[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 60 (Thursday, April 29, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4417-S4419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TED GUY, AN AMERICAN HERO

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to an American hero. We could use some heroes today, of all 
days, considering the last few days we have had in America. But I rise 
today to pay tribute to retired Col. Theodore Wilson Guy, United States 
Air Force, from Missouri. Ted Guy, nicknamed the ``Hawk'' by those who 
knew him best, was a genuine American hero. He was best known for 
having sacrificed his freedom for his country as a U.S. POW during the 
Vietnam war. But aside from being a hero, perhaps more importantly, Ted 
would say he was a husband, a father, a brother, and a friend to many, 
including myself. Last Friday, April 23, 1999, Ted passed away only 6 
months after discovering symptoms associated with leukemia.
  I will always remember Ted Guy for the encouraging faxes and e-mails 
he used to send to my office, especially during the investigation 
conducted by the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, which I 
cochaired in the early 1990s. I gained a lot of strength from those 
inspiring messages from this hero. Ted will never know, but I want his 
family to know how much those messages meant to me.
  Ted felt strongly that our Government needed to do more to account 
for his missing comrades from the Vietnam war. He traveled at his own 
expense to Washington, DC, to the Halls of Congress, to make this 
point.
  Ted was right to be concerned about our Government's handling of the 
issue of POWs and MIAs, and with his support, and the support of his 
fellow veterans and family members of POWs and MIAs, we have made 
significant progress in opening the books, declassifying the records, 
and pressing foreign governments for answers over the last decade.
  However, as Ted continued to maintain up until his last days with us, 
there is still much work to be done with our accounting effort, and I, 
for one, am committed to seeing this issue through, in part because of 
people like Ted.
  I commit to you, Ted, we will keep working. We owe it to you.
  I say to the youth of America, if you want a role model to aspire to 
and to inspire you, they do not come any better than men like Ted Guy. 
When looking for a hero, oftentimes young people

[[Page S4418]]

look to professional athletes or others. You want to remember that a 
hero is not only somebody you care for, but if they are a real hero, 
that person will care about you, too.
  Ted joined the Air Force in 1947. He served his country as an Air 
Force fighter pilot for the next 26 years. He served in both the Korean 
and Vietnam wars flying the F-84 in the Korean theater and the F-4 in 
the Vietnam theater. On March 22, 1968, while attacking an automatic 
weapons position near the Vietnamese-Laotian border during the battle 
of Khe Sanh, Ted's plane was shot down and he was captured by the 
Communist forces.
  Ted Guy was subsequently marched up the Ho Chi Minh Trail and then 
held in several POW camps in the Hanoi area, to include the infamous 
Hanoi Hilton. He was brutally tortured by the North Vietnamese to the 
point where he would pass out from severe beatings. He also was forced 
to spend nearly 4 years in solitary confinement.
  He was one tough guy--Ted Guy. He did not talk about it much, though. 
You could not get him to talk about it. He was not looking for 
sympathy.
  When he was finally removed from solitary confinement, he was put in 
a prison with more than 100 other U.S. military and civilian prisoners. 
He became the senior officer among them and was responsible for 
maintaining order, the chain of command, and the code of conduct among 
his fellow POWs.
  His leadership and guidance helped his fellow POWs survive their 
ordeal. Many have said just that. Many referred to themselves as 
``Hawks' Heroes'' in honor of Ted Guy.
  To the code of conduct, Ted added his own personal code that 
consisted of two points. The first point was to resist until unable to 
resist any longer before doing anything to embarrass his family or his 
country. The second point was to accept death before losing his honor.
  Ted once said:

       Honor is something that once you lose it, you become like 
     an insect in the jungle. You prey upon others and others prey 
     upon you until there is nothing left. Once you lose your 
     honor, all the gold in the world is useless in your attempt 
     to regain it.

