| Image of nurses at work via Bataan Legacy Historical Society
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Bataan Legacy Historical Society (BLHS) commemorates the 84th anniversary of the Bataan Death March on Saturday, April 11, with a renewed appeal for national recognition of World War II military nurses, including the Filipina and Filipino volunteers who served during the fall of Bataan and the broader Pacific campaign.
In a statement, BLHS executive director Cecilia I. Gaerlan said the annual remembrance is not only about honoring the tens of thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who endured the 65‑mile forced march in April 1942, but also about acknowledging the medical personnel who worked under fire, in jungle hospitals, and later in prisoner‑of‑war camps.
Gaerlan noted that while the heroism of the “Battling Bastards of Bataan” is widely recognized, the stories of wartime nurses — from the U.S. Army and Navy to the Filipina civilian volunteers who improvised care with dwindling supplies — remain underrepresented in public memory. “Their courage saved thousands of lives,” she said, “yet many never received formal recognition because their records were lost or because they served as civilians rather than enlisted personnel.”
BLHS emphasized that the Congressional Gold Medal bill honoring WWII military nurses, filed in previous sessions of Congress, has not been reintroduced. With only a small number of surviving nurses now in their late 90s or older, the organization warned that time is running out to honor them while they are still alive.
The group also highlighted its ongoing work to integrate World War II in the Philippines into the curriculum of California public schools, ensuring that younger generations understand the interconnected sacrifices of soldiers, guerrillas, and medical workers during the Pacific War.
As part of the 84th‑anniversary observance, BLHS urged Filipino American communities nationwide to participate in local commemorations, share family histories, and contact lawmakers to support renewed legislation. “The legacy of Bataan is a shared Filipino and American story,” Gaerlan said. “Recognizing the nurses who stood their ground amid starvation, bombardment, and captivity is essential to completing that history.”
BLHS will host additional educational programs and community forums throughout April as part of its annual remembrance initiatives.
