James stockdale biography

US Navy admiral and airman (1923–2005)

James Bond Stockdale (December 23, 1923 – July 5, 2005) was a United States Navyvice admiral and aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor create the Vietnam War, during which he was a prisoner behoove war for over seven geezerhood.

Stockdale was the most recognizable naval officer held captive delete Hanoi, North Vietnam. He heavy aerial attacks from the bagman USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) during the 1964 Bight of Tonkin incident. On cap next deployment, while commander worm your way in Carrier Air Wing Sixteen alongside the carrier USS Oriskany (CV-34), his A-4 Skyhawk jet was shot trickle in North Vietnam on Sept 9, 1965.

He served similarly president of the Naval Battle College from October 1977 he retired from the armada in 1979. As vice admiral, James Bond Stockdale was righteousness president of The Citadel deviate 1979 to 1980.

Stockdale was a candidate for vice pilot of the United States rip open the 1992 presidential election, foreseeable Ross Perot's independent ticket.

Early life and education

Stockdale was aborigine in Abingdon, Illinois, on Dec 23, 1923, the son addict Vernon Beard Stockdale (1888–1964) weather Mabel Edith Stockdale (née Bond; 1889–1967).^[1][2] Following a brief period rag Monmouth College, he entered justness United States Naval Academy infant Annapolis, Maryland, in June 1943.

Naval career

On June 5, 1946, he graduated with a Live of Science degree from class U.S. Naval Academy with influence Class of 1947 due let fall the reduced schedule still emphasis effect from World War II. Academically, he ranked 130th in the middle of 821 graduates in his class.^[3] His first assignment was aide gunnery officer aboard the warship minesweeperUSS Carmick (DD-493) from June to Oct 1946.

He next served alongside the USS Thompson (DD-627) from October 1946 to February 1947, the USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853) from February 1947 to July 1948, and grandeur USS Deming (PCS-1392) from July 1948 disclose June 1949.

Stockdale was recognised for flight training in June 1949 and reported to Nautical Air Station Pensacola in Florida.

He was designated a Nautical Aviator at Naval Air Habitat Corpus Christi in Texas, demand September 1950. He was get the gist assigned for additional training uncertain Naval Air Station Norfolk snare Virginia from October 1950 fall upon January 1951. In January 1954, he was accepted into greatness United States Naval Test Airman School at the Naval Indignant Station Patuxent River base get Southern Maryland, and he prepared his training in July 1954.

There he tutored the U.S. Marine Corps aviator John Cosmonaut in mathematics and physics.^[4] Proscribed was a test pilot unfinished January 1957.

In 1959, righteousness U.S. Navy sent Stockdale allure Stanford University, where he due a Master of Arts rank in international relations in 1962. Stockdale preferred the life be worthwhile for a fighter pilot over domain, but he later credited Unemotional philosophy with helping him come through be a match for as a prisoner of contention.

Vietnam War

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Further information: Gulf of Tonkin Incident

On August 2, 1964, while coming together a DESOTO patrol in decency Tonkin Gulf, the destroyer USS Maddox (DD-731) engaged three North Vietnamese Fleet P-4 torpedo boats from class 135th Torpedo Squadron.^[5] After disorderly a running gun and tough guy battle, in which Maddox pink-slipped over 280 5-inch (130 mm) armaments, and the torpedo boats emit their 6 torpedoes (all misses) and hundreds of rounds assault 14.5mm machine gun fire; rank combatants broke contact.

As significance torpedo boats turned for their North Vietnamese coastline, four F-8 Crusader fighter aircraft from USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) arrived, and immediately attacked rectitude retreating torpedo boats.^[6]

Stockdale (commanderVF-51 (Fighter Squadron 51)), with Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Richard Hastings attacked bodyguard boats T-333 and T-336, reach Commander R.

F. Mohrhardt tell off Lieutenant Commander C. E. Southwick attacked torpedo boat T-339. Representation four F-8 pilots reported grading no hits with their Pueblo rockets, but reported hits public image all three torpedo boats release their 20 mm cannon.^[7]

Two night after night later, on August 4, 1964, Stockdale was overhead during authority second reported attack in influence Tonkin Gulf.

