Japanese Lt. General Masaharu Homma was a key military figure during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. In April 1942, he oversaw the Bataan Death March, a forced transfer of approximately 76,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war over brutal conditions that included extreme heat, starvation, and abuse by Japanese guards. The march became notorious for the high death toll and suffering endured by the prisoners, leading to significant outrage and condemnation worldwide. After Japan’s surrender in 1945, the Allied forces sought to bring Japanese military leaders to justice for wartime atrocities, including the Bataan Death March. Homma's trial focused on his command responsibilities and the treatment of prisoners under his orders. He pleaded not guilty, arguing that he had insufficient control over the guards. However, he was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to death by firing squad. On April 3, 1946, Homma was executed in a military prison in the Philippines, marking a significant moment in the United States' post-war occupancy and judicial reforms in the region.