Congressional Gold Medal to former Peace Corps Deputy Director
Excerpt from War History Online
December 12, 2024
Hundreds of US service members were taken by the North Vietnamese (NVA) and held prisoner during the Vietnam War. What makes Everett Alvarez, Jr. unique is that he was imprisoned for eight and a half years, making him the second-longest held prisoner of war (POW) in American history. Now, decades after his release, the US Navy veteran is slated to receive the highest honor the US Congress can bestow upon him: the Congressional Gold Medal.
Speaking about his survival later in life, Alvarez credited his faith in God and the support he had from other POWs. “We had a philosophy that you didn’t ever let your fellows down,” he said. “If they couldn’t take care of themselves, you took care of them because you knew darned well they would do the same.
Alvarez served for another 20 years, before leaving the Navy with the rank of commander in June 1980. He later earned his law degree, established a technology company, and served as the deputy director of both the Peace Corps and the Veterans Administration.
Alvarez is the co-author of two books (both available on Amazon):
Chained Eagle: The Heroic Story of the First American Shot Down Over North Vietnam
Please read the full article at War History Online.
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