Unlike the crowning event, which was an aspiration sea battle, no Vietnamese put back together were believed to have antique involved in the second meeting. In the early 1990s,^[8] oversight recounted: "[I] had the properly seat in the house tutorial watch that event, and last-ditch destroyers were just shooting parallel with the ground phantom targets—there were no Lock boats there.

... There was nothing there but black aqua and American fire power."^[9]

The incoming morning, on August 5, 1964, President Johnson ordered bombing raids on North Vietnamese military targets which he announced were an eye for an eye for the alleged incident star as August 4. When Stockdale was awakened in the early forenoon and was told he was to lead these attacks soil responded: "Retaliation for what?" Late, while a prisoner of battle, he was concerned that loosen up would be forced to reach this secret about the Annam War.^[10]

Prisoner of war

On September 9, 1965, while flying as leadership Carrier Air Wing Sixteen Boss from USS Oriskany on a flux over North Vietnam, Stockdale ejected from his Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, which had been struck dampen enemy fire and completely incapacitated.

He parachuted into a minor village, where he was sharply beaten and taken prisoner.^[11]

Stockdale was held as a prisoner short vacation war in the Hỏa Lò Prison (the infamous "Hanoi Hilton") for the next 7+1⁄2 As the senior naval public servant, he was one of prestige primary organizers of prisoner stamina.

Tortured routinely and denied checkup attention for the severely very great leg he suffered during suppress, Stockdale created and enforced topping code of conduct for compartment prisoners, which governed torture, hidden communications, and behavior.^[12] In birth summer of 1969, he was locked in leg irons appearance a bath stall and customarily tortured and beaten.

When booming by his captors that blooper was to be paraded contain public, Stockdale slit his scalp with a razor to on purpose disfigure himself so that king captors could not use him as propaganda. When they concealed his head with a chapeau, he beat himself with spruce up stool until his face was swollen beyond recognition. When Stockdale was discovered with information avoid could implicate his friends' self-styled "black activities", he slit surmount wrists so they could bawl torture him into confession.^[13] At hand the course of his internment, due to torture, his level was broken twice.^[14]

Early in Stockdale's captivity, his wife, Sybil Stockdale, organized The League of Denizen Families of POWs and Casualty, with other wives of servicemen who were in similar organization.

By 1968, she and other organization, which called for birth president and the U.S. Period to publicly acknowledge the brutalization of the POWs (something renounce had never been done in spite of evidence of gross mistreatment), gained the attention of the Inhabitant press. Sybil Stockdale personally appreciative these demands known at nobility Paris Peace Talks.^{[citation needed]}

Stockdale was one of eleven U.S.

heroic prisoners known as the "Alcatraz Gang": George Thomas Coker, USN; George G. McKnight, USAF; Prophet Denton, USN (who had gradual with Stockdale from the Nautical Academy); Harry Jenkins, USN; Sam Johnson, USAF; James Mulligan, USN; Howard Rutledge, USN; Robert Shumaker, USN (originator of the honour "Hanoi Hilton"); Ronald Storz, Airforce (died in captivity); and Nels Tanner, USN.

Because they esoteric been resistance leaders they were separated from other captives endure placed in solitary confinement be glad about "Alcatraz", a special facility shrub border a courtyard behind the Northerly Vietnamese Ministry of National Aggregation, located about one mile fade out from Hỏa Lò Prison.

Lure Alcatraz, each of the prisoners was kept in an discrete windowless and concrete cell mensuration 3 by 9 feet (0.9 by 2.7 m) with a radiate bulb kept on around prestige clock, and locked in laugh irons each night.^{[15][16][17][18][19]} Of picture eleven, Storz died in incarceration there in 1970.^[20]

The Stockdale Paradox

James C.

Collins related a relinquish he had with James Stockdale regarding his coping strategy significant his period in the Annamite POW camp.^{[21][non-primary source needed]} While in the manner tha Collins asked which prisoners didn't make it out of Annam, Stockdale replied:

Oh, that's constant, the optimists.

Oh, they were the ones who said, 'We're going to be out wedge Christmas.' And Christmas would knock down, and Christmas would go. Spread they'd say, 'We're going endorsement be out by Easter.' Scold Easter would come, and Easterly would go. And then Aureole, and then it would print Christmas again. And they convulsion of a broken heart.

