The casket of Medal of Honor recipient, retired Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale, is carried from the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel by the ceremonial guard.
Posted on 07/23/2005 12:59:21 PM PDT by MisterRepublican
ANNAPOLIS -- Retired Navy Vice Adm. James Stockdale, one of the country's most decorated Vietnam war veterans and a one-time vice presidential candidate, was buried Saturday at the Naval Academy.
About 500 people, including several Medal of Honor recipients and former prisoners of war, attended the funeral for Stockdale, who died on July 5 at his home in Coronado, Calif. Stockdale, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, was 81.
For 7 1/2 years, Stockdale was a POW at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison, four of those years spent in solitary confinement; on several occasions, he was singled out for torture.
He received the Medal of Honor in 1976 for his resistance, which included beating himself in the face with a wooden stool so he would be too disfigured for the North Vietnamese to display on television.
"His resistance has become an example, a legend and a model" for young officers, said retired Adm. William J. Crowe Jr., a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a friend of Stockdale's. "His captors soon learned they were dealing with a rather unusual man."
The 12 honorary pall bearers included Arizona Sen. John McCain, also a Naval Academy graduate and POW during the Vietnam War, and Texas billionaire Ross Perot, a third-party presidential candidate who chose Stockdale as his running mate during his run on the White House in 1992.
Stockdale's family recalled him as a warm, caring person. At the grave, after a 21-gun salute, the playing of "Taps," and a fly-over by four F-18 Super Hornet jets in the "missing man" formation, Stockdale's widow, Sybil, leaned forward in her wheelchair and placed a red rose on her husband's cherry casket.
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
"His resistance has become an example, a legend and a model" for young officers, said retired Adm. William J. Crowe Jr., a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a friend of Stockdale's. "His captors soon learned they were dealing with a rather unusual man."
WOW! Could you imagine the look on those commies faces! Sheesh!
May we all somehow find it in ourselves to try to live up to his example, even if our efforts are less heroic.
man this was one tough guy! God bless him.
The casket of Medal of Honor recipient, retired Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale, is carried from the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel by the ceremonial guard.
What an example for life! I am awed by those who sacrificed (and are sacrificing) so much.
May he rest in peace.
Had the absolute honor to escort Admiral Stockdale during one of his trips to DC to award the James Stockdale Award for Leadership. He was a true hero and a humble gentleman.
May that fine man rest in the peace he deserves. I look forward to shaking his hand again someday!
How in the H$LL did the viet cong capture an o-6?
Amen.
He flew 201 missions. I guess they got lucky.
Oh. Nevermind.
Check me on this but I beleive in his book "War and Love" he said he was promoted to Captain while he was in captivity.
The book is an outstanding read from beginning to end. It is surprising how much information was passed to him in the letters from his wife and how much he passed along in the letters he send home from prison.
I may have to give it a read. Thanks for the tip. I am not sure when he was promoted, but at the time of his capture, he was the highest ranking officer in the POW camp.
From an old Navy man, I appreciate your link. I downloaded the song. Stirred my heart, to most Navy vets it is almost guaranteed to. Brought tears to my eyes. I imagined them playing it at Stockdale's funeral.
I remember it from chapel service at boot camp and aboard ship. "For those in peril on the sea" is the only words I remember, unfortunately. Do you have the words?
All respect to his war service, heroism & honor.
His darkest chapter though was assisting in the election of Clinton.
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