[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EVERETT ALVAREZ'S CAPTIVITY IN VIETNAM

  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, today I honor a superb leader, intrepid 
warrior, and outstanding role model. Fifty years ago on August 4, then-
LTJG Everett ``Ev'' Alvarez, was shot down in his A-4 Skyhawk during a 
bombing mission in the Gulf of Tonkin. Everett was the first U.S. pilot 
shot down over North Vietnam and served 8\1/2\ years--the second-
longest tenure of any U.S. prisoner of war. Over the years, hundreds of 
other American prisoners joined him in Hoa Lo prison and similar 
detention centers around the country. Despite starvation and other 
significant health challenges, Everett had the physical, mental, 
emotional, and spiritual strength to endure the harshest conditions 
imaginable until his release on February 12, 1973.
  Mr. Alvarez went on to complete a 20-year career in the Navy, 
retiring as a Commander in 1980. His service to our Nation, however, 
did not end there. Upon retirement, Everett earned a law degree and in 
1981 was appointed by President Reagan to be the Deputy Director of the 
Peace Corps. Quickly proving his ability to lead outside of the 
military, a year later President Reagan nominated him in 1982 to be the 
Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 
serving 6 years. Everett went on to serve on several boards, including 
the board of regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health 
Sciences, is a lifetime member on the board of fellows of his alma 
mater, Santa Clara University, and earlier this year was asked by 
Secretary Hagel to be a member of the Vietnam War Commemoration 
Advisory Council.
  His performance in and out of uniform has been widely recognized, to 
include the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the 
Distinguished Flying Cross, as well as the Lone Sailor Award, an honor 
bestowed to sea service veterans for exceptional civilian leadership. 
Everett has made an indelible impact on his fellow prisoners, service 
members, and organizations he has been associated with over his 
lifetime. He is the co-author of two seminal works on the experience of 
living in captivity--``Chained Eagle'' and ``Code of Conduct.''
  Committing a lifetime of service to our Nation, Ev personifies the 
indomitable American spirit and is a shining example of strength 
through adversity. In an interview he once famously said, ``Together we 
stepped into the dungeons and we faced the dragon, and we came out of 
it.'' On this occasion, I believe it is fitting to recognize Everett 
Alvarez's 50 years of distinguished service to our Nation.

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