3,113 Days as a Vietnam POW - Episode 54

Retired Navy Commander Everett Alvarez Jr. shares his story of surviving the Hỏa Lò Prison as one of the longest-held prisoners of war in U.S. history.

In this episode, Everett discusses flying the A-4 Skyhawk, being shot down in Vietnam, enduring harsh conditions and torture, and reacclimating to life back home after Operation Homecoming. Throughout his journey, Everett and fellow captives held onto the will to live when all else was stripped away. There is a lot to learn!

Resources:

• "Code of Conduct" by Everett Alvarez Jr.
• "Chained Eagle" by Everett Alvarez Jr.
• The Hanoi Hilton Exhibit (American Heritage Museum)
• The Hanoi March and the Consolidation of POWs (PBS)
• Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (Wikipedia)
• Operation Pierce Arrow (Wikipedia)

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:02) - POW Overview
• (04:45) - Flying the A-4 Skyhawk
• (06:07) - Operation Pierce Arrow
• (09:04) - Ejecting from the A-4
• (10:38) - The "Hanoi Hilton"
• (14:05) - The Tap Code
• (18:41) - Living in Harsh Conditions
• (19:32) - The Hanoi March
• (20:41) - Ignoring Geneva Conventions
• (21:13) - The Will to Live
• (25:03) - Operation Homecoming
• (30:17) - From Prisoner to Parades
• (33:11) - The Congressional Gold Medal Award
• (34:22) - Everett's Advice
• (35:29) - Outro