The Vietnam War was one of the largest local armed conflicts of the 20th century and claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. One of its famous participants was American soldier Jeremiah Denton.
According to the US National Archives website, on July 18, 1965, Navy Commander Jeremiah E. Denton was shot down during an airstrike on a military facility in North Vietnam. On that day, he was taken prisoner by North Vietnamese forces and endured seven years and seven months of brutal treatment there.
He made a courageous move by sending an important message to the world with his eyes, making history.
"On May 2, 1966, as part of a propaganda campaign, the North Vietnamese arranged for him to be interviewed on television by a Japanese reporter. When asked his opinion about the actions of the US government, despite the directions given by his captors, he firmly confirmed his government’s position; he was prepared for torture and was confident that he would stand by his words while speaking in front of the camera. He conveyed the word 'T-O-R-T-U-R-E' in Morse code," the information states.
The video was later widely presented to the public. It was also reviewed by US military intelligence. Denton's words were the agency’s first clear confirmation that US military prisoners were subjected to torture. The transcript of that interview is kept in the Special Media Archive – the archive of the Central Intelligence Agency.
It is noted that Denton was released from captivity on February 12, 1973. After retiring from the US Navy with the rank of rear admiral, he was elected to the US Senate from 1981 to 1987.
The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a major armed conflict that lasted from 1955 to 1975. The main confrontation took place between Communist North Vietnam and its allies (including the People’s Republic of China and the USSR) and South Vietnam, which was supported by the US and other anti-communist countries.
After 20 years of fighting and the capture of Saigon by North Vietnam and Viet Cong guerrilla forces, North Vietnam took control of the entire country. American troops officially entered the war in 1965 and withdrew from South Vietnam after the signing of the Paris Agreement in 1973. (lent.az)
