Memories of being caged, shackled and exposed to the powerful herbicide Agent Orange linger in the mind of retired U.S. Army Captain Isaac “Ike” Camacho, the first American to escape a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam.
Still, Camacho, who spent nearly two years as a prisoner of war, said he would serve again if he could.
“At one point in your life you have to serve your country. This would be one way of serving your country,” the now 81-year-old Camacho said from his home in East El Paso.
Limit Col. Alan L. Brunstrom wants to go to Washington and shake hands with President Nixon, the man, he feels, who brought the prisoners home with honor and justified their sacrifice. Capt. Lynn E. Guenther wants to read a, lot more about Vietnam. As a prisoner for more than a
After an emotional speech, former prisoner-of-war Gary L. Thornton looked at the flag-draped casket holding the remains of his friend and mentor, Thunderbirds pilot Russell C. Goodman, and snapped a salute. “Welcome home to the hero, professional and patriot,” Thornton said. “Welcome home, Major Russell Clayton Goodman, United States Air
Lt. Col. Arthur “Ted” Ballard was an experienced Air Force aviator who flew dozens of combat missions in his F-105 jet. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross before being shot down during a bombing run over North Vietnam in September 1966. He survived 2,351 days and seven Christmas holidays in captivity at various prisoner-of-war
For several months, a dank 6.5-by-7-foot cell at the Hanoi Hilton served as a crucible that tested the limits of human endurance for retired Air Force Col. Leon Ellis and three of his fellow prisoners.
Name: Phillip Dean Prather Rank/Branch: W1/United States Army, pilot Unit: HHC 11th INF BDE Date of Birth: Home City of Record: Armarillo TX Date of Loss: 08 March 1971 Country of Loss: South Vietnam/North Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 165720 North 1070300 East Status (in 1973): Returnee Category: Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: OH6A Other Personnel