Beverly N. (Ben) Skardon, the retired U.S. Army Colonel and professor emeritus of Clemson University, is once again taking on the Bataan Memorial Death March. Every year, thousands of people (active duty, veterans, wounded soldiers and civilians) walk or run the 26.2 mile route to honor those who survived the real 80 mile march on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines during World War II, where thousands of men died. Ben Skardon is one of those survivors. After surviving the grueling march through the Philippine jungles, Skardon also survived more than three years in a horrific prisoner of war camp.
Last year, Skardon took on eight miles of the Bataan Memorial Death March with his 72-year-old nephew Hooper Skardon by his side. Hooper said of his uncle: “He is truly an American hero and his love for his country goes without saying. I feel very humbled to be related to him.” 60 Minutes Sports will present a segment on Skardon and the Bataan Memorial Death March on June 7 at 9pm on Showtime.
