SHOT DOWN! Vietnam POW Legend Awarded Navy Cross and TWO Silver Stars | Capt. Eugene “Red” McDaniel

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Born into a poor family Eugene “Red” McDaniel grew up playing sports and carried that passion into his collegiate days. McDaniel became interested in flying and Naval aviation since he felt it complemented his athletic mindset. McDaniel began his US Navy active duty on March 15, 1955.
On May 19, 1967, During McDaniel's 81st combat mission, his A-6 Intruder was hit by a rocket forcing him and his bombardier-navigator to eject over North Vietnam. McDaniel was captured and interrogated on the ground and ultimately transferred to Hoa Lo Prison, infamously known as the "Hanoi Hilton".
For three years, McDaniel was listed as Missing in Action while his wife, Dorothy, and three children, Michael, David and Leslie, did not know if he was dead or alive. In 1970, the Hanoi government finally acknowledged that McDaniel was being held prisoner. After six years in captivity as a POW, he was released on March 4, 1973.
When McDaniel returned home to Virginia from Vietnam, he was awarded the Navy’s highest award for bravery, the Navy Cross. Among his other military decorations are two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit with Combat “V,” the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars with Combat “V” and two Purple Hearts.
Interview recorded on January 28, 2024
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Video Credits:
Interviewer/Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - Daniel Taksas

[@americanveteranscenter]

HISTORY LOVERS - before you comment, be sure to subscribe to this KZbin channel and ring the notification bell so you never miss a future upload!

[@BurtSampson]

one of the weirdest parts of getting old is seeing the Vietnam Vets getting old enough to look like how i remember the WW2 vets looking.

[@user-tl3uf2fd5k]

I know. My two brothers were over in vietnam. I still see them is 18 but one is 73 and one is 75 I had a cousin who died in 1965 in Vietnam if he was alive he'd be in his mid-80s. Time goes by so fast

[@sethmurphy531]

My dad once told me when I was a kid (I’m 28, my dad is 61) that Vietnam vets looked like ww2 vets in his youth. Your comment just reminded me of that. I met both fortunately and those men were tough in a different in a way that hard to describe. Unfortunately I don’t know any living ww2 vets but I still know many that are Vietnam or Korean vets. Sadly they’re slowly departing one by one.

[@hiroshi138]

I'm 55 and have often thought the same thing. When I was a kid, my grandfather looked like this guy, and my dad (a Vietnam vet) was 30 years younger than I am now.

[@djquinn11]

Yeah, that’s true for me as well.

[@nathanthompson3401]

And they are every bit as great as that generation was. I believe each generation that has gone to war for our nation represents the next greatest generation. Bravery and service mean the same to each generation and they Wet the expectation.

[@MrSweetpoeticjustice]

Thank you for your service Sir. No words can describe the gratitude that you are owed for your sacrifices

[@tonykeast9966]

Reminds me of meeting a great old guy (John) with a near identical story. He'd brought a group of his life-long best friends to my town in Scotland on a golf tour. Amazing bunch of grey haired fellas who were still young at heart, we had a crazy night in a lively pub and they all loved it so much they came back the next night to repeat it! I was a young aircraft mech and when told about John ejecting after a SAM hit in Vietnam, I had a lot of Qs about that, I told him not to think about the Hanoi Hilton part and just focus on having a great time with his best buddies, how lucky he was to be able to be on his Scottish golf tour with his pals. My grandfather was a POW in WW2, I knew it was a rough topic to discuss. We raised another glass to that. Then it was his turn for karaoke! We were drunk as skunks. Weeks later the owner of the pub got an email from John. It was headed by an official American government seal, White house?... Thanking the owner for having the best bar they'd ever visited. Giving his golf party memories and stories they'd tell for ever. To thank Tony and my girlfriend for looking after them all for the two wild nights out on the town. Signed (senator?)John McCain. I'd no idea he was a serious politician! With hindsight, there were a few younger fit dudes with them that didn't drink. Secret service agents. They took a lot of photos and were always there but never quite involved in anything. Crazy. So this brilliant vet story adds to John's, making up for the part I told him to shut up about and get another shot drank. He totally murdered sweet home Alabama but was having a ball. Good times. They absolutely were captive at the same place atvthe same time and flew the same aircraft.

[@djquinn11]

That’s a great story, thanks for posting it!

[@AmusedPassport-ec1lv]

Yah that's pretty good, if McCain had gotten elected things would be a lot different over here. We are about to have another election between a giant douce and a turd sandwich. When I was 18 I applied selective service because I was a patriot...now I don't even vote...the big money controls everything the invention of the internet showed us that everything they tell us is lies...it's just a money grab from a pack of suit wearing thieves.

[@JustMe-gh7ib]

Such dignity and grace throughout this interview. You embody honor, both to your country and to your wife and family. Thank you. On a different note, a family member of mine spent three weeks traveling through Viet Nam recently. They saw the Hanoi Hilton and remarked that it had been built by the French when it was French IndoChina. It was a torture facility then as well. Makes you think.

