“Invictus.” Henley, William Ernest. The Poetry Foundation, http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems /51642/invictus (accessed May 15, 2018).
CHAPTER 1: CAPTURE
“Many flight instructors … ejection.” Wolfe, The Right Stuff, 22. The dawn of the jet age proved costly for pilots, and deaths rose dramatically during the 1950s and 1960s as aircraft became faster and more dangerous.
“By the end … and South Vietnam.” McNamara, In Retrospect, 196.
“Rainbow flight … rolling in.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 4.
“Nurture your mind … great thoughts.” Ibid., 14.
CHAPTER 2: HỎA LÒ PRISON
“He pointed … hands and knees.” Dalton, Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., 66.
“The agreement outlined … signed the treaty.” International Committee of the Red Cross, Convention (III).
“Article I … United States of America.” Rochester, The Battle Behind Bars, 22.
“They asked Jerry … were you flying?” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 29. The North Vietnamese had access to American news sources, including armed forces newspapers; they likely learned much of this information on their own but chose, it seems, to continue asking the questions.
“The interrogators grew as weary … Geneva Conventions?” Ibid., 30. Owl and Eagle seemed to have been reassigned after the summer of 1965. However, POWs had difficulty knowing to which guard or officer nicknames applied as POWs could describe their captors only via taps and whispers, without visual confirmation. It is clear Jerry Denton did not see either again.
“Shortly, Jerry heard … hack ’er.” Guarino, A P.O.W.’s Story, 35.
“Soon, Guarino … being rude.” Ibid., 37.
“Go fishing … in the latrine.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 41. Additional confirmation obtained via interviews with RADM Robert H. Shumaker, widely considered the most clever and intelligent communicator in Hanoi.
“From his bunk … laugh from Guarino.” Hubbell, P.O.W., 65.
“Let’s take off … use it!” Dalton, Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., 31–33.
“Follow the Code … map of the camp.” Hubbell, P.O.W., 63.
“Follow the Code … antagonize the guards.” Guarino, A P.O.W.’s Story, 59.
CHAPTER 3: THE ZOO
“All US aggressors … humane treatment.” Guarino, A P.O.W.’s Story, 63–64.
“A twig splintered … lock his door.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 52–53.
“Before guards … steeled his faith.” Ibid., 192.
“A delegation of … eat shit!” Hubbell, P.O.W., 142.
“The next morning … as well as you have.” Ibid.
“During one exchange … seven children.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 63. Jeremiah, 2016.
“My dearest wife … who have given so much for us.” Denton, Letter to Jane Denton.
“He visualized … return to reality.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 71.
“One day … cell shakedown.” Hirsch, Two Souls Indivisible, 71.
“Mostly, the information … same old stuff.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 75.
“When Jerry arrived … change your attitude.” Ibid., 77–78.
CHAPTER 4: PIGEYE
“But I tell you … months alone?” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 84–85.
“Jerry aimed … remarry.” Hubbell, P.O.W., 172.
CHAPTER 5: THE INTERVIEW
“Desperately he … went black.” Prisoners of Hope, 2001.
“Hey … only human,” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 87–88.
“He described … sickened him.” Time, “The War: Hanoi’s Pavlovicms.” Cuban broadcasters who aired the confession reported the voice as that of Jeremiah Denton, but no definitive confirmation was issued.
“He confessed … what he has done.” Powers and Gentry. Operation Overflight, 155.
“Isn’t it too … say something?” Hubbell, P.O.W., 176. These thoughts must have been in the forefront of Jerry Denton’s mind during his interview, and apparently motivated his responses.
“How are you … as long as I live.” National Archives, Report from Inside a Hanoi Prison, 1966. Reuters, “Pilot Captured by Hanoi Supports U.S. Policy.”
CHAPTER 6: PARADE
“The announcement … will you go?” Hubbell, P.O.W., 201. Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 73.
“The Camp Authority … defeat their aims.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 107.
“Beyond that … harmless and ludicrous.” Kiley and Rochester, Honor Bound, 164.
“When a confession … say what I did.” Hubbell, P.O.W., 207.
“Attention, all criminals … disgrace.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 109.
“Using toothpaste … your leadership.” Ibid.
“The POWs never … shouted for silence.” Hirsch, Two Souls Indivisible, 136. Hubbell, P.O.W., 187. Kiley and Rochester, Honor Bound, 195. Bob Purcell’s sarcastic comment (“I love a parade.”) became one of the most widely remembered moments among POWs of the Hanoi March.
“You must remember … do with you.” Coffee, Beyond Survival, 161. Hubbell, P.O.W., 186.
“As the guards prodded … heads up!” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 111. Hirsch, Two Souls Indivisible, 136–137. Hubbell, P.O.W., 186–187. Numerous POWs recalled Denton’s command (“You are Americans! Keep your heads up!”) ringing out over the din coming from spectators and guards. POWs did their conscious best not to bow as ordered by the North Vietnamese guards.
“Down with … America get out!” Ph
ng Viên, “American Air Power,” 4. The article by an anonymous North Vietnamese journalist (phng viên means “reporter”) provides a uniquely North Vietnamese perspective on the events of July 6, 1966.
