There were a few things that kept Lt. Col. William “Bill” Schwertfeger company in the 13 months he was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Duty. Honor. Country. “We took an oath to serve and defend the Constitution of the United States, and that was against all enemies foreign and domestic,” Schwertfeger said. “And that still holds true today for the youngest pup walking through the door. That was the core to how we all survived. Then came leadership. We maintained the military organization … and although the North Vietnamese were very intent on destroying that line of leadership through torture, the next officer in line always stood up on down the line.”
ISSUE OF MISSING IN VIETNAM HAS NOT FADED AFTER DECADE (Gerald Venanzi)
Donald Shay’s father is retired now. Donald’s little sister has two young children of her own. His fiancee finally married someone else. And Donald’s mother doesn’t bake his favorite apple pie much anymore; the good smell brings back too many bad memories. Mr. Shay doesn’t know any of this. And
