8-year POW recalls return home 45 years later (Smitty Harris)

Stepping off the bus, recently freed American prisoners of war formed up from the tallest to shortest, stiff at attention facing Capt. Carlyle “Smitty” Harris and with a salute they defied their Vietnamese captors one final time.

Proving their grit and American pride could outlast any amount of torture or pain. They stood tall in defiance as a C-141 Heaven cargo aircraft in front of them prepared to bring the men home.

The now-retired Col. Harris recalled the moment he and his fellow POWs were released from captivity by American troops; and the moment seemed surreal to him.

Read more

Other Publications You Might Be Interested In

I’ll Always Be There (Dennis Thompson)

It’s been nearly 50 years since Dennis Thompson was captured by North Vietnamese forces as a prisoner of war. But he still sees the black enclosed room with no light where they kept him. For five years — he counted 1,864 days — the Vietnamese imprisoned him, 850 days of

Read More »

TOWN TURNS OUT TO GREET A P.O.W. (Richard Perricone)

Sgt, Richard Perricone’s hometown gave him a rousing welcome today — something they had been waiting to do for more than six years. Uniondale Avenue, the main thoroughfare, was lined with American flags and banners were strung across the street proclaiming “Welcome Home, Richard.” And as the fire chief’s red

Read More »