Wall of Honor

The Memorial Wall surrounding the flagpole in front of Bataan Memorial Elementary School in Port Clinton, Ohio, was erected in 1992, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Bataan Death March. It is dedicated to the memory of the men from Port Clinton who were forced to participate in this terrible ordeal.

A group of fifth and sixth grade students in the school's Talented and Gifted Program designed the memorial and raised over $7000 to finance construction of the wall. Gifts and donations were received from as far away as the state of Washington. At the dedication ceremony on May 28, 1992, the wall was unveiled in the presence of three of the six still living survivors of Company C: Wade Chio, of Toledo; and John Short and Virgil Janes from Port Clinton. Each of the six survivors received an American flag from the students in recognition of their heroism.

Insignia

The insignia on the Memorial Wall is taken from the banner of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. This group of veterans were part of the American forces in the Asiatic Theater defending the principles of the United States during the period of December 7, 1941, to May 6, 1942. The ghecko is the insignia of the Philippine Department of Defense. The four stars at the top of the shield represents the four battle stars for the Defense of the Philippine Islands. The dates are the years of combat. The seven points at the bottom of the shield represent the seven areas of combat--Bataan, Corregidor, Mariannas, Guam, Wake, Midway, and the Dutch East Indies--territory defended by the Army, Navy, and Marines.

Names on the Wall
Click on wall section plaques to view details

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Last Update: March 15, 2004