Monument resident, a former Vietnam POW speaks at 50th anniversary of Operation Homecoming (Mike McGrath)

Former Vietnam War POW and retired Navy Capt. John Michael “Mike” McGrath visits with cadets Monday while signing George Hayward’s book “The Party Dolls” about the attempted escape of two POWs in 1969. McGrath and Hayward visited the U.S. Air Force Academy to share McGrath’s experiences as a POW and talk about the book on the 50th anniversary of Operation Homecoming, the 1973 return of more than 600 American POW held in Vietnam including the Navy captain.

Other Publications You Might Be Interested In

Charlie Plumb – POW in Vietnam and Navy Hero

Recently we have been going through some of our book and video collections. I ran across a book that was given to me back in 2004 by the author. “I’m No Hero” by Charlie Plumb. I want everyone to know that I believe Charlie Plumb IS a hero! Wow! You

Pieces of history: POWs return to Oceana (Robert Randall, Brady, McDaniel, McCuistion)

Homecomings at NAS Oceana, such as the return of Carrier Air Wing 7 on July 2, have always been a very special occasion. But perhaps the most emotional homecoming on the Oceana flightline took place on March 7, 1973 when a C-9 Nightingale touched down at about 10 minutes after

An Indomitable Spirit (Bernard Talley)

What’s the measure of a man? Is it how he handles power or where he stands in moments of great challenge and despair? The Bible says God measures a person by their heart (1 Samuel 16:7), not their position, wealth, looks, education or success. The heart of a person is

The Poet POW (Major General John Borling)

Born on Chicago’s South Side in 1940, John Borling seemed headed for a military career at an early age. Inspired by his uncle’s service in World War II as a B-24 navigator, and a weekend visit to West Point as a high school junior, Borling applied to all three academies