George E. Smith, Vietnam Veteran and Prisoner of War

I had the honor of photographing George E. Smith, a Vietnam Veteran and former Prisoner of War for 614 Magazine.

The Vietnam War has resurfaced in the American consciousness lately thanks in large part to the documentary by Ken Burns. 

The documentary tells the story of the Vietnam War through the experiences of everyday soldiers on both sides, eschewing pundits, talking heads, and politicians. In doing so, it offers viewers an opportunity to see something they thought they understood in a completely new way. 

I had a similar experience while talking to and photographing George. Whatever assumptions or expectations I had of him dissolved as he shared his story with me. 

If you’d like to get your own glimpse into his story, read the article in 614 Magazine and purchase his book “Prisoner of War: Two Years With The Vietcong” which chronicles his experience as a P.O.W

Other Publications You Might Be Interested In

Edwin A. ‘Ned’ Shuman, Navy aviator and POW, dies at 82

On Nov. 29, 1970, 43 U.S. servicemen gathered in the Hoa Lo prison compound, often called the “Hanoi Hilton,” and performed an act of retaliation— a church service. Nine days earlier, after a failed attempt by U.S. Special Forces to liberate the prisoners, the North Vietnamese captors had removed them

Read More »

Vice Adm. Edward Martin, 83, Vietnam POW

Edward Martin wound up in the hands of the North Vietnamese much the way Sen. John McCain and Vice Adm. James Stockdale did — the Navy commander’s A-4 Skyhawk was hit by enemy fire during a bombing mission and downed just southeast of Hanoi. And like McCain and Stockdale, his

Read More »