Navy pilot James Stockdale was captured during the Vietnam War and spent eight harrowing years as a prisoner of war. He endured torture 15 times, four years in solitary confinement, and two years in leg irons—yet he never broke. Stockdale secretly developed ways to communicate with fellow prisoners and even injured himself to prevent being used for enemy propaganda.
Back home, his wife Sybil worked tirelessly to raise awareness for POWs, refusing to let her husband’s suffering be forgotten. When he was finally released in 1973, James returned home with scars both seen and unseen, but also with unshakable dignity.
For his extraordinary courage and leadership, James Stockdale was awarded the Medal of Honor. His story remains a powerful reminder of endurance, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit.