generation to generation will always be grateful for their courage, perseverance, sufferings, and the lives they gave that we may freely live.

Please park your vehicle here: N 39° 55.720 W 075° 03.737

The coordinates are accurate up to .005 inches.