Ben Skardon, oldest Bataan Death March survivor, dies at 104
Ben Skardon, 104, the oldest survivor of the Bataan Death March to walk at annual memorials and a beloved Clemson University icon, has died.
His story reached people across the country and Skardon continued to walk long distances, including three miles across campus earlier this year, in memory of his fellow prisoners of war who died.
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Through it all, Skardon kept his faith and his positive attitude, said Ken Scar, a writer and photographer for Clemson University's public relations department who befriended Skardon.
Skardon was keenly aware of his role as a living part of history, a bridge to the past.
"He had this whole extra chapter at the end of his life," Scar said. "He was a channel, a conduit to the past. He was telling the stories of his brothers-in-arms. He knew that he'd better enjoy this because there were others who weren't as blessed."
Scar, an Army combat veteran, got to know Skardon in 2015 when he moved to Clemson and heard stories about older veteran. They traveled together to New Mexico for Bataan memorial walks and spent significant time together.
Skardon's story was soon shared on the front pages of The Greenville News, the Las Cruces Sun-News and was twice broadcast on 60 Minutes, among many other places.
"He became a celebrity, and he deserved it," Scar said.
Scores of his old students went to New Mexico every year as a tribute to Skardon, they and others became known as "Ben's Brigade."
Written letters would pour into Scar's Clemson office, he would take batches to Skardon, who likely read every one and responded to many of them, Scar said.
Skardon would unwind with an occasional martini or poetry or his stamp collection, Scar said.
He kept his spirits, his wit and his positive outlook until the end, Scar said.
Skardon died Monday evening around 6 p.m. after a stay in hospice, Scar said.
Who is Ben Skardon?
Beverly N. “Ben” Skardon, was born in 1917 in St. Francisville, La. and his boyhood home was in Walterboro, SC.
He was a 1938 graduate of what was Clemson College and he joined the US Army a year after graduating. Skardon was stationed in the Philippines, where he commanded a company of Filipino army recruits.
On April 9, 1942, Skardon and tens of thousands of U.S. and Filipino troops fighting the Japanese army on the Bataan peninsula surrendered to the enemy.
Thousands of prisoners died in forced marches, Skardon survived the march and three years of disease, hunger and mistreatment.
He was helped for some of his captivity by two Clemson alum, Henry Leitner and Otis Morgan, who did not survive but whose kindness lives on in Skardon's stories of his time.
Skardon also survived the sinking of two prison ships.
Skardon was rescued in August 1945 by the Soviet army from a prison camp in Manchuria.
Instead of leaving the Army, Skardon stayed and served through the Korean War and years beyond, said Scar, who befriended Skardon.
Skardon eventually left the Army with the rank of colonel, in 1962. He was nominated and approved for the honorary rank of brigadier general last week.
Skardon was aware of the promotion, one of the last things he learned, Scar said.
After his military service, Skardon earned a graduate degree and taught English at Clemson University until 1983.
In 1977, Skardon received the university’s Alumni Master Teacher Award and in 2002 the school’s Alumni Distinguished Service Award.
Skardon married Sara "Betsy" Golden in 1947, they had met at a Georgia ball, and they had four children together. His wife died in 2019 after 71 years of marriage.
This is a developing story, refresh for the latest updates.
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Mike Ellis lives in Powdersville and tells South Carolina stories with a focus on Anderson County and Pickens County along with faith and investigations. He's always looking for the next story that people need to read, please send any tips or feedback to mellis@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Ben Skardon, oldest Bataan Death March survivor, dies at 104
