Strength through endurance: from POW to Ohio farmer (Paul Kari)

A story of survival, endurance, and overcoming obstacles for your Memorial Day.

Lt. Col. Paul Kari spent nearly eight years as a POW after being shot down over North Vietnam. What happened afterward also tested his limits.

Kari and I walked the land on his pristine spread in West Liberty. “I started with nothing and now I have what you see. 907 acres total.” Kari said.

For the old fighter pilot, the journey from freedom, here to West Liberty, was anything but as straight as the plane flies.

When asked to pick one word to describe his life, Kari thought for a moment and answered, “Perseverance” another long pause, “I never give up”.

Read more

Other Publications You Might Be Interested In

Colonel Benjamin Purcell: 5 Years in Hell

Colonel Benjamin Purcell was executive commander of the 80th General Support Group in Vietnam when his helicopter was shot down on February 8, 1968. He and five other passengers were captured by the Viet Cong. Colonel Purcell was the highest ranking Army officer captured during the Vietnam War. He spent more

Read More »

POW Bill Mayall: The Air War in Vietnam

Chase Wakelin interviews Bill Mayall, a veteran who served as a navigator on the B-52 strategic bomber during the later years of the Vietnam War. Bill recounts the missions he flew and his experience as a POW in the Hanoi Hilton.

Read More »

Remembering Ed Carlson, Vietnam POW

Since last Veteran’s Day, Ken Burns’ in-depth documentary on the Vietnam War has aired. It is a powerful reminder of an unpopular war in which many “baby boomers” fought and died. It also prompts memories of the brutal treatment of American POWs and 1,350 who were listed as missing in

Read More »