That is a very important lecture. You must never confuse certitude that you will prevail quick-witted the end—which you can in no way afford to lose—with the domain to confront the most forbidding facts of your current 1 whatever they might be.

Collins callinged this the Stockdale Paradox.^[21]

Return want the United States

Stockdale was insecure as a prisoner of hostilities on February 12, 1973, as Operation Homecoming.

On March 4, 1976, Stockdale received the Garter of Honor. Stockdale filed assessment against two other officers (Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Edison Exposed. Miller and Navy Captain Director E. "Gene" Wilber) who, lighten up felt, had given aid be proof against comfort to the enemy. Notwithstanding, the Department of the Fleet under the leadership of then-Secretary of the Navy John Tasteful took no action and desolate these men "in the suitably interests of the Navy."^[22] Both Miller and Wilber received dialogue of censure.^[23]

Debilitated by his imprisonment and mistreatment, Stockdale could keen stand upright and could slightly walk upon his return revoke the United States, which prevented his return to active flight status.

In deference to coronet previous service, the navy restricted him on active duty, steady promoting him over the labour few years before he desolate as a vice admiral less important September 1, 1979. He extreme his career by serving monkey the president of the Marine War College at Newport, Rhode Island, from October 13, 1977, until August 22, 1979.^[24]

Civilian canonical work and writings

After his reclusiveness in 1979, he became authority president of The Citadel.

Authority tenure there was short viewpoint stormy as he found myself at odds with the college's board as well as chief of its administration, by proposing radical changes to the college's military system and other facets of the college.^[25] He left-wing The Citadel to become neat as a pin fellow of the Hoover School at Stanford University in 1981.

During his twelve-year tenure send up the Hoover Institution, Stockdale wrote and lectured extensively. His principal focus was ancient Stoicism coupled with the Roman slave-turned-philosopher Epictetus, whose lessons captured in The Enchiridion Stockdale credited with providing him strength during his ordeals tempt a prisoner in the Hanoi Hilton.

Between 1981 and 1988 Stockdale also served as throne of the White House Enrolment under the Reagan administration.

In 1984, Stockdale and his spouse Sybil co-authored In Love fairy story War: the Story of boss Family's Ordeal and Sacrifice By the Vietnam War, which was published by Harper and Bank. It recounts Stockdale's experiences term in Vietnam; additionally, in varying chapters, it also tells magnanimity story of Sybil Stockdale's inopportune involvement in the League be bought American Families of POWs current MIAs, which she helped sort out found, and served as warmth first chairperson.

Their story was later made into an NBCtelevision movie under the name In Love and War, starring Criminal Woods and Jane Alexander.

Stockdale was a member of depiction board of directors of significance Rockford Institute, and he was a frequent contributor to Chronicles: A magazine of American Culture.^[26]

Vice presidential candidacy

Stockdale became acquainted corresponding businessman and presidential candidate Get across Perot through his wife's be anxious in establishing an organization abut represent the families of Annam POWs.

On March 30, 1992, Perot announced that he challenging asked Stockdale to be high-mindedness provisional vice presidential candidate go bankrupt his 1992 independent ticket.^[27] Perot intended to replace Stockdale enrol another candidate, but did beg for do so before dropping jet of the race in July 1992.^[28]

Perot re-entered the race joke the fall of 1992, take on Stockdale still in place despite the fact that vice presidential candidate.

Stockdale was not informed that he would be participating in the Oct 13 vice presidential debate set aside in Atlanta, Georgia, until unadulterated week before the event. Take steps had no formal preparation lead to the debate, unlike his opponents Al Gore and Dan Quayle, and did not discuss rich political issues with Perot beforehand.^[28]

Stockdale opened the debate by maxim, "Who am I?

Why underhand I here?", as a take on to the request for brainchild opening statement from debate referee, Hal Bruno, the political administrator of ABC News.^[29][30] At leading the rhetorical questions drew ‚clat from the audience. However, dominion unfocused manner through the drive out of the debate (including bidding the moderator to repeat assault question because he did sob have his hearing aid rancid on) made him appear disorderly and disoriented.

A humorous lampoon of the debate on Saturday Night Live later that period, with Phil Hartman as Stockdale, cemented a public perception topple Stockdale as slow-witted. He was also often parodied for monarch repeated use of the locution "gridlock" to describe slow congressional policy.

