POW-turned-physician pilots revised course (Thomas McNish)

A physician now working in South Carolina is among those persons who can discuss torture from the personal perspective of having been its victim.

Nearly 20 years ago, on Sept 4, 1966, Thomas M. McNish—then a fighter pilot in the US Air Force and still a professional military officer—was shot down over North Vietnam while approaching a target 12 miles from Hanoi, the capital. He ejected from his F-105 “Thunderchief” jet fighter-bomber at a speed of more than 500 miles per hour. For the next 6 1/2 years, McNish was held captive by the North Vietnamese.

While a prisoner, he was a victim of torture. After his release, he attended medical school and completed a residency in family medicine. Still in the Air Force and now a lieutenant colonel, McNish is commander of the military hospital on the base at Myrtle Beach, SC. He recently talked to MEDICAL NEWS &

Read more

Other Publications You Might Be Interested In

Former POW speaks to Vietnam veterans (Elbert)

U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war ROCHESTER — Those who know Lance Cpl. Fred Elbert describe him as quiet and sincere, but the Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war began his speech at the Vietnam Veterans of America meeting Wednesday with a proud, strong

Read More »

Roque Matagulay, Vietnam POW

Roque Matagulay born 3 Oct 1931 in Guam.  He was an E-8, USA. He was captured 7/23/62 while on a mission for SVN forces in the south.  He was exchanged for politcal prisoners 12/24/62.  He and his wife had 6 children, 2 daughters and 4 sons. He was held by

Read More »

Vietnam POW Al Brunstrom

Col. Al Brunstrom of the U.S. Air Force, retired, 83, describes how he was shot down in Vietnam in the RF-101 (Voodoo) he was flying, on a scale model of the aircraft, at his home in the Woods and Lakes community near Ocklawaha, Fla. on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. Brunstrom

Read More »