Roseville survivor of Bataan Death March dies on Veterans Day

Pioneer Press ^ | 11-13-13 | Molly Guthrey

[TurboZamboni]

Kenneth Porwoll thought he surely would die a soldier's death during the Bataan Death March in World War II.

Instead, the prisoner of war survived, and more than three years after being captured in the Philippines, he returned home to the States.

Monday, on Veterans Day -- 71 years after the 1942 death march -- this veteran died peacefully, surrounded by family, at the VA Medical Center in Fort Snelling. The Roseville man was 93.

"Dying on Veterans Day -- isn't that amazing?" said his widow, Mary Ellen Porwoll.

After the war, Porwoll lived a good life: He married, raised nine children, worked, volunteered, went to church, delighted in his grandchildren and shared his war stories with the world.

[TurboZamboni]

Thank you Mr Porwoll.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I knew two Bataan Death March survivors, my 5th grade teacher in California and a member of our congregation in Iowa. Both fine men, gone from us now, I’m sure.

[Texas Fossil]

Thanks for the post.

[JDoutrider]

My father in law (God rest his soul) was another survivor.

A very humble man truly missed by all of us...

[billhilly]

Amazing story. I also knew a Bataan survivorwho was a prisoner of the Japanese for 63 months. Harold K. Johnson was a Lt Colonel when he was captured and he rose to four star rank and Chief of Staff of the US Army.

[billhilly]

Amazing story. I also knew a Bataan survivorwho was a prisoner of the Japanese for 63 months. Harold K. Johnson was a Lt Colonel when he was captured and he rose to four star rank and Chief of Staff of the US Army.

[left that other site]

RIP, and Thank You, Sir.

[G Larry]

God Bless Ken and all those who were in the Bataan Death March.

I worked with a man who also survived Bataan.
Leo passed more than 15 years ago.

Still in touch w his daughter, who was named Billie Jo, after a friend and fellow soldier, Leo lost in the march.

[luvbach1]

God Bless Ken and all those who were in the Bataan Death March.

.. And all the other vets of WWII, Americans and allies alike.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Chief Master Sgt Bob Brown was one of the youngest survivors (17 years old) of the Bataan Death March. I nominated and was successful in getting Bob on a Freedom Flight to visit the World War II Memorial in DC.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/appealdemocrat/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=118997491

[Paratrooper]

Another Survivor is Everette Reamer who was also 17 years old when he survived the Bataan Death March, then as a POW 1942-1945. He is still alive and living in Arizona. I spoke to him in May and he sounded great, having some physical issues as a result of his treatment while a POW but his mind is sharp as ever and can recall most of his experiences in the Battle on Corregidor and POW Camps.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.