By Joann M. Ringelstetter
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In October, 2015, on a very sunny and warm day, Ruth and I visited St. Mary’s Cemetery in Juneau County, Wisconsin. Often, when the lighting is harsh, as it was that day, we decide not to do cemetery photography. But we didn’t know when we would get back there, so I decided I would make an attempt to get a few photos.
And maybe this decision was divinely guided because, as I walked around the cemetery looking for interesting gravestones, a big tree on a knoll enticed me to see what was in the shade of the tree. There, I found the most interesting military plaque I’ve ever encountered.
The bronze plaque read, “In Memory of Richard R. Murray, Pvt, US Army, World War II, Apr 16, 1916, Jul 26, 1942.” Above the plaque was a concrete strip that read “Bataan Death March.” Below the plaque was a concrete strip that read, “Died at Cabanattuan Philippines, Japanese POW Camp.” To the upper left, a World War II military marker, like the one below, was stuck in the ground.
After doing some extensive Internet research on this young man, who died at the age of 26 during World War II, I learned that Richard was inducted from Montana and served the Army Air Forces as a member of the 409th Signal Company. During the war, he was located in the Southwest Pacific Theatre, Philippine Islands.
On April 9, 1942, the U.S. surrendered its forces on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines to the Imperial Japanese Army. Approximately 66,000 Filipinos and 12,000 Americans were captured by the Japanese. Richard R. Murray was captured and sent to PW Camp #1, the largest POW camp in the Philippines.
The captured soldiers were forced to walk 65 miles over rough terrain in intense heat to San Fernando where they boarded trains that took them to the POW camps. Along the way, the men were beaten and starved by the Japanese guards, and thousands perished before reaching San Fernando in what became known as the Bataan Death March.
Thousands that did reach the Prisoner of War camps died there from being starved and mistreated or from disease. Richard R. Murray died as a prisoner of war on July 26, 1942. His awards include the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, a Purple Heart, and a Prisoner of War Medal.
This young man went above and beyond the call of duty to serve his country and secure our freedom. Please take a moment on this Memorial Day to honor Richard R. Murray and all the other men and women who died in service to our country.
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Happy Memorial Day and Happy Shunpiking!
Joann
Thank you for telling this story and helping us remember. I have not been as aware of the Pacific aspect of WW2 as the European, so it was interesting for me to learn about Richard Murray and the others.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana. I agree. I learned a lot while researching this brave soldier. The Bataan Death March was a sad and emotional learning experience for me.
DeleteThank you for mentioning this part of WW2. Nevil Shute wrote about a similar March with women in Malaya (fiction based on fact) in his book "A Town Like Alice". Which became a Mini-Series, shown on Masterpiece Theater. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie, I love Masterpiece Theater. I wonder if they'll ever replay that one. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteThanks, Joann, for this interesting story and good reminder to be grateful for the sacrifices of those who bravely served our country. I had never heard about this terrible situation in the Philippines during WWII.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phyllis. Every time I do research, I learn something new. I wasn't aware of this either, but when I saw "Bataan Death March" and that he died in a POW camp, I knew there had to be a story to tell. I'm just grateful that I found specific information on Richard. Thanks for reading.
DeleteRichard Murray was my grandma's brother. He grew up on a farm near Lyndon Station. We were always told his story and his family was deeply affected by his loss.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for leaving this information about your grandmother's brother. I can understand the deep loss felt by his family, especially considering the manner in which he died. This was a very moving and heart-breaking story for me to tell. I will continue to honor Richard and the sacrifice he made for his country.
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