[September 24, 2025] After a week of activities honoring those who fought in the Vietnam War, I was privileged to speak with a woman whose father was a survivor of the Bataan Death March in April 1942. This is his story, reprinted with permission from his daughter, Barbara.
Bataan Peninsula is a mountainous promontory of Luzon Island, part of the Philippines, in the Pacific Ocean. It is bounded on the east by Manila Bay, by Subic Bay on the west, and by the South China Seas to the south. After months of fierce fighting, 36,000 American and Filipino troops were overwhelmed by 200,000 Nipponese forces, and Bataan fell to the enemy on April 9, 1942.
John L. Bullen enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Slocum, NY, on June 9, 1941. Two days later, he was shipped out to Corregidor, an island situated in the middle of Manila Bay, P.I. John attended P.S. 39 [Brooklyn], and Curtis High School [Staten Island, NY]. Before becoming a soldier [sic], he worked as a crewman aboard Socony Vacuum Oil Company tankers, visiting ports in South America, Europe and the Mediterranean.
Private Bullen was among the thousands of prisoners captured, then forced to participate in the ill-famed Bataan Death March, in which more than 40,000 American and Filipino prisoners were either tortured and murdered, or died of exhaustion, disease or starvation during the 70-mile trek to POW camps. From McDonald Camp, he was transported to Osaka, Japan, where his imprisonment would continue for 42 seemingly endless months. During his lengthy confinement, Comrade Bullen contracted malaria, heart complications, ulcers and beri-beri.
Liberated in August 1945, he was listed as “expendable” (not likely to survive), thanks to his critically poor state of health, but he endured the voyage home and an eight-month hospital stay for recovery and rehabilitation.
Describing his horrible experience, John declared, “We worked every day of every week, from dawn to sunset. I weighed in at 142 pounds when I enlisted, and was a mere 90 pounds after 42 months as a prisoner in Osaka. We slept side by side, on cold, hardwood pallets. Our hard labor included ditch-digging, unloading cargo ships, toiling in the iron mines and cleaning Jap residences.
“Often, they forced us to stand up all night. We were always roughly treated by the guards; pushed around, beaten and, sometimes, they would line us up, then walk past us, striking us on the head and face with old boots.”
Following repatriation, John settled in Westerleigh [part of Staten Island], met and married Nora, and they begat two children. He became active in veteran affairs and served as Senior Vice Commander in North Shore Post. In 1967, John & Noral traveled back to the Philippines to retrace his steps and renew old memories with other Bataan Death March survivors.
In 1972, at age 54, John L. Bullen expired following a massive heart attack.
Comrade, pause for a moment in silent prayer for John, wife Nora and their children. We all fought together in defense of our great nation; John walked that extra mile and made the ultimate sacrifice for us. May he be at peace with God. Amen.
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Please read my books:
1. “55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon (link here).
2. “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
Love these kind of stories. 👍
Gen.Satterfield, I don’t post comments often, but as we’ve spoken, I do read your blog daily. But, this time I had to comment. We don’t often see bravery in action much anymore, except occasionally in our military or police/firemen. This story is one of bravery in the face of death. John L. Bullen – your neighbor’s father – is one of those stories that needed telling so that the younger generations know how much better they have it in this world and can be more humble. Yes, we are privileged today because our time here in earth is built upon the backs of those who came before us. Have a great day.
– Red
SUPERB
Wow, this is something you just don’t hear about anymore. History with our neighbors. Absolutely amazing. The stories shared are just unending.
This is exactly why I read this blog, every article and every comment. I gain alot from reading and you should too. I’m told that kids this day can’t read because of social media. BS, I thinks it’s lazy parents. Kick their collective (symbolic) butts and see how that problem will change overnight.
AMEN. “Comrade, pause for a moment in silent prayer for John, wife Nora and their children. We all fought together in defense of our great nation; John walked that extra mile and made the ultimate sacrifice for us. May he be at peace with God. Amen.” This is when men were real men and stood up against real tyranny and the crazies taht have been let loose on our society. 🕷🕷🕷🕷
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An incredible story. Please pass along our thanks to your neighbor for sharing her dad’s story. I cannot find the right words to say what I mean here so I will just say, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. And America is a great country. 🇺🇸
Those who live among us often have the most amazing stories that are beyond our imagination in this modern, safe, encapsulated world. Be respectful of men like John L. Bullen. He is the kind of real men we need in America and not those wimps like fake men like Tampoon Timmy Walz who has stolen valor. John Bullen had real valor.
Fred. Exactly right. I know a few days ago you recommended Gen. Satterfield’s book “55 Rules for a Good Life” and I thank you for taht recommendation because I bought the book and have now read it several times. Truly helpful book. I would suggest getting multiple copies and giving them away to young adults. They need this kind of advice. The kind of advice I think John Bullen would give. 🫡
Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
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Best personal philosophy book!
Crazy
An amazing story. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for sharing.