This web site is dedicated to the men of the 7th Material Squadron who courageously defended the Philippines against the attacking Japanese Army from December 8th, 1941 until they were surrendered on the Peninsula of Bataan, April 9th, 1942, Mindanao May 1st, 1942 and Corregidor, May 6th, 1942.  These are the men that history records as, "ground echelon attached to other units", those left behind when the 19th Bomb Group flew to Australia.  With little or no training as foot soldiers they fought brave and true, determined to hold on until help arrived.  Help was a long time coming, and for the next three and one half  years they struggled to survive as prisoners of a brutal and contemptuous enemy.