America has lost an genuine hero with the passing of Rear-Admiral James Stockdale who was a Medal of Honor recipient for his duty in Vietnam and 7 1/2 years of suffering and torment in a North Vietnamese POW camp. While hundreds of American officers and soldiers endured a living hell under the hands of their captors in the Hanoi Hilton, Stockdale with his strong determination and spirit seemed to find a way to torment his captors. Just look what his MOH citation had to say about this brave soul:
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.
Anyone who can endure such a hell at the hands of his enemy and not break under duress deserves the gratitude of this nation. In fact the Admiral would discover this nation's admiration for his service when he ran as Ross Perot's running mate in the 1992 Presidential Campaign. While I was only 15 when the 1992 election rolled around, I can still remember watching the Vice-Presidential Debates between Gore, Quayle, and Stockdale. Though I couldn't tell you about the policies being discussed, I can still remember Admiral Stockdale stepping up to the podium and stating "Who am I? Why am I here?" Now for a fifteen year old the man seemed to have brought a bit of humor and a breath of fresh air into what was a seemingly boring debate. In fact this humor and honesty on the behalf of Stockdale and Perot's populist message is generally seen as the reason why they both earned some 19% of the popular vote. So for those who credit Bill Clinton's flair and "third-way" as the reason for his election need to aim it towards Perot who dug a hole out of President GHW Bush's conservative fold.
Politics aside, please take a little moment from your busy lives to reflect on this American hero who failed to give into captors what spent countless days and nights trying to break him. God bless Admiral Stockdale for his service and love his nation.
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