Captain Gerald Coffee, Commander George Coker, Mrs. Pam Coker, Mr. James Denton, Rear Admiral Jeremiah Denton Jr., Mr. Jeremiah Denton III, Mr. Michael Denton, Colonel Lee Ellis, Commander Paul Galanti, Mrs. Phyllis Galanti, Commander Danny Glenn, Mrs. Sondra Rutledge Hamelin, Lieutenant Colonel David Hatcher, Mr. Brian Jenkins, Mr. Christopher Jenkins, Mr. Kirk Jenkins, Colonel Sam Johnson, Mrs. Monica Storz Lovell, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Mastin, Mrs. Dorothy McDaniel, Captain Eugene “Red” McDaniel, Commander Michael McDaniel, Captain Michael McGrath, Colonel George McKnight, Mrs. Suzanne McKnight, Mrs. Cyndi Tanner Mincy, Mrs. Gini Johnson Mulligan, Captain James Mulligan Jr., Mrs. Louise Mulligan, Mrs. Sandra Storz Pelton, Mrs. Phyllis Rutledge, Colonel Pete Peterson, Major Wesley Schierman, Mrs. Lorraine Shumaker, Rear Admiral Robert Shumaker, Mr. James Stockdale Jr., Mr. Mark Storz, Lieutenant Colonel Orson Swindle, Captain Nels Tanner, Mrs. Sara Ann Tanner, Captain Ross Terry, Mrs. Janie Tschudy, Commander William Tschudy.
Unless otherwise noted, detailed figures and statistics about POWs are taken from data compiled by Captain J. Michael McGrath, NAM-POW historian.
Permission for quotations from In Love and War, by Jim and Sybil Stockdale, granted by U.S. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland.
1. BLACK SEA AND AMERICAN FIREPOWER
“In 1956 … 535 lives.” Robert Rubel, “The U.S. Navy’s Transition to Jets,” Naval War College Review, Spring 2010, 49–59.
“Another offered … unforgiving airstream.” Tom Wolfe, The Right Stuff (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1979), 22.
“Just as he … ready to go.” Jim and Sybil Stockdale, In Love and War (New York: Bantam Books, 1984), 12.
“Un-strap … getting in!” Ibid., 13.
“Behind the … of sound.” Chance Vought/LTV History, University of Dallas Special Collections, http://www.utdallas.edu/library/uniquecoll/speccoll/hac/vought/LTVhistory.html (accessed May 17, 2012).
“Jim’s father … Class of 1947.” Jim Stockdale and Jerry Denton belonged to the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 1947, but due to the Second World War, the class graduated in 1946.
“Once below cloud … reported none.” As with many incidents that evening of August 4, recollections differ on the wording of the alert. The phrases “torpedo in water,” “hydrophone effect,” and “noise spoke” were all attributed to the sonar team. It’s useful to note that as policy, sonar operators tended to overreport (versus underreport) the severity of a threat, since not identifying a torpedo could result in losing the ship.
“Around 9:30 … no results.” Anthony Austin, The President’s War (New York: J. B. Lippincott, 1971), 279.
“By the time … into the night.” Edwin E. Moise, Tonkin Gulf and the Escalation of the Vietnam War (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1996).
“Perhaps unbeknown … the confusion.” Eugene G. Winchy, Tonkin Gulf (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1971), 190.
“He walked … torpedo wakes.” Stockdale 1984, 21.
“Review of action … further actions.” John Galloway, The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Cranbury, NJ: Associated University Presses, 1970), 62.
“[America’s] reply … hostile operations.” Lyndon Johnson, “President Johnson’s Television Report Following Renewed Aggression in the Gulf of Tonkin,” August 4, 1964, University of Texas, School of Information, http://solstice.ischool.utexas.edu/projects/index.php/LBJ_Gulf_of_Tonkin_Speech (accessed June 5, 2012).
“In a move … Tonkin incidents.” Sven Kraemer and Marshall Wright, Presidential Decisions: The Gulf of Tonkin Attacks of August 1964 (Washington, DC: Vietnam Information Group/Department of Defense, 1968). http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/gulf_of_tonkin/chrono/rel2_wright_kraemer.pdf (accessed July 28, 2012).
2. WELCOME TO THE HANOI HILTON
“President Johnson … for themselves.” “LBJ.” University of Houston, Digital History Collection, http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3461 (ID 3461).
“Yet by … not combat.” Robert S. McNamara, In Retrospect (New York: Random House, 1995), 169.
“In 1896 … Hỏa Lò Prison.” Nguyễn Thi Hiên, Hoa Lo Prison Historic Vestige (Hanoi: Sun Advertising & Trading Co., 2010), 3–5.
“In 1913 … cramped cells.” Ibid.
“In this new conflict … Communist dogma.” Central Intelligence Agency, Vietcong Policy Toward and Exploitation of U.S. Prisoners of War (Declassified, Saigon: CIA, 1967).
“The Ministry … for the Americans.” George J. Veith, Code-Name Bright Light (New York: Dell, 1998), 17–19.
“The Ministry … obtain it.” Garnett Bell and George J. Veith, POWs and Politics: How Much Does Hanoi Really Know, Center for the Study of the Vietnam Conflict Symposium, Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University, 1996. Stephen Young, “How Hanoi Won the War,” Wall Street Journal, August 3, 1995.
“The treaty … humane treatment.” International Committe of the Red Cross, International Humanitarian Law—State Parties/Signatories, http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/WebSign?ReadForm&id=375&ps=P (accessed March 12, 2013).
“Article I … States of America.” Stuart I. Rochester, The Battle Behind Bars: Navy and Marine POWs in the Vietnam War (Washington, DC: Department of the Navy, 2010), 22.
“The Eisenhower administration … Indochina War.” Stanley Karnow, Vietnam: A History (New York: Penguin, 1983), 148.
“One U.S.… in Indochina.” George C. Herring, America’s Longest War (Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2002), 36.
“As his failed … against the war.” Bùi Tín, From Enemy to Friend: A North Vietnamese Perspective on the War (Annapolis, MD: U.S. Naval Institute, 2002).
“To withdraw from … be defeated.” Lyndon Johnson, “Speech at Johns Hopkins University: Peace without Conquest (April 7, 1965),” Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, http://lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/speeches.hom/650407.asp (accessed May 25, 2013).
“I don’t think … I ever saw.” U.S. Department of State, Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–68, Volume XXVII, Document 53, https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/vietnam/lbjbundy.htm (accessed May 9, 2012).
“When they asked … any longer.” Interrogators seemed interested in this subject and also asked POW Rod Knutson and other prisoners if their fathers were farmers.
“The next day … the latrine.” Craig Howes, Voices of the Vietnam POWs (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993), 86. While Craig Howes attributes the event to June 1, author John Hubbell says May 15, which seems more likely, given the date of Ron’s arrival and the week of preparation Shu undertook before executing the note drop.
“He found … Storz, USAF.” John G. Hubbell, P.O.W.: A Definitive History of the American Prisoner-of-War Experience in Vietnam, 1964–1973 (New York: Reader’s Digest Press, 1976), 43.
“After four months … cheeks hurt.” Howes 1993, 86.
3. DEAD OR ALIVE?
“As the new POW … his next drop.” Jeremiah A. Denton Jr. When Hell Was in Session (Los Angeles, CA: WND Books, 1998), 41.
“One day, his … Bancroft Hall.” Anne Chancey Dalton, Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.: Vietnam War Hero (Birmingham, AL: Seacoast, 2012), 42.
“Just two days … ship’s waist.” Naval Historical Center, A-6 Intruder, http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/a6.htm (accessed July 17, 2012).
“A dark-suited civilian emerged … successful mission.” Associated Press, “Hanoi Claims Photo Shows Downed Fliers,” July 23, 1965.
“Once they arrived … into North Vietnam.” Jeremiah A. Denton Jr. When Hell Was in Session (Los Angeles: WND Books, 1998), 6.
“Upon Jerry’s … frame in place.” Hubbell 1976, 64–65.
“As he worked … without harassment.” Larry Guarino, A P.O.W.’s Story: 2801 Days in Hanoi (New York: Ivy Books, 1990), 35–36.
“He called to … figure it out.” Ibid., 37. Hubbell 1976, 64.
“Thus POWs … Bless America.” Guarino 1990, 59.
“What are you … stammered away.” Stockdale 1984, 117.
/> “The next morning … in her arms.” Ibid., 116–19.
“On the last … navy personnel.” Ibid. 119.
“Trouble stirred … forged ahead.” McNamara 1995, 214–24.
“Each week … U.S. aviators.” National Archives, Statistical Information About Fatal Casualties of the Vietnam War, http://www.archives.gov/research/military/vietnam-war/casualty-statistics.html#year (accessed August 17, 2012).
4. I SUBMIT
“Across from him … midforties.” Hubbell 1976, 52.
“The man seemed … camouflage netting.” Stockdale 1984, 156.
“Under Pigeye’s direction … he passed out.” Hubbell 1976, 128–29.
