In the heart of Carlsbad stands more than a bridge.
While it serves as a vital crossing over the Pecos River for an estimated 17,000 vehicles each day, it also serves as a symbolic bridge to one of the most harrowing chapters of World War II history. The Bataan Memorial Bridge, also known as the Greene Street Bridge, stands as a quiet yet powerful tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the soldiers whose legacy continues to shape our community.
The bridge honors the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II. In 1942, American and Filipino troops endured months of brutal combat before ultimately surrendering to Japanese forces. What followed became known as the Bataan Death March, a horrific, forced 65-mile march in which thousands of prisoners of war suffered starvation, abuse, illness, and death.
Among the soldiers who fought in Bataan, the story of New Mexico’s troops stands out as one of extraordinary sacrifice and resilience. The 200th Coast Artillery Regiment, a National Guard unit composed largely of young men from small towns and rural communities across New Mexico, was sent to the Philippines in 1941, just months before the attack on Pearl Harbor that thrust the United States into World War II.
Many of these soldiers came from farming communities, ranching families, and tight-knit towns where patriotism and service were deeply rooted values. Some had never traveled far beyond New Mexico before being deployed overseas. Yet, when called upon, they answered without hesitation. The regiment included Hispanic, Anglo, and Native American soldiers who served side by side—a reflection of New Mexico’s unique cultural identity. At a time when segregation and inequality still existed throughout much of the United States, the diversity within these New Mexican units became a powerful example of unity and shared purpose.
When Japanese forces invaded the Philippines shortly after Pearl Harbor, the 200th Coast Artillery Regiment became part of the desperate defense of the Bataan Peninsula. The soldiers endured relentless bombing, dwindling food supplies, disease, exhaustion, and overwhelming enemy forces. Despite impossible conditions, they continued fighting for months. After the surrender of Bataan in April 1942, many New Mexican soldiers were forced into the Bataan Death March.
For families back home in New Mexico, the uncertainty was devastating. Communication was limited, and many families waited months or years to learn whether their loved ones had survived. Entire communities felt the loss. In some towns, nearly every family had a connection to someone who served in Bataan.
Generations of families in southeastern New Mexico have answered the call to serve—in the armed forces, emergency response, healthcare, education, law enforcement, and countless other roles that support and protect their communities. Today, the Bataan Memorial Bridge stands not only as a memorial to the soldiers who endured Bataan, but also as a reflection of the enduring character of southeastern New Mexico itself. It reminds us that service does not always happen on a battlefield. Sometimes it happens in classrooms, hospitals, volunteer organizations, churches, fire stations, and neighborhoods—anywhere people choose to step up for one another.
That willingness to serve, to work hard, and to support the community through difficult times remains one of our region’s greatest strengths—and one of the most powerful legacies left behind by the soldiers of Bataan.
Photography by Karey Jeffress
Article written by Karey Jeffress and originally published in Focus on Carlsbad 2026 Summer edition.
Karey Jeffress
Karey L. M. Jeffress, Ed.D., MPH, NREMT, is an educator and community advocate committed to preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders. She teaches Allied Health at Carlsbad High School, where she creates engaging, hands-on learning experiences that introduce students to careers in health professions. Dr. Jeffress brings both advanced academic training and real-world experience as a public health professional and nationally registered EMT, and is dedicated to empowering young people in Carlsbad to achieve their goals and build healthier futures. She is also a certified Mental Health First Aid and QPR Suicide Prevention instructor, using her platform to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and expand resources for mental health across her school and community. Her favorite things include her husband Dale, her dogs, coaching cross country, going to concerts and baseball games, the outdoors, and good nachos.
