Vietnam Fighter Pilot POW Tony Marshall 

This guy has a fantastic way of telling his story.

Tony was my mentor at the Tomorrow Aeronautical Museum he is great Role model

Worked with a Vietnam pilot , those guy s are cool as ice! Great vid , Thank you Mr.Marshall.

good story,and well presented,you,re a great man,you used your wits to survive a tough situation,i joined the marines in 79,my parents were shocked,best decision i ever made,welcome home sir!

Worked on a project for him in the 90’s and he is the real deal! I haven’t thought about this guy in years, I remember talking about his flying days in the Air Force but I don’t remember him being a POW. He just didn’t say anything but I knew he was special at the time. I was an HVAC contractor and put air conditioning in his house and let me tell you, he’s the same way one on one. He is a role model and great American! I’m honored to have met him.

Absolutely fascinating! Loved hearing him speak. This would make for an outstanding movie. Thank you for posting.

Great story of Lt. Col Marshall story, I grew up during the Vietnam era and my dad was a career Air Force Officer was stationed at Grand Forks AFB from 1971 thru 1975 during the beginning of the end of Vietnam War. I remembered the Linebacker II bombing that President Nixon ordered to bring the North Vietnamese back to the negotiating table during the the time Lt. Col Marshall was still held prisoner of war and seeing Return of American Prisoners of War on television. I had worn a popular bracelets that gave recognition of those who were MIA or Prisoner of war during that time, the Missing Airman was Major John E Bailey, his aircraft was shot down of 10 May 1966 the crash site was excavated in July 1995 and in March 1999 John's remains were identified and returned to the USA for burial. I thank Lt. Col Marshall service and all those who served in Vietnam and during the Vietnam war.

...Thank you for your service.

always love hearing 'Nam' stories..... dad was a 'Jolly Green' over there. pilots that were there know who they were........ dad had a similar way of telling stories from over there, loved listening to them

God Bless men like that. To bad we don’t have more men like him. That is a great man!

What a story - and rivettingly told.

Fabulous video. I could listen to him all day.

Thank you for your service sir. 👍👍 "Seymour-Johnson bird"....I was stationed there in '66 with SAC, B-52G's and the 68th Bomb Wing before I shipped over to Pleiku AB.

A wondreful story, Thank you for your service, Gen. Charles A. Gabriel was USAF Chief of Staff when I entered the USAF in 1984.

Amazing story. Loved it.

Glad you kept your sense of humour. Glad you made it out.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Sir!

Wished I had his cool, calm and tenacity this American hero had and has. We need more men like that....the world would be a better place.

Thank you for telling us, Sir.

wonder how many NAVY Black pilots and rios have stores to tell about their Vietnam experiences?

I just wanted to see what this was.... an hour later it was done. Great!!

LTC Marshall big up!

Coolest aviator ever!

Ballz. Salutes 🇺🇸

What an interesting man

I think Richard Dawkins addressed political correctness in the best possible way when he said, "You're offended? So f***ing what!"

The Vietnam war finished about 45 years ago. The guy has aged well.

I can't remember any of this ?.☺

Wow...thank you for your service, also. But as Matthew C said far below, this gentleman was not a pilot, rather, as Matthew C said-using USAF language, a WSO (Weapons Systems Officer), or as we called the back seater in US Naval Aviation, the RIO or Radar Intercept Officer (a NFO, Naval Flight Officer rather than a Navy Pilot). Would serve with him any day of the week, too!

Walking History love talking to vets, AIM HIGH 33rd Fighter Wing F-15 EAGLE KEEPER. RESPECT AND HONOR

Awesome

Thank you sir! I served aboard a "7th Fleet" vessel, the USS KITTY HAWK, CVA-63, 1971-1973, saw Haiphong Harbour with obvious tree leaves and, other ( I BELIEVE WE WERE CLOSER THAN 12 MILES) land based flotsam in the water. I happened to walk topside to the flight deck on a very still and dark morning. I'm able to tell this because of what I learned (later). For some reason most of us were not told what we were up to. We later found out we were participants in the mining of the harbor. NOW, I am wondering IF I am a actual Vietnam Vet as I have always thought. I was awarded the (VN Campaign Medal and am proud to say this). I am no hero but, I will now try to find the answer to my own question. Somebody help please?

I salud you Sir.

Sir, were you a pilot during the time you were a POW?

🇺🇸Great American🇺🇸

we've hcracked hyper fliht

Congregation Tony and welcome home. I was stationed with you at Udorn with the 13 TFS Life Support shop. I was a SSGT at the time. I found this video just by accident. I am glad to hear your story of survival.

I wish all american men white and black would act like this man.... world would be a good place

This man should be a role model for the black community not rappers and ball players. Thank you for your service and sacrifice sir!!!!

Once I started watching I couldn't break away. A remarkable narrative from a remarkable man.

