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Re: Bataan Death March Survivor Honored

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: July 17, 2003

"Bert Bank to receive veterans award

By Stephanie Taylor Staff Writer

Bert Bank is a World War II veteran.

For someone who has received many awards and commendations in his life, veteran Bert Bank is still humbled by the recognition.

Most recently, the World War II veteran was chosen to receive the National Veterans Award in Birmingham this November.

“I was surprised. I told them I didn't deserve it, but I'll accept it," he said.

Bank will be honored at a dinner on Nov. 10 and will participate in Birmingham's Veterans Day activities the following day.

“He's a distinguished veteran," said Bill Voight, president of the National Veterans Day in Birmingham committee that selected Bank.

“He is a survivor of the Bataan March, during which thousands of people were killed. He himself was tortured and beaten. And through the years, he's been quite an advocate for veterans," he said.

An influential radio broadcaster and longtime owner of WTBC radio station in Tuscaloosa, Bank spent 12 years as a politician in Montgomery.

Between 1966 and 1978, he served two terms in the state House of Representatives and one term as a senator, during which he sponsored legislation that helped veterans in many areas, including health care and housing.

During WWII, Bank, who will turn 89 on Sept. 1, spent three years as a Japanese prisoner of war, participating in the deadly Bataan Death March, which killed thousands of soldiers.

Voight said that Bank's name came to mind when the committee was selecting a veteran who deserved the award.

“When you get to my age, it's nice when people do a thing like that," Bank said. “It's very, very nice, and I deeply appreciate it."

Former recipients of the Birmingham award include Charles Lindbergh, Neil Armstrong, General William C. Westmoreland, General Alexander M. Haig Jr., and U.S. senators Barry Goldwater and Howell Heflin.

The first award was given to Congressman Edward H. Rees in 1954, during the observance of the first National Veterans Day.

Birmingham citizen Raymond Weeks conceived the idea of Veterans Day after World War II, Voight said. Previously observed Armistice Day recognized only veterans of World War I.

Weeks and a small delegation went to Washington, D.C., to present the proposal to then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

After a favorable response, the city of Birmingham began celebrating Veterans Day in 1947, while the committee continued to push for the holiday to be observed nationally.

Eisenhower signed the bill officially declaring Nov. 11 Veteran's Day in 1954.

Reach Stephanie Taylor at 722-0210 or stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com.

© The Tuscaloosa News "