The Forgotten Heroics of Russell Volckmann: The Man Who Escaped from Bataan

American Guerrilla: The Forgotten Heroics of Russell W. Volckmann—the Man Who Escaped from Bataan, Raised a Filipino Army against the Japanese, and Became the True "Father" of Army Special Forces

by Mike Guardia

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7522 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	187 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In the annals of World War II, the name Russell Volckmann stands out as a beacon of hope and resilience. As a young American soldier, he found himself trapped on the Bataan Peninsula during the darkest days of the conflict. Despite overwhelming odds, he managed to escape the infamous Bataan Death March and evade capture for over two years, becoming a symbol of hope for the Allies.

Russell Volckmann was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1915. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 31st Infantry Regiment, which was stationed in the Philippines. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, Volckmann's regiment was among the first to engage the enemy.

The fighting on the Bataan Peninsula was fierce, and the American and Filipino forces were quickly overwhelmed by the superior numbers and firepower of the Japanese. By April 1942, the Allies were forced to surrender, and the infamous Bataan Death March began. Volckmann and his fellow soldiers were marched for days without food or water, and many died along the way.

Volckmann managed to escape the march by feigning illness and falling out of line. He stumbled into the jungle, where he hid for several days. With the help of local villagers, he eventually made his way to the mountains, where he joined a group of Filipino guerrillas.

For the next two years, Volckmann lived with the guerrillas, conducting raids against the Japanese and gathering intelligence. He became a skilled jungle fighter and learned to survive in the harsh conditions of the rainforest. He also witnessed the brutality of the Japanese occupation and the suffering of the Filipino people.

In 1944, Volckmann and his fellow guerrillas were rescued by American forces. He returned to the United States a hero, and his story of survival and resilience inspired countless Americans.

Russell Volckmann was awarded the Silver Star for his heroism during the Bataan campaign. He also received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After the war, he continued to serve in the Army, retiring as a colonel in 1966.

Russell Volckmann died in 2005 at the age of 90. He is remembered as a true American hero, a man who refused to give up hope even in the darkest of times. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

The Bataan Death March

The Bataan Death March was one of the most horrific atrocities committed during World War II. After the surrender of the American and Filipino forces on the Bataan Peninsula in April 1942, the Japanese forced over 70,000 prisoners of war to march over 60 miles to a prison camp.

The march was conducted in brutal conditions, with the prisoners being denied food, water, and medical care. Thousands of prisoners died along the way, either from exhaustion, starvation, or disease. Those who survived were subjected to further torture and abuse in the prison camp.

The Bataan Death March remains a dark chapter in American history, and it is a reminder of the horrors of war. Russell Volckmann's story of survival is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up hope.

Russell Volckmann's Legacy

Russell Volckmann's legacy lives on today. He is remembered as a true American hero, a man who refused to give up hope even in the darkest of times. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Volckmann's story has been told in books, articles, and documentaries. He has also been honored with numerous awards and memorials. In 1991, the U.S. Army named a new training center at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, in his honor.

Russell Volckmann's story is a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming odds, hope can never be extinguished. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Additional Resources

• Russell Volckmann Training Center
• Forgotten hero of Bataan Death March remembered in Wisconsin
• Russell Volckmann: A Wisconsin Hero of Bataan

American Guerrilla: The Forgotten Heroics of Russell W. Volckmann—the Man Who Escaped from Bataan, Raised a Filipino Army against the Japanese, and Became the True "Father" of Army Special Forces

by Mike Guardia

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7522 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	187 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE