Breckner, former fighter pilot, dies in car crash (William Breckner)

50 years later, longest-enlisted POW talks about how he survived (William Robinson)

2023 marks 50 years since Vietnam prisoners of war were freed. Among them is the longest-held enlisted prisoner, Captain Bill Robinson, who now lives in Lenoir City. Despite spending more than seven years in captivity, he is grateful. He was just 22 years old and was a flight mechanic on

Remembering Ed Carlson, Vietnam POW

Since last Veteran’s Day, Ken Burns’ in-depth documentary on the Vietnam War has aired. It is a powerful reminder of an unpopular war in which many “baby boomers” fought and died. It also prompts memories of the brutal treatment of American POWs and 1,350 who were listed as missing in

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

Conroe Vietnam War veteran to share remarkable story 50 years after he regained freedom (James Ray)

Six years, nine months and four days — that’s the length of time 1959 Conroe graduate Col. James E. Ray spent as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. He was shot down on Mother’s Day 1966 and was released two days before Valentine’s Day 1973. Upon his return home to

In Enemy Hands (Harlan Chapman)

In 1972, the return of missing and captured soldiers