John McCain, a former United States Navy officer and politician, was held captive in Vietnam for a period of over five years, making him the longest prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.
John McCain, a former United States Navy officer and politician, holds the distinction of being the longest captive during the Vietnam War. He endured over five and a half years of grueling captivity, enduring physical and psychological torture at the infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison. McCain’s indomitable spirit and resilience in the face of extreme hardship have made him an enduring symbol of strength and courage.
One of the defining moments of McCain’s imprisonment was when he refused early release by the North Vietnamese, despite enduring years of torture and physical abuse. He was offered freedom due to his status as the son of a high-ranking military officer, but he chose to remain with his fellow prisoners, stating, “I knew that every prisoner the Vietnamese tried to break, those who had arrived before me and those who would come after me, would be taunted with the story of how an admiral’s son had gone home early, a lucky beneficiary of America’s class-conscious society.” This act of selflessness and solidarity with his fellow prisoners exemplifies McCain’s character and dedication to his comrades.
Interesting facts about John McCain’s captivity include:
- McCain’s plane was shot down over Hanoi on October 26, 1967, during a bombing mission, leading to his capture and subsequent imprisonment.
- Throughout his captivity, McCain suffered from numerous injuries and ailments, including two broken arms, a broken leg, and multiple infections.
- The majority of McCain’s captivity was spent in solitary confinement, enduring long periods of isolation and sensory deprivation.
- Despite the harsh conditions, McCain and his fellow prisoners communicated through a secret tap code, allowing them to support each other and maintain a sense of community.
- McCain’s release finally came on March 14, 1973, following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.
In summary, John McCain’s enduring endurance and sacrifice as the longest prisoner held captive in Vietnam exemplifies his unwavering resilience and commitment to his fellow prisoners. His refusal of early release and his bravery in the face of immense adversity serve as a testament to his remarkable character. McCain’s story continues to inspire and remind us of the indomitable human spirit even in the darkest of times.
Table:
Highlighted Achievements of John McCain’s Captivity
- Withstood over 5 and a half years of captivity.
- Refused early release to stay with fellow prisoners.
- Suffered multiple injuries and endured harsh conditions.
- Maintained communication through a secret tap code.
- Released on March 14, 1973, after Paris Peace Accords.
There are alternative points of view
Floyd James "Jim" Thompson (July 8, 1933 – ) was a United States Army colonel. He was one of the longest-held American prisoners of war, spending nearly nine years in captivity in the forests and mountains of South Vietnam, Laos, and North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Who was the longest prisoner held captive in Vietnam? Floyd James Thompson He was the longest-held American prisoner of war in U.S. history, spending nearly nine years in captivity in the jungle camps and mountains of South Vietnam and Laos, and in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War….
Who was the longest prisoner held captive in Vietnam? Floyd James Thompson He was one of the longest-held American prisoner of war in U.S. history that was returned or captured by troops, spending nearly nine years in captivity in the forests and mountains of South Vietnam and Laos, and in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War….
Video answer to your question
This YouTube video explores the story of a Vietnam POW found alive in the jungle 40 years after being declared missing in action. A military man named John Robertson partners with a filmmaker to investigate the claims of a man named Deng Tan Yonk, who allegedly is the missing soldier. However, doubts arise about Yonk’s identity, and a secret DNA test reveals he is not the real Sergeant Robertson. Despite the mystery surrounding the fate of the true POW, the filmmaker’s journey to uncover the truth becomes an incredible story.
Surely you will be interested
Who were the longest Vietnam POWs?
The reply will be: The longest-held enlisted POW is Bill Robinson from East Tennessee. Don Dare spoke with the retired Air Force Captain about his years in captivity and a pilot who is still MIA. Shortly after being captured, a North Vietnamese militia woman escorted Robinson, in what he learned years later was a propaganda photo.
Who is the longest held enlisted POW?
Captain Bill Robinson
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – 2023 marks 50 years since Vietnam prisoners of war were freed. Among them is the longest-held enlisted prisoner, Captain Bill Robinson, who now lives in Lenoir City. Despite spending more than seven years in captivity, he is grateful.
Are there any POWs still alive from Vietnam?
Answer will be: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency lists 684 POWs returned home alive from the Vietnam War — the majority after the U.S. pulled out of the war in 1973. (The war officially ended April 30, 1975). There are 1,582 Americans still unaccounted for, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
How long were POWs held in Vietnam?
From 1961 to 1973, the North Vietnamese and Vietcong held hundreds of Americans captive in North Vietnam, and in Cambodia, China, Laos, and South Vietnam. In North Vietnam alone, more than a dozen prisons were scattered in and around the capital city of Hanoi.
Who was the longest held prisoner of war in American history?
The reply will be: Col. Floyd J. Thompson, who endured nearly nine years of torture, disease and starvation in Vietnam as the longest-held prisoner of war in American history, has died. He was 69.
Is Vietnam a prisoner of war?
The answer is: Every war has prisoners, yet Vietnam stands out as unique in the American psyche. Nearly fifty years later, the prisoner of war issue remains a principal part of the American collective memory of the Vietnam War. This may seem strange, given that there are prisoners in every war.
How many Americans were incarcerated in Vietnam?
As an answer to this: From 1961 to 1973, the North Vietnamese and Vietcong held hundreds of Americans captive in North Vietnam, and in Cambodia, China, Laos, and South Vietnam. In North Vietnam alone, more than a dozen prisons were scattered in and around the capital city of Hanoi.
Who was the longest held American POW?
John T. Downey, CIA agent captured by China during the Korean War: The story of the longest held American POW. The incredible story of former CIA agent John T. Downey, the longest held American captive of war. John T. Downey, center, walks into Hong Kong from China, where he was imprisoned for more than 20 years, on March 12, 1973.
Who was the longest held prisoner of war in Vietnam?
Response to this: Ernest Cary Brace (August 15, 1931 – December 5, 2014) was the longest-held civilian prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War. A decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot and mustang, Brace was court-martialed in 1961 for attempting to fake his own death.
Who was the longest-held American POW in the war?
As a response to this: He would be held captive in Hanoi for almost eight years, making him the longest-held American POW in the entire war. Adm. Noel Gayler, right, greeted Ernest Brace in March 1973 on his release as a prisoner of war. By the time he earned his flight wings as a mustang military officer, the United States was committed to the war in Korea.
How many Americans were held captive in Vietnam?
A handful of U.S. civilians were also held captive during the war. Thirteen prisons and prison camps were used to house U.S. prisoners in North Vietnam, the most widely known of which was Hỏa Lò Prison (nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton").
Who held US prisoners in Vietnam?
Answer will be: Most U.S. prisoners were captured and held in North Vietnam by the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN); a much smaller number were captured in the south and held by the Việt Cộng (VC). A handful of U.S. civilians were also held captive during the war.