Premium Essay

Prisoners In Vietnam War Essay

Submitted By
Words 869
Pages 4
Prisoners of war in Vietnam were literally surviving hell in the years that they were there. Some prisoners were there for more than six years, and they came back with scars, physically and emotionally, that showed what they had been through. Although they were not treated well in Vietnam, they still managed to have hope in the prisons. Leo Thorsness and the other prisoners of war went through many difficult situations, but were still able to thrive while they were in Vietnam. During their final years in Vietnam, there was a failed rescue mission that made all the prisoners move into one camp, the Hanoi Hilton. All the prisoners got to meet each other since they were staying in one big cell. When the first Sunday came around, everyone decided …show more content…
One day while the prisoners were “showering” (pouring water over themselves), Mike found a slimy rag in the corner of the yard. Leo Thorsness distracted the guards by talking very loudly while Mike went to pick it up. When Mike brought it back to their cell, he washed it and began to make an American Flag out of it. He was grinding up red bricks in order to make red stripes on the cloth, and then he ground up the blue medicine they were given to make the corner blue. Then to make the stars in the corner, Mike used some string from their pajamas and sewed them in. When Mike finally finished, he held up the flag one morning and waved it around, mimicking a flag waving in the wind. He got everyone’s attention, and Thorsness explained in detail, “As we turned Mike’s way, we automatically came to attention and saluted. Some of us began to cry” (Thorsness 108). When the Vietnamese found the flag Mike made, he was tortured. He came back to the cell bloody, and barely able to walk. Mike knew that making the flag was worthwhile, because it reminded the soldiers of what they were fighting for and that their experiences in prison were not all in vain. The flag gave them hope, and reminded them of the future they would have in

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Similarities Between Odysseus And Mccain

...In this essay I will be comparing Odysseus and John McCain. While Odysseus displays hubris and John McCain is humble, both are great leaders because they are loyal and determined to improve their countries. Odysseus is filled with hubris is hard headed. McCain is more humble less likely to gloat and less likely to crack under emotional pressure. They both have some common traits but also opposing ones. McCain is obviously not as strong as Odysseus but Odysseus is obviously is not as stable as McCain mentally. Odysseus is a loyal hard working person. He may be full of himself but he still is a leader and he is still a strong man that cares greatly for his country and his people. He is by far the strongest physically at least. Odysseus is brave...

Words: 322 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Inequality In America

...Close to the foundation of this country people have asked this question; “What does it mean to be American?” It can be defined as many things or even three words such as; inequality, perseverance, and hope. Thus the meaning of an American is facing the inequality from different races, positions, and classes. To have the perseverance to surpass all things and people who stand in your way. And finally, to hope for the best outcome for tomorrow, for the nation, for the world, and for the generations to come. The following examples will prove this. Ironically, the first word to defining American is inequality for it has and will always be a part of this nation. As stated by Anzia Yezierska in her short story America and I, “America​ ​gives​ ​free​...

Words: 440 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Vietnam War

...Thomas Zervas Vietnam Wars 4/29/12 Final Essay Winning The Vietnam War When most people think about winning a war they usually base their opinions on death counts and conquered territories. When looking at the Vietnam War, it is clear to see that the Vietnamese had a larger death count, however this does not mean that the United States was victorious. The United States entered the war to reach an objective, and that objective was to stop communist expansion. The goal was not achieved; therefore, the United States lost the war. True, there were more casualties in the North, but that does not determine whether or not they lost, especially when considering the superior technology and training of United States forces. When looking at the Vietnam proxy war fought between the United States and Soviet Union, the United States was impacted a number of ways, both domestically and internationally. There was a huge lack of public support for the stagnating war effort combined with a lack of support for soldiers that adversely affected the morale of the troops. There were body bag counts on the evening news showing the large numbers of lost soldiers to the population. There were also many protests, which created much tension and heavy scrutiny on the United States government. On a global scale, the United States began to look weaker than the Soviet Union, which created many more issues for the United States. The North Vietnamese won the Vietnam War through a combination of factors...