[@MyChannel-rf8ic]

Thank you for your service, Sir. This film should be shown to all the young people who think Vietnam is some kind of tourist destination.

[@BPchadlite]

It is a tourist destination. The US went out of it's way to F with those people and you're the one holding a grudge because they tortured your bomber pilots? lol ok.

[@searchingfornessie8410]

It is now. It's a beautiful country with amazing food. I rode a scooter there for 2 years working as a mechanic.

[@awsomeness78]

Its not the 60s-70s anymore

[@meleascott6490]

Salute to you Sir.. thank you for your courage and service to Americans. GOD Bless You

[@anlerden4851]

Thank You so much for your services and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful USA and Our Beautiful American Patriots!!!🥰😍🤗🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍💙💙💙💙💙💯💪🙏👍

[@user-kf8wb2cq4f]

Thank You Sir. 🇺🇸❤️‍🔥🙏

[@glockparaastra]

God Bless you Capt.!

[@iamrrspike7132]

Amazing man and family! I was stationed at Oceana and was an A-6E SWIP Avionics Fire Control Tech (AQ). Serving throughout Desert Shield/Storm and the aircraft this amazing man piloted could and did take hard damage in stride. The A-6 was nothing special to look at but was a beast of an aircraft. We owe this man a great deal of respect and admiration for his service to our country. Thank you! God bless you sir and your family!

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you for your service and God Bless you for your courage and sacrifice ❤

[@j1st633]

92? Wow! great interview.

[@brandonsteffa9631]

My family is originally from New Bern NC. It made me so happy to hear that this hero is from my hometown. Birthplace of Pepsi!

[@usmc-veteran7316]

New Bern, NC... close to Camp LeJeune. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant

[@davidbennion876]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice America should never forget what you endured. Dave from down under.

[@Kdpainted]

Thank you for your service

[@marcusaurelius6012]

60 yrs later, people are arguing about which toilet they can use. (I salute you Sir)🇦🇺♥️🇺🇸

[@otpyrcralphpierre1742]

Men like this are now Rare. Amazingly cognizant at 92 years old. Compare this man to FJB.

[@badxradxandy]

Oh dude I know! When I was in high school, the WW2 vets were like this man. Now I've gotten older and the Vietnam vets are in that stage of their life. It's a trip to see how time moves.

[@andrewwright8507]

My help came from GWOT group therapy for 2 years, most likely the reason I'm still here today and do everything I can to help other vets struggling.

[@williamcoe9200]

I worked on the flight deck of the USS Saratoga as afueks QA supervisor The only thing about the A6 is you can rarely top off the fuel why it's on the bow after it's recovered..we would always have to go to the stern to finish fueling it.

[@pathardage1880]

Thank you, Sir.

[@badxradxandy]

Amazing, thank you for sharing your story.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Channel host brother: Thank you for your priceless channel. Great gratitude to Captain McDaniel and also to _you!_ 💛🙏🏽

[@rce59]

Thank you for your service and your story.

[@cindyjackson2457]

Thank you for your service, Sir 🇺🇸

[@tzook4080]

Thank you for your service, and sacrifices, Sir.

[@user-if8sj1pq6j]

Thankyou, Sir. God bless you.

[@sookie4195]

Why are these Veterans so mentally acute and others aren’t? Plus they have lived to nearly 100 if not over than 100. I hope that they are studied. My guess is they have stayed active and partly good genes. Excellent story sir and thank you! 🫡 🇺🇸

[@jharchery4117]

Why I will never watch a Jane Fonda film.

[@joycekane9024]

Isn’t that the truth.

[@patricklorio7657]

We Vets still hate her!

[@buckskinlady]

What happend? Did i miss something?

[@jharchery4117]

@@buckskinlady Jane Fonda happened. Read about her exploits during the war. How she subjected our fliers to torture because they refused to meet with her for her photo ops, etc. when she was cozying up to the NVA.

[@brandspro]

@@buckskinladyJane Fonda was/is a traitor.

[@joelhodge7914]

My Dad flew intruders three tours. Half the squadron was shot down, killed or captured. Two commanding officers lost in one tour. So much has been lost to us because of the unpopularity Captain McDaniels speaks of. The tallents, intelligence, skill and courage of these warriors can never be over told nor over sold. God bless them all.

[@luisbperez368]

Much RESPECT! 🙏🙏🙏

[@charmainevandiford6622]

Wow I Live just outside Kinston NC. What he went through can never be paid back. Just surviving it is amazing.

[@jeffreypinder9398]

Amazing man and a great story. True survivor.

[@ericp1711]

I grew up in the same church he attended. I did my senior year English presentation on his book.

