Former POW Ralph Galati ’70 Found Purpose in Service

Christmas celebration of US POWs in Hoa Lo prison through exhibition (Hervey Stockman)

The exhibit features war memorabilia, photographs, drawings, and documents depicting the lives of the American pilots held in Hoa Lo prison and their desire to end the war and return to their families. Small bells with “Merry Christmas” written on them, Christmas trees and candy on the table… This

How Naval Aviator Charles Klusmann escaped a vicious POW camp

Charles Frederic Klusmann was a Naval Aviator born on September 7, 1933, in San Diego, California. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve on February 23, 1952, and began active service on March 18, 1953. Lieutenant Chuck is known for his extraordinary heroism and achievement for his role in the aerial

‘I shouldn’t be alive’: At reunion of Vietnam POWs, one recounts his capture 47 years ago (Keith Lewis)

More than five months in which he had no control over his life, Keith Lewis found a world of virtually unlimited possibilities when he emerged from captivity in early 1973. Keith Lewis, an Air Force veteran from Jasper, Alabama, is greeted as he arrives Tuesday for a ceremony for Vietnam

Former POW, Ambassador Shares His Unique Perspective on Vietnam (Douglas Peterson)

On two occasions, Douglas “Pete” Peterson served in Vietnam when he didn’t have to. Already a 10-year Air Force veteran when his number was called in 1966, then-Captain Peterson, with a pregnant wife and two kids at home, was eligible for a deferment, but didn’t apply. Instead, he took his

‘Nothing like freedom’: Vietnam POW says it’s ‘Not our job to erase history’ (Orson Swindle)

Retired United States Marine Corps Lt. Col. Orson Swindle III spent 2,305 days as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam where he was tortured, beaten, interrogated and isolated. The fighter pilot was shot down in his F8 Crusader on Nov. 11, 1966, while flying his last mission (of more