Today’s Veteran Highlight – Former POW Orson Swindle
Orson Swindle, a decorated Vietnam War prisoner of war, was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on November 11, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. Swindle served over twenty years as a Naval Aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps, and he retired as a lieutenant colonel.
Like many other former Vietnam POWs, Orson returned home to flourish as a citizen and strong contributor to American society. His was a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission of the United States from December 18, 1997 to June 30, 2005. He had previously served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce during the Reagan Administration. In addition, he previously served as State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In his book, Leading with Honor, Lee describes some of the difficult moments during Orson’s captivity –
“In the summer of 1969, when American families back home were celebrating the lunar landing, American POWs were suffering badly. An escape attempt at the Zoo had the V looking for any excuse to whip us into line. Fearful we had an escape plan, the V began torturing our SRO Capt Ken Fisher. We had none, but Ken was strapped to a stool in leg irons and kept awake for twenty-one days. Though delirious, he gave them nothing and resisted until they returned him to our cell. Captain Orson Swindle
(USMC) refused to sign “good treatment” propaganda statements, so they got similar torture. After more than two weeks without sleep, the guards began beating them. Eventually they signed a “no value” statement, giving the V a way to save face.”
Orson Swindle – Military Times Link
Orson Swindle – Wikipedia
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With Orson Swindle and Jon Fer at Nam Viet restaurant in Arlington VA–a mini-reunion of old cellmates from the Hanoi Hilton.
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Pictured during his tenure as Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission
During this Veterans Day weekend, Lee and Orson wanted to share the poignant portrayal in this television commercial created by the Food City company –
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