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A lesson in courage: Altoona students hear experiences of Robinson, longest held enlisted POW

Vietnam War veteran William Robinson holds an inauspicious record -- that of being the longest held enlisted prisoner of war.

Robinson, who was held in captivity for 2,703 days or 7.5 years, spoke to Altoona Area school students Thursday about courage and perseverance, history and his mother, who instilled in him at a young age to never give up.

Students from a variety of American history classes sat enthralled as Robinson presented his story of being captured after his helicopter crashed during a rescue mission over North Vietnam.

Deployed to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, with the 38th Air Rescue Squadron, Robinson was a crew chief aboard a U.S. Air Force rescue helicopter when it was shot down.

He was captured and taken prisoner on Sept. 20, 1965.

Robinson said he was lined up in front of a firing squad, but for some reason his life was spared that day.

Eventually, he was turned over to the Red Army and spent time at "Hanoi Hilton."

He endured years in North Vietnamese prison camps, including the notorious Briarpatch and various compounds in Cu Loc, known as the Zoo.

Captured just a few days shy of his 22nd birthday, he was released during Operation Homecoming on Feb. 12, 1973.

No enlisted man in American military history has been held as prisoner of war longer than Robinson, according to a book written by Glenn Robbins, "The Longest Rescue: The Life and Legacy of Vietnam POW William A. Robinson."

Robinson told the students that while he was captive, he was confined to small rooms with a small bed and bucket.

"I received clothes, a bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand towel and mosquito net that would become my only possessions during those seven years," he said.

He said there were no modern conveniences, radio or TV, and everything familiar no longer existed.

"People asked me what gave me hope," he said, and answered, "It was to remember what my mother told me in grade school to never give up and never give in."

Being held captive for so long didn't deter Robinson from his military service.

Once recovered, he attended undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard AFB, completed the officer's aircraft maintenance course and served as a maintenance officer with the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida.

Capping off a 23-year career that began when he enlisted on Nov. 22, 1961, Robinson retired as a captain from the Air Force on Dec. 1, 1984, as a logistics management officer with the 3246th Test Wing at Eglin AFB.

Today, he thinks of all the people who gave their all for the nation and the 83,000 still missing in action since World War II.

"We have over 1,500 Vietnam (soldiers) who were never counted for; they're our American heroes," Robinson said.

Today's students are the future of the nation, he said, adding that it was an honor for him to talk about his experiences.

He was just a young boy when he learned about military heroes, noting that his grandfather worked in a cotton mill. On a visit to the mill with his grandfather, Robinson said he learned the names of the men listed on the plexiglass wall there.

"He said 'these are young men from my community that raised their right hand and said take me, I will defend America,'" Robinson said, recalling his grandfather's words.

His grandfather's friend, Roofus, who had a bad leg, was a veteran, Robinson said, admitting that "for years I did not know that he had given so much for his country."

Then, he learned that the names accompanied by stars were the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice.

After his presentation, Robinson said he was encouraged to see many of the students paid attention and were engaged in his story.

"It is important for them to learn history and also to encourage them to reach back in their own families to find it," he said.

Teacher Tom Fox said he hoped Robinson's story inspired his students, giving them a new appreciation of the sacrifices military members gave in the fight for freedom.

"I hope after today they have a new definition of a hero and it also gives them a new perspective on how they can tackle their own obstacles in life," he said.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions of Robinson, with one wondering if faith played a part in his perseverance.

Strong faith in Christ gave him the strength to hold on, Robinson replied.

Another asked what it felt like when he came back to the U.S., to which Robison said it felt like "heaven on Earth."

Fox said when he looked at the students' faces, he could tell they were dialed in to what was being said and he's looking forward to their reactions during Monday's class.

Ethan Jones, a senior and a member of the Patriotic Student Alliance, said that he was mesmerized and got chills while Robinson told his story.

"The more I grow up and meet people, the more I'm glad to be in this country," he said. "It's really like heaven on Earth, like Mr. Robinson said."

Wyatt Kuhn, another senior in the same group, said he was thankful for the service Robinson gave to the country.

"I'm just feeling a lot of gratitude, as I also have family members that served," he said.

Robinson is slated to speak to about 100 local veterans at 6 p.m. today at the Hollidaysburg American Legion.