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.
On July 18, 1965, U.S. Navy Commander Jeremiah Denton took off from the aircraft carrier USS Independence leading a 28-plane mission over the city of Thanh Hoa in North Vietnam. Denton’s plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire during the attack, and for the next eight long years, he would battle the North Vietnamese as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. As the senior American officer at the prison, Denton was forced by
Shot down August 5, 1964, U.S. navy pilot Everett Alvarez, Jr was held captive for eight years and six months during the Vietnam War becoming the second longest held prisoner of War (POW) in U.S. history. Join the PMML in a conversation with Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (Retired) and discover how he not only survived captivity, but upon release resumed his military career, became a distinguished attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and is currently nominated for