WWII Bataan Death March survivor locates fallen comrade’s family in Evanston

"World War II retired Air Force Master Sgt. Anton “Tony” Bilek (90 years old), now residing in Illinois, recently contacted the Uinta County Commissioners’ office.

He spoke with Marian McLean, secretary for the Uinta County Commissioners, in an effort to contact the family of Jesse Marshall of Evanston.

Marshall and Bilek were prisoners of war in a Japanese prison camp during World War II. They walked the 75-mile Bataan Death March and became good friends.

McLean helped Bilek locate Beulah Marshall Bowers, who was married to Marshall’s brother. Bowers and her family still reside in Evanston.

American and Filipino soldiers surrendered to the Japanese army in April 1942. The soldiers were low on ammunition, hungry and dying from fatigue."

Uinta County Herald