  Mr. President, Ted Guy never, never lost his honor. What an 
inspiration he was to all Americans. I wish more Americans could have 
known him personally. I wish more Americans knew more about Ted Guy. He 
leaves behind his wife Linda of 26 years, four sons and two 
stepdaughters. He touched a lot of people--so many people.
  However, his unselfish and patriotic sacrifices for America and his 
heartfelt concerns about efforts to account for his missing comrades 
from the Vietnam war who never made it home were huge accomplishments. 
I was proud to call him a friend, and I already miss him.
  As with other POWs, Ted used a tap code in Hanoi to communicate 
through the walls with other POWs. It was an alphabet matrix--five 
lines across, five lines down. Ted used to end his messages by tapping 
the code ``GBU,'' or ``God bless you,'' and ``CUL'' for ``See you 
later.''
  I end my tribute with the same message to Ted: ``GBU CUL, Ted.''
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the tributes to Ted Guy 
from his son, his POW-MIA supporters, and his dear friend and fellow 
POW, ``Swede'' Larson, and also a copy of the tapping code, as Ted Guy 
used it, be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

          A Tribute to Ted Guy, Sr. From His Son, Ted Guy, Jr.

       On Friday, April 23rd, my dad passed away. Col. Ted Guy was 
     a man of tremendous conviction, determination and patriotism. 
     As his son, I would like to share with you a picture of my 
     Dad you might not have been aware of. Please read this as a 
     tribute from a son to his Dad.
       It was a little over six months ago that Linda alerted me 
     to the fact that Dad was not feeling well and he would be 
     undergoing some tests. The test showed the seriousness of 
     Dad's illness. I knew Dad would do everything he could to 
     fight the cancer, as his five year experience in POW camp had 
     provided a glimpse of his determination. However, my concern 
     became that he would finish well. To finish well would be to 
     be right with God. To be right with God would be to 
     understand and accept God's word, the Bible. To accept God's 
     word would be to receive Jesus Christ as one's savior.
       When I visited with Dad shortly after Christmas, I gave him 
     a copy of the book ``Mere Christianity'' by C.S. Lewis. On 
     the cover of the book I had written, ``Dad, I desire more 
     than anything in life that you would spend eternity with me 
     in heaven. I ask you to read this book with an open mind as 
     it is written by a `wanna be' fighter jock, C.S. Lewis.''
       Prior to giving this book to Dad, we had had discussions 
     about Jesus Christ, but Dad felt he was pretty much a self 
     made man and could make it on his own. But when your Dad is 
     dying, you tend to again go the extra mile as my greatest 
     concern was where would he spend eternity.
       I am so pleased to report that Dad read the book. As he was 
     fighting the cancer, his loving wife, Linda, would read from 
     ``Mere Christianity'' to Dad every night before he went to 
     bed. In addition, I gave Dad an audio cassette about the 
     ``proof of Christ.'' About two months ago, Dad called me and 
     said he had listened to the tape and ``it made a lot of 
     sense.'' He also told me not to worry as he and God were 
     going to be O.K.
       Throughout these past four months, I have had the great 
     privilege of seeing Dad do everything he could to beat the 
     cancer. I believe he received outstanding care. I also 
     believe the love and care shown Dad by Linda in helping him 
     fight the cancer is a real example of loving and serving at 
     its very best.
       I have also seen Dad's heart towards God change. This 
     change was reflected not only in what he said to people about 
     the things of God, but this change was also reflected in the 
     warmth and love he expressed to so many in his last days. He 
     understood the love of Christ and the beauty of Christ's gift 
     on the cross. But more than understanding, he accepted the 
     gift of God through his Son Jesus Christ.
       My wife, Rita, and my sons, David and Jeremy, will miss 
     Dad. David and Jeremy will miss fishing with Granddad as well 
     as being the only two people on the planet that could humble 
     him. (A 4 and 5 year old have that amazing ability.) We are 
     so proud of the great American he was, the lives he touched 
     and the causes he fought. His legacy of patriotism and 
     determination will live on, we promise.
       While we are proud, we are also very thankful. We are 
     thankful Dad received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 
     Perhaps, the Lord has placed dad in a place of great need in 
     having cancer. A place where dad could completely understand 
     his need for Jesus Christ. If I could say one thing to my 
     dad, it would be: ``Dad, you served, you fought, but most of 
     all, you finished well. I am proud to be Ted Guy, Jr.''
       Knowing my Dad, he would have wanted you to know he died 
     with peace in his heart. He knew he was loved and cared for; 
     but more than anything, he would want you to know he knew the 
     love of God.

                POW-MIA Internetwork Tribute to Ted Guy

     Re Colonel Ted 'Hawk' Guy Passes.
     Date: April 25, 1999.

       From the flight lines of Korea and Vietnam, to a cell in 
     the Hanoi Hilton, to the hallowed halls of Congress . . . Ted 
     Guy never failed to speak his mind, do his job and command 
     respect, awe and admiration from all who crossed his path.
       And now he has passed on to a final freedom and peace.
       After duty in Korea and stateside, he was transferred to 
     Vietnam where he bailed out over Laos after one of his bombs 
     prematurely exploded and was captured by the North 
     Vietnamese. From the jungles of Laos, Ted was marched to 
     Hanoi, repeatedly exposed along the way to Agent Orange. Upon 
     reaching the Hanoi Hilton, he spent 3 years in solitary 
     confinement and upon release to the general population, 
     assumed his role as Senior POW Officer (SRO).
       He was badly beaten, tortured and as a result of extreme 
     mistreatment during captivity, he was retired shortly after 
     his release during Operation Homecoming.
       Ted rallied family members, activists and Ex-POWs the same 
     way he rallied his men . . . With compassion, strength and 
     passion. He openly spoke of his confinement, the politics of 
     POWs and was a resounding voice of reason in an unreasonable 
     issue and world.
       The continued saturation of Agent Orange took its final 
     toll . . . Ted was diagnosed with Leukemia as a result of AO 
     exposure and within a scant 6 months, passed from this world.
       There are no words to express how much he is respected and 
     how much he will be missed. His voice may have been silenced, 
     but his message will endure.
       In closing he always signed his letters and e-mails to us 
     with the POW tap code, GBU and CUL, and we were and we did . 
     . . and we will, one day.
       May your flight be swift and the winds carry you high Ted.
       GBU-CUL
                                  ____


        National Alliance of POW/MIA Families Tribute to Ted Guy

       It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing, 
     on April 23rd, 1999 of Korean and Vietnam War Vet and former 
     Vietnam Prisoner of War--Col. Ted Guy. For those unaware, 
     Col. Guy was with us, from the very beginning of the 
     Alliance. He spoke at our first forum back in July 1990. When 
     our website started (www.nationalalliance.org), he agreed to 
     write the foreward for our Vietnam Pages.
       Col. Guy was a strong supporter of the Live POW issue. He 
     was never afraid to speak his mind and he stood by his 
     convictions.

[[Page S4419]]

       All of us in the POW/MIA issue will miss him. We have lost 
     a dear friend and our POW's have lost a strong advocate.
                                  ____


