The final effort came when our reconnaissance team reported contact with the POWs and their guards by radio near midnight at a pre-arranged crossing site.

The fact is that the Vietnamese held Americans after 1973.

The fact is that Americans were sent to Russia that have not been returned.

Still I was concerned that politics would get between us and our POWs.

I went to Ft Bragg and learned that Delta was indeed gearing up for the rescue. Still I was concerned the Reagan staff would not be willing to take the risk of sending an official military force into Laos.

I went overseas hoping to prove that all our POWs were home. I came back convinced that they were still alive.