BATAAN Memorial Park - Albuquerque, NM
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Max and 99
N 35° 05.267 W 106° 36.342
13S E 353627 N 3883956
Memorial Park and Monument for New Mexico veterans who served in defense of the Bataan Peninsula
Waymark Code: WM9J4Y
Location: New Mexico, United States
Date Posted: 08/25/2010
Views: 16
Bataan Park is located on the NW corner of Lomas Blvd. NE and Amherst Dr. NE. It is a small park, with the Memorial located on the southeast corner.
There is a single-wall memorial on one side (with a column on each side of it), with engravings of the two regiments (200th and 515th). In front of that memorial are granite stones in a plaza. Each stone represents a part of the Far East/Bataan Defense. It's like a mini-map on the park plaza. There are several benches in this plaza so visitors can stop and pay their respects.
On the other side of the memorial are several 6 foot tall granite markers, each with text on both sides giving information on veterans from New Mexico that served in the 200th and 515th regiments and their contributions to the defense of the Bataan Peninsula.
This is a nicely maintained memorial and one that everyone should stop to see. The foundation did an excellent job with the design and implementation of the monument/memorial, and included so much information on the markers.
Text on first marker:
The BATAAN Memorial
This Memorial honors the sacrifice of the Veterans of the U.S. Army, 200th and 515th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiments.
The names of the men who served are listed according to their regimental batteries along with the cities from which the batteries originated. A diamond symbol (*) next to the name indicates that the soldier did not survive to return home.
The history of these regiments prepared by Jack W. Bradley, U.S. Army retired, is outlined beginning on the reverse side of this column and continuing on the column to the east.
Bataan Memorial Park was dedicated by Clyde Tingley, Chairman of the Albuquerque City Commission, in 1943 as a Living Monument to the men who served in the defense of the Bataan Peninsula. In 1960 The Bataan Club erected the original stone memorial in recognition of the service of the men of the 200th and the 515th. The State of New Mexico placed Bataan Memorial Park on the State Register of Cultural Properties in 1999.
This Memorial dedicated April 7, 2002, was created by the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Foundation of New Mexico with the support and participation of the City of Albuquerque and the New Mexico State Legislature.
Albuquerque Mayor
Martin J. Chavez
Albuquerque City Council
(list of names)
New Mexico State Legislature
(list of names)
Bataan Corregidor Memorial Foundation of New Mexico
Board of Directors
Dr. Adelamar N. Alcantara, William C. Overmier, Ernest Montoyo, Georgianna E. Pena Kues, John Hamilton, Earl R. Harris, Andrew Miller, Lois R. Ream, John J. Moseley, Janie Meuli Mosely, Leo J. Padilla, Agapito E. Silva, Bernadett Charley Gallegos, Dr. Theodore S. Jojola, Michael A. Montoya, Jeronimo R. Padilla, Beatriz Orduna Salsbury, Dr. Don Carlos-Salisbury
Text on additional marker:
200th and 515th Coast Artillery (AA)
In Defense of the Philippines
On December 8, 1941, only nine hours after the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor, the 200th Coast Artillery engaged Japanese bombers at Clark Field and Fort Stotsenberg, becoming the first unit to go into action in defense of the U.S. flag in the Philippines. Despite having outmoded weapons and faulty ammunition, the 200th scored eight confirmed hits and lost two men.
That evening, 500 soldiers from the original regiment of 1800 men were sent to provide additional air defense in Manila. This provisional force was christened the 515th Coast Artillery and became America's first war-born regiment in World War II. At that time the soldiers of the 200th and 515th were part of a total of 27,000 American troops in the Philippines along with 98,000 Filipino soldiers.
(seal of both 200th and 515th are depicted on the monument)
When Japanese forces under the command of Lt. General Masaharu Homma landed on December 22, 1941, the 200th and 515th were among the troops who fought valiantly with little hope of reinforcements or supplies. New Mexicans were involved in every defensive battle waged in the jungles of Bataan and on the small island fortress of Corregidor.
"We're the battling bastards of Bataan;
No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam;
No aunts, no uncles, no nephews, no nieces;
No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces;
And nobody gives a damn."
-Frank Hewlett, war correspondent, UPI
The defense of the Philippines lasted four months. It gave the Allied Pacific forces the precious time needed to regroup and delay Japanese aggressions in the Asia Pacific region. Shortly before the fall of Bataan, General Douglas MacArthur left Corregidor for Australia, pledging "I shall return."
Type of Resource: Memorial
Other from above - Please Specify: Memorial
Date if Relevant: 12/08/1941
Relevant Position in Armed Forces:
U.S. Army, 200th and 515th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiments.
Nationality: American
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
You must post an original picture with your visit, preferably with yourself in the shot.