WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi took part in a special commemoration today to mark the 60th anniversary of the fall of Bataan and to honor the sacrifices of American and Filipino soldiers in the defense of freedom and democracy in the Pacific.
"American and Filipino soldiers paid a heavy price to restore liberty and democratic principles to their homeland," Principi said. "U.S. forces were honored to serve alongside them during the war. Their bravery and joint self-sacrifice are legendary."
Principi participated in a special wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Also taking part were Philippine Ambassador to the United States Albert del Rosario and U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, a highly decorated veteran of World War II.
About 12,000 U.S. forces, 20,000 Filipino regulars and 100,000 Filipino reservists defended the islands against a larger, better equipped Japanese force that landed in December 1941. In five months of fighting, the allies were pushed back to the Bataan Peninsula and later the island of Corregidor.
Corregidor fell on May 6, 1942, although Filipino guerillas continued to resist until U.S. forces landed in October 1944.
