Democrats Delivered on Infrastructure

Floor Speech

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Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding because I know that he, too, works hard for our Nation's veterans and the men and women who serve in the United States military.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and recognize a World War II and Korean war veteran, Colonel Ben Skardon, who was notified last week that he was set to receive an honorary promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.

After months of coordination and conversations between my office, the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, Congress, and the family of Colonel Skardon, the Army and DOD have concurred with my recommendation and, in an extremely rare circumstance, approved Colonel Skardon's promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.

Very few American soldiers ever receive this honor in this manner, and it is well deserved on behalf of Colonel Skardon for his brave military service to our country.

Now, let me just tell you that Colonel Skardon served in World War II, and he was in the Philippines as commander of Company A of the 92nd Infantry Regiment Philippine Army and led his troops through some of the fiercest days of World War II in the South Pacific.

After the surrender of tens of thousands of Filipino and U.S. soldiers to Japanese forces on April 9, 1942, Skardon was forced into the infamous Bataan Death March. For 65 miles, Skardon and many others were forced to walk, suffering physical abuse, fatigue, and the mental exhaustion of watching the death of many fellow prisoners.

Colonel Skardon survived this horrific march because of his perseverance and commitment to his will to live. Skardon's strength and will continued for the 1,255 days he spent in Japanese prison as a prisoner of war.

He defied all odds with the help of two fellow Clemson University graduates who spoon-fed him and made sure he was safe from Japanese guards. Skardon managed to keep hidden his Clemson ring. As a Clemson alumnus who wears his ring proudly, I understand the sacrifice that he made to keep that hidden.

He and his fellow alumni made the tough decision to trade Colonel Skardon's gold Clemson ring for food and medicine, which ultimately saved his life. With the help of his fellow soldiers and his pawned ring, he recovered.

Skardon also survived the sinking of two unmarked hell ships, prisoner of war ships, that were transporting POWs to mainland Japan. Not just one but two prison ships were sunk by the United States military.

At 24 years old and only 90 pounds, he was finally liberated in Manchuria by Russian units in 1945.

After World War II, he went on to serve our Nation in the Korean war, retiring with the rank of colonel in 1962.

His leadership skills were exemplified by his continued military involvement with the young men and women in ROTC at Clemson who wanted to go on and serve in our military. Colonel Skardon would mentor them about what they faced.

For all of his valor, endurance, and suffering in World War II, he was awarded two Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars for valor. He was a Purple Heart recipient and a Congressional Gold Medal recipient.

When he retired, he continued his life of service as a professor at Clemson University for nearly 20 years. He earned several esteemed citizen and civilian awards, including the Clemson Medallion, Clemson University's highest honor; the Alumni Distinguished Service Award, the Clemson Alumni Association's highest honor; and from the State of South Carolina, the Order of the Palmetto.

His life of perseverance and selfless leadership exemplified what it means not only to be a United States soldier but a true American hero.

Colonel Skardon was informed of the promotion that he received from colonel to brigadier general just this weekend. Colonel Skardon was 104 years old. He passed away last night.

Working to secure his promotion to brigadier general is one of the most humbling acts that I have undertaken during my time in Congress, and I have no doubt that divine intervention was responsible for ensuring that he learned of this great honor that our country bestowed upon him before his passing.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Clemson community during this time. He will be deeply missed, but he will never be forgotten.

To the family of General Ben Skardon, and to Ben, Godspeed. We appreciate your service to our great Nation. You wore that Clemson ring proudly. Clemson honored you. I honor you today, and I thank you for your service to our great Nation. Godspeed.

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