A synoptic, personal analysis is made of the situations associated with those Americans lost in Southeast Asia SEA from 1962 to 1979 and considered as Prisoners of War POW or as missing in action MIA. The geographic loss points, prisoner treatment, indigenous population attitudes, and political environment are discussed. Probable reasons or trends were sought that could explain why so many who were lost and listed as POW or MIA have not been accounted for. The author discusses US attempts at obtaining an accounting from the Communist governments involved and addresses the claims of live sightings of American prisoners in Vietnam and Laos. He concludes with the belief that there are still some Americans being held by the Communists in SEA.
Avenue Of Heroes Banner Recipient … Captain Render Crayton, USN
In early 1966, while flying a combat mission over North Vietnam, Captain Render Crayton’s A4E Skyhawk was struck by anti-aircraft fire. The plane suffered crippling damage, with a resulting fire and explosion. Unable to maintain flight, Captain Crayton ejected over enemy territory. What happened next, though, demonstrates his character and
