Navy Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale’s journey — from prisoner of war in Vietnam to Medal of Honor recipient to Ross Perot’s vice presidential running mate in 1992 — reflects the path of a true American hero.
In a Nov. 6 interview here for the pilot episode of The Pentagon Channel’s upcoming series, “Legends of Seapower,” Stockdale’s son, James Stockdale II, shared his father’s story and legacy.
The elder Stockdale, who died of Alzheimer’s disease at age 81 on July 5, 2005, in Coronado, Calif., played a critical role in the Gulf of Tonkin incident, a seminal event that would prompt the onset of large-scale military operations in Vietnam.
“Dad’s story … is about of group of individuals who chose duty before dishonor and they self-selected out to be courageous … to the point of just dying before capitulating,” Stockdale II said.
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Men like Admiral Stockdale are such rare blessings. He was a hero, a warrior, an intellectual, a strong leader, and an inspiration to many.
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Absolutely. No way I would have been able to make it.
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