A True Story of Perseverance, Courage and Faith--from a True American Hero

Imprisoned in Hanoi for 7 years, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Gerald Coffee says it transformed his life--for the better

Capt. Gerald Coffee,
USN (Ret.)

> Gerry Coffee doesn’t look one bit like either John Wayne or Tom Hanks. But, less than 15 minutes after this slightly built, retired U.S. Navy captain began his plainspoken address on Memorial Day morning, the men and women of the Moose knew they were in the presence of a true American hero, with more courage and class than a dozen movie stars could portray.

With blunt directness and simple humility, Coffee told a harrowing true story, but one which, somehow, he made ultimately uplifting--the story of his seven years and nine days of captivity in the hands of the North Vietnamese at the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” prison, from 1966-73.

He said that on balance, the experience was good for him.

“There’s nothing extraordinary about me,” he said in outlining a four-point theme: “With faith in ourselves, in each other, in our country, and in God--any of us can do anything.” He explained:

• Faith in oneself: “There are some who would think that in seven years of solitary captivity, the brain would atrophy. I think just the opposite happens. Never underestimate the power of solitude--in moderation.” He explained how he and his fellow prisoners, forbidden to speak, created a complete code language consisting of taps on the wall--then conducted discussions on American history, politics, literature and other topics. “I developed a faith in myself; my ability to go beyond just survival; to ultimately return with honor.”
  
  
• Faith in each other: “This is the idea of unity over self . . . it is every person’s duty to take good care of each other, like we tried to do with each other in Hanoi.”
  
  
• Faith in country: “Over seven years, keeping my faith in my country was tough sometimes--but ultimately it became much easier because I could see that the alternative was so obviously wrong . . . really all anyone need ask himself about the greatness of America is now before us in our immigration debate: Are people trying to get into America or get out? Duh! . . . Unfortunately, our political leaders 30 years ago snatched defeat in Vietnam out of the jaws of victory .” And: “There is only one conceivable ‘exit strategy’ for Iraq--and that’s victory.”
  
  
• Faith in God: “I never felt totally alone. God was with me; I felt his strength.” Someone who’d been in his cell before him had scratched into the wall: “‘God=Strength.’ It worked for me.”

Coffee closed his remarks by “tapping” in his comrades’ code “what we did every night at bedtime: Good night, and God bless America.”