“When time … somewhere else?” James A. Mulligan, et al., “Harry T. Jenkins,” The Brown Shoes, http://thebrownshoes.org/AcrobatPDF/JENKINS,%20HARRY%20T.%20JR.%20%20%201-47.pdf (accessed June 3, 2012).
“As he parachuted … definitely had.” Barbara Powers Watt, ed., We Came Home (Toluca Lake, CA: POW Publications, 1977).
“On the second … father’s occupation.” “Farmer” was written in English, an odd departure from the Vietnamese language and characters typically used for other entries.
“The criminals … turn in violators.” Howes 1993, 118.
“Syb, you … dirty body.” Stockdale 1984, 153.
“On the wall … Candid Camera.” Gerald Coffee, Beyond Survival (New York: Berkley, 1990), 131.
“The next morning … Jim Stockdale!” Hubbell 1976, 130–31.
“Oh, hi … brought it back.” James B. Stockdale, “Captain Harry Tarleton Jenkins Jr. USN (ret.) Dies in Plane Crash in Arizona,” Coronado Eagle, August 15, 1995, 1.
“The Enemy Proselytizing … obtain them.” Bùi Tín, e-mail, September 27, 2012.
“When Howie … first day.” Rochester 2010, 23.
“Howie balked … severely punished.” Howard and Phyllis Rutledge, In the Presence of Mine Enemies (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Spire Books, 1973), 27.
“By evening … as broken.” Ibid., 26–31.
“Shortly after … are you from.” Ibid., 34.
“You have no right … problems are resolved.” Stockdale 1984, 157.
“When do you … this spring.” Ibid., 159.
“Nguyễn Văn Bài.” Due to lack of access to Vietnamese documents, the name of the commandant of the North Vietnamese detention system cannot be verified, but based on information and interviews obtained from U.S. military debriefers, DPMO, and returned POWs, it seems the commissar’s name was likely Nguyễn Văn Bài, often misattributed as “Bui.” Rabbit’s name, while known, remains unidentified in the text as he has spent much of his life since the war working to help children and citizens in Vietnam who still suffer from the conflict’s lingering effects.
“Stockdale … end this war.” Stockdale 1984, 160.
Back in the cell … to do now.” Ibid., 171.
5. T-O-R-T-U-R-E
“They left him … of his fate.” Hubbell 1976, 115–16.
“Frustrated, Ron … bound to lose.” Robinson Risner, The Passing of the Night: My Seven Years as a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese (Old Saybrook, CT: Konecky & Konecky, 1973), 72–73.
“So it happened … contraband notes.” Frederick Kiley and Stuart I. Rochester, Honor Bound: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1999), 135–36.
“They searched … God bless you.” Risner 1973, 75–76.
Before anyone … most of all.” Hubbell 1976, 111.
“GBU had become … for you.” Return with Honor, directed by Freida Lee Mock and Terry Sanders, 2004.
“While the code … POW ranks.” Howes 1993, 26, 92. Hubbell 1976, 153.
“Well, Denton … eat shit.” Denton 1998, 58.
“His morale sank … five minutes more.” Ibid., 59–60.
“The built-up … needles sensation.” Randy F. Rizor, MD, interview by Alvin Townley, September 15, 2012.
“Okay … Okay.” Hubbell 1976, 176.
“Jerry eventually … pass out.” Prisoners of Hope, directed by Bernie Hargis, 2001.
“Now, Denton … tape recorder.” Denton 1998, 87–89.
“He described … defeated and despondent.” “Hanoi’s Pavlovicms,” Time, April 14, 1967, 43.
“Then he praised … government and people.” Cuban broadcasters who aired the confession reported the voice as that of Jeremiah Denton, but no definitive confirmation was issued.
“Then Jerry went … said Jerry.” Denton 1998, 91–92.
“Cat returned … Guy Village.” Prisoners of Hope.
“At his 1960 … his actions.” Michael Sullivan, “Francis Gary Powers: One Man, Two Countries, and the Cold War,” Military.com, http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/?file=cw_fgpowers (accessed July 20, 2012). Powers, Francis Gary. Francis Gary Powers Makes Final Plea Before Moscow Court, May 1, 1960, http://www.history.com/speeches (accessed July 21, 2012).
“Isn’t it too … if he didn’t.” Hubbell 1976, 176.
“I don’t know … as I live.” National Archives, Records of the Central Intelligence Agency (263.2589), CDR Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.—Report from Inside a Hanoi Prison, 1966, Hanoi, May 2, 1966. Reuters, “Pilot Captured by Hanoi Supports U.S. Policy,” Washington Post, May 1966.