     A Message From Col ``Swede'' Larson, Former POW--Hanoi Vietnam

       It is with deep regret, that I inform you of the death of 
     Col. Ted Guy. He passed away today, 23 April 1999, from 
     complications associated with Leukemia. He only lived 6 
     months from the time of his first symptoms. He is survived by 
     his wife Linda, two step daughters, four son's, and a 
     brother.
       Since most of you did not know Ted, and a few misunderstood 
     him, I am going to ask your indulgence, and tell you a little 
     about him, since I was his very close friend for 44 years.
       We first met at Luke Air Force base in 1955 as young 
     Captains instructing fighter gunnery. He had previously 
     completed a combat tour in Korea, flying F-84's. He and I had 
     three things in common. We both loved to fly, party, and 
     fish. Over the years we stayed in close touch, and after his 
     retirement, we fished together many times.
       He was assigned to South Vietnam in F-4's while I was in 
     Thailand flying out-country missions, in F-105's. When he 
     showed up in Hanoi, I couldn't fathom how he had gotten 
     there. After we were released, I learned that he was shot 
     down during the battle at Khe Sanh, bailed out and captured 
     in Laos by the North Vietnamese (they were never in Laos! -
     yah, right!). On the second day of his capture while he was 
     starting his walk to Hanoi, he was heavily sprayed with Agent 
     Orange. In the ensuing days, he walked through many areas 
     that had been previously defoliated.
       As he was captured in Laos, he was kept away from the rest 
     of us and spent his first 3 years in solitary confinement. He 
     was then put in with the 100 plus, Army and civilian 
     prisoners and was the Senior Officer. He had his hands full 
     with a group of very young, non-motivated and rebellious 
     enlisted men. Unlike our group, (after the death of HO), he 
     was badly treated by his captors, almost up to our release. 
     He was badly beaten during this time for acting as SRO and on 
     one occasion, suffered severe head injuries, which several 
     years later resulted in his being medically discharged from 
     the service. He had been on the ``fast track'' prior to shoot 
     down, and had been promoted to Lt. Col. below the zone. To my 
     knowledge, he was the only POW promoted (to 06) below the 
     zone while a POW. Those concussions he suffered forced his 
     early retirement.
       He was not an active member of our group, primarily because 
     he did not know or serve with any of us in Hanoi. He also 
     felt that even though our group elected to be non-political, 
     we should have made an exception and taken a prominent stand 
     as a potential powerful lobby group, to demand a full 
     accounting of the MIA's. He was an individual of deep 
     loyalties, and a boundless love of his country and flag. He 
     stood up tall against those he felt were in the wrong.
       His medical specialists felt that his Leukemia was a direct 
     result of his repeated heavy exposures to Agent Orange. The 
     Veterans Administration however, in their infinite wisdom 
     felt otherwise, and denied his emergency claim for Agent 
     Orange disabilities. (Hence no DIC for his wife).
       He ended up loosing a promising military career and 
     suffered an early end to his life, in his service to his 
     country. I shall truly miss him. Thanks for your indulgence.
       GBU Ted.
     Swede Larson.
                                  ____


                          Obituary for Ted Guy

       Theodore Wilson Guy, 70, of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, died 
     April 23, 1999, at St. Marys Health Center.
       He was born April 18, 1929, in Chicago, a son of Theopholus 
     W. and Edwina LaMonte Guy.
       He was married October 18, 1973, to Linda Bergquist, who 
     survives at the home.
       A 1949 graduate of Kemper Military College, he served as a 
     pilot in the Air Force until his retirement in 1973 as a 
     colonel. A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, he 
     received a Silver Star, the Distinguished Service Medal, the 
     Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and a Purple Heart. 
     He was a POW for five years in Laos and North Vietnam. After 
     his retirement from the Air Force, he became National 
     Adjutant for the Order of Daedalians.
       In 1977, he became associated with TRW, assigned to Iran as 
     Senior Tactical Adviser to the Commander, Iranian Tactical 
     Air Command.
       He was a member of St. George Episcopal Church, Camdenton.
       Other survivors include: two sons, Ted Guy Jr. and Michael 
     Guy, both of Phoenix; two stepdaughters, Elizabeth Thannum, 
     Los Angeles, and Katherine Roth, Chicago; one brother, Donald 
     Guy, state of Alabama; and three grandsons.
       Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at St. George Episcopal 
     Church. The Rev. Tim Coppinger will officiate. The remains 
     were cremated. Inurnment, with military honors, will be at a 
     later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, 
     Virginia.
       Memorials are suggested to the Leukemia Society of America.
                                  ____


                      POW TAP CODE IN HANOI HILTON
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                  1            2           3           4           5
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       1            A           B            C          D           E
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       2            F           G           H           I           J
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       3            L           M           N           O           P
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       4            Q           R           S           T           U
            ------------------------------------------------------------
       5            V           W           X           Y           Z
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  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I thank the Chair for his courtesy. I 
yield the floor.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed 
to speak for up to 10 minutes as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The remarks of Mr. Grams pertaining to the introduction of S. 916 
and S. 917 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on 
Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence 
of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Voinovich). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business for a period of up to 15 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________