July 06, 2005
JAMES B. STOCKDALE-R.I.P.
The local paper reports that retired Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, USN passed away at age 81 of Alzheimer's. While he known best to the public at large as Ross Perot's running mate in the 1992 election, he was revered in the Navy for his courage and leadership as the senior naval officer in captivity in North Vietnam for which he earned the Medal of Honor. (Anyone interested in a good account of Stockdale and his fellow POWs in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" should read Rear Admiral Jeremiah A. Denton's book, When Hell was in Session.)
Yips! from Robbo: Poor guy. To think that he went through all of that in Vietnam just to be remembered nowadays for his public humiliation in the '92 vice-presidential debate. (I still use the expression "Having an Admiral Stockdale Moment" myself. [Ed. - Perhaps you ought to cut that out.]) I never thought much of Perot to begin with, but after seeing the Admiral saying, "Who am I and what am I doing here?" in front of the entire nation, I had an overwhelming urge to hunt H. Ross down and punch him out.
UPDATE: Elizabeth at Daily Inklings posts on Stockdale's Vietnam heroism.
UPDATE DEUX: James Joyner has more links, information and tributes.
Posted by LMC at July 6, 2005 07:27 AM | TrackBackWhen I was active duty, I did a tour in Minneapolis. My boss was Capt. Doremus, also a seven year guest of the NVA. When he came to town to conduct his annual QA inspection of my command, I would arrange a lunch meeting with the then CO of the U Minn NROTC who did a four year stint at the "Hilton". I felt honored to be at their table and listed to the tales they told.
Posted by: Mike at July 6, 2005 04:32 PMI should have added at the end of the post: "Fair Winds and Following Seas."
Posted by: LMC at July 6, 2005 05:19 PM