[@avinandanbhadra1274]

2:28 WOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE SO LUCKY SIR!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@chocolatefrenzieya]

I really can't even imagine. What a man. If anyone's earned his wings...

[@skybot9998]

300 feet. I just soiled myself thinking of that.

[@andrewwright8507]

I cant even imagine, we cheered not getting shot down leaving Afghanistan twice once we were at cruising altitude but to come home after being a POW must have felt the most purest sense of joy and relief. God bless you sir and all other POW's!

[@easyyog1185]

God Bless these Heroes. Thank You. And unending Generosity gift to share Stories.

[@cannedheat2264]

Wow that is like 10k followers in a couple weeks! I’m glad this channel is getting the recognition it deserves. There are many other great channels like this one that offer great stories as well!

[@Ja_s-per]

✨🇺🇲"God Bless Our Veterans and Active Warrior's!!!"🇺🇲✨

[@xFearlessNomad]

We are blessed

[@karenredd8314]

God bless every one of our veterans, you all are my heroes- THANK YOU! From the bottom of my proud American heart.

[@323sparky]

MY SALUTE TO YOU... YOU ARE A HERO OFG MANY OTHERS... MY RESPECT TO YOU gby

[@georgetarbutton2141]

The bird in the thumbnail is from VA-52 Knight Riders that used to be station at NAS Whidbey Island. My former squadron when I was in the navy in the 1980's.

[@YourLoyalHighness87]

8:25 “we held a little conference, and very brief I might add.” He’s so calm even now. I just can’t even imagine it, and here he is recalling it in detail. ❤ thank you sir for your outstanding service ❤ 9:48 imagine how bad it must have been for him to say it was a relief to get to the prison camp? 😳 12:51 I can’t help but keep thinking how terrible they must have been to these men and all the nasty things they’d do to keep them from actually overpowering and escaping cause you gotta think, these are men who’ve trained and worked and fought, they’re not just ordinary day to day men, their resilience alone would be a force to be reckoned with, let alone having so many on one spot. This is literally my worst nightmare. There’s no higher form of respect in my opinion than men such as this one. ❤ 14:22 see now, that’s the thing with torture, you don’t even know if they’re telling The truth or if they’re just saying what you want them to say. 20:19 it just gave me goosebumps talking about being MIA for so long with three young kids but she still held out hope for him ❤

[@Johnnycdrums]

Total badass, we don't make em' like that no more.

[@tm91198]

What an incredible story>

[@stuartie4065]

Such a horrible long conflict. Pray for all the Vietnamese and Americans soldiers and countless civilians that died, in Laos and Cambodia too. 😢

[@avinandanbhadra1274]

4:56-5:45 WOWWWWW!!!!!!! SO COOL AND EXTREMELY IMPORTANT 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@patricklorio7657]

What squadron were you with? I was a 2nd class aviation ordnanceman with VA-52 on the Coral Sea and A-6 pictured had VA-52 markings, so I got all excited. I made the 68-69 Westpac cruise.

[@glockparaastra]

Any info on what happened to the Navigator?

[@adams1638]

Navigator appears to still be listed as Missing in Action One story magazine.campbell.edu/articles/the-prisoner-of-war/ And this story www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-30-me-29607-story.html

[@adamzitsch9027]

He was shot down and a POW that guy is a very strong soldier thank him for his service for sure what the Vietnamese did to POW soldiers in nam was horrible

[@searchingfornessie8410]

It's a super dark and disturbing story but damn that name is killer.

[@Johnnycdrums]

Sounds almost like "Flight Of The Intruder."

[@badassdahn654]

Married 68 years!

[@Slim3398]

Where is the video for this clip?

[@seanfagan8490]

So many wasted lives ,when will we ever learn.

[@Benny.13]

💪🏻🇺🇸

[@wesleycook3181]

flight of the intruder watch it a6 flyers

[@avinandanbhadra1274]

19:40-20:26😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@savagecub]

The fact that Trump thinks this kind of experience is a joke angers me to no end.

[@mitchellgaston2043]

What’d he say?

[@savagecub]

@@mitchellgaston2043 You don’t remember what Trump said about John McCain ? McCain was in this same prison at the time as McDaniel.

[@mitchellgaston2043]

@@savagecubI just remember him making a joke that didn’t land well. That’s all

[@savagecub]

@@mitchellgaston2043 He said that the people buried at Arlington National were suckers ! He’s not getting my vote EVER AGAIN. Trump is an idiot and an embarrassment. And for what’s it worth I don’t care for Biden either. We need some much better choices !

[@BPchadlite]

The censorship of comments on this channel is ironic and pathetic.

[@donQpublic]

🫡

[@mlancaster54]

The integrity and resilience of these American heroes is totally astounding. These men put their lives on the line every flight. Thank you for your service and commitment. We are forever in your debt.

[@scoremxcom]

.... and now American flags are made in Viet Nam and sold at Walmart .....