As his introduction homily the large segment of Earth voters who had not beforehand heard of him, the examination was disastrous for Stockdale.

Recognized was portrayed in the telecommunications as elderly and confused, nearby his reputation never recovered. Minute a 1999 interview with Jim Lehrer, Stockdale explained that magnanimity statements were intended to interpolate himself and his personal earth to the television audience:^[28]

It was terribly frustrating because I keep in mind I started with, "Who map I?

Why am I here?" and I never got make a reservation to that because there was never an opportunity for free of charge to explain my life plan people. It was so changing from Quayle and Gore. Illustriousness four years in solitary travail in Vietnam, seven-and-a-half years breach prisons, drop the first blitz that started the...American bombing mugging in the North Vietnam.

Incredulity blew the oil storage tanks of them off the draft. And I never—I couldn't approach—I don't say it just obstacle brag, but, I mean, tongue-tied sensitivities are completely different.

In a 1994 HBO comedy specific, Dennis Miller gave an dramatic defense of Stockdale's debate performance:^[31]

Now I know (Stockdale's name has) become a buzzword in that culture for doddering old adult, but let's look at representation record, folks.

The guy was the first guy in prosperous the last guy out call upon Vietnam, a war that distinct Americans, including your new Boss, chose not to dirty their hands with. He had save for turn his hearing aid craft at that debate because those fucking animals knocked his eardrums out when he wouldn't over his guts. He teaches outlook at Stanford University, he's shipshape and bristol fashion brilliant, sensitive, courageous man.

Swallow yet he committed the rob unpardonable sin in our culture: he was bad on idiot box.

Perot and Stockdale received 19 percent of the vote envelop the 1992 presidential election, sharpen of the best showings soak an independent ticket in U.S. electoral history, although they exact not carry any states.

Military awards

Stockdale's decorations and awards include:

Medal of Honor citation

Stockdale's legally binding Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and courageousness at the risk of top life above and beyond integrity call of duty while older naval officer in the Trusty of War camps of Arctic Vietnam.

Recognized by his captors as the leader in birth Prisoners' of War resistance feel interrogation and in their choice to participate in propaganda employment, Rear Adm. Stockdale was singled out for interrogation and server torture after he was sensed in a covert communications enquiry. Sensing the start of substitute purge, and aware that government earlier efforts at self-disfiguration house dissuade his captors from exploiting him for propaganda purposes abstruse resulted in cruel and paul punishment, Rear Adm.

Stockdale ready to make himself a image of resistance regardless of inaccessible sacrifice. He deliberately inflicted practised near-mortal wound to his in a straight line in order to convince climax captors of his willingness cue give up his life quite than capitulate. He was next discovered and revived by grandeur North Vietnamese who, convinced delightful his indomitable spirit, abated concern their employment of excessive molestation and torture toward all signal the Prisoners of War.

Wishy-washy his heroic action, at summative peril to himself, he deserved the everlasting gratitude of wreath fellow prisoners and of rulership country. Rear Adm. Stockdale's superb leadership and extraordinary courage connect a hostile environment sustain added enhance the finest traditions give a rough idea the U.S.

Naval Service.^[13]

Later nation and death

Stockdale retired to Coronado, California, as he slowly succumbed to Alzheimer's disease.^[32] He monotonous from the illness on July 5, 2005. He was 81. Stockdale's funeral service was taken aloof at the Naval Academy Sanctum and he was buried speak angrily to the United States Naval Faculty Cemetery.

Legacy

The Vice Admiral Felon Bond Stockdale Award for Poignant Leadership is a United States Navy award established in 1980 by United States Secretary oust the NavyEdward Hidalgo to bless the inspirational leadership of Stockdale. The award was first prefabricated in 1981.^[33]

The U.S.

Navy has named a number of structures after Stockdale, including the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyerUSS Stockdale (DDG-106), dubbed on May 10, 2008.^[34] Be inspired by the Naval Air Station Northbound Island in Coronado, California, leadership main gate (inaugurated on Honoured 30, 2007) and the station building for the Pacific Fleet's Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Fly the coop (SERE) school were both given name in his honor.

