COLUMBIA-- A Midlands World War II veteran has received a special honor.Former Marine Donovan Pike was presented with a letter of recognition from the Marine Corps. commandant Thursday.
Soldiers say getting a letter from the commandant is better than getting one from the president.
Pike's ceremony was a surprise to him. He says, "It's been an honor to serve."
Pike's wife Polly was emotional at the event. Her husband recently suffered a massive stroke, and is paralyzed on the left side.
She says while her husband's health is in bad shape, he's tough like a Marine. "Just knowing how he feels about the Marines. That was his first love, and that will be his last love."
Pike is believed to be one of the last living survivors of the Bataan Death March back in 1942. He was also a POW in Japan for more than three years.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH