Professor Greg Jackson

And does that classify as a charge?

Well, let's not worry about that.

We're getting way ahead of ourselves.

Sticking with our present of January 1942, Lieutenant Edwin Ramsey's charge is instantly seen as the stuff of legend.

Between his bravery and shot up knee, he's awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

But alas, it only buys the American and Filipino forces at Morong 24 hours.

The 26th Cavalry suffers heavy losses and ultimately must abandon the town to the advancing Japanese.

Taken to medical on account of his need, Ed learns of the loss of Morong when he wakes the following morning.

The news is crushing.

As he explains, we had been promised relief, but none was coming and all of us in Bataan shared a sense of betrayal.

We were fighting as hard as we could just to stay alive.

And with each of us who died, that fight became more desperate.

January 1942 continues like this, with heroic moments like Ed's charge, followed by yet another retreat deeper into the peninsula, all while American and Filipino forces wait and pray for deliverance.

Aircraft, battleships, any help at all from Uncle Sam.

General Skinny Wainwright even leads a counterattack of his own.

But every attempt to advance only ends with more lost men, vehicles, and artillery.

Seeing success in his Philippine campaign, Japanese General Houma takes a calculated risk.

He attempts to land troops on the Bataan Peninsula's west coast and flank the Americans and Filipinos by coming in south of their line.

But choppy seas, the rugged shoreline, and a mix of fierce Marines, sailors, and aviation personnel repulse this Japanese offensive.

Yes, Douglas MacArthur's boys, as he affectionately calls his American and Filipino troops, are holding on.