Since 1942

Maywood Bataan Day Organization 2025

They were barely more than kids, only in their teens and early twenties. Their buddies from Proviso High School called them “Weekend Warriors”. They were members of the 33rd Tank Company, 33rd Infantry Division of the Illinois National Guard based at the Armory in Maywood, Illinois…

Stay Connected

Latest News

Co. B Vet Races Indy Cars After War

[fb_pe url="https://www.facebook.com/AAAdirtcars/photos/a.407942369301079.93204.401001786661804/512581655503816/" bottom=""]

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Lester Tenney Featured on CNN

Lester Tenney, Death March, Hell Ship and Slave Labor survivor from CO. B, 192nd Tank Battalion, was featured on CNN a couple of days ago. Follow this link to view Sanjay Gupta's profile: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2013/04/09/hf-lester-tenney.cnn

Gene Duddy Video Added

UPDATED WITH NEW LINK - 9/19/2015 - Ed. A video interview with Gene Duddy, one of our speakers at the 2009 Maywood Bataan Day. Find it on YouTube at this link: Gene Duddy on YouTube

Lt. Morin Interview – Age 94

"2nd Lt. Ben R. Morin" is how the interview starts. From there, the 94 years-young, retired Jesuit priest and hero of the first tank battle of World War II fills us in on some of the details of his fight with the Japanese on Luzon, as well as his time as a POW in the...

Leon Conner’s Remarks at 2013 Bataan Day

Leon Conner, honorary MBDO Director, was singled out for recognition at the 2013 Maywood Bataan Day in honor of his 95th birthday. Fortunately, Mr. Conner had prepared some remarks just in case he needed them for the event. Here are those remarks... We meet here today...

Manila Is Bombed – 1941 Newsreel

Found this interesting video on Archive.org:

Who is Russell W. Cochran?

A small stone memorial sits in Maywood Veterans Memorial Park at 1st and Oak Ave. in Maywood, Illinois. Inscribed on the monument is "This tree planted as a living memorial in memory of Russell W. Cochran. American Legion 133. VFW 2193." We know that Mr. Cochran was...

Fr. Ben Morin – 1920 – 2015

2nd Lt. Ben Morin fought the first US tank battle of WWII and was thought KIA for a time. He ended up as a POW and survived WWII to return home and make good on a promise he made to become a priest if he survived the war. He served as a priest for 68 years. We...

Kyle FitzGerald Elected Director

At the August MBDO Board Meeting, Kyle FitzGerald, Owner/Director at ReUse Depot in Maywood, Illinois, was approved as a Director-At-Large for the Maywood Bataan Day Organization. Please welcome Kyle to our Board. Here is some additional information Kyle shared with...

Bataan Day 2016 Photos Posted

Pres. McMahon has completed the Maywood Bataan Day 2016 photo gallery and it has been posted. Please contact Col. McMahon with corrections or use the contact form on this website. Thank you to all for your help and support. Click here to view the Maywood Bataan...

Can You Help Identify These Men?

Over the years, there have been many attempts made to identify all the men pictured on the famous "Lido Theater Bataan Mural". The original picture, a copy of which hangs in the board room of the Maywood Public Library, has a legend at the bottom that does not really...

Online Galleries

Click an image below to view entire gallery

MAYWOOD
EVENTS
ALBUM

PHILIPPINE
EVENTS
ALBUM

PHILIPPINE
CONSULATE
EVENTS
ALBUM

DOCUMENT
ARCHIVES

What Drives Us

Our Mission

The Maywood Bataan Day Organization will remain well-positioned to perpetuate the memory of why Maywood marks Bataan Day on the second Sunday of September. Through the efforts of the MBDO, and the support of those who hold these memories as sacred as the MBDO does, no one will ever forget the sacrifice of these brave soldiers in WWII – or the dedication and support of their families through their long captivity.

Join Our Newsletter

Each month, if there is new content added to the website you will receive a short newsletter summarizing that new content. In addition, you will receive an invitation to the annual Maywood Bataan Day Memorial Service.

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Watch your inbox for a confirmation email.