“As my grandfather was passing a bridge, he told one of his friends they should jump in the water as they were doing the road march. He knew he was going to get killed if he kept walking and reached their destination. So, my grandfather jumped.”
Staff Sgt. Israel Manalang explained that his grandfather, Nicanor Mesa, was a survivor of the Bataan Death March that started on April 10, 1942. 84 years later, Manalang, an Aircraft Powerplant Repairer, is in his 20th year of service in the U.S. Army and has completed 10 Memorial marches to honor both his grandfather’s service and the United States, his new home.
“When I joined the Army, I learned we held the Bataan Death Memorial march ever year,” said Manalang. “I remembered hearing the stories that my aunt told about my grandfather and wanted to do it to honor him.”
The Imperial Japanese Army gathered over 66,000 Filipino and 12,000 American prisoners of war (POW) during the Bataan Death March, that took place in the middle of World War II. The POWs were forced to move along the east coast of Bataan over 65 miles in six days. Along the way they were routinely beaten, malnourished, and killed. The United States Forces retook the Bataan Peninsula from the Japanese in 1945. For the Malang family, their grandfather’s split-second decision during the march was crucial in securing their future.
“After jumping into the water my grandfather stayed under for a long time,” said Manalang. “Under the water he could see the bullets coming in as they tried to shoot him, but he escaped. I’m here because of my grandfather’s bravery.”
Far removed from the war conditions of that day, Manalang credits Mesa for a peaceful upbringing and inspiration for his profession of arms.
“When I was small, I used to live with my grandfather in the province of Apayao,” Manalang continued. “We would work out in the field planting watermelon and different kinds of rice on his farm. I grew up and worked different jobs to support myself and graduated as an industrial engineer. I came to America and the U.S. Army has been the only job I’ve had here. Americans liberated us and I joined to give back. I thought the Americans helped the Philippines, so why not help the Americans.”
This sense of duty and purpose has shaped the foundation of Manalang’s military career, and is something clearly recognized by those who have led him.
“Israel’s deep respect for his family and unwavering loyalty to the USA are what inspired him to commit to a lifetime of military service,” said 1st Sgt. Jonathan Elrod, Manalang’s former senior enlisted leader. “His passion for serving our nation is unparalleled and makes me proud to have served alongside him.”
Today Army units across the globe host memorial marches to recognize the brave Filipino and American troops who took part of the brutal event. For Manalang the marches offer a chance to mirror his grandfather’s actions.
“I want to experience the hardness of what my grandfather when through on the march, and what he felt,” explained Manalang. “I want to know how he survived, without water, barefoot, knowing if he quit the Japanese were going to shoot him. Every time I finish, I feel like I accomplished something and that feels great.”
For Manalang, honoring Mesa extends well past the brutal miles of the memorial march. He models his service after the core values of integrity and selfless service that his grandfather lived by.
“When I think of my grandfather I think of how humble he was, he never complained and worked hard for his family,” said Manalang. “My grandfather sacrificed a lot during the war, planting watermelon, and working on rice fields. I joined the army for my grandfather, to give my family the best life possible, and to help the United States at the same time.”
Mesa’s legacy now lives on not only by Manalang but also by his granddaughter, who is a captain and a software engineer stationed in Austin, Texas.
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