The White House Salutes Our Prisoners of War – May 24, 1973
President Richard M. Nixon hosted 1,300 guests on The White House South Lawn for a celebratory dinner on May 24, 1973.
President Richard M. Nixon hosted 1,300 guests on The White House South Lawn for a celebratory dinner on May 24, 1973.
Admiral Jeremiah Denton Jr. used his eyes to blink the word “TORTURE” using Morse Code during his captivity in Vietnam. He was being filmed for propaganda purposes and this video was broadcast around the world. Naval Intelligence was able to decipher his “strange” blinking. He was awarded the Navy Cross, our Nation’s 2nd highest military honor for his heroism as a P.O.W.
Vietnam Prisoners of War recall their experiences and the inspirational story of how they not only survived their imprisonment, but found growth and gratitude afterwards. Their stories are juxtaposed with those of recent Naval Academy Midshipmen who are facing the COVID pandemic and applying those same foundational values to their own experiences.
For nearly six years, Colonel Tom Norris was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, now he’s sharing his story.
Retired Air Force Col. Thomas “Jerry” Curtis was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for more than seven years, which was longer than well-known POW John McCain’s time in captivity. In a new monthly series “Voices of the Brave,” evening anchor Leslie Draffin shares Curtis’ story of survival and faith.