Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Audio Recording Michael Thomas Burns Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Location of Service: Ubon, Thailand; Hanoi, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/25900
In 1968, Captain Michael Thomas Burns had just fulfilled a lifelong dream of flying jets in the Air Force when he was shot down on his eighteenth mission over Vietnam. He was captured and eventually transferred to the infamous Hanoi Hilton prisoner of war camp, where his relationships with his fellow prisoners became key to his survival. One of his greatest moments came when he was taught the "tap code," a system of tapping on the walls that was used to spread messages throughout the camp. His interview is peppered with descriptions of his friends in prison, their nicknames and the one-liner jokes that they shared--and his commentary demonstrates how their camaraderie kept them alive throughout their 56-month captivity.
Michael Thomas Burns Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayGetting shot down; bailing out; executing perfect parachute-landing roll; radioing his coordinates; hiding in bushes; being discovered by Vietnamese. 00:10:16.0 - 00:16:13.0
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PlayBeing walked through the night to a small village; staying there for twenty days; experiences with one particular guard; being transported by truck to the north; meeting another prisoner, Bobby Fat, who would become a good friend; transported up to Hanoi; arrival at Hanoi Hilton. 00:16:23.0 - 00:22:40.0
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PlayArriving at Hanoi Hilton in August 1968; lots of interrogations; sharing a cell with two other Americans; knowing there were other Americans around but not being able to talk to them; in January 1969, made contact with prisoner in cell across the hall; taught the "tap code" by Captain Jerry Marble; being able to communicate; living conditions in camp; typical food. 00:22:50.0 - 00:29:54.0
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PlayCoping mechanisms in prison; getting used to isolation; dreaming of food; losing weight; family did not hear from him for eighteen months, and then was allowed to send a short letter. 00:30:03.0 - 00:34:02.0
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PlayPassing time in prison; talking with his fellow prisoners about anything and everything; spending hours observing a tree in the sun outside of the prison walls. 00:38:35.0 - 00:41:53.0
About this Item
Title
- Michael Thomas Burns Collection
Names
- Lugar, Richard
- Stuart, R.J.
- Burns, Michael Thomas
- U.S. Senate/Richard Lugar
Home State
- Florida
Headings
- - Burns, Michael Thomas
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
- - Prisoner of War -- United States
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Location of Service: Ubon, Thailand; Hanoi, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Dates of Service: 1966-1973
- Prisoner of War: Yes
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran was a prisoner of war (POW) for five years.
Materials
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-11-15)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/25900
Cite as
- Michael Thomas Burns Collection (AFC/2001/001/25900), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- online text