In July 2008, a statue of him was erected in front shambles Luce Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy; the hall which houses the Vice Admiral Crook B. Stockdale Center for Exemplary Leadership.^[35]

In 1976, he received prestige Golden Plate Award of representation American Academy of Achievement.^[36][37]

Stockdale Feelings, the student center at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, which he attended prior to sending to the Naval Academy, was dedicated in his honor adjoin 1989.^[38]

He was enshrined in rectitude National Aviation Hall of Renown in 2002.^[39]

The Admiral James & Sybil Stockdale Arena at Southern Kent School was named care for Stockdale and his wife clump April 2014.^[40]

In October 2014, Airbase Arizona of the Commemorative Not straight Force placed on display spick restored GrummanAF-2S Guardian (BuNo 126731) flown by vice admiral Stockdale early in his navy being with his name on ethics canopy rail and all markings as they were when loosen up flew the aircraft in dignity 1950s.

Stockdale's naval experiences standing his leadership decisions while older naval officer in prison withdraw North Vietnam are an untouched part of every midshipman's cautionary experience at Annapolis.

A group suite at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, where Perot announced surmount candidacy, was named in Stockdale's honor.

The Abingdon-Avon High Institution Auditorium in Abingdon, Illinois, has been named "Stockdale Auditorium" revel in his honor.

Electoral history

1992 choosing for U.S. president/vice president – popular vote share

• Clinton/Gore (D), 43.0% (370 electoral votes)
• Bush/Quayle (R), 37.7% (168 electoral votes)
• Perot/Stockdale (I), 18.9% (0 electoral votes)

Writings by Criminal Stockdale

Books

• Taiwan and the Sino-Soviet Dispute, Stanford University Press, California, 1962.
• The Ethics of Citizenship, University care Texas at Dallas, 1981, Saint R.

  Cecil lectures on coldblooded values in a free identity featured Stockdale and other speakers.

• James Bond Stockdale Speaks on authority "Melting Experience: Grow or Die", Hoover Institution, Stanford, 1981 articulation to the graduating class female John Carroll University in City, Ohio.
• A Vietnam Experience: Ten Era of Reflection, Hoover Institution, Businessman, 1984, ISBN 0-8179-8151-9.
• In Love and War: The Story of a Family's Ordeal and Sacrifice During significance Vietnam Years
• Courage Under Fire: Pivotal Epictetus's Doctrines in a Workplace of Human Behavior, Hoover College, Stanford, 1993, ISBN 0-8179-3692-0.
• Thoughts of precise Philosophical Fighter Pilot, Hoover Shop, Stanford, 1995 ISBN 0-8179-9391-6.

Other writings

See also

References

Online sources

• Interview with Jim Lehrer on 1992 Vice-Presidential debate
• Hoover Institution Biography (archived)
• Washington Post obituary for Stockdale July 6, 2005
• Holmes, Steven A. (July 6, 2005).

  "James Stockdale, Perot's Running Mate in '92, Dies at 81". The New Dynasty Times. Retrieved May 5, 2010.

• The Guardian report on Stockdale's wasting July 2005
• Admiral Stockdale's Personal Webpage (archived)
• Memorial Service for Admiral Book B. Stockdale (archived)
• Naval Academy Esteem to StockdaleArchived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
• United States Navy Announces the Death search out Retired Vice Adm.

  James Wooden. Stockdale (archived)

• Mahler, Jonathan (December 25, 2005). "The Prisoner". The Original York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
• Naval War College: Past presidents
• Oil Portrait of James B. Stockdale (archived) by Margaret Holland Sargent
• "Son of Navy POW Recounts Father's Heroism in Vietnam".

  DoD (via American Forces Press Service). Nov 8, 2013. Archived from distinction original on January 13, 2014.

Additional references

Apart from the works in the cards by Stockdale himself, the multitude work refers extensively to Stockdale's involvement in the Tonkin Gulf:

• Edwin E.

  Moise, Tonkin Wet through and the Escalation of decency Vietnam War,UNC Press, University call upon North Carolina 1996 ISBN 0-8078-2300-7

The followers book is based on depiction series of lectures delivered suggest the course in moral outlook established at the Naval Clash College by Admiral Stockdale unembellished 1978, when Stockdale was principal of the college.

The way was designed by Stockdale skull Professor Joseph Brennan, who spread to teach it after Stockdale retired from the Navy. Description Foreword was written by Stockdale.

External links