Words: 1721 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

American History Ii

...James Bennett Professor George J. Prokopiak HIS-114-OL010 Written Assignment 5 16 February 2015 Vietnam War and a New World Order with the End of Cold War Written Assignment 5 Question #1: As far as Vietnam is concerned, how did President Johnson "Americanize" the war? What was Nixon's policy of Vietnamization? Was anything achieved at the peace talks? What are the legacies of the Vietnam defeat? President Johnson “Americanized” the Vietnam War by many different avenues of approach taking a more aggressive posture. The president first started by supplying the South Vietnamese army with American military and economic assistance (Roark, 976-981). He significantly increased the American troop presence from 16,000 in 1964 to over 553,000 by 1969 displaying a much larger American presence (Roark, 976-981). America had stepped up bombing throughout Vietnam and neighboring countries (Roark, 976-981). In hopes of getting the backing of the American people and government, he strategically thought out who and where the bombs would be dropped (Roark, p. 980-981). He did not bomb near the northern border of Vietnam (Roark, p. 980-981). President Johnson did not want to provoke China or the Soviet Union into the war (Roark, p. 980-981). He did not want to make the same mistakes as Korea with the Chinese. He also thought about collateral damage. He tried to focus the bombings to low populated areas to minimize civilian casualties (Roark, p. 980-981). The bombing campaign was known...

Words: 2319 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Arsenal Are the Best

...History Leaving Cert American Essay Notes By James Esses Mocks.ie History Leaving Cert Revision Notes James Esses Page 1 Contents 1.0 Essay 1: Changes in the US Economy from 1945-1989 ..................................................................... 3 1.1 Boom (1945-1968) .................................................................................................................. 3 1.2 Bust (1968-1989)..................................................................................................................... 4 2.0 Essay 2 Consumer Society post 1945 ................................................................................................ 6 3.0 Essay 3 Foreign Policy 1945-1972 ..................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Berlin ....................................................................................................................................... 8 3.2 Korea ....................................................................................................................................... 9 3.3 Berlin Wall ............................................................................................................................. 10 3.4 Cuba ...................................................................................................................................... 10 4.0 Essay 4: How did the US become involved in Vietnam and why did it escalate in the...

Words: 5670 - Pages: 23

Free Essay

The History of Women

...HISTORY SUMMARY 1865-19901865-1900In the years following the Civil War the United States was transformed by the enormous growth of industry. Once, the United States was mainly a nation of small farms. By 1900, it was a nation of growing cities, of coal, steel, and of engines and fast communications. Though living standards generally rose, millions of industrial workers lived in crowded, unsanitary slums.In the north, industrial violence was common and occurred on numerous occasions. The most violent confrontation between labor and employers was probably the Great Railway Strike of 1877. The nation had been in the grip of a severe depression for four years. During that time, the railroads had decreased the wages of railway workers by 20 percent. Many trainmen complained that they could not support their families adequately, and there was little that the trainmen could do about the wage decreases. At that time, unions were weak and workers feared going on strike; there were too many unemployed men who might take their jobs. Some workers secretly formed a Trainmen's Union to oppose the railroads. In the last quarter of the century, the textile, metal, and machinery industries equaled the railroads in size. In 1870, the typical iron and steel firm employed fewer than 100 workers. Thirty years later, the force was four times as large. By 1900, more than 1,000 factories had work forces ranging from 500 to 1,000 workers. From 1860 to 1900 some 15 million immigrants from southern and...

Words: 3533 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

The Red Convertivle

...The Red Convertible The story “The Red Convertible” was written By Louise Erdrich in 1987, and is about two bothers named Lyman and Henry from the Chippewa who live on a reservation with their family. Lyman tells the story about how he and his bother buy a red convertible and go on this trip one summer before Henry has to leave to Vietnam. When Henry returns he’s not the same; he comes back distant, quiet, cold, and emotionally separated from every thing, eventually becoming suicidal. This story show how sometimes once something good is gone it’s gone for good, no matter how hard a person wants to or tries to get back to normal. Erdrich shows this through the use of the red convertible as a symbol of the brothers’ relationship, Henry and Lyman being dynamic character change, and Lyman as a dynamic character. Through the whole story the red convertible symbolizes the bothers relationship. ”Perhaps the convertible’s greatest contribution to the story is a symbol of the relationship between Lyman and Henry. It represents their close companionship” (Bussey1). A good example of this is when the bothers are together and the car is in superb condition, but when Henry is away the car fall apart and breaks down just like their relationship. According to Bussey, both of the bothers buying the red convertible together represents both of their willingness to share a great amount of responsibility (Bussey1). Both Lyman and Henry have mutual love and respect for each other, and is that...

