Veteran Ben Skardon survived the Bataan Death March that killed thousands of American and Filipino soldiers during WWII. Now, at nearly 100, he's still marching -- to pay tribute
(And Ben Skardon was on 60 Minutes earlier this evening)
2017 May 28 Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi
Every spring, thousands of soldiers and civilians from across the country descend upon the desert mountains of New Mexico for the Bataan Memorial Death March, a rugged 26.2 mile marathon that some run and others walk. The event commemorates the infamous forced march of American and Filipino soldiers by the Japanese Army that killed thousands on the Bataan Peninsula during some of the darkest days of World War II.
Ben Skardon CBS News
A disproportionate number of the American prisoners were from the New Mexico National Guard. It's why the memorial march is held annually at White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. Like many soldiers, past and present, Colonel Ben Skardon takes part for the historical symbolism. We first aired this story last year, and decided to run it again this Memorial Day weekend. What makes him unique is that among all the participants in New Mexico, Ben Skardon is the only survivor of the actual Bataan Death March. And one more thing: he is nearly 100 years old.
Sharyn Alfonsi: At 98 years old, what keeps you going?
Ben Skardon: It doesn't take anything to get me going, I tell ya. I wake up in the morning and say, "Let's go!"
Ben Skardon arrives at the memorial march in his orange Clemson jacket. CBS News
It's become a tradition: Colonel Ben Skardon arriving a half hour before sunrise in his orange Clemson jacket, as the corrals fill up with soldiers and American flags. Many will carry backpacks weighing 35 pounds or more on the course. A few will be testing new limbs. "That's my Mecca. It became a place where I'm supposed to think about what went on during the march."
Before the Bataan Memorial Death March begins, there is a ceremonial roll call. For those who survived the real thing in 1942 and who have come to brave the cold New Mexico morning, Ben Skardon is the only one who marched then and will march now, into the desert of white sands.
Ben Skardon: That's my Mecca. It became a place where I'm supposed to think about what went on during the march.
Sharyn Alfonsi: Is it good to remember? Cause no one would blame you if you never wanted to think about that march again. But…
American and Filipino soldiers were ordered to walk 66 miles by the conquering Japanese army in what became known as the Bataan Death March. Navy History and Command Center
Ben Skardon: Oh. No, ma'am. That's indelible in my mind.
The arduous course that awaits him is an indelible reminder of the haunting procession of starving American and Filipino soldiers who were ordered to walk 66 miles by the conquering Japanese army. It was a march to the grave, thousands died along the way. The Bataan Death March, as it became known, is considered one of the most notorious crimes of World War II; 74 years later in New Mexico, Ben Skardon calmly watches as all 6,000 runners and marchers leave the starting line and then he begins his pilgrimage.
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