Ramon Apodaca was born on October 15, 1915, in New Mexico. He was the son of Gabriel Apodaca and Catalina Cordero Apodaca. He served in the 200th Coast Artillery Regiment as a Corporal during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Cpl Apodaca was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

Cpl Apodaca was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 24, 1942. He is now buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com