Captured

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Captured Page 19

by Alvin Townley

on sympathetic guard, 115–16

  Mulligan, Louise, 171

  National League of POW-MIA Families, 171–73, 172, 173

  Ngô nh Diệm, 12

  Nguyn Quc ạt, 190

  Nixon, Richard

  and advocacy of families, 170, 172

  aid promised to North Vietnam, 196

  inauguration, 161

  North Vietnam’s worries about, 180

  and peace negotiations, 193

  and withdrawal from Vietnam, 192

  North Vietnam

  aid promised to, 196

  Communist allies of, 174–75

  and damage from bombings, 113–14

  and Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 7

  and French colonialism, 11, 19–20

  government of, 98

  hardship faced by citizens in, 199

  origins of conflict with South Vietnam, 12

  and public opinion, 47

  and US’ undeclared state of war, xiv, 21

  and Việt Cộng, 6, 12, 146

  note drops in latrines, 25–26, 30–31, 37, 167

  Operation Rolling Thunder, 5–6, 13, 15, 116

  Overton, Ed, 99–100

  Peel, Bob

  communication with Denton, 119

  interrogation of, 61

  and march of POWs through Hanoi, 90, 91, 94, 95

  physicians, civilian, 162–63

  Powers, Francis Gary, 79

  POW-MIA movement, 171–73, 172, 173

  prisoners of war (POWs) in North Vietnam

  body weights of, 196

  and Christmas holidays, 48–49, 144–45, 182, 186–88

  Church Riot of 1971, 188–89

  collective strength of (see solidarity/unity of POWs)

  commanding officers, 25–26, 74, 108, 113, 132, 184–85

  considered criminals (see criminals, POWs treated as)

  and correspondence, 48–49, 144, 169, 182, 191

  Denton’s lists of, 59, 140–41

  duty of (see resistance)

  earliest POWs, 15

  early releases of, 113, 147, 167

  and Easter holidays, 148–49, 164–65

  ethical guides of (see Code of Conduct; honor)

  families (see families of POWs)

  fatalities of, 59 (see also Storz, Ron)

  and “GBU” (“God bless you”), xvi, 88, 164

  isolation of (see solitary confinement of prisoners)

  leadership of (see leadership of Denton; leadership of POWs)

  lectures endured by, 75–76

  marched through Hanoi, 91–92, 93, 94–96, 97–98, 198–99

  morale of, 27, 86 (see also mental/emotional strain of prison life)

  number of, 25, 59, 111

  physical debilitation of, 101, 106, 134, 151, 176, 202

  release of, 194, 198–200, 201 (see also homecoming)

  from South Vietnam, 190

  starvation of, 103, 151

  and tactics of Camp Authority, 46–47 (see also interrogations; punishment; torture)

  from Thailand, 190

  uniforms of, 17, 19, 24

  See also Geneva Convention (1949)

  prisons

  authority in (see Camp Authority)

  bathrooms (see latrines)

  cellmates of Denton, 62, 68, 104–6, 115

  cellmates of other POWs, 57, 59, 180, 183

  communication in (see communication between prisoners)

  conditions in, xi–xii, 17, 42–43, 83–84, 115–16, 129–30

  daily existance in, xiii

  excessive heat in, 83–84, 150–51, 152

  and isolation of POWs, xvi, 23, 37 (see also solitary confinement of prisoners)

  personal items in, xii

  restraints used in (see leg irons and leg stocks)

  rules of, 36–37

  water rations, xi–xii, 83–84 (see also food rations)

  See also Alcatraz; Hanoi Hilton; Zoo prison complex

  propaganda

  BACK US guide on, 111

  confessions sought for, 67–69, 74–75

  Denton’s biographical statement, 52–53, 55–56

  Denton’s letter used for, 51

  and Fox, 60

  in Little Vegas, 110

  and “Make Your Choice” program, 84–86

  statements sought for, 47, 61

  and work party program, 114

  See also Hanoi Hannah

  punishment

  cessation of, 174

  for communication between prisoners, 117–19, 153, 154, 170, 174

  of Denton, 154–55

  and enforcement of Geneva Convention, 170

  for spitting at Pimples, 121–24

  used to extract statements, 154–55

  See also leg irons and leg stocks

  Purcell, Bob, 103–4

  purposelessness, feelings of, 133, 148, 191

  Radio Hanoi, 51, 87, 146. See also Hanoi Hannah

  reading campaigns at Alcatraz, 159–60

  Reagan, Ronald, 207–9

  recordings of POWs, 111. See also propaganda

  release of prisoners, 23, 194, 198–200, 201. See also homecoming

  religious devotion of Denton

  and belief in power of prayer, 106

  religious devotion of Denton (cont.)

