Who was the longest held POW in US history?
Asked by: Cesar Willms | Last update: January 28, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (28 votes)
The longest-held Prisoner of War (POW) in U.S. history was Army Colonel Floyd James "Jim" Thompson, who endured nearly nine years of brutal captivity in Vietnam from 1964 to 1973, suffering torture and deprivation before his release during Operation Homecoming. His ordeal in jungle camps and prison cells made him the longest-serving American POW, though his story remains less known than others from the conflict.
Who was the longest held POW in the United States?
Whitesides and Captain Floyd James Thompson was brought down by small arms fire. Whitesides was killed, and Thompson was taken prisoner; he would ultimately spend just short of nine years in captivity, making him the longest-held POW in American history.
Who was the longest captured POW?
Retired Capt. William (Bill) Robinson who is the longest-held enlisted prisoner of war in American history was released from the infamous Hanoi Hilton on Feb. 12, 1973, over seven years after the Kaman HH43B "Huskie" helicopter he served on was shot out of the sky by the enemy.
Who is the longest serving inmate in US history?
Paul Geidel Jr.
(April 21, 1894 – May 1, 1987) was the second longest-serving prison inmate in the United States whose sentence ended with his parole, a fact that earned him a place in Guinness World Records. His record was overtaken by Francis Clifford Smith who survived 70 years, 31 days. Paul Geidel Jr.
How many Americans died at IA Drang?
Around 234 Americans were killed and over 250 wounded during the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965, with specific numbers varying slightly by source but consistently pointing to this range, primarily across the engagements at Landing Zones X-Ray and Albany, making it a devastating early clash of the Vietnam War. The fighting included the deadliest single day for U.S. forces in Vietnam at LZ Albany, where 151 Americans died in an ambush.
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What was the most feared US unit in Vietnam?
The most feared US unit in Vietnam, especially by the enemy, was the highly secretive, elite special operations force MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group), known for its covert, cross-border missions into Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam, targeting the Ho Chi Minh Trail with small, lethal teams that specialized in reconnaissance, sabotage, and unconventional warfare, leaving enemies terrified of these "ghosts" deep behind their lines.
How accurate was the movie Hamburger Hill?
The 1987 movie Hamburger Hill is widely praised for its high degree of historical accuracy, effectively capturing the brutal, chaotic reality, intense fighting, steep terrain, and heavy casualties of the 1969 Battle of Hill 937, with veterans and historians citing its visceral realism, though it simplifies some strategic complexities and the aftermath (like the hill's quick abandonment). Its realism comes partly from screenwriter Jim Carabatsos's Vietnam service and Pentagon cooperation, making it a gritty, grounded depiction of the conflict's nature.
Who was the innocent man spent 40 years in jail?
Wrongfully imprisoned for more than 40 years, US man now faces deportation to India. After serving 43 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, Subramanyam "Subu" Vedam was finally free. New evidence had exonerated him earlier this month of the murder of his former roommate.
What is the shortest time on death row?
The shortest time on death row in modern U.S. history is often cited as Joe Gonzales in Texas, who was executed in 1996 after 252 days (about 8 months), having waived appeals to speed up the process. In a notable historical case, Gary Gilmore was executed in Utah just over three months after sentencing in 1977, marking a very swift execution post-resumption of capital punishment.
What is 25 years in jail called?
Individuals sentenced to LWOP are not eligible for parole and are expected to spend the rest of their lives in prison. Life With the Possibility of Parole: This sentence allows for the possibility of release after serving a minimum number of years, typically 25 years in California.
Did Tom Selleck actually serve in Vietnam?
No, Tom Selleck did not serve in Vietnam, but he served in the California Army National Guard (1967-1973) during the Vietnam War era after receiving a draft notice, serving in the 160th Infantry Regiment and completing six months of active duty without deploying to Vietnam, a decision he's proud of, stating, "I am a veteran. I'm proud of it," as reported by Army.mil.
Why were soldiers given condoms in WWII?
WW2 soldiers carried condoms primarily for disease prevention, as the military issued them to combat high rates of venereal diseases (VD) like syphilis and gonorrhea, but soldiers found many other uses, including covering rifle muzzles to keep out mud and grit, waterproofing small items like matches or explosives, and even using them as emergency water pouches or surgical gloves.
Who was the most feared soldier in Vietnam?
While there isn't one single definitive "most feared soldier," Master Sergeant Jerry "Mad Dog" Shriver is legendary as perhaps the most feared U.S. Special Forces operator, known for audacious deep-penetration missions and inspiring immense fear in the NVA, who placed a bounty on him. Other highly feared figures included elite reconnaissance teams like LRRPs (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols) and sniper Chuck Mawhinney, known for unmatched lethality, while South Vietnamese leaders like Ngo Quang Truong were respected for their tactical brilliance and ferocity.
Has anyone ever served in all five branches of the US military?
Facts you might not know. There has been service members to have served in all five branches of US Military.
What was the worst Pow Camp in the Civil War?
The worst Civil War prison was overwhelmingly considered to be Andersonville (Camp Sumter), a Confederate camp in Georgia, infamous for its brutal overcrowding, starvation, disease (like scurvy and dysentery), exposure, and horrific conditions, leading to nearly 13,000 Union deaths out of 45,000 prisoners, the highest mortality rate of any Civil War prison.
What did John Lennon say about the Vietnam War?
John Lennon was a prominent anti-war activist during the Vietnam War era, using his fame with Yoko Ono for peace protests like the "Bed-Ins" and creating anthems like "Give Peace a Chance," making him a target for the Nixon administration, which sought to deport him. His activism, including "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and billboard campaigns, rallied millions against the war and promoted global unity and nonviolence.
Who was hanged three times?
John Henry George "Babbacombe" Lee (15 August 1864 – 19 March 1945) was an Englishman famous for surviving three attempts to hang him for murder.
How much is $20 worth in jail?
With $20 per month, the prisoner could at least purchase soap, quality toothpaste (and a quality toothbrush), and batteries for their radio. Even a single check for $15 could allow a prisoner to purchase a few comforts which would traditionally be outside of their reach.
What state kills the most death row inmates?
As of August 8, 2024, Texas has executed a total of 598 people since the reinstatement of capital punishment in the United States in 1976. Oklahoma had the second-highest number of executed inmates, with 125 executions carried out since 1976.
What were Marcellus Williams last words?
Williams' last moments
Williams' last statement, witnessed on September 21, was “All Praise Be to Allah In Every Situation!!!” Williams was a devout Muslim, an imam for prisoners and a poet, according to his legal team.
What is the most famous wrongfully convicted case?
The Central Park Five
The famous story of five juveniles wrongfully convicted of one of the most heinous crimes imaginable highlights many of the flaws in our justice system. Police officers coerced incriminating statements out of the boys who served between five and fifteen years for the crime.
Where is Michael Morton now?
I'm now remarried and my wife, Cynthia, and I live on a lake in rural East Texas, relishing and appreciating what others may take for granted.
What is the saddest movie based on a true story?
The "saddest" movie based on a true story is subjective, but popular contenders often cited for their profound heartbreak include 12 Years a Slave (the brutal abduction and enslavement of a free man), Schindler's List (the horrors of the Holocaust), and The Pianist (a musician's struggle to survive the Warsaw Ghetto). Other highly emotional true stories depicted in film are Hotel Rwanda, First They Killed My Father, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, all dealing with genocide and immense suffering.
Was Jack Silva a real person?
Yes, Jack Silva is a real person, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA contractor who was part of the security team during the 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, though his name was changed for the movie 13 Hours, where John Krasinski played him, to protect his identity, as he's remained a private individual.