Thank you, Rocky, for your sacrifice.  It is true that Freedom ISN'T free.  
God Bless your family!

It is such an honor to be able to read about real heroes.  I can't even imagine what he had to endure to hold onto his belief in his country.  They could put chains on him and bars around him but they could never really make him their prisoner.  Thats why they had to kill him. In the end he beat them.  He won...
What a hero.  My Dad fought in WWII.  He used to talk about the young boys under him and how courageous they were. Some were so unprepared and cried at first and yet, still did their country proud.  I am humbled by this story of your incredibly brave brother.  Thank you so much for sharing

Too few young men an women even know we were involved in Vietnam, let alone extraordinary contributions like CPT Versace's. More should be done to expose our population to stories like this one so we can re-activat the huge, untapped pool of potentially great Americans.

Read "an enormous crime" about our government's criminal actions in covering up the POW's left behind in Vietnam. We had hundreds of credible witnesses and even satelite images of distress codes stomped out in rice fields. John Kerry and his buddy John McCain led the whitewash committee on POW's in the early 90's. But what is new, they won't even admit that Gulf war syndrome is real. Support the troops my toe.

Please forward this article to Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Dick Durban,Sen. Barack H. OBama, Cong. Nancy Pelosie, Cong. J. Murtha,  and oh yes, Sen. Joe Biden.

A legend in the Special Forces community, Versace's resistance to his communist captors was recounted by fellow POWs, particularly COL Nick Rowe (then a 1LT) who was captured with him.  Rowe's book, "FIVE YEARS TO FREEDOM" details Versace's indomitable spirit.  It's sad that so few people in the US are aware of this true American hero.

Thanks to Rocky and other service men and women we have the freedoms we have this day, freedom isn't free. To think that in an election year, one candidate has said his party will cut military spending, and pull our forces out of Iraq, saving us $10 billion a day and allowing our monies to be spent on education, arts, and infrastructure is mind boggling.
Our enemies will not be deterred, and it is my hope that the men and women like Rocky continue to be there to defend us against them. They are committed, I can't say the same for some politicians.

Document Names 59 Individuals Who “Were -- Or May Have Been -- Taken Prisoner”
Saying the 59 Represents “The Minimum Number of Possible Live POWs”
Held in Southeast Asia After the Vietnam War


(Bellevue, Wash. – Sep. 15, 2008) Recently discovered files from the 1993 Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs raise disturbing new questions about the fate of specific missing American Servicemen. In its final report, the Committee concluded: “There is evidence; moreover, that indicates the possibility of survival, at least for a small number (of American Prisoners of War (POWS)), after Operation Homecoming.”  Internal documents uncovered by the National Alliance of Families show Senate investigators found the Vietnamese and their allies captured more Americans than acknowledged or realized during the conflict and that the fate of many of these men and other POWs was “still unclear” two decades later.  In the years since the Committee completed its investigation, the true fate of many of these man remains unknown.

An August 1992 memo entitled, “The Universe of Possible POWs: 1973 versus 1992,” stated:  “Today, Defense Department files contain evidence that at least 59 Americans were -- or may have been -- taken prisoner and their precise fate is still unclear. This includes the 20-30 not officially acknowledged by Vietnam (as having been captured during the war) in 1973.  This represents the minimum number of possible live POWs today.”  

Some Senate investigators, including the memo’s author, apparently believed some of these men had died, shortly after capture.  But other investigators and declassified documents suggest at least some of the 59 were held secretly by the Vietnamese; evidence that they have died since is in many cases non-existent or based on the uncorroborated testimony of the Vietnamese.

In one case, a Vietnamese defector reported a POW alive in captivity in February 1973.  The source provided the POWs name, John and a detailed description down to a 1 ½” scar behind the POWs left ear.   The report was correlated to Army Capt. John T. McDonnell.   The odds that the source could fabricate a description so closely matching Capt. McDonnell, who records show had a 1 ½” scar behind his left ear, strains the imagination. There is no doubt John McDonnell was captured.  The Vietnamese acknowledge his capture, on March 6, 1969, claiming he died the following day.  We believe the evidence indicates John McDonnell was alive in February 1973.  He remains unaccounted for.

In 1992, Vietnamese officials released a picture of Air Force Major Joseph C. Morrison.  In the photo Major Morrison appears to be dead.   But they have not produced his remains or explained the fate of his co-pilot, San D. Francisco.  Both men were reported alive on the ground by U.S. search-and-rescue personnel and Radio Hanoi reported their capture.

