AFRL historian takes part in Bataan Death March

  • Published
  • By Jeanne Dailey
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N. M. --  Air Force Research Laboratory historian Robert "Bob" Duffner participated in the 25th annual Bataan Memorial Death March held March 23 at White Sands Missile Range, N. M. The march honors the World War II soldiers who suffered during the April 1942 march following the surrender of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers to Japanese forces.

Duffner said he was encouraged to take part in the march by a friend who had participated in it 20 years ago and thought it was a one-of-a-kind experience.

"Shaking hands with one of the original survivors of the Bataan Death March from WWII was a highlight of the march for me," Duffner said. "Meeting him face-to-face and observing his demeanor conveyed here was an unselfish, ordinary individual who made such a huge and meaningful difference. He prevailed under the worst of circumstances--a lesson about determination that still applies today."

More than 6,000 persons gathered at White Sands for the march and had the option of taking a 26.2 or 14.2 mile course through rough terrain and at times 2 inch deep sand. The opening ceremony began in the dark, and it took 35 minutes to reach the starting line Duffner said. Over a dozen survivors of the WWII Bataan Death March helped cheer on the marchers.

Duffner has been an AFRL historian for more than 37 years here at Kirtland and has written three books about the lab and its technologies. He served as a rifle platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam and later was an Army Reservist for 22 years. He said the Army places a good deal of emphasis on physical training and his Army experience also influenced him to sign up for the march.

"I would recommend anyone -- young or old, male or female, military or civilian -- do the march, especially those persons who think they could never complete an event like this," he said. "Some steady physical preparation and lots of mental commitment resulted in over 6,000 marchers crossing the finish line."

Duffner said he joined a running class a couple of months ago to train for a 10K race and that helped in preparation for the White Sands event.

"The event marked one of those enduring episodes in America's history that people should take time to remember and reflect on," Duffner said. "I think it is instructive to understand the sacrifices made by the original Marchers and how they contributed to shaping the society we live in today that we sometimes take for granted.

"The "Battling Bastards of Bataan" were all extraordinary leaders based on their actions. They struggled and succeeded against insurmountable odds without the benefits of bottled water, power bars, and medical support along the way. Although none of us can fully understand or feel the hardships of their experience, we owe a great debt of gratitude to each and every one of them."