Decorated WWII POW Dies Of Exposure In Front Yard

News Channel 7 - SC, USA

Decorated WWII POW Dies of Exposure In Front Yard

By Jonathan Carlson
Reporter
Published: November 25, 2008

A decorated prisoner of war, beloved by many, was found dead in front of his house this morning. Authorities say Ralph M Knox fell and died of hypothermia at his home in Williamston during the night. An 86 year old World War Two vet, Knox was a POW held by the Japanese in 1941, and, at 19, one of the youngest prisoners of war captured by the Japanese. He also took part in the Bataan Death March.

Knox somehow didn’t make it to his front door Monday night. The coroner says he died from exposure to the cold. Its anyone’s guess why Knox collapsed. Neighbors say they heard someone moaning and crying out, but no one could find anyone.

Friend Elaine Jackson said he always had a smile and was always there for everybody. Neighbors heard cries for help monday night but no one was able to figure out where it was coming from. Knox lived alone.

He was a member of the American Legion for 64 years. Knox wrote a highly regarded book of his captivity, “The Emperor’s Angry Guest”.