Jump to content

The Alcatraz Gang and the Fight to Bring Them Home


Draggingtree

Recommended Posts

Draggingtree

The Alcatraz Gang and the Fight to Bring Them Home

 

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Michael Hoak By Alvin Townley

 

During the Vietnam War, more than six hundred American pilots were held in prison camps in and around Hanoi, North Vietnam. These POWs endured torture, beatings, and isolation, desperately clinging to the Code of Conduct as their captors attempted to extract intelligence, confessions, and propaganda. From those six hundred brave POWs, the North Vietnamese identified eleven men as the most uncooperative and subversive captives—the worst troublemakers and the leaders of the American resistance. The Camp Authority kicked them out of the Hanoi Hilton and sentenced them to a terrible prison called Alcatraz, where they become known as “The Alcatraz Gang.” At home, three of their wives started a nationwide movement to bring attention to the plight of the POWs. These courageous women battled unhelpful governments in Hanoi and Washington alike and were ultimately responsible for the men’s safe return in 1973. Their historic movement was marked by millions of POW/MIA bracelets and the still-ubiquitous black-and-white POW/MIA flag. During their eight-year ordeal, the men and women of the “Alcatraz Gang” endured more intense hardship for more years than any other group of men and women in American military history. We should not forget.

 

Bob-Shumaker-Shumaker-family-collection.

Bob Shumaker becomes the second POW in North Vietnam (February 1965). More than 500 pilots would meet his fate during the coming eight years. North Vietnam would not honor the Geneva Convention and the POWs suffered. Scissors-32x32.pnghttp://www.thehistoryreader.com/contemporary-history/alcatraz-gang-fight-bring-home/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Alcatraz Gang and the Fight to Bring Them Home

 

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Michael Hoak By Alvin Townley

 

We should not forget.

 

Bob-Shumaker-Shumaker-family-collection.

Bob Shumaker becomes the second POW in North Vietnam (February 1965). More than 500 pilots would meet his fate during the coming eight years. North Vietnam would not honor the Geneva Convention and the POWs suffered. Scissors-32x32.pnghttp://www.thehistoryreader.com/contemporary-history/alcatraz-gang-fight-bring-home/

hqdefault.jpg

Some of us don't.

 

121213_john_kerry_career1_reuters_605_60

Some wish we would.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • 1711706651
×
×
  • Create New...