“When U.S. Intelligence … Morse code.” Ron Shaffer, “Admiral Denton Decorated: Ex-POW Used His Eyelids to Signal ‘Torture,’” Washington Post, November 20, 1974, C1.
6. MY DEAREST SYB
“My dearest Syb … my love, Jim.” Stockdale 1984, 122–28.
“Boroughs, in turn … men had survived.” Ibid., 135.
“That sounds dangerous … so to speak.” Ibid., 136.
“The next day … POW matters.” Vernon E. Davis, The Long Road Home (Washington, DC: Historical Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2000), 57.
7. LORD, I JUST NEED YOUR HELP
“For more than … Southeast Asia.” Karnow 1983, 462.
“Major, we’ve got … their good-byes.” Sam Johnson and Jan Winebrenner, Captive Warriors: A Vietnam POW’s Story (College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1992), 11–12.
“Sam relished … the vicinity.” Sam Johnson, “A Conversation with an American Hero,” interview by Air Force Association, September 25, 2007.
“Two, go right … Silence answered.” Johnson and Winebrenner 1992, 28–30.
“You are not entitled … sentenced to die!” Ibid., 45.
“Sam’s mother … empty chambers.” Johnson 2007. Prisoners of Hope. Johnson and Winebrenner 1992, 45–46.
“Still, from that … leave his side.” Prisoners of Hope.
“Rabbit opened … repent your crimes.” James A. Mulligan Jr., The Hanoi Commitment (Virginia Beach, VA: James A. Mulligan, 1981), 32–34.
“Untie the ropes … help me.” Ibid., 35–36.
8. I LOVE A PARADE
“As she sat … want you to do.” Stockdale 1984, 138–40.
“You will be tried … under bed!” Johnson and Winebrenner 1992, 106–7.
“Air raids … proximate targets.” McNamara 1995.
“In the courtyard … and pants.” Gary Foster and Michael McGrath, The Hanoi March, July 6, 1966. (Colorado Springs, CO: NAMPOW).
“Numbering lifted … finally arrived.” Return with Honor.
“You must remember … do with you.” Coffee 1990, 161. Hubbell 1976, 186.
“Now I give … your crimes.” Hubbell 1976, 186.
“The procession … single step.” Phóng Viên, “American Air Power Under the Eyes of the Victorious People of Hanoi,” People’s Army Newspaper, July 7, 1966, 1, 4.
“Over the growing … heads up.” James S. Hirsch, Two Souls Indivisible: The Friendship That Saved Two POWs in Vietnam (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2004), 136. Denton 1998, 111. Hubbell 1976, 187.
“Alvarez, Alvarez … they’d yell.” Return with Honor. Hubbell, 187.
“Down with … get out.” Viên 1966.
“A militia
woman … air power.” Ibid.
“An elderly … in her eyes.” Coffee 1990, 164.
“Newly arrived … Boyd deadpanned.” July 6, 1966, fell on a Wednesday, but sources seemed certain the response was “Only on Saturdays.”
“You fools … the people.” Denton 1998, 114. Kiley and Rochester 1998, 199.
On July 20 … in view.” Davis 2000, 83–84.
9. SUPERMAN!
“It is time … depends on you.” Mulligan 1981, 73.
“The prisoner death … the exact number.” The reported death rate in North Vietnamese and NLF prisons can vary based on a number of categories and considerations, including quality of data and category of personnel. This figure assumes all military personnel reported deceased out of 725 verified prisoners taken during the war (113 POW deaths, as noted by Kiley and Rochester, p. 597). Several American airmen, like Wilmer “Newk” Grubb, were documented to have survived their ejections but never appeared in the North Vietnamese detention system alive.
“Roaches terrorized … hard-liners alike.” Kiley and Rochester 1999, 128, 211.
“Back in his cell … shameful exile.” Hubbell 1976, 211.
“When an interrogator … Sleep, Storz.” Joint Task Force—Full Accounting. “Debrief Extract, J2 1771, Ser: 185,” Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, 1992, http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/s/s121.htm, (accessed May 25, 2013).
“At an early … beaten it.” Jamie Howren and Taylor Baldwin Kiland, Open Doors: Vietnam POWs Thirty Years Later (Washington, DC: Potomac Books, 2005).
“Tennessean Charles … at Yankee Station.” Located in the South China Sea off Đà Nẵng and officially designated “Point Yankee,” Yankee Station was the area where American carriers conducted air operations in support of the American mission in North and South Vietnam. An average of three carriers were on station at any one time.
Defiant: The POWs Who Endured Vietnam's Most Infamous Prison, the Women Who Fought for Them, and the One Who Never Returned Page 44