FORT DRUM, N.Y. (April 20, 2017) -- On April 8, approximately 140 "Polar Bears" from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), marched in a ceremony recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Bataan Death March on the former grounds of Camp Shanks in Orangeburg, N.Y.
The event provided the Soldiers -- as members of the sole remaining active battalion of the 31st Infantry Regiment -- the unique opportunity to demonstrate the sense of camaraderie felt between current Polar Bears and those of past wars.
In an interview with local news reporters, Pvt. James Burke of C Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, affirmed these sentiments.
"I'm very proud to honor our history, of those that served before us and (those) to come," Burke said. "We are here to show our spirit, show that we respect them and what they have done for us."
To support the event, the Soldiers marched with regimental and battalion colors as well as company guidons. Lt. Col. Isaac J. Rademacher and Command Sgt. Maj. Steven D. Anderson, commander and senior enlisted adviser of 4-31 Infantry, led the procession down Bataan Road, so named in memory of the battle and the Soldiers who fought to keep the Philippines free from Japanese occupation.
This was the first time in recent years that the Orangeburg community had commemorated the fierce fighting that occurred in the Philippines where the American and allied Filipino forces defended against Imperial Japanese army invasion.
After four months of intense fighting and with no hope of resupply or relief, American forces were forced to surrender on April 9, 1942. Those who surrendered had to endure a 68-mile forced march to Camp O'Donnell prison camp. The journey from the battlegrounds to the prison camp became known as the Bataan Death March for the unspeakable acts of cruelty committed by the Imperial Japanese captors.
The anniversary also served as an opportunity for the 4th Battalion to display the 31st Infantry Regiment's cherished Shanghai Bowl, a heraldic item of the unit, which was buried in the Philippines to prevent its capture by Japanese forces during World War II.
Attendees were eager to hear from members of the battalion about the unique history of the bowl and its significance to the organization, as it is rarely on public display.
More information about the 4th Battalion and the 31st Infantry Regiment can be found by visiting their official unit website at www.drum.army.mil.
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