COMBAT STORIES FROM VIETNAM
COL ROBERT CERTAIN | U.S. Air Force, B-52 Navigator, 307th Strategic Air Wing – Air Force
COL ROBERT CERTAIN | U.S. Air Force, B-52 Navigator, 307th Strategic Air Wing – Air Force
Inspiring stories of heroism and gripping tales of captivity of four Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients and four former Vietnam Prisoners of War. Each recalled their experiences and answered questions at the National Infantry Foundation’s “Vietnam: Valor and Sacrifice” symposium. The symposium was part of the dedication of the new Vietnam Memorial Plaza, featuring the Dignity Memorial® Vietnam Wall at the National Infantry Museum.
Col. Edward L. Hubbard spent 2,420 days (over 6 years) as a prisoner of war after being shot down during combat missions over Northern Vietnam. Hubbard was an EB-66C Navigator with the 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flying out of Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand during this time. Hubbard was released from captivity during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973. During Edward L. Hubbard’s captivity, he was able to teach his fellow POW’s tap code and
Major Joe Crecca, a Vietnam Prisoner of War, shared his story with airmen on Ramstein for POW/MIA week. Major Crecca was help prisoner in Hanoi, Vietnam for 2,280 days.
Colonel Bob Waggoner (Ret), a towering but gentle man and fly fishing guide, was shot down over North Vietnam and spent 6 ½ years as a POW, including time at the Hanoi Hilton with John McCain. This is his story from an interview my son did for a History Day Project in 2009.