8 Years of Torture | Vietnam War Video | Cdr Everett Alvarez Jr

In this weeks video, we had the honor of sitting down with Commander Everett Alvarez. Commander Alvarez was the second longest United States POW in United States History.
Everett Alvarez Jr. (born December 23, 1937) is a former United States Navy officer who endured one of the longest periods as a prisoner of war (POW) in U.S. military history. Alvarez was the first U.S. pilot to be downed and detained during the Vietnam War and spent over eight years in captivity, making him the second longest-held U.S. POW, after U.S. Army Colonel Floyd James Thompson.
On August 5, 1964, during Operation Pierce Arrow, LTJG. Alvarez's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was shot down in the immediate aftermath of what is known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Alvarez endured eight years and seven months of brutal captivity by the North Vietnamese at the Hỏa Lò Prison (sarcastically known as the "Hanoi Hilton" by fellow POWs), in which he was repeatedly beaten and tortured. Alvarez was especially esteemed by his fellow prisoners because he was for almost a year the only aviator prisoner of war.
Alvarez has co-authored two books, writing of his prisoner of war experiences in Chained Eagle and Code Of Conduct.

[@mikeleonard3472]

I find a new hero every time I meet a Vietnam Vet, god bless you all

[@PacoOtis]

Alvarez, did you ever notice that nothing fails like prayer? I was a helicopter pilot over there and was shot down and didn't waste my time on something as silly as a prayer. We were rescued in a few hours and got back and flew the next day. Best of luck to you!

[@jimmyboudreau4207]

I wrote to the pows as a kid.i was in grade school Santa Clara CA. His parents lived in Santa Clara we had a homecoming party for him

[@northernlight696]

Everett is a real hero. I wish I had a chance to meet him.

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

He’s still very active in his local community! He’s written two books and it’s possible in the future he may host a book tour or speak publicly.

[@northernlight696]

@@TheirStoryVeterans Great advice - thanks!

[@donaldcone6494]

i met him last year, and have met him a few times since.

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

He’s so humble and kind. His demeanor had a lasting impression on us.

[@lancegomez2499]

Just a winner, leaves it with “Work hard!”

[@donaldcone6494]

Great man. I've had the pleasure of meeting him a few times..

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

Donald - where did you me Cdr Alvarez? Pre or post military service?

[@lauryn2099]

Amazing story!

[@kenlandon7803]

I like this guy. He was marched through the streets of Hanoi, while being taunted and spat on. My.hats off to all these men.

[@NeutronRob]

A great American Hero! All of those men that lived through captivity and made it back home were just awesome people, the finest the country can produce! I recommend reading John G. Hubbell's book, "P.O.W." It goes into great detail about the experiences of these men during captivity.

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

I’ll get on it. We needed a book to read as a couple and I’ll talk about it in our next video.

[@NeutronRob]

@@TheirStoryVeterans - Its over 600 pages, but you can hardly put it down once you get into it.

[@richschoonmaker9977]

Hubbell's book is excellent. I would also recommend "Honor Bound" by Rochester & Kiley -- probably the preeminent book on the POW experience.

[@DriveLaken]

@@richschoonmaker9977 if you had to pick one or the other, which would you choose?

[@swapmeetsheriffdonknottexp3046]

U were with the song bird god bless my dad and nino seved 101 and LRRPS

[@nobodyspecial7185]

Amazing man.

[@eancurtis9333]

Wow

[@NewsHistorian]

There was an East German propaganda film filmed i Hanoi in 1967 called "Pilots in Pajamas" that featured Everett Alvarez and several other POWS. It would be fascinating to see a sequel of this film with the surviving POWS and the Communist filmmakers explaining their experiences.

[@jimmyboudreau4207]

Read his book chained eagle. U will cry

[@Adair9800]

Yes, his autobiographical account is a long and well told account of his life and his captivity. I have read other former POW autobiographies, and would recommend each and every one, but his book, it seems to me, doesn’t leave out much in detail. Have worked with a few former POWs, but never met Everett Alvarez.

[@horstkrause9467]

Did he bomb civilians to death?

[@ninhbuidang1470]

Do you know a NVA captain who shot you down still alive in Ha long city where you were catured. His name is Dao Ngoc Sao. Its will be amazing if you both meet again.

[@creativitycell]

Seen a few if these vids. Interesting that none of the POws really go into detail about the torture or how they responded to it? I think they think it's in American! They don't want to share stories if men being broken.🤔