George E. Smith, Vietnam Veteran and Prisoner of War

I had the honor of photographing George E. Smith, a Vietnam Veteran and former Prisoner of War for 614 Magazine.

The Vietnam War has resurfaced in the American consciousness lately thanks in large part to the documentary by Ken Burns. 

The documentary tells the story of the Vietnam War through the experiences of everyday soldiers on both sides, eschewing pundits, talking heads, and politicians. In doing so, it offers viewers an opportunity to see something they thought they understood in a completely new way. 

I had a similar experience while talking to and photographing George. Whatever assumptions or expectations I had of him dissolved as he shared his story with me. 

If you’d like to get your own glimpse into his story, read the article in 614 Magazine and purchase his book “Prisoner of War: Two Years With The Vietcong” which chronicles his experience as a P.O.W

Other Publications You Might Be Interested In

POW recalls captivity (Bradley Smith)

Navy Lt. Brad Smith was on a bombing run to destroy a bridge in North Vietnam when he was shot down in 1966. He didn’t see what ripped into his A-4 Skyhawk, but he saw the ground approaching at 600 mph as his crippled jet nose-dived toward the ground. Smith

Read More »

The War: Blowing the Whistle (Rumble, Frishman, Heghdhal)

Only a month earlier, they were prisoners of war. Since their release, Navy Lieut. Robert Frishman and Seaman Douglas Hegdahl have been recuperating at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The third released P.W., Air Force Captain Wesley Rumble, 26, whose fighter-bomber went down over Quang Binh province in

Read More »