Veterans Chronicles · Radio America

Captain Charles Plumb, U.S. Navy, Vietnam, POW

·37 min·3 clips
Captain Plumb reveals how Vietnamese captors twisted prisoners into human pretzels during torture sessions.
Retired Navy Captain Charles Plumb recounts his experience as a Vietnam War POW, detailing his shoot-down, capture, brutal torture at the Hanoi Hilton, and the psychological resilience fostered through tap code communication and faith. He reflects on the profound value of freedom gained after nearly six years of captivity.

As heard by us

A spare POW interview that keeps the focus on endurance under confinement.

Charles Plum's account is plainspoken and unadorned, which suits a story about naval service, capture, and survival under pressure. The strength here is in the practical detail: how he was questioned, how he answered, and how confinement shrank life to a few repeated steps and a…

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Why you'd press play

Listen for a POW account that stays practical, steady, and unadorned.

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