The Yankee Air Pirate

04/03/2024

51 years ago today this Yankee Air Pirate was released from the Hanoi Hilton and tasted freedom for the first time in over 6 years. HAPPY FREEDOM DAY!!!

28/10/2023

With 72 members of NAPS 83. October 21, 2023. Yankee Air Pirate podcast EP #26 is now available. Link 👇

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yankee-air-pirate/id1478940939?i=1000632936548

25/10/2023

Captain Richard A. Stratton, USN Ret. speaking to the great NAPS class of 1983 at their 40th reunion. October 21, 2023 in Jacksonville Beach Florida.

12/09/2023

https://www.legion.org/magazine/260055/how-pows-mias-became-national-priority

05/04/2023

First Coast News Vietnam Hero - April 4, 2023

04/03/2023

50 years ago today The Yankee Air Pirate was released from the Hỏa Lò Prison in Hanoi and returned home to California a few days later. A big milestone for all the Vietnam POWs. Welcome home!!!

19/02/2023

Pre-Order Unwavering now🇺🇸. A great book coming soon about the women who fought for years to ensure no man was left behind.

Preorder the Book Coming in June 2023! Moving from the sidelines to the front lines of activism, a small group of military wives defies their government’s edict to leave diplomacy to the professionals, speaking up and speaking out to make the fate of America’s POWs

12/02/2023

50 years ago operation return with honor began.

18/12/2022

Operation Linebacker II started 50 years ago today. Thank you President Nixon!

20/10/2022

The Yankee Air Pirate supports Nine Line Apparel (Veteran owned)

08/05/2022

https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/national/military-news/iowa-gold-star-museum-exhibit-pow-mia-wives/524-23750ab5-9d29-4449-9ed0-06d7a61c22d5

The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum is hosting an exhibit highlighting the efforts of POW/MIA Wives.

28/01/2022

Matt and Sandra Morgan are big fans of The Yankee Air Pirate Podcast and love wearing their new gear. Buy your merch using the link below. 100% of the proceeds go to charities that support our men and women in our military and their families.

https://yankeeairpirate.logosoftwear.com/

15/01/2022

Yankee Air Pirate Merch is Annie Stratton’s favorite. Now you can buy the gear too using the link below. 100% of the proceeds go to charities that support our men and women in our military and their families.

https://yankeeairpirate.logosoftwear.com/

05/12/2021

ADM. Stockdale describes his treatment by the North Vietnamese Communist’s.

www.achievement.orgCopyright: American Academy of Achievement

26/11/2021

The son of highly decorated and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Gerald “Jerry” Coffee fondly remembers the father who lived a life that honored his family, his community and his country.

https://www.midweek.com/jerry-coffee/

20/11/2021

in 1967, LTJG Denny Earl completed his bomb run and returned to USS Oriskany even though both his legs had been shattered when North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire hit his A-4 Skyahwk. He made a perfect landing on the carrier and was actually annoyed that a barricade had been erected as a precaution due to concern that he may pass out from pain if he had to make a second approach. After surgery, Earl recovered from his wounds and continued to fly for the Navy.

05/11/2021

Ashley Stratton interviews her grandfather, The Yankee Air Pirate about American society and culture as part of an oral history project at Saint John’s University. Find out what Ashley’s grandfather thinks about the future of our country. Listen to episode #25 now using the link below for Apple devices or listen on most other podcast players.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yankee-air-pirate/id1478940939?i=1000540670586

29/09/2021

Remarks made to honor a great American hero, Major General Charles W. Sweeney. ~ By Captain Richard A. Stratton, USN (ret). If you want to learn more about the full story of how Sweeney helped America win WW2 by flying both atomic missions consider reading his book (available in hard copy, Kindle, and audio formats) ~ Link in the description of this YouTube video.
https://youtu.be/gR4yVH9S02c

Dedication for Major General Charles W. Sweeney by Richard A. Stratton at the Generals Bridge dedication in Quincy, MA.This event took place on September 11,...

26/09/2021

Always love our trips back to Quincy, MA.

https://youtu.be/W18bMMuIyOg

This video is about Mayor Koch Intro - GrampsRichard A. Stratton is introduced by Quincy Mayor Tom Koch prior to the remarks he made to honor Maj General Cha...

09/09/2021

25/08/2021

“They continued to beat me until I thought I would go out of my mind with the pain. I said, ‘Okay, I’ll tell you, stop.’ And they stopped. I took a few minutes while they waited just to get my breath and allow the pain to dissipate a little, and then I said, ‘I don’t have any answer.’ So back to the beating...”
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Eugene “Red” McDaniel was shot down over North Vietnam and captured in May 1967. He spent the next 6 years in captivity. Throughout his time as a prisoner, he continually served as an inspiration to his fellow captives. After his release in 1973, he was awarded a host of medals for providing medical care to other prisoners, acting as chaplain and boosting morale, devising many ingenious methods of communication between captives, and his unwavering resistance to the enemy despite being brutally tortured.
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His most extreme confrontation with the enemy came in 1969 when several other prisoners failed in their attempt to escape. McDaniel took responsibility for facilitating their escape, even fabricated a tale of his own escape plan, in order avoid revealing the names of others who were actually involved in the plot. McDaniel suffered isolation, beatings, electric shock, and binding with ropes that fractured his arm. For his incredible resolve, he was later awarded the Navy Cross.
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McDaniel remained in the Navy following his release. He retired as a Captain in 1982. His other awards include 2 Silver Stars, 2 Legions of Merit with “V”, 3 Bronze Stars with “V”, and 2 Purple Hearts.
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14/08/2021

Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence (Class of 1951) was the Commander of the Brigade of Midshipmen and President of the Class. He was also the Academy Superintendent from 1978-1981. While a prisoner of war in Vietnam, Lawrence mentally composed poetry to help keep up his spirits. During a 60-day period of solitary confinement, he composed, by memory, the poem "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee," in honor of his native state. In 1973, the Tennessee State Legislature adopted the poem as Tennessee's official state poem.

17/04/2021

Want to know how the Yankee Air Pirate became call sign "Beak"? Watch this short video to find out.

https://youtu.be/46nOBXfYGTw
Download and listen to the Yankee Air Pirate Podcast™️ to learn more about the story🏴‍☠️Available on most podcast players..
Apple’s link is below:
https://podcasts.apple.com/.../yankee-air.../id1478940939

Click the Apple podcast link below to listen to the full episode or search for "Yankee Air Pirate" in most podcast players.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podc...

08/04/2021

🇺🇸POW OF THE DAY🇺🇸
Vern Ligon, USAF (Room #7)

During WW2 he was shot down during his 35th combat mission on April 23, 1944, and taken as a Prisoner of War by the Germans. After spending 372 days in captivity, he was repatriated on April 29, 1945.

During the Vietnam War he flew the RF-4C Phantom II. On November 19, 1967, Ligon was shot down over North Vietnam while flying his 26th combat mission and was taken as a Prisoner of War, becoming one of only two POWs in Vietnam to have been a POW twice. After spending 1,943 days in captivity, Colonel Ligon was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973.

Read more via the link below:

http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=91

Download and listen to the Yankee Air Pirate Podcast™️ to learn more about the story🏴‍☠️Available on most podcast players..
Apple’s link is below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yankee-air-pirate/id1478940939

04/04/2021

🇺🇸POW OF THE DAY🇺🇸
Swede Larson, USAF (Room #7)

Col Larson served as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from November 1966 to January 1967, and then as Commander of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron from February 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam while flying his 95th combat mission on May 5, 1967. Col Larson was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War. After spending 2,131 days in captivity, Col Larson was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973.

Read more via the link below:

http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1117

Download and listen to the Yankee Air Pirate Podcast™️ to learn more about the story🏴‍☠️Available on most podcast players..
Apple’s link is below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yankee-air-pirate/id1478940939

29/03/2021

Thank you to ALL our Vietnam War Vets!

Download and listen to the Yankee Air Pirate Podcast™️ to learn more about the story🏴‍☠️Available on most podcast players..
Apple’s link is below:
https://podcasts.apple.com/.../yankee-air.../id1478940939

As we lead up to National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, we are sharing how people across the country honor Vietnam veterans. We are pleased to share ...

27/03/2021

Navy Capt (ret) Mike McGrath shares his account of being a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War and the resiliency it took to endure the 6 year imprisonmen...

25/03/2021

CAG Stockdale was the best of the best!

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while senior naval officer in the prisoner-of-war camps of North Vietnam. Recognized by his captors as the leader in the prisoners' of war resistance to interrogation and in their refusal to participate in propaganda exploitation, Rear Adm. Stockdale was singled out for interrogation and attendant torture after he was detected in a covert communications attempt. Sensing the start of another purge, and aware that his earlier efforts at self-disfiguration to dissuade his captors from exploiting him for propaganda purposes had resulted in cruel and agonizing punishment, Rear Adm. Stockdale resolved to make himself a symbol of resistance regardless of personal sacrifice. He deliberately inflicted a near-mortal wound to his person in order to convince his captors of his willingness to give up his life rather than capitulate. He was subsequently discovered and revived by the North Vietnamese who, convinced of his indomitable spirit, abated in their employment of excessive harassment and torture toward all the prisoners of war. By his heroic actions, at great peril to himself, he earned the everlasting gratitude of his fellow prisoners and of his country. Rear Adm. Stockdale's valiant leadership and extraordinary courage in a hostile environment sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/james-b-stockdale

21/03/2021

Leadership 101 - It’s about your people!

Download and listen to the Yankee Air Pirate Podcast™️ to learn more about the story🏴‍☠️Available on most podcast players..
Apple’s link is below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yankee-air-pirate/id1478940939


The Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership

14/03/2021

Thank you to ALL The Yankee Air Pirates! 🏴‍☠️ Semper Fi 🇺🇸

The last of the 591 POWs released during Operation Homecoming was released March 29, 1973.

Download and listen to the Yankee Air Pirate Podcast™️ to learn more about the story🏴‍☠️Available on most podcast players..
Apple’s link is below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yankee-air-pirate/id1478940939