Post by dimasalang on Nov 27, 2008 3:17:25 GMT -5
WWII Vet Dies Of Exposure In His Front Yard
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. -- A World War II veteran who survived the Bataan death march died of exposure Tuesday morning after he fell in his front yard.
Friends said that 86-year-old Ralph M. Knox was a living legend from WWII. His war experience was so amazing, a few years ago, he wrote a book about it.
He was a war hero, decorated with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. At the age of 20, he survived the death march, dropping from 175 pounds to 89. Until Tuesday, he was the youngest U.S. soldier still living who had made the death march.
Neil Garren, with American Legion Post 121, said, "You could just not help but be amazed when you saw him -- how he still got around so good -- how he lived 42 months in a Japanese POW camp -- and still going around doing whatever he did."
Knox's book has a special place at his American Legion Post.
"I mean, I couldn't put a value on it how much it means to the post members and myself personally," Garren said. "I mean, it'll be in a place of honor."
It's not yet known what caused Knox to collapse near the front door of his home on Terrapin Road. But sometime during the night, the bitter cold ended his life.
Anderson Coroner Greg Shore said that Knox was wearing slacks, a shirt and a light windbreaker when he apparently fell getting out of his car. Shore said it appeared that Knox had tried to crawl to the front steps of his home.
The temperatures Monday night were near freezing.
Neighbors said they heard someone calling out last night, but when they looked outside, they didn't see Knox. His body was found Tuesday morning.
Friends said they were not prepared to lose this living legend -- a man who had survived so much.
"Like missing one of your fingers or something," Garren said. "I don't know what it's going to be like. I really don't."
www.wyff4.com/cnn-news/18146048/detail.html
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. -- A World War II veteran who survived the Bataan death march died of exposure Tuesday morning after he fell in his front yard.
Friends said that 86-year-old Ralph M. Knox was a living legend from WWII. His war experience was so amazing, a few years ago, he wrote a book about it.
He was a war hero, decorated with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. At the age of 20, he survived the death march, dropping from 175 pounds to 89. Until Tuesday, he was the youngest U.S. soldier still living who had made the death march.
Neil Garren, with American Legion Post 121, said, "You could just not help but be amazed when you saw him -- how he still got around so good -- how he lived 42 months in a Japanese POW camp -- and still going around doing whatever he did."
Knox's book has a special place at his American Legion Post.
"I mean, I couldn't put a value on it how much it means to the post members and myself personally," Garren said. "I mean, it'll be in a place of honor."
It's not yet known what caused Knox to collapse near the front door of his home on Terrapin Road. But sometime during the night, the bitter cold ended his life.
Anderson Coroner Greg Shore said that Knox was wearing slacks, a shirt and a light windbreaker when he apparently fell getting out of his car. Shore said it appeared that Knox had tried to crawl to the front steps of his home.
The temperatures Monday night were near freezing.
Neighbors said they heard someone calling out last night, but when they looked outside, they didn't see Knox. His body was found Tuesday morning.
Friends said they were not prepared to lose this living legend -- a man who had survived so much.
"Like missing one of your fingers or something," Garren said. "I don't know what it's going to be like. I really don't."
www.wyff4.com/cnn-news/18146048/detail.html
