99 American Idols from Janesville
There's no need to flip on the television to find true American Idols. While current pop culture has us in a frenzy to vote for our favorite Idols we were lucky to have 99 true American Idols from Janesville represent us in WWII. While hundreds from Janesville served in WWII, the Janesville 99 hold a very deserved spot in our city's history.
99 men from the 192nd Tank Battalion, Company A, endured unimaginable torture at the hands of the Japanese during the Bataan Death March. If they were out of line they were beaten. If they fell behind they were killed. There was nothing humane about the death march.
In the end a little more than 30 of the 99 returned home. Those that read my blog each Memorial Weekend know that I am related to three of those who returned - my Grandfather Forrest Knox, Great Uncle Henry Knox and Great Uncle Bill McAuliffe. Honoring the Janesville 99 is very personal.
I've had the privilege to serve on the Bataan Memorial Committee for four years and last year I was able to pay tribute to the 99 during our annual ceremony. Thanks to Local Vision for being there last year.
This year, the ceremony to honor the Janesville 99 will take place at the memorial on the corner of W. Milwaukee and Franklin (just west of Chase Bank) on Sunday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. The featured speaker will be Senator Tim Cullen.
Thank you to all veterans. As your Sunday winds down and you find about 30 minutes please consider stopping down to pay respect to the Janesville 99.
Steve Knox was born, raised and landed back in Janesville. He encourages you to participate as he writes on Janesville and beyond as this Generation X guy supports his Janesville mission, global vision. Steve is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
May 26, 2012 at 12:46 a.m.
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Cottonjoe, your comment is offensive.
May 25, 2012 at 8:19 p.m.
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the brave men, of the janesville 99, fought and died, for our freedom. in honor of these men, buy american. R.I.P, janesville 99!
May 25, 2012 at 4:18 p.m.
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Sigma 40, you did the right thing....shut it off if you don't like it. With that said, prayer is entirely appropriate in this instance, and their unalienable right. "There are no atheists in foxholes." God bless America and those who have and do defend her.
May 25, 2012 at 5:56 a.m.
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@Hizzoner: thanks for your comments. 35 members of the 99 returned home to Janesville after the war. With fewer and fewer understanding the significance of the 99 you're right...generalities are no longer appropriate. See you on Sunday night.
May 24, 2012 at 8:47 p.m.
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I respect your heartfelt appreciation and emotion towards these local heroes Steve. I, likewise, feel the same way.
However, I felt a little disconcerted when I read "In the end a little more than 30 of the 99 returned home."
Which of the five soldiers are considered the "little more than" part?
Not to take you to task here, but each and every one of those soldiers counts equally.
Therefore, to set the record straight, it should read; "Only 35 of original Janesville 99 returned after the War.
http://americanpowsofjapan.blogspot.com/...
May all of our departed veterans rest in peace.
May 24, 2012 at 4:43 p.m.
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Steve, I cannot believe I did not make the connection before. Knox--I grew up 2 houses down from Forrest and Adelaide (I apologize if I mispelled Mrs Knox 1st name). That South Terrace area was a great place to grow up! What a great man he was. While there were a few other Vets in our neighborhood, he was the one that we/they all looked up to. A great tribute!
May 24, 2012 at 4:14 p.m.
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I shut it off as soon as they started saying a prayer....really? religion in everything?
May 24, 2012 at 8:09 a.m.
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Excellent speech, Steve. Please don't stop blogging. I count on you to keep me connected to my home town.
May 24, 2012 at 6:14 a.m.
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Having spent time in the PI myself, although luckily during peacetime, I can imagine the
Hell these brave men went through with the heat and humidity as well as the constant danger. This Memorial day is special, having just heard that a family member just came out of harm's way in Afghanistan. I'm a little far away to attend the memorial service. I will though remember them on that day and keep them in my prayers.
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