Memorial Over Miles: 2026 Bataan Memorial Death March Honors WWII Heroes with Shortened Course at White Sands

The 37th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March took place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This annual event honors the American and Filipino defenders of the Bataan peninsula during World War II, who surrendered on April 9, 1942, and endured the brutal original Bataan Death March—a forced 65-mile trek under horrific conditions that resulted in thousands of deaths from starvation, disease, and abuse during captivity.

Due to forecasted record-breaking heat in the desert Southwest and reduced medical staffing, organizers made a safety-focused decision announced days earlier: all participants marched only the 15.6-mile “Honorary Distance” route instead of the traditional full 26.4-mile marathon course. U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range Senior Commander Col. Andrew “Drew” Morgan and Command Sergeant Major Hermes “Ace” Acevedo emphasized that the change prioritized the event’s core purpose—“memorial over miles”—while preventing heat-related injuries. “The heart of this event has never been about the miles; it’s about the memorial,” Morgan stated. The full marathon course was canceled for the first time in recent memory to ensure participant safety.

Thousands of marchers participated, including active-duty service members, veterans, ROTC and JROTC teams from across the nation, Service Academy cadets, and civilians. The day began with an emotional opening ceremony before dawn. Col. Morgan reflected on history: “Eighty-four years ago, in the crucible of conflict, a terrible chapter in military history unfolded—the Bataan Death March—a trial of unimaginable suffering. But it was also a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the human will.” Participants carried the spirit of remembrance, with many citing personal or family connections to the WWII events.

Results

All in-person finishers received commemorative finisher medals, and the focus remained on honoring the original Bataan heroes through participation rather than competition.

Team Awards (presented by Col. Morgan and Garrison Commander Col. Don Mozer at the finish):

ROTC Heavy Division: 1st – Norwich University Alpha Team (their fifth consecutive win); 2nd – Norwich University Bravo Team; 3rd – Texas State University Alpha Team.

ROTC Light Division: 1st – University of Minnesota.

Junior ROTC: 1st – New Mexico Military Institute.

Local and Participant Stories

New Mexico was strongly represented, with the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) JROTC team earning first place in the Junior ROTC division—a proud local achievement for the state. Many residents from Alamogordo and the surrounding Otero County area participated, helping boost the regional economy and community spirit as thousands descended on the Alamogordo-Las Cruces region.

Inspirational personal stories included:

 Lt. Col. Adam Karlewicz (stationed at Fort Drum, New York), who marched in honor of his family’s Filipino heritage tied to the Philippines in WWII: “My spouse and my kids are Filipino. She is from the Philippines; there’s a lot of history there, so being able to do this today is a big part of their heritage and the United States heritage when they became partners during WWII.”

Norwich University Cadet Calvin Moise (Brooklyn, New York), who led his team to victory in memory of a fallen cadet: “We lost one of our cadets a few weeks ago so (we marched) in her memory. I made a promise to her before she passed away that we would win for her. So, this win was very meaningful to us.”

The event remained a powerful tribute, blending endurance, camaraderie, and education about WWII sacrifices. Virtual marchers submitted separate times, but the in-person focus stayed squarely on remembrance.

Source:

U.S. Army official article – “2026 Bataan Memorial Death March Honors the Bravery and Sacrifice of WWII Heroes” (army.mil, published March 21, 2026): https://www.army.mil/article/291243/2026_bataan_memorial_death_march_honors_the_bravery_and_sacrifice_of_wwii_heroes

Official race site (bataanmemorialdeathmarch.itsyourrace.com) confirming no Honorary Distance placements.

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