Former Alabama Sen. Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., who was a prisoner of war for almost eight years in Vietnam, died of a heart ailment over the weekend in Virginia. He was 89 years old.
Mr. Denton gained national notoriety in 1966 when he was forced by his North Vietnamese captors to give a televised interview as a prisoner of war. During the interview, he repeatedly blinked in morse code spelling out the word, “T-O-R-T-U-R-E”.
(Above: While reciting a script supplied by the North Vietnamese, Denton was able to blink the word “T-O-R-T-U-R-E” in Morse code to get the true message to the world.)
He was kept in solitary confinement for four of the eight years he was a POW, mainly because his fierce resistance led other POW’s to resist as well. He spent time in the “Hanoi Hilton” and the “Zoo” prison camps, as well as “Little Vegas” and “Alcatraz” prisons.
He was finally released in 1973 during “Operation Homecoming.” His first words after finally setting foot back on American soil were, “We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and to our nation for this day. God bless America.” He later wrote a book titled, “When Hell was in Session” that detailed his experience as a POW.
A year after returning home, Denton became commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College. He retired from the Navy in 1977 with the rank of Rear Admiral.
In 1980, Denton became the first Republican from Alabama to serve in the US Senate since Reconstruction, after defeating Democrat Jim Folsom.
Then-President Ronald Reagan recognized Denton during his 1982 State of the Union Address.
“We don’t have to turn to our history books for heroes,” Reagan said. “They are all around us. One who sits among you here tonight epitomized that heroism at the end of the longest imprisonment ever inflicted on men of our armed forces. Who will ever forget that night when we waited for the television to bring us the scene of that first plane landing at Clark Field in the Philippines — bringing our POWs home? The plane door opened and Jeremiah Denton came slowly down the ramp. He caught sight of our flag, saluted, and said, ‘God Bless America.’ then thanked us for bringing him home.”
Jeremiah Denton: American hero and Alabama legend, dead at the age of 89.
UPDATE: Alabama leaders have begun paying their respects to Admiral Denton. We will post the statements as they come in:
Sen. Richard Shelby —
Admiral Denton will be long remembered for his service to America. He was a war hero, an honorable senator, and a family man who cared deeply about his country. I send my deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Rep. Martha Roby —
Riley and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Jeremiah Denton. His life epitomized what it means to serve this country. I hope every Alabamian takes a moment today to remember Jeremiah Denton’s story, share it with their children, and honor a true American hero.
Sen. Jeff Sessions —
Jeremiah Denton was a friend, warrior, leader, and hero. The nation will never forget his courage when, having endured brutal torture as a POW in Vietnam, he defied and outsmarted his captors and broadcast a Morse code message to the world. He was a man of grit and character that can’t be manufactured. His word was his bond and his loyalty was unshakable.
Vietnam’s most ruthless interrogators couldn’t break the iron will of this rock-ribbed Alabama native. During his videotaped inquisition he declared: ‘whatever the position of my government is, I support it fully… and I will as long as I live.’ After being freed from the Vietnamese prison camp, before returning to home soil, he again displayed his abiding sense of duty, saying: ‘We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and to our nation for this day. God bless America.’
He also had a deep religious faith that helped inspire his service in the U.S. Senate. The city of Mobile, the state of Alabama, the Navy, and the Congress have all been honored to know him.
I will miss my friend dearly. My wife, Mary, and I pray that his family will draw strength from the knowledge that Jeremiah’s legacy will outlive us all.
May God bless him on his next journey.
Rep. Bradley Byrne —
Senator Denton was a true American hero. He never once wavered in his commitment to serving our country, steadfastly enduring torture by the North Vietnamese while being held as a prisoner of war. He served the state of Alabama with distinction in the United States Senate, and we are proud to claim him as a native son of Mobile. I admire his passion for service and strive to emulate his example as a true public servant. He will be dearly missed.
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
