Vietnam Vet and Ex-POW Shares Story at Nixon Museum
Air Force Lt. Colonel Tom Hanton Shares His Captivating Story of Survival
Air Force Lt. Colonel Tom Hanton had much to say to his small Yorba Linda audience on August 29th as he recounted his harrowing experience of being shot down over North Vietnam in 1972.
Over 50 people gathered at the Nixon Library’s Cabinet Room to hear Mr. Hanton’s story, coinciding with the museum’s 50-year anniversary commemorating the end of the Vietnam War and the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
The retired colonel’s talk was part of the museum’s lecture series accompanying their new exhibit: ‘Captured: Shot Down In Vietnam.’ This exhibit showcases the stories and artifacts of Vietnam War soldiers who were captured as prisoners of war.
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During his captivating talk, Mr. Hanton shared his story with surprising humor, recounting the practical jokes he and his fellow U.S. Air Force inmates played on their North Vietnamese prison guards during their captivity from 1972 to early 1973.
“I just pretended I was in school [during imprisonment], and acted either like a teacher’s pet or their worst nightmare,” Mr. Hanton said with a laugh.
However, his capture and subsequent imprisonment were far from lighthearted. Mr. Hanton was flying over North Vietnam near Da Nang when his plane was shot down by the North Viet Cong. He was forced to eject to avoid death, marking his 135th flight at the time of capture.
Although he and his pilot were not seriously injured, they were “severely beaten” by their captors before being stripped down to their underwear and boots. They were then forced on a two-day trek to the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton,’ where U.S. military captives were held during the war.
“That’s the worst I was treated at the time, being captured,” Mr. Hanton shared with the crowd. “The beating was brutal.”
Upon arrival at the prison, Mr. Hanton endured 30 days of solitary confinement while blindfolded. Despite the harsh conditions, he considered himself fortunate compared to many of his fellow inmates who were subjected to even worse treatment before the North Vietnamese forces adopted regulations from the Geneva Conventions.
“There were guys that were tortured and put in solitary confinement for 7 to 8 years. I can’t even wrap my mind around that,” he expressed. “I knew I could make it when I thought about those guys. I thought if they could make it through all that, I could make it one more day.”
After his solitary confinement, Mr. Hanton found himself in a small cell with two other inmates. The three of them formed a close bond, caring for and looking out for one another, which he described as tremendously helpful.
In addition to supporting each other, Mr. Hanton and his cellmates found solace in playing practical jokes on the prison guards. One memorable prank involved pretending his cellmate’s afro was on fire by smoking a cigarette directly behind his head, creating the illusion of a growing flame.
“The guard walked by and went nuts,” Mr. Hanton recalled, eliciting laughter from the audience. “We did pranks like that.”
By the time the guard returned with an officer to address the “flame,” Mr. Hanton’s cellmate had pinned back his afro, and both Mr. Hanton and their other cellmate sat innocently by, pretending nothing had happened.
“We just sat there all fat, dumb, and happy,” Mr. Hanton chuckled along with the audience.
Despite the grueling conditions, Mr. Hanton managed to keep his patriotism alive throughout his imprisonment. He meticulously carved an American flag onto his aluminum drinking cup using a discarded nail, and even used the blood from his mosquito bites to paint the flag onto his prison cell’s white wall.
Unfortunately, a guard discovered what Mr. Hanton was painting and promptly sponged the wall down before he could finish. Undeterred, Mr. Hanton began painting the wall again, but he was liberated by American forces before he could complete his second attempt.
Overall, the veteran expressed gratitude for his life and chose to focus on the positive aspects of his experience.
“I don’t dwell on what happened. I’m just blessed to be alive,” he shared. “I like to focus on what I learned and gained from [imprisonment].”
He highlighted the importance of the people in his life, such as his fellow inmates and family, who provided support. He also emphasized the significance of humor and trust in oneself and others to navigate the challenges of the Hanoi Hilton.
Members of the audience, including other Vietnam War veterans, expressed their gratitude to Mr. Hanton for his service.
“For those of us that were stationed on the ground down there, thank you. You [and the Air Force] saved a lot of lives,” one veteran expressed during the event’s question and answer session.
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