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Clemson 8 Challenge, held the morning of Saturday, March 7 at Clemson University's Military Heritage Plaza and co-founded by the late Colonel Ben Skardon, honors Clemson University's known 28 former prisoners of war
By Karen Brewer, Publisher & Editor, The Pickens County Chronicle
Colonel Ben Skardon, pictured with cadet Chase McCathern during Skardon's 100th birthday party held at Clemson University in 2017, co-founded the Clemson 8 Challenge in 2021. (Photo by Karen Brewer, Publisher, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Colonel Bill Austin, Colonel Ben Skardon, and 1st Lt. Bill Funchess spoke at Clemson University in October of 2018 about their experiences as prisoners of war. (Photo by Karen Brewer, Publisher, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The opening ceremony for the sixth annual Clemson 8 Challenge was held the morning of Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Clemson University’s Military Heritage Plaza.
More than 450 participants honored 28 former prisoners of war with ties to Clemson University while also helping to raise funds to send 20 cadets to compete in the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on Saturday, March 21.
Among those POWs honored on Saturday was the late Colonel Beverly ‘Ben’ Skardon, who helped found the Clemson 8 Challenge. Skardon, who graduated from Clemson College in 1938, was a decorated World War II veteran who survived three years in a Japanese POW camp and survived the infamous Bataan Death March in 1942. He was the only survivor of the Bataan Death March to walk in the Bataan Memorial Death March, held annually in New Mexico, and in which he walked 12 times, the last time at the age of 101 in 2019. A beloved English professor at Clemson University from 1964 to 1985, Skardon passed away on November 15, 2021 at the age of 104.
Another former POW honored on Saturday was U.S. Air Force pilot and decorated Vietnam War veteran Colonel William ‘Bill’ Austin, who attended the March 7 Clemson 8 Challenge opening ceremony. Austin, whose plane was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967, survived a little over five years — 1,986 days — as a prisoner of war. A 1959 graduate of Clemson College, Austin served as Commander of Clemson University’s Air Force ROTC from July of 1985 until his retirement in October of 1988.
Austin spoke to The Pickens County Chronicle Saturday morning. “I’m real pleased with the turnout,” he said of the large crowd present for the Clemson 8 Challenge. He added that his friend Phil Smith and his wife came from Tallahassee, Florida. “His wife and my wife are first cousins. He’s going to walk. He’s been out to New Mexico 10 times. He walked with Ben.
“I was proud of Ben for being promoted to Brigadier General about three or four days before he passed away,” Austin added. “That was a big moment for him, and he earned it. He was active in supporting the military and the United States, even after he came home.
“It was good to see the turnout. It’s always good to see the cadets. That’s our future.”
The opening ceremony began promptly at 9 a.m., with Clemson student GB Stalnaker welcoming the crowd. “Good morning, everyone. Thank you for attending. I’m G.B. Stalnaker, a sophomore financial management and accounting major from Dallas, Texas. I was fortunate, in middle and high school, to have walked with Colonel Ben Skardon during his eight-mile march in New Mexico. It was a great honor for me and an even greater one for my father, as he walked all 13 times with Colonel Ben in New Mexico.
“Thank you for joining us today as we step off the sixth annual Clemson 8 Challenge to remember the six Clemson alums who were forced to endure the harsh treatment by the Japanese Army during World War II. We also want to remember the other Clemson prisoners of war from our other wars.
“Today, we are joined here and virtually by 452 participants throughout the country, as well as those serving our country in Italy and Africa. Thank you for your participation and for your service.
“A special thank you to our Army and Air Force ROTC cadets and their instructor cadre in attendance today. Thank you for what you are doing.
“So, where are we? This is the Military Heritage Plaza, dedicated in 1996. Here, cadets who complete Clemson’s ROTC program and commission to the US Army, Air Force, or Space Force receive their Silver Dollar Salute. The Silver Dollar Salute is the first salute given to a newly commissioned officer by an enlisted service member.”