  and crosses of Denton, 33, 41–42

  and letter to family, 50–51

  and memories of Catholic school, 56–57

  perspective gained from, 122

  and poems marking Easter, 148–49, 164–65

  and prayer for death, 156

  in times of punishment/torture, 102, 118–19, 122

  and uncertainty of situation, 148–49

  Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), 5–6, 12, 76

  resistance

  of Alcatraz Gang members, 137

  BACK US tactics of, 111–12, 113–14, 124

  Camp Authority’s impatience with, 38, 120

  and Code of Conduct, 16–17

  Denton’s commitment to, 20, 51–52, 54–55, 67–69, 70–71

  Denton’s encouragement of POWs, 101

  and Denton’s interrogations, 20, 51–52

  and feelings of purposelessness, 133, 148, 191

  and Fox, 60, 64

  of Halyburton, 58

  hard line advocated by Denton, 39, 44, 51, 85–87, 124

  and honor of POWs, 47, 52, 55, 67, 129

  leadership of, 88, 108

  and “Make Your Choice” program, 84, 85, 198

  and SERE training, 15

  and work party program, 113–14

  restraints. See leg irons and leg stocks

  Risner, Robbie

  broadcast confession of, 84

  and Church Riot of 1971, 188

  disappearance of, 41

  and end of Vietnam War, 195

  and Four Wise Men, 190

  at Hanoi Hilton, xv–xvi, 74, 77, 185

  isolation of, 74

  leadership of, 74, 77, 185

  on televised interview of Denton, xv–xvi, 77

  roommates. See cellmates

  rules issued by Camp Authority, 36–37

  Rutledge, Howie

  at Alcatraz, 126, 132, 134, 135

  Christmas wish of, 144

  and Church Riot of 1971, 188

  at Hanoi Hilton, 178

  in Heartbreak Hotel, 190

  leadership of resistance, 108

  SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) training, 15

  Shepard, Alan, 123

  shootdowns, anniversaries of, 138–39

  Shumaker, Bob

  at Alcatraz, 132, 134, 135, 137

  and Alcatraz Gang, 209

  anniversary party for, 190

  capture of, 15

  code proposed by, 31, 31–32

  and Denton’s death, 210

  at Hanoi Hilton, 25, 31–32, 178

  instruction led by, 191

  and Johnson, 184

  leadership of resistan
ce, 108

  length of captivity, 190, 198

  and march of POWs through Hanoi, 93

  and note drops in latrines, 25

  on optimism of Denton, 168

  release of, 198

  at the Zoo, 38

  sleep difficulties, 142

  Smitty Harris Tap Code, 32, 37. See also tapping code

  solidarity/unity of POWs

  and BACK US resistance tactics, 111–12, 113–14, 124

  and early releases, 113, 147

  and example set by Denton, 157

  faltering of, 147, 180–81, 182–83

  and “GBU” messages, 88

  and hard-line resistance, 124–25

  protesting on behalf of Jenkins, 161–63

  See also resistance

  solitary confinement of prisoners

  at Alcatraz, 130–31, 132, 140, 174

  of Denton, 28, 37, 52–55, 56, 103, 104, 181

  end of practice, 180

  hunger strike protesting, 183

  mental strain of, 37, 68, 104, 107, 167

  of Mulligan, 181

  softening of policies on, 174

  of Storz, 41

  Sn Tây POW camp, 185–86, 191

  South Vietnam, 5–6, 12, 76

  Soviet Union, 6, 11, 174–75

  Stafford, Hugh, 117

  starvation, 103, 151

  Stockdale, Jim

  at Alcatraz, 133–34, 136

