The 23rd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March was held at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on 25 March 2012. The Memorial March honors a special group of World War II heroes. These brave Soldiers were responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines. On 9 April 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino Soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. The Americans were Army, Army Air Corps, Navy, and Marines. They marched for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles. Thousands died. Those who survived faced the hardships of prisoner of war camps. More than 6,700 marchers attended the event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

I, along with four other members of the Missouri National Guard, competed in the team National Guard heavy division. We marched, as a team, 26.2 miles through the sands of New Mexico while carrying a ruck sack weighing 35LBS. We had to do the whole marathon in our Army Combat Uniform to include boots. This year was my second year competing at part of the Missouri National Guard heavy team. In 2011 we finished 2nd. This year, 2012, we finished 1st.

SSG Derick Moudy
B BTRY 1/129th FA