Politics, strategy, and the pursuit of prisoners. Yesterday, America woke to the joyful news that U.S. troops had rescued prisoner of war Jessica Lynch. It was a raid straight out of the movies, daring commandos rushing into a hospital where Iraqis had imprisoned private Lynch. “The little brat’s caused a big stir in this county,” was the comment from Lynch’s father.
But the rescue has created an even bigger stir among the ranks of the military. The guiding principle of the U.S. Armed Forces is to never leave its soldiers behind. But until this week, American troops hadn’t successfully rescued a POW since they carried soldiers out of North Korean prison camps almost 50 years ago. What’s more, the missing from World War 2, Korea, and Viet Nam still number in the thousands.
Guests:
Colonel Fred Kiley, professor of English at the U.S. Air Force Academy
Jay Veith, Author of “Code-Name Bright Light: The Untold Story of U.S. POW Rescue Efforts During the Vietnam War”
Lynn O’Shea, editor with the National Alliance of POW/MIA Families.