Stockdale was one tough and loyal guy. He also was active-duty for 37 years. RIP.
Who Am I?!?! Why am I HERE?!?
Stockdale graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1947.
During the Vietnam War, he was a Navy fighter pilot based on the USS Oriskany and flew 201 missions before he was shot down on Sept. 9, 1965. He became the highest-ranking naval officer captured during the war, the Navy said.
He endured more than 7 1/2 years as a prisoner, spending four of them in solitary confinement, before his release in 1973. He was tortured repeatedly, according to the Navy.
Stockdale received 26 combat decorations, including the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest medal for valor, in 1976. A portion of his award citation reads: "Stockdale ... deliberately inflicted a near mortal wound to his person in order to convince his captors of his willingness to give up his life rather than capitulate. He was subsequently discovered and revived by the North Vietnamese who, convinced of his indomitable spirit, abated their employment of excessive harassment and torture of all prisoners of war."
He retired from the military in 1979.
My James Stockdale rest in peace.
Gridlock!
What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is the AP suggesting that he wasn't tortured?
A Fine Man Indeed.......RIP
I could have swore that he died a few years ago.
OK triva buffs, anyone remember Patrick Lucey?
Stockdale was one tough and loyal guy. He also was active-duty for 37 years. RIP.
Rest in peace, Admiral Stockdale.
RRRRR, Gridlock!
This man was a legend, an incredible American, one of the toughest soldiers this country ever produced. A brilliant mind. A true patriot.
Perot should never be forgiven for what he did in putting the Admiral in front of the public in a role for which he had no preparation. It made him look foolish. Any decent human being could have anticipated that and would have avoided such a misrepresentation and disservice to Stockdale and the country at any costs.
Of course that is also overlooking the fact that Perot gave us eight years of Clinton...but that is only a related story.
Stockdale was a true legend. Ask anyone who went to the Naval Academy. They will tell you. I am still furious at Perot.
It was disgusting the way he was ridiculed during the '92 campaign. This was truly a great man.
"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."
Homecoming, released from Communist prison camp. I wonder if Dick Durbin ever heard of James Stockdale. Perhaps he'd have learned something about "gulags" and torture.
Text of his CMoH citation:
STOCKDALE, JAMES B.
Rank and organization: Rear Admiral (then Captain), U.S. Navy
Place and date: Hoa Lo prison, Hanoi, North Vietnam
4 September 1969
Entered service at: Abingdon, Ill.
Born: 23 December 1923, Abingdon, Ill..
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while senior naval officer in the Prisoner of War camps of North Vietnam. Recognized by his captors as the leader in the Prisoners' of War resistance to interrogation and in their refusal to participate in propaganda exploitation, Rear Adm. Stockdale was singled out for interrogation and attendant torture after he was detected in a covert communications attempt. Sensing the start of another purge, and aware that his earlier efforts at self-disfiguration to dissuade his captors from exploiting him for propaganda purposes had resulted in cruel and agonizing punishment, Rear Adm. Stockdale resolved to make himself a symbol of resistance regardless of personal sacrifice. He deliberately inflicted a near-mortal wound to his person in order to convince his captors of his willingness to give up his life rather than capitulate. He was subsequently discovered and revived by the North Vietnamese who, convinced of his indomitable spirit, abated in their employment of excessive harassment and torture toward all of the Prisoners of War. By his heroic action, at great peril to himself, he earned the everlasting gratitude of his fellow prisoners and of his country. Rear Adm. Stockdale's valiant leadership and extraordinary courage in a hostile environment sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*Salute!*
God rest him. He was a great American.
Phil Hartman did an impression on SNL once to Dana Carvey's Perot.
God Bless the Admiral and his family.