This sounds like excellent news, but I have to ask. What happened to have him classified a hero? Did I miss something?
hero \He"ro\, n.; pl. Heroes. [F. h['e]ros, L. heros, Gr. ?.] 1. (Myth.) An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules. 2. A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person.
Given that the Marines have told us, albeit from an inside information source, that the guy's story is legitimate, does he not meet the above criteria? Getting yourself freed and transversing 500 miles in enemy territory is no easy task. It took extraordinary effort on his part.