Vietnam POWs honored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (William Thomas)

‘Killed’ in Vietnam and buried with comrades, one Marine returned from the dead (Ronald Ridgeway)

Ronald Ridgeway was “killed” in Vietnam on Feb. 25, 1968. The 18-year-old Marine Corps private first class fell with a bullet to the shoulder during a savage firefight with the enemy outside Khe Sanh. Dozens of Marines, from what came to be called “the ghost patrol,” perished there. At first,

Behind Barbed Wire: A POW’s Story (Edward Leonard)

I arrived at Udorn RTAFB in early May, 1967, to fly A-1E and A1-H Skyraider with the 602nd Fighter Squadron (Commando). I was to fly 247 combat missions during three consecutive tours and participated in the rescue of 18 aircrew members. On May 31, 1968, going for number 19, I

‘We made it:’ Local Vietnam veteran shares his POW story (Wayne Smith)

1,882 days; five and a half years. That’s how long Vietnam veteran Wayne Smith was a prisoner of war. “We were in pretty bad shape, we certainly were,” said Smith. He shared his story with us and dozens of people at Punta Gorda’s Military Heritage Museum. The Air Force captain’s

Former POW/MIA recognized for their service (James Gough)

Soldiers who fought in World War II, Vietnam and Korea were recognized for service to the country. The local VFW district number 11 puts on this POW, MIA recognition day annually. A table was set up with one red rose in a vase to remember the soldiers who are still

40 Years of Freedom Former POW Allan Carpenter, a Sanford native, celebrates a ‘rebirthday’ milestone

Allan Carpenter celebrated his 40th rebirthday on Monday, March 4. His actual birthday is this coming Tuesday. But it’s due to that rebirthday that he’s here this day to celebrate all things in life with family and friends. On March 4, 1973, Carpenter’s six years as a prisoner of war