This paper seeks to examine the experiences of Vietnam POWs, both those held in the
jungles of South Vietnam and those in the Hanoi prison camps of North Vietnam based
on POW narratives consisting of memoirs, autobiographies, and interviews. Early POW
history depicts great differences between the two groups of POWs, giving the impression
that Pilot POWS, who comprised the majority of prisoners in Hanoi camps, acted more
honorably while interned in comparison to enlisted army POWS, who spent the majority
of their captivity in the jungles of South Vietnam. This paper demonstrates the
similarities in their experiences through these narrative sources and how certain myths
regarding their varying performances solidified
The Marine who was held longest as a Vietnam POW has passed away (Harlan Chapman)
When Lt. Col. Harlan Chapman arrived in Hawaii after his release from seven years in North Vietnamese prisoner of war camps, Marine Lt. Gen. Louis Wilson was there to meet him. “Welcome back to the Marine Corps,” Wilson told Chapman. “Thank you, general,” Chapman replied, “But I never left.” Chapman