“One man mocked … American air power!’” Ibid., 1.
“He’s not going to … kill him.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 112. Hubbel, P.O.W., 189.
“As he continued … Who had she lost?” Coffee, Beyond Survival, 164.
CHAPTER 7: BACK TO THE ZOO
“You fools … the people.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 114. Kiley and Rochester, Honor Bound, 199.
“Jerry recalled … would have won.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 118.
“God, You’ve got … in Your hands.” Jeremiah, 2016.
“Hi, Jerry … God bless you.” Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 143–144.
“The names … collective nickname.” Stockdale, In Love and War, 241.
CHAPTER 8: LITTLE VEGAS
“In order to atone … must be ours.” King, “Beyond Vietnam.”
“Bow … self-interest.” Stockdale, In Love and War, 252.
“A place … war is over.” Ibid., 253–254.
“Jerry bowed … bad arm.” Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 159.
“Happy to … the window.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 143.
“On August 8 … be that long.” Hubbell, P.O.W., 300. Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 162–163.
“Finally, Jerry said … wet down here.” Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 162–163.
“Jerry arrived … Denton alone.” Denton, interview with Alvin Townley.
“After pumping Jerry … worse was coming.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 147. Hubbell, P.O.W., 360.
CHAPTER 9: ALCATRAZ
“Jerry heard a voice … Jerry said.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 149.
“Occasionally, he’d even relive … life together.” Dalton, Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., 39–44.
“Dejected, Jerry … with his sanity.” Kiley and Rochester, Honor Bound, 411.
“In Thy gentle … smiling our thanks.” Rutledge, In the Presence of Mine Enemies, 69.
“Sometimes, Jerry’s … very long message.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 160.
CHAPTER 10: 1968
“He poked … like for Christmas?” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 160.
“Howie Rutledge’s … ticket to Saigon.” Ibid.
“Why do you want … from your home.” Johnson and Winebrenner, Captive Warriors, 169.
“Your country has deserted … leave us here.” Ibid., 169–172.
“To say that we … best they could.” Cronkite, “We Are Mired in a Stalemate.”
“Tonight, I renew … your president.” President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Address to the Nation.”
“Jerry realized … will study.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 170–171.
“Mulligan reported … won’t eat.” Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 184–185.
“One morning … Jerry’s body.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 176.
“Knowing the POWs … ordered you to do it.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 176–177. Denton, interview with Alvin Townley. POWs have noted this moment as an example of Denton’s willingness to risk his safety and assume blame to ensure his men’s survival.
“Just as Jerry … meant it.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 177–179.
“The commandant … an order!” Ibid., 180.
CHAPTER 11: CHANGE
“He coached … that guy?” Denton, interview with Alvin Townley.
“You were a fool … camp radio.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 181.
“He elaborated … long as you can.” Johnson and Winebrenner, Captive Warriors, 177–178.
“You tortured … same way.” Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 195.
“Jerry looked … Christmases.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 186.
“He stopped … here forever.” Denton, Johnson, and Mulligan give different dates and accounts of Ron Storz’s collapse; the narrative incorporates the most plausible information from all accounts to portray the most likely time frame and scenario.
“Jerry demanded … Brooklyn Bridge.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 194.
“In September 1969 … panned Shumaker.” Johnson and Winebrenner, Captive Warriors, 189.
“That fall … not be punish.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 195.
“Jerry understood … understand that?” Ibid., 197.
CHAPTER 12: CAMP UNITY
“You bastards … going home!” Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 211.
“He encountered … understand each other.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 202.
“He complained … treated well.” Johnson and Winebrenner, Captive Warriors, 220.
“Eat, Denton … and turkey.” Mulligan, The Hanoi Commitment, 214–215.
“In wrapped … drink mix.” Ibid., 214.
“There stood … each man.” Return with Honor, 2004.
“Talk eventually … Christmas 1970.” Johnson and Winebrenner, Captive Warriors, 245–246.
“Worship began … Americans relent.” Accounts of the Church Riot of 1971 vary in their details. The narrative draws on multiple sources, including writings and interviews from participants Jeremiah Denton, Jim Stockdale, Robbie Risner, Howie Rutledge, George Coker, Sam Johnson, and Bob Shumaker. Secondary sources such as Kiley, Rochester, and Hubbell were also consulted in developing the final narrative.
“Jerry considered … these allies.” Kiley and Rochester, Honor Bound, 535–536.
“Troop levels … late 1972.” Comptroller, Secretary of Defense, “Casualty Statistics.”
CHAPTER 13: HOMECOMING
“On January 27 … dis … missed!” Kiley and Rochester, Honor Bound, 572. Coffee, Beyond Survival, 269–270.
“Then back … cautious optimism.” Coffee, Beyond Survival, 271.
“I haven’t answered … you’re a good man.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 237–238.
“Camp Unity bustled … the POWs.” Kiley and Rochester, Honor Bound, 574. Beech, “POWs’ Welcome.”
“We are honored … God bless America.” Denton, When Hell Was in Session, 240. Return with Honor, 2004. Jeremiah, 2016.