[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 145 (Monday, October 5, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING CHARLES F. SANCHEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 5, 2015

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor the life of Charles F. Sanchez, a devoted husband, father and 
distinguished World War II Veteran.
  Charles was born on November 11, 1918 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He 
is a graduate of Albuquerque High School and briefly attended the 
University of New Mexico. He married the love of his life, Mary F. 
Lucero, becoming proud parents of six children: Bernie S. Sanchez, 
Charles E. Sanchez, Sylvia L. Sanchez Wortzman, Paul A. Sanchez, Elaine 
M. Sanchez Fordice and David G. Sanchez.
  Corporal Charles F. Sanchez served in the United States Army's 200th 
Coast Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiment. In August 1941, he left 
Albuquerque to serve his country at Clark Air Base, located in the 
Philippines. Shortly after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 
December 7, 1941, Clark Air Base was attacked.
  Charles' Regiment, led by General Edward P. King, fought bravely 
against the Japanese assaults in the Bataan Peninsula. However, after 
several months of fighting and with low supplies, General King 
surrendered and Charles became one of the tens of thousands of 
prisoners who endured the infamous Bataan Death March to Camp 
O'Donnell.
  Prisoners endured physical abuse, received little food or water, and 
many were executed along the way. Thousands of Filipino and American 
prisoners died before they reached Camp O'Donnell in what would become 
known as one of the most heinous Japanese war crimes. Charles and his 
first cousin, Herman Tafoya--whom Charles assisted along the way, 
survived against all odds and completed the 60 mile ordeal.
  As a prisoner of war, the Japanese forced Charles and his work group 
to transport ammunition inland into churches where the Japanese thought 
that it would be safe from U.S. attacks. After that, he was sent to 
Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp where he was required to move and bury 
bodies. In September 1945, Charles and a friend, Manuel Archuleta from 
Blanco, New Mexico, were placed on a freight ship to Japan. Conditions 
were so poor that there was no room to sit or lie down and Charles and 
Manuel tied themselves together with their belts to keep from falling.
  After the Japanese surrendered on August 15, 1945--approximately 4 
years since he was first deployed to the Philippines--Charles was freed 
and taken back to the United States. Later that year, Charles finally 
returned to his home state of New Mexico where he was reunited with his 
loving family.
  Charles F. Sanchez will always be known by his friends and family for 
the sacrifices he bravely made for his country. It is my sincere honor 
to preserve his story in the Congressional Record, so everyone may 
remember and take pride in the life of one of New Mexico's greatest 
sons.

                          ____________________