Brownwood in Brown County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Norman Chesser

Bataan Death March

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

1. Norman Chesser Marker

Inscription. Norman John Sheril Chesser was born on 12 February 1919, graduated from Indian Creek High School in Brown County, and attended Daniel Baker College in Brownwood. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese on 7 December 1941. The Battle of Bataan began on 7 January 1942 and ended on 9 April 1942 when Major General Edward King surrendered to the Japanese. For three months, the combined United States and Filipino Army courageously fought despite a lack of naval and air support, supplies, ammunition, or hope for reinforcements before surrendering. The Bataan Death March was the inhumane brutal forcible march of 60,000 to 80,000 starved, sick, and debilitated American and Filipino prisoners of war for approximately 69 miles from Bataan to Camp O'Donnell resulting in the deaths of approximately 18,000 Filipinos and 650 Americans. The march was characterized by horrific beatings and physical abuse, brutality, unrelenting sadistic torture, starvation, and summary executions. Because of these atrocities, the Bataan Death March was judged to be a major Japanese war crime and crime against humanity. Norman Chesser survived the Bataan Death March and survived 42 incredibly horrible months as a Japanese prisoner of war. After World War II, he had a 46 year career in Brownwood with the US Postal Service and as a rancher. Norman Chesser died in Brownwood on 6 March 2006.

"We're the Battling Bastards of Bataan; no mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam. No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces, no pills, no planes, no artillery pieces. And nobody gives a dam. Nobody gives a damn."

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is January 7, 1942.

Location. 31° 40.649′ N, 98° 59.513′ W. Memorial is in Brownwood, Texas, in Brown County.

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It is on Burnett Road south of Memorial Park Drive, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the northwest section of the Camp Bowie Memorial Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2710 Burnett Rd, Brownwood TX 76801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Loel Dene "L.D." Cox (here, next to this marker); Major Billy T Branch (a few steps from this marker); Obice da 149/19 modello 37 (a few steps from this marker); Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3278 (a few steps from this marker); Military Families and Spouses (a few steps from this marker); Major Jack Carlson (a few steps from this marker); Robert "Cotton” Tuggle Jr (a few steps from this marker); 1Lt Joe Henry (J.H.) Childs

The view of the Norman Chesser Marker along the pathway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

2. The view of the Norman Chesser Marker along the pathway

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownwood.

Also see . . . Bataan Death March. Wikipedia

The transfer began on 9 April 1942 after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II. The total distance marched from Mariveles to San Fernando and from the Capas Train Station to various camps was 65 miles (105 km). Sources also report widely differing prisoner of war casualties prior to reaching Camp O'Donnell: from 5,000 to 18,000 Filipino deaths and 500 to 650 American deaths during the march.

(Submitted on June 6, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.