  and Alcatraz Gang, 209

  and antiwar sentiment in US, 147

  and BACK US resistance tactics, 111–12, 113

  and Cat, 76

  command of, 184–85

  and Denton’s expectation of dying, 70–71

  Denton’s initial interaction with, 69–70

  disappearance of, 162, 180

  on emotional regression, 142

  and Fink Release Program, 113

  and Four Wise Men, 190

  homecoming wager placed by, 160–61

  isolated by Camp Authority, 74

  leadership of resistance, 108, 120

  and Rabbit’s threats, 113

  reemergence of, at Hanoi Hilton, 184

  stoicism of, 70

  torture endured by, 70, 76, 184

  Stockdale, Sybil, 171

  stools, stacked (punishment), 65–69, 70

  Storz, Ron

  at Alcatraz, 132, 134, 135

  death of, 196

  disappearance of, 179, 180

  leadership of resistance, 108

  physical/mental decline of, 166–68, 176–77, 184

  solitary confinement of, 41

  summertime heat in Vietnam, 83–84, 150–51, 152

  Sunday devotional period, observing, 30

  surrender, Code of Conduct on, 16

  Tanner, Nels

  at Alcatraz, 132, 135

  and Alcatraz Gang, 208

  and communication of prisoners, 151

  at Hanoi Hilton, 178

  and Johnson, 184

  leadership of resistance, 108

  tapeworms, 106

  tapping code, 31

  and attempts to thwart communication, 60

  content of, 61

  between Davis and Denton, 33, 43–44

  “GBU” (“God bless you”), xvi, 88, 164

  implementation of, 31–32

  by means of coughing, 143

  by means of sweeping, 136–37, 139

  mental stimulation of, 61–62

  as primary means of communication, 37

  prison rules on, 36

  shorthand used in, 139

  Tt Offensive, 146, 147, 148

  toilet paper, lack of, 118–19

  torture

  abatement of, 62, 153, 190

  and “biographical” statement of Denton, 52–53, 55–56

  and Cat’s public self-criticism, 179–80

  for communication of prisoners, 153

  confessions extracted through, 67–69, 74–75, 86, 87–88

  of Davis, 45–46

  of Denton, 52–57, 71–72, 75, 99–100, 101–2, 155–56, 159

  Denton’s coded message on, 79–81, 82

  Denton’s counsel to POWs on, 86, 87

  and Denton’s expectation of death, 70–71

  and Denton’s religious faith, 102

  for disobeying orders, xv

  and end of Vietnam War, 196, 198

  guards’ reactions to, 102

  of McKnight, 153

  mental effects of, 66–67, 75

  and physical debilitation of POWs, 101

  in pursuit of propaganda statements, 47

  in pursuit of resistance leaders, 120

  in pursuit of statements of apology, 153–56, 163–64

  in pursuit of statements on camp radio, 159, 160

  Rabbit’s threats of, 67–69

  and reading campaigns, 159–60

  restraining prisoners, 99–101 (see also leg irons and leg stocks)

  starvation, 103, 151

  of Stockdale, 70, 184

  Tschudy, Bill

  bombing mission of, 3, 7–8

  and Denton’s imprisonment, 14

  as prisoner in Hanoi, 25

  release of, 198

  survival of, 188

  uniforms of prisoners, 17, 19, 24

  United States

  antiwar sentiment in, 110, 116, 146–48, 203–4

  condemnation of POWs’ treatment, 170

  and French colonialism in Vietnam, 174–76

  and Indochina War, 11–12

  and Ngô nh Diệm, 12

  United States (cont.)