Words: 2141 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Asvab

...took some of his own experiences with the war in Vietnam and wrote a science fiction novel. Vonnegut had written about his experiences a lot. This is why Vonnegut’s experiences with depression and death are themes explained in his work. The following paragraphs will explain the two works that have been read and give background on the man himself. Early Life Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 11th, 1922. Vonnegut’s ancestors come from German descent and they brewed beer as a family business and were also architects. Even in his early life Vonnegut has dealt with diversity. The impact of World War I seriously changed the lives of the family. Because of his German descent his family became a victim to prejudice treatment around the state. After the war the family had to deal with the prohibition, which took away the income and then the Depression slowed down and almost stopped the production of homes. Out of the 3 children Kurt could be seen as the child who did not get the best. His older sister and brother, Alice and Bernard both went to private schools while Kurt went to public schools. In 1940 Vonnegut attended the prestigious Ivy League school Cornell University. He majored in biochemistry. Later Years During his time in college he wrote for the university’s newspaper Cornell Sun. Vonnegut’s first few articles where about the opposition he had against the United States entering the war. But after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Vonnegut...

Words: 1582 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Kurt Vonnegut

...his own experiences with the war in Vietnam and wrote a science fiction novel. Vonnegut had written about his experiences a lot. This is why Vonnegut’s experiences with depression and death are themes explained in his work. The following paragraphs will explain the two works that have been read and give background on the man himself. Early Life Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 11th, 1922. Vonnegut’s ancestors come from German descent and they brewed beer as a family business and were also architects (Reed). Even in his early life Vonnegut has dealt with diversity. The impact of World War I seriously changed the lives of the family. Because of his German descent his family became a victim to prejudice treatment around the state (Reed). After the war the family had to deal with the prohibition, which took away the income and then the Depression slowed down and almost stopped the production of homes. Out of the 3 children Kurt could be seen as the child who did not get the best. His older sister and brother, Alice and Bernard both went to private schools while Kurt went to public schools. In 1940 Vonnegut attended the prestigious Ivy League school Cornell University. He majored in biochemistry. Later Years During his time in college he wrote for the university’s newspaper Cornell Sun. Vonnegut’s first few articles where about the opposition he had against the United States entering the war. But after the attack on Pearl...

Words: 1604 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Yueuyt

...The Hungarian Uprising of 1956 and the Prague Spring of 1968 were key events that shaped the outcome of the Cold War. Both countries were under the Soviet control during the post-war period. After the death of Stalin, when Khrushchev became the leader and the secret speech of destalinization have seen the daily light both countries introduced their own paths to socialism, first Hungary and 12 years later the Czechoslovakia. Both of the events had similar and different causes and consequences, which will be analysed in this essay. Hungary as well as Czechoslovakia wanted to reform their system. Both countries wanted the reforms to find ‘National roads to socialism’, or as they called it in Czechoslovakia, ‘the socialisms with a human face’. Both countries before the reforms were led by hard line Stalinists, which were one of the clear causes that led to the destalinization and the reforms. In Hungary the leader before the introduction of the reforms was Matyas Rakosi, or as the Hungarian sometimes called him, ‘the Bald Butcher’. He was incredibly unpopular within Hungary; he has murdered many people, hard to estimate the number, and imprisoned over 200,000. He was closely linked with the Hungarian secret Police the AVH, which were even more unpopular and hated than Rakosi himself. As well as in Hungary, Czechoslovakia had their hard line communist dictator. His name was Antonin Novotny, and as well as Rakosi he was very royal to Stalin and Moscow. He wasn’t as hard-line as Rakosi...

Words: 1740 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Unit 5 Ap World Review Guide

...Guide and Graphic Organizers – Unit 5: The Modern World, 1914 CE – present 1. World War I Students are required to know the causes, major events, and consequences of WWI 1) Causes a) Imperialism i) No new lands to expand into – some nations didn’t have many colonies (Germany, Italy) ii) Rivalries as nations competed for colonies iii) Sometimes armed conflict in colonial lands for control over resources b) Nationalism i) Pride in one’s nation, want one’s nation to be the best and most powerful ii) Fostered conflict as nations competed to be the best iii) Justified imperialism, militarism iv) Caused disruptions in multi-ethnic nations (Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire); rebellions, revolts against foreign rule c) Militarism i) Build up of a country’s military; keeping a large standing army ii) Nations expanded their militaries as a show of power iii) Arms race: each nation needed to have a standing army because their neighbors had standing armies d) Alliances i) Bismarck: German chancellor behind alliance system in Europe ii) Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy allied; France, Great Britain, Russia allied 2) Events a) Assassination of Archduke Frantz Ferdinand: Serbian terrorists kill the Austrian duke and his wife as they honeymooned in Sarajevo i) Austria demands Serbian submission ii) Russia offers to back Serbians in defying Austrians iii) Austria and Germany declare war on Serbia and Russia (along with Russia’s allies) b) Schlieffen Plan i) Germany knows...

