Lt. Dieter Dengler USNR-Navy Cross

[Litt'le Lee]

saw a movie on him escape from Laos during Nam-How many more of these
stories are hidden about the great ones fron the Nam war--I thought the only
one escaping from Cong was Rowe

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[P. Greaney]

He made a documentary about his escapades which I saw about ten or twelve years ago called "Little Dieter Must Fly". Part of it consisted of him and his former captors reenacting his capture and walk through the jungle to the prison camp where was held prisoner and his subsequent escape.
He also talked about his life in Germany and what led him to become a Naval Aviator. I haven't seen the movie yet.

[TDH]

I saw the movie. It was so so.

One of the great tragedies of that war was one Corp. Robert Garwood. USMC. He was captured in 1963 and held until 1979. After being released and coming home he was courtmarshelled for collaborating with the enemy. He died broke and heartbroken. After 16 years as a POW he should have been honored.

[P. Greaney]

Little Dieter Needs to Fly was the name of the documentary. It is the man himself not some Hollywood crumb bumb.
http://skyraider.org/skyassn/dengler/dengler.htm
Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) - IMDb user comments

[edlmann]

One of the great tragedies of that war was one Corp. Robert Garwood. USMC. He was captured in 1963 and held until 1979. After being released and coming home he was [s]courtmarshelled[/s] court martialled for collaborating with the enemy. He died broke and heartbroken. After 16 years as a POW he should have been honored.

Fixed spelling of court martialed.

You're entitled to your view, but it's a pity that Garwood wasn't shot trying to escape.

[Litt'le Lee]

Any doubt that Garwood was a traitor to America and the Corps is completly proven without any doubt, and this book was written on his side by people trying to be on his side...His whole purpose --criminal..alone just his workings on the establishing a repair facility for all of the US gear left there was mind bogling thing proving without a doubt his aid and comfort to the enemy

[TDH]

There are 2 sides to the Garwood story. I read a book written by the Officer that was sent ot kill Garwood. The man states in the beginning he thought Garwood was a tratior as well but as the years wore on and more information became available he changed his mind. He also says that at his courtsmarshal witnesses that would testify that Garwood risked his life consistantly trying to get medical supplies and food to his fellow prisioners that were in worse shape than himself. Testimony against Garwood was made by ex prisioners that were know to aid the enemy. Regardless of the side you wish to beleive in the fact remains he was a P.O.W. in Viet Namese camps for 16 years. That in itself is a formable task. Just my humble opinion.

[milprileb]

Lets not re write history and make Garwood anything other than what he was: he flipped and went to the other side and joined the NVA. To the extent that Garwood was of low intelligence and got snookered by the enemy is obvious. Lets not forget he asked to stay in Viet Nam after we left and not be returned and then later changed his mind. He is what the NVA called a "Rallier": which is someone who changed sides and joined them.

The USMC court martialed Garwood for the right reasons. He was and is a traitor. Fact. It is not up for opinions or debate. Proven at a court martial and end of story.

[TDH]

Lets not re write history and make Garwood anything other than what he was: he flipped and went to the other side and joined the NVA. To the extent that Garwood was of low intelligence and got snookered by the enemy is obvious. Lets not forget he asked to stay in Viet Nam after we left and not be returned and then later changed his mind. He is what the NVA called a "Rallier": which is someone who changed sides and joined them.

The USMC court martialed Garwood for the right reasons. He was and is a traitor. Fact. It is not up for opinions or debate. Proven at a court martial and end of story.

Hurricane Carter was convicted as well.

[Litt'le Lee]

APPLES AND ORANGES on that one