  policy on POW-MIAs in Vietnam, 169–70, 171

  and undeclared state of war, xiv, 21

  withdrawal from South Vietnam, 192

  US Congress, 13

  US military

  failed attempt to liberate Sn Tây prison, 185–86, 191

  and Johnson’s escalation of conflict, 12–13

  number of troops committed to war, 7, 12, 13

  and Operation Rolling Thunder, 5–6, 13, 15, 116

  SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) training, 15

  targets of, 6, 89

  See also Code of Conduct

  US Naval Academy, 123, 142

  US Navy, 4, 15

  USS Independence, xiii–xiv, 2–5

  Việt Cộng, 6, 12, 146, 147, 148

  Vietnam

  division of, 12

  independence from France, 11–12, 75, 121, 174–76

  and Indochina War, 11–12, 13, 76

  Vietnam War

  and antiwar sentiment in US, 110, 116, 146, 203–4

  and bombing of Hanoi, 89–90, 91–92, 193–94

  casualties in, 116, 203

  end of, 193–97

  and peace negotiations, 149–50, 192

  as proxy conflict of Cold War, 6

  public response to returning troops, 203–4

  Tt Offensive, 146, 147, 148

  and US withdrawal, 192

  water rations, xi–xii, 83–84

  Westmoreland, William, 116

  wristbands of POW-MIA movement, 172, 173

  Zoo prison complex, 35–63, 97–108

  chess match of POWs at, 58–59

  Christmas at, 48–49

  communication between prisoners at, 36, 37, 45, 56, 58–59, 60–61

  conditions at, 42–43, 83–84

  Denton as ranking officer at, 38

  Denton’s cells in, 57

  Denton’s leadership in, 74, 103

  Denton’s relocations to, 35–36, 83

  food rations at, 38, 41, 42–43, 103–4

  latrine duty at, 39–41

  location of, 185

  and “Make Your Choice” program, 84–86, 99

  names of buildings at, 37

  number of prisoners at, 59

  restraints used in, 99

  rules issued by Camp Authority, 36–37

  Shumaker at, 38

  summertime heat at, 83–8
4

  Vietnamese commanders at, 60

  violent interrogations at, 38

  water rations at, 83–84

  The captive aviators in Hanoi who endured years of uncertainty and hardship during the Vietnam era deserve the first and last acknowledgment here. They set an unsurpassed example of duty, honor, and perseverance. And to a one, they would say the real heroes were the men fighting it out below the DMZ in South Vietnam.

  These former POWs generously shared their stories and perspectives with me and I am grateful. A special circle of these men has become a family to me; I count myself lucky. Special thanks go to the Alcatraz Gang and their family members and particularly to the entire Denton family. They have all been extraordinarily supportive, accommodating, and caring throughout my journey.

  In New York, Russ Galen continued to steer me right, and Scholastic’s Lisa Sandell helped me ease into a new genre. She embraced this story from the outset and pushed me to tell it better with each edit. Amla Sanghvi proved patient and thorough.

  In Atlanta, the Woodruff Arts Center and the Home Depot Foundation have continued to support me and allow me to share the important stories of our POWs and other veterans. Mark Fastoso and the Jeremiah team helped inspire me to revisit Jerry Denton’s story. My family remains the greatest cheering section for which a writer could hope. And I couldn’t have written this without my loving and ever-understanding wife, Suzanne. Writing it would have had less purpose without my daughter, Kensington. I hope this story will resound through generations to inspire her and others after her.

  Finally, to the 4th Allied POW Wing, to the Alcatraz Gang, and to the Denton family, GBU.

  Bestselling author Alvin Townley has traveled the world to discover inspiring stories of leadership, adventure, and purpose. He has written the nationally acclaimed adult books Legacy of Honor, Spirit of Adventure, Fly Navy, and Defiant and was part of the Emmy Award–winning team behind the documentary film Jeremiah. Defiant, which told the story of the leading American prisoners of war in North Vietnam, was called “gripping” by The New York Times, “unforgettable” by former president Jimmy Carter, and “riveting” by Senator John McCain. Alvin speaks often, to both youths and adults, about subjects he holds dear, including veterans, character, perseverance, and citizenship. You can learn more at www.AlvinTownley.com and follow him @AlvinTownley.

  Copyright © 2019 by Alvin Townley

  All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Focus, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920. SCHOLASTIC, SCHOLASTIC FOCUS, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Townley, Alvin, author. Title: Captured : an American prisoner of war in North Vietnam / by Alvin Townley. Other titles: American prisoner of war in North Vietnam Description: New York : Scholastic Focus, [2019] | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2018016709 | ISBN 9781338255669 Subjects: LCSH: Denton, Jeremiah A., Jr. (Jeremiah Andrew), 1924-2014—Juvenile literature. | Vietnam War, 1961-1975—Prisoners and prisons, North Vietnamese—Juvenile literature. | Prisoners of war—United States—Juvenile literature. | Prisoners of war—Vietnam—Juvenile literature. | Vietnam War, 1961-1975—Personal narratives, American—Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC DS559.4 .T686 2019 | DDC 959.704/3092--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018016709

 

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