I flew with Tony when I was a young LT. He was the smoothest, calm, and collected guy I ever flew with.

He's not only cool but he comes from some pretty good genes. He doesn't look old enough to be flying in Vietnam. Salute

His swag and composure in narrating must just be fraction of how cool he must’ve been while flying. Glad to see there wee Black Aces in the Vietnam Conflict too.

Col Marshall. Good to have you back sir. A very interesting story. I missed the war. A had a draft card but wound up enlisting and stayed in the USAF for 26 yrs. I was MX on F-4Es, F4-Gs and RF-4Cs. We went to Desert Storm with the Weasels and Recces.

If there's not a movie about this guy, there should be.

Tony was my Grandparents across the street neighbor in Apple Valley. I was a young boy and could tell he was a serious individual. I new he was flying but was unaware of his Vietnam story. Thanks Tony for being a good neightbor to Ben and Gale

He is right, it was worth going to Vietnam to fight the communists. And, we could have won that war, we did fight “that war with our hands tied behind our back.” I deeply mourn for the 58,000 plus who died. I blame the leadership in the White House and the senior military leadership who refused to fight against that fool leadership. Real blood is on the hands of the civilians in the White House during that war and the same for the 1975 Democrat Congress who betrayed the South Vietnamese! Thousands upon thousands of American Blacks, officers and enlisted, served with with honor and distinction, courage, valor, and sacrifice throughout the Vietnam War!

Greetings from England. What an amazing gentleman. I enjoyed watching this.

Amazing story! Might catch flak for saying this, but this guy looks amazing for his age! He looks young enough and in good enough shape, he could still be on active duty.

A true American Patriot... thank you for your service and sacrifice. Welcome home and God bless you sir.

Having served as a Marine at the DMZ, Rockville, Mutters Ridge, Helicopter Valley, I would like to say those F-4s saved our asses on numerous occasions, also, thank you Col for your service , Semper Fi

Geez this guy looks to be in his early to mid 40's at best, he aged Very VERY VERY well....he's not hunched over. Plus, he's very intelligent, well you have to be in order to be a fighter pilot.

Very interesting and very well put. What a man, he stood tall in the face of adversity. I would love to shake his hand. Respect and all the very best to him.

Sir, proud to have you in our Air Force and especially flying in Nam. God bless you, sir.

I wish this man was my next door neighbor. I hope the feeling would be reciprocal. Plane talk morning day and night. What could be finer?

Okay folks now here is a true American hero! Sir thank you for your service!

Excellent presentation, as an Air Force vet this gentleman is an inspiration and true hero in my eyes. Thank you for sharing.

All the Vietnam vets I know look about 20 years older than him. This guy is really well preserved.

The guy looks like he could still strap on a jet. Old boys like him could still be found in the AF when I joined in 1990 but they're gone now...

Fascinating. So many great stories like this out there. I'm always thankful to come across them. I'm even more thankful for this great American's service.

R.IP. to your flight commander, he fought back but lost, a valiant effort on his part, your fwd Pilot!

A true American. Irreverent and proud to the end. I salute you.

Amazing man. His poise, optimism and attitude are so inspirational to me. Thanks Colonel!!!

"Those who have volunteered, have no right to complain." Absolutely. I volunteered, and I don't expect thanks for doing it: that is what I wanted to do. I can't stand these people who are always blubbing about how tough it was: they need to STFU. Tony Marshall is a real man.

Excellent story sir! Thank you for your service!

Loved hearing from Col Marshall! Served at Clark in the 80s with him.

Great story. Thank you for your service sir!

You are very laid back and easy to listen to. Funny also, it was a treat to experience this, if just through youtube! My Grandfather and Father are veterans of the Marines/WWII and the Air Force/Desert Storm. They are both extremely laid back gentlemen and confident like you... You remind me of my Grandfather a bit and how he always remained calm regardless of pressure or comfort level! I am a drone pilot and a sound engineer and although I have been able to deal with the pressures of the job, I'm not sure how I would have held up in the military during wartime. Anyway, thanks for letting us have a peek in on your very unique experiences!

Alot of respect for this man... his story and the way he tells it is just incredible.....its a shame most people arnt interested in history for it's not only important but is far more interesting than movies more often than not

Wow! This was an amazing story! I’d like to meet him someday!

This would make a great movie, but well done.

very interesting guy.great sense of humor.enjoyed his story

That was excellent and Lt. Col. Marshall has his head screwed on right. He's a very effective speaker and to hear him tell it he had them right where he wanted them the whole time. His experience is completely different from any other Vietnam war POW that I have read about. I didn't plan to listen to the whole thing but 1 minute in I was hooked.

THANK YOU TONY !

What a great story, told so well. This is how you adapt and overcome.

Thank you for your service... I couldn't go to Vietnam because of the one family member at a time in a combat zone. So I sat in Germany for 3 years as a combat medic.