Words: 3465 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Capital Punishment

...Capital punishment, also called death penalty,  is the execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law of a criminal offense. The practice of executing people for certain crimes is very old; in fact, the term itself dates to a Latin root, capitalis, which means “of the head,” a reference to a common execution method used in Roman times. Currently 58 nations actively practice it, 97 countries have abolished it, and the remainders have not used it for 10 years or allow it only in exceptional circumstances such as wartime. However, It is a matter of active controversy in various countries as it violates human rights. What Is Capital Punishment Capital punishment is a practice in which prisoners are executed in accordance with judicial practice when they are convicted of committing what is known as a capital crime or capital offense. In other words, capital punishment or the death penalty is a legal process whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. The judicial decree that someone be punished in this manner is a death sentence, while the actual process of killing the person is an execution. History Of Capital Punishment Early Laws The first established death penalty laws date as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, which codified the death penalty for 25 different crimes. The death penalty was also part of the Fourteenth Century B.C.'s Hittite Code; in the Seventh...

Words: 4497 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Rhetorical Analysis

...evokes feelings of empathy from readers. The audience is forced to consider if it is right to send soldiers to war while allowing those in the homeland to disrespect the very nation they are risking their lives to protect. Maj. Gen. Brady calls forth pathos once again near the end of his stance. Brady writes that this debate is really about the values that flag burning teaches and claims “the entire debate over values is centered on what we teach our children” (Jost, 561). This appeal stands out and is the weakest use of pathos between either article. A message about values is given off to everyone when a flag is burnt. When a store is robbed and the police fail to investigate the incident, it teaches both children and adults that robbing will not have any negative consequences. Brady implies that this general argument revolves around teaching children values hoping to persuade parents in his favor. This is completely obvious and distracts from his otherwise solid message that flag desecration without punishment negatively impacts American values. By comparison Shields uses less pathos to convince her audience relying heavily on one interview. However, the viewpoint provided by a former U.S. Marine worked wonders for her argument. Shields includes an answer from Jim Warner who was taken prisoner in Vietnam. She wrote, “When his tormentor showed him a photograph of anti-war protesters in the U.S. burning a flag, Warner’s resolve was strengthened, he said, because the picture was proof...

Words: 1397 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

North Korea War

...Korean War Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 - armistice signed 27 July 1953[1] ) was a military conflict between the Republic of Korea, supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China (PRC), with military material aid from the Soviet Union. The war was a result of the physical division of Korea by an agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War at the end of World War II. The Korean peninsula was ruled by Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II. Following the surrender of Japan in 1945, American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th Parallel, with United States troops occupying the southern part and Soviet troops occupying the northern part.[2] The failure to hold free elections throughout the Korean Peninsula in 1948 deepened the division between the two sides, and the North established a Communist government. The 38th Parallel increasingly became a political border between the two Koreas. Although reunification negotiations continued in the months preceding the war, tension intensified. Cross-border skirmishes and raids at the 38th Parallel persisted. The situation escalated into open warfare when North Korean forces invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950.[3] It was the first significant armed conflict of the Cold War.[4] The United Nations, particularly the United States, came to the aid of South Korea in repelling the invasion. A...

Words: 23177 - Pages: 93

Premium Essay

Embedded Journalism

...embedded journalism within our war culture today. My research aims to evaluate both the values and drawbacks of the Pentagon’s decision to pursue embedded journalism during the war on terror in 2003. I will be offering an in-depth evaluation of the history, objectives and purposes of embedding, how embedding raises concerns with the First Amendment’s entitlements, and finally questioning the notion that embedded journalism decreases censorship and increases access. In order to understand the current iteration of embedded journalism, we must understand our nations history of war correspondents and their relations with soldiers (Mayfield, 2013). The history between the military and the media lays the foundation for embedded journalism and serves as a reminder that the absence of censorship in past wars provided the impact on todays embedded program into Iraq (Brandenburg, 2007). Military-media relations have been building up over time, it originated with the earliest correspondents in 1850 and today expands through British, French, and American military engagement with the media (Mayfield, 2013). It wasn’t until the second half of the twentieth century that America began utilizing their media to report on current warfare’s. However, journalistic freedom on war coverage became a target of criticism from political and military leaders shortly after the Vietnam War in 1973 and the first Gulf war in 1991. Forty years ago, the ending of the Vietnam War had concluded with a victory...

Words: 4243 - Pages: 17