With Pride

The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) encouraged civilians to aid in the capture of pilots and airmen from downed aircraft. Delivering a prisoner of war to the military was presented as an act of pride in one’s country. The propaganda presented North Vietnamese citizens who aid in the capture of airmen as heroic participants in the war. As many as thirteen prisons and camps housed prisoners of war in various conditions throughout North Vietnam. Over seven hundred United States servicemen were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.