Excellent! its too bad that the majority of blacks featured on TV or blogs are [NOT] people like Tony Marshall. Instead, the lowest common denominator is featured as and made the norm :( Black myself, a glider pilot, astrophysicist by education, and rocketeer (amateur and hobby).

Great story and welcome home!

A very captivating story. Had to watch the whole thing. And I have to say I did enjoy every minute of it.

Awesome video! A true role model for all black youth.

they might have missed you, but there's 58,220 men they didn't miss

I too am a black man who has achieved what others said I could not. I revel in his intelligence, demeanor and courage. Would like to meet and talk some day....

I am glad my father and step father have come back to our family from the Vietnam War...My father was in the Army and my Step-father was in the Air Force...

America builds the best fighter pilots bar none.

I’m curious about Eldridge. Was he native. To SE Asia? Did he do ok in captivity. I like cats. I was stationed in Kodak NavSta. We used to run into Russian trawlers all the time when we were doing Sea air rescue. I liked your Rule 2.I hate it when I’m up...and everybody is nodding out on me! Good talk.

Hey Tony, good to see you happy and healthy, LTC Dick Gould 13TFS Feb 71-Feb 72

This is the epitome of black American excellence. Immature professional athletes, entertainers and actors cannot hold a candle to this true hero.

If you ever see this I want to say Thank you Col. Marshall. I very much appreciated your presentation, and, or course, thank you for your service. You seem like a great guy & I sure hope you are enjoying your retirement. I don't know exactly when you were at Air Force Academy but my father was teaching math & physics there from 72 - 76. I was a little girl back then but I recall watching all the cadets throw their hats for graduation every year.

Thank you for your service. Gave me a lot of information in to the way POW's were treated. As a v/nan vet. I am appalled at the stolen veloured of POW's and V/nan vets.

Colonel, Thank you for your service as an aviator; best to back seaters who are often missed over pilots. Blessings for attempting to save South Vietnam. The military has been so proactive, finally (versus the civilian world), about race. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen (males and females). The best officer I've ever served with is a Black American; an honorable man and a true mentor as I (as former enlisted) am up for LTC (lieutenant colonel). Why did I mention race, because people are people; and too many people downgrade non-Whites who, blood red is blood red...we're all, blessed, Americans. Best wishes. Thanks to all those who served (military and civilian) during the Vietnam Campaign.

Why oh why did we send these guys into a war with no guns on the plane?

I know Tony. He is a teacher in Apple Valley where I substituted. A very fine gentleman.

Dear Mr. Marshall, Thank you for your service. I am a writer and researcher and here is what I have come to believe about the Vietnam War. I won't try to change people's minds but I think that history would my research and will support all of the men and women (like yourself) who fought to keep ALL THE NATIONS OF SE ASIA FREE FROM COMMUNISM. My historical research has convinced me and gives me the conclusion that WE WON IN VIETNAM but lost in the Mainstream Media. LBJ told the USA that were were there to stop the spread of Communism in SE Asia. We were TREATY bound to protect our Allies from Communism which was the pupose of the SEATO (the equivalent of the NATO in Europe). Was LBJ wrong? Did over 50,000 US and Allied troops die in vain? My view is NO!...Today there are NO Communist governments in SE Asia. Oh, sure naysayers will point to Vietnam and ask WHAT ABOUT THEM...seriously. Just a couple of months ago President Trump was welcomed there. We have regular trade relations and expanding relations with a market driven government--a one party government--many would argue the USA has a single party system. So my view is that there are no real Communists in Australia, New Zealand, India, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, etc. LBJ's fear of the "Domino Theory" was correct and 2 million American soldiers, Marines, Navy, Airforce, and civil servants plus fighting men and women from a dozen countries stood up for our friends to STOP the Soviet backed Imperial aims in of conquest of SE Asia. And now there is NOT EVEN ANY SOVIET COMMUNISM because it failed and went out of existence...

Wow really enjoyed this story!

Wow, what else can be said , but, thank you for your service! I was a Crew Chief on the F4-E at George AFB 1983-86, during the Cold War, 66-6333, built when I was 2 years old, hehe. Good stuff,me is old school alright! Love it!

This guy is a true profession and legend. All the Vietnam fighter pilots were and are my hero’s as a child. This guy must have gone through ally to get wheee he did back in those days.

How old is this guy he doesn't look old enough to be a Vietnam vet but anyway thankyou for your sevice sir

LTC Marshall is a great orator. I'd love to see him speak at a live event.

LT COl Marshall lays it out in a manner I like and holds nothing back really..The Nixon story is priceless.. -- I'll just add, do not F with this man or he will hurt you with his brain alone! Calling him sharp, just does not cut it.

my XO in VF-114 was Cdr Ensche, he was a pow as well..wonderful leader n man..