SMSgt. Leland (Lee) Thomas — USAF – Retired
It has been over 40 years since our first “Hanoi-Hilton” Prisoners of War were released and started on the first leg of their trip back to America.
On February 12, 1973, the first C-141 plane load of our returning POWs were flown into Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Those released that day had been held captive the longest. U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Everett Alvarez had spent 8½ years of his life being tortured, deprived of food, medical attention, and even fellowship with the many other prisoners. But today he and others, those who also had been beaten and suffered as he did, were now taxiing down the runway, cleared for take-off.
The moment the wheels left the tarmac, the loudest first moment of their day was when they realized they were leaving Hanoi, headed for freedom. There were shouts and cheers, laughter and crying. They were on their way home.
At Clark Air Base they received much needed medical and dental attention, haircuts, new uniforms, unlimited time to phone their loved ones, and in general, they were getting a touch of the life they knew before this terrible ordeal of being POWs.
This is where I joined them for the continuation of their journey. I was a Combat Motion Picture Cameraman during my 21 years in the Air Force, and as a senior NCO was assigned to interview these individuals and film their activities from Clark Air Base to Honolulu, Hawaii, where we had a 2-hour refueling stop before departing, this time all the way into Travis AFB, California.
I filmed and spoke with more than 60 of these brave service men and they ALL felt they could NOT have made it through these days, months and years without their faith in God. They talked with their Creator every day, most on an hourly basis, and others said they never stopped talking to Him.
During our stop in Hawaii, the islanders who met the group that I was privileged to be traveling with, treated and welcomed home these returning heroes with warm affection, cheers, and the traditional Hawaiian flower leis.
As we departed, the crowds lined up from the terminal to the aircraft, shaking hands, giving hugs, and more flower leis, along with small American flags and a heartwarming, “Good-bye. God bless you. It is good to have you back from the war.” This was a thrilling and exciting time for all the returnees. Tears were in the eyes of most . . . . . I still get all choked up remembering this moment. I felt it a great honor to have been with this group of proud returning warriors from all branches of our armed services.
It was probably around 6:00 PM as we arrived at Travis AFB in California. One could never duplicate the emotion that erupted in the aircraft as we touched down. They all scrambled to deplane, as they knew loved ones and friends were awaiting their return. They and I shook hands between filming these scenes, praising God for their safe return. As I filmed their departure, I saw the excitement as they rushed into the arms of family and friends and disappeared into the crowds. I, along with the rest of the C-141 crew, yelled our good-byes and headed for Base Operations to file the next day’s flight plan, as now it would be time to head back to the Philippines.
As recounted by SMSgt. Leland (Lee) Thomas — USAF – Retired