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A Vietnam POW blinked "TORTURE" in Morse code on North Vietnamese TV, and Naval Intelligence got the messageNavy Commander Jeremiah Denton was forced to sit in front of a camera. He used his eyes to tell America the truth.THE SHOOTDOWNOn July 18, 1965, Denton was flying an A-6A Intruder from the USS Independence on a bombing mission over North Vietnam when he was shot down near Thanh Hoa. He and his bombardier, Bill Tschudy, were quickly captured.THE INTERVIEWAccording to the National Archives, on May 2, 1966, North Vietnam put Denton in front of a television camera as part of a propaganda campaign. Asked about the war, he said: "I don't know what is happening, but whatever the position of my government is, I support it fully."THE MESSAGEWhile he spoke, he blinked the word "T-O-R-T-U-R-E" in Morse code. U.S. Naval Intelligence reviewed the tape, and his message was the first clear confirmation that American prisoners of war were being tortured. His Navy Cross citation credits his Morse code distress message.THE COSTDenton was held almost eight years, about four of them in solitary confinement. Military Wiki says he was part of the "Alcatraz Gang," a group of resistance leaders held in isolation.THE RETURNHe was released on February 12, 1973, during Operation Homecoming. Stepping off the plane, he said: "We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances." He ended with "God bless America."AFTER THE WARDenton received the Navy Cross for his heroism as a POW. He served as a U.S. Senator from Alabama from 1981 to 1987. He died on March 28, 2014, at 89.Did someone in your family come home from Hanoi, or never get the chance? Tell us their story below. 👇Sources: National Archives, Wikipedia, BhamWiki, Military Wiki.#vietnamwar #pow #jeremiahdenton #hanoihilton #navy #vietnamveteran #veterans #militaryhistory #vietnam #operationhomecoming #navycross #redactedhistory