Stalnaker then asked for any retired or current members of the military to raise a hand, so that they could be recognized and thanked for their military service, and everyone applauded.
“The brick walls around the plaza contain an example of every medal received by a Clemson alum,” Stalnaker continued. “Four Clemson alumni have been awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by our military.
“As you can see, there are 51 sets of footprints here on the plaza. One set belonged to Brigadier General (otherwise known to us as Colonel) Ben Skardon, one of the survivors of the Bataan Death March and the co-founder of the Clemson 8 Challenge. We can’t run or walk in his footsteps. However, know he is running and walking beside you today as you complete this challenge.”
Clemson sophomore GB Stalnaker speaks to the crowd gathered for the opening ceremony of the Clemson 8 Challenge the morning of Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Stalnaker then introduced Army Cadet Sarah Mitchell, who gave the invocation. “Please bow your heads. Lord, we come before you today, humbled to be here. Please let us not forget the prisoners of war who suffered and died for our freedom, enduring atrocities we could never imagine. Thank you for the opportunity to honor their lives and their legacies. We thank you for capable bodies to be able to participate in this event. I pray for the safety and enjoyment of every participant here. In your name, we pray. Amen.”
Army Cadet Sarah Mitchell is pictured just before giving the invocation for the opening ceremony. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Stalnaker then introduced Air Force Cadet Jon Yoo, who sang the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Air Force Cadet Jon Yoo sings the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
“Thank you, Cadets Mitchell and Yoo,” said Stalnaker.
“Now, I would like to introduce Cadet David Unruh, who will announce today’s roll call of the 28 known former Clemson alums from all wars who were prisoners of war.”
As Unruh read each name of a prisoner of war, another cadet responded, “Absent, sir” and then placed a dog tag on a chair with that POW’s name. One exception was former POW Colonel Bill Austin, who was present for the event, and who was applauded by the crowd as his name was read.
“Those captured by the Japanese in the Philippines and survived the Bataan Death March during World War II,” Unruh read: “Army Air Force Captain Theodore Cuyler Bigger, Army First Lieutenant Martin Crook, Jr., Army Captain Marion ‘Manny’ Lawton, Army Captain Henry Leitner, Army Lieutenant Colonel William Orr, Army Captain Beverly ‘Ben’ Skardon.
“Those captured by the Japanese on other islands during World War II: Army Captain William English, Army Major Albert George, Army Colonel Louis Hutson, Army First Lieutenant Otis Morgan, Marine Captain Wesley Platt, Army Air Force Captain Francis Scarborough, Army First Lieutenant Howard Vassey.
“Those captured by the Germans during World War II: Army Air Force Lieutenant Robert Berly, Jr., Army Second Lieutenant George Henry, Army Staff Sergeant George Jones, Army Private First Class Joseph King, Army Corporal Horace Meisner, Jr., Army Air Force Captain William Mooney, Jr., Army Air Force Second Lieutenant Lewis Page, Army Colonel Albert Smarr, Army Sergeant Grady Wise.
“Those captured during the Korean War: Air Force Major Malcolm Edens, Army First Lieutenant William Funchess, Army Captain St. Clair Webb, Jr.
“Those captured during the Vietnam War: Air Force Colonel William ‘Bill Austin II, Navy Commander Robert Fant, Air Force First Lieutenant Samuel Vaughan.”
Cadet David Unruh reads the names of former prisoners of war with ties to Clemson University as cadets place a dog tag on each chair. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Stalnaker then said, “Today’s 21-gun salute, overlooking Bowman Field, behind you, is being performed by the Clemson University Company C-4 Pershing Rifles, Samuel Blankenship, Commander.”
Following the Pershing Rifles’ 21-gun salute, “Taps” was played by Braden Sembower, a senior from King George, Virginia.
A 21-gun salute was peformed by the Clemson University Company C Pershing Rifles, and "Taps" was played by Clemson senior Braden Sembower (in purple shirt, seen in the distance). (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Following the departure of the Pershing Rifles, Stalnaker then said, “At this time, I would like to introduce the team leaders of the teams that will be going to compete in the Bataan Memorial Marathon next week. Captains, please come forward and introduce your teammates.”
The first team leader to come forward was Ben Lentz: “Good morning, everyone, I’m Ben Lentz. I’m Captain of the Clemson Arnold Air Society’s Men’s Team. That includes myself, Tommy Howley, John Henderson, Riley McClatchey, Jack Leahy, and Hudson Spargo.”
The next team leader to speak was Abbigayle Grace Szcinski: “Hi, everyone. My name is Abbi Szcinski. I am the team captain of the Girls ROTC team here at Clemson. My team includes Emily Apostolico, Helen Huynh, and Rachael Lin, who could not be here today, and Teagan Story-Danziger, who could not be here today.”
David Unruh, who had read the names of the prisoners of war, then greeted the crowd. “Good morning, everybody. I’m David Unruh. I’m Captain of the Clemson Ranger Club team that’s going to be going to Bataan. My team consists of myself, Jackson Dodson, John Mundy, Jake Kiss, and Mitchell Risinger.”
Ben Lentz, Abbi Szcinski, and David Unruh introduce themselves as leaders of teams that will participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March in New Mexico on March 21. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
“How about one more round of applause for all our cadets,” Stalnaker said, as the crowd cheered.
“We wish you good luck in two weeks,” Stalnaker told the cadets. “Our ROTC has been extremely dominant since we’ve been sending one,” he said. “Last year, we had a second-place finish. We were only a few minutes behind first place, which was done by a professional team. Thank you to our cadets for training so hard to represent us so well.
“Next, I would like to thank the student organizations who, along with you, are helping send these cadets to New Mexico. If you are a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, please raise your hand. If you are a member of Alpha Tau Omega, please raise your hand. If you are a member of the Blue Key Honor Society, please raise your hand. If you are a member of Chi Psi fraternity, please raise your hand. If you are a member of IFC, please raise your hand.
“We would like to thank All In Self-Storage for providing the t-shirts to our ROTC cadets and instructor cadre.
“Also sponsoring today’s challenge are Apartments for Clemson, Clemson Downs, Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Event Rentals, Gallant Few, Hubbard and Young Pharmacy, Maverick Hills, Seek Quality, the Baker Financial Group, Tiger Town Graphics, and, where you will see me after this event, Your Pie.”
A recording of the late Kate Smith singing “God Bless America” then began playing as Stalnaker began speaking of her. “One of the most well known singers in the 1940’s was Miss Kate Smith. It was Kate’s version of ‘God Bless America’ that many POWs reminisced of while being a prisoner. It became their battle cry during the war. Please join Miss Smith in the singing of ‘God Bless America.’”
After everyone joined in singing “God Bless America,” Stalnaker then relayed the rules of the Clemson 8 Challenge.
“Thank you for being here,” he concluded, “and remember to honor the 28 known Clemson prisoners of war.
“In New Mexico, Colonel Ben would always start his march with the command ‘Oosh’. Colonel Ben said that when the Japanese guards wanted to tell their American and Filipino captives to move, they would use the command ‘Oosh.’ It was our start in White Sands, and it will be our start here today. Can I get a 1-2-3-4 cadence count followed by an ‘Oosh’ to start our event.”
Everyone joined in. “One-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, C-L-E-M-S-O-N-T-I-G-E-R-S. Fight, Tigers, fight, Tigers, fight, fight, fight. Oosh.”
GB Stalnaker concludes the opening ceremony and leads the crowd in a 1-2-3-4 cadence count followed by 'Oosh' to start the Clemson 8 Challenge event. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Bronze statue of a senior cadet, Military Heritage Plaza, Clemson University, March 7, 2026. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
As noted by GB Stalnaker during the Saturday, March 7 opening ceremony for the Clemson 8 Challenge, “Four Clemson alumni have been awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by our military.” (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle) (To view more photographs of Clemson University’s Military Heritage Plaza and other photos around campus, please click on this page.)