Freed P.O.W.’s Carry Psychic Scars of War (David Matheny)

When Lieut. David Matheny drove home for lunch the other day, he saw that his wife’s car was gone. He turned around and left without even going in.

Lieutenant Matheny was a prisoner of war in North Viet nam for about six months. Most of that time was spent in soli tary confinement, and since he was released four years ago he has tried to avoid empty houses.

Douglas Hegdahl was also a P.O.W., and spent more than seven straight months in soli tary. Back in this country, he found so many people “zooming around in a mad dash” that he sought relief by driving to the desert and camping out. Alone.

More than 500 American prisoners are now held by North Vietnam or by Vietcong guerrillas. What will their lives be like when they return? What problems will they face? What changes have been wrought by such prolonged captivity?

Other Publications You Might Be Interested In

Dennis Chambers Remembers Vietnam

In August of 1967 I was shot down on my 101st mission near Dong Hoi, just north of the Demilitarized Zone. I was the co-pilot on an F4C. Both the pilot and I survived the crash and spent the next five and one-half years in a Communist prison in Hanoi

Read More »

Navy Pilot Chronicles his POW Experiences (Jack Ensch)

August 25, 1972 dawned hot and muggy in Vietnam. Pilots of Fighter Squadron 161, stationed aboard USS Midway (CV 41), readied their aircraft and went over the day’s flight plan. Their mission was an early evening MiG combat air patrol over North Vietnam. Lt. John “Jack” Ensch would serve as

Read More »

Always Out Front (Donald Rander)

During the night of January 31, 1968, a Villa in Hue occupied by the 135th MI Group regional team came under attack.   The shelling awakened Sergeant Donald Rander, assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Hue Regional Headquarters.   Grabbing flak jackets and weapons, the members grouped on the second floor.  They remained there

Read More »