Also on the list of 59 are Sp4 Thomas Mangino and PFC’s Paul Hasenbeck, and David Winters; a Vietnamese Colonel claimed he participated in their ambush and the three along with PFC Daniel Nidds were killed.   U. S. investigators subsequently learned the Colonel wasn’t in the area when the ambush occurred.  Serious questions remain regarding the fate of these men.

For many of the men named in these documents, there fate is as unclear today as it was in 1973.
##

Our Summary and the supporting Documents are available at http://www.nationalalliance.org/

Contact:
Lynn O’Shea, lynn@nationalalliance.org
Director of Research
National Alliance of POW/MIA Families

               Least We Forget!

Cold War POW-MIA's
Crew of 12
RB-29, SN: 44-61810
Shot down by two Russian MiG 15's on Friday, 13 June 1952 while on a classified reconnaissance mission off of the coast of Vladivostok.
Most likely executed by the Russians.
Posthumously awarded Purple Hearts and Distinguished Flying Crosses in mid-90's.
Still missing in action.

Only the few and only the brave stand between this land of ours and the tyrany of the the terroist world.Let us offer thanks to those who are missing/pow for the freedoms we have.

The article tells us that "from the outset of his captivity, Rocky defied his Communist captors" and ultimately died at their hand.  I wonder if Rocky would appreciate the irony of the honoring of his "defiance of his Communist captors" coming the same week that the United States government he died for is buying up and nationalizing every bank in sight.  Who are the Communists now?

Sacrifice? Soldiers are nothing but pawns for politicians.  There is nothing heroic about following commands to invade another country in the name of geopolitics.

Lest we never forget these buddies that never came home. I know that I won't.

Russ from Philly,
Do you realize McVain stopped the search for POW's & MIA's in Vietnam...
Send that article to John MCSame!
VETS FOR OBAMA!

Unlike myself, he's a HERO!

Thank you to the Versace family for Rocky's heroic service and ultimate sacrifice.  Additionally, my thanks goes to all veterans and MIA/POW families in particular.  

Our armed forces men and women are America's true heroes, and no one deserve our respect and gratitude more than they.  It outrages me to learn when even a single vet wants for food, housing or quality healthcare - nevermind thousands.  Yet, the federal government can send millions and millions of dollars in aid to coutries that have disdain for the US or don't really need it.  Where are our priorities?

It's disgraceful that there are still lingering questions over the existance of MIA soldiers remaining in captivity in South East Asia some three DECADES after the war's end.  Our government needs to be doing much, much more to get these questions answered.

We will never know the complete truth behind all the POW-MIA's.But Thanks to them and all other vets for all they have done for us. My each and everyone of them find their way home some day.

Cowards such as John Rutherford and George Bush have too much freedom especially considering the sacrifice of the brave.

Rocky, I only wish one of the Presidential Cadidates, we all know who that is, felt that duty, honor and country (the United States) means more than life itself. It's a discrase to those fallen hero's. We need more of you're patrotism. I will say a prayer for you.

During battle, a soldier dose not fight for their country, or the American flag! They fight for each other and the thoughts of coming home.
War is an ugly thing. People die and the scars of war are long lasting.
We should be thankful there are people in this world that make sure we can make the choices we want and not to have the choices made for us.
POW's/ MIA's, this soldier will never forget!
GOD, yes GOD, bless you were ever you are!

SFC Rohrabach < (sp?) was executed along with Rocky at the same time.

We as a nation must never forget these Brave Americans. Please leave your politics out of this.

Till all my brothers come home. Never ever forget

Captain Humbert "Rocky" Versace.
You are gone but not fogotten.
America mourns your loss this day and forever.
Thank You for strength of leadership to others while in captivity. Thank you for your many sacrifices for America and for helping make the world a better place for future generations. We salute you Rocky and all our missing heros and POWs.

Anyone who really believes McCain is a war hero should read this article about his 'concern' for MIA/POW's left behind in View Nam...

http://www.nationinstitute.org/p/schanberg09182008pt1

God bless your soul, Rocky, and those of all the mission in action and prisoners of war. God bless all of our citizens who have served this country faithfully because without you, we wouldn't exsist.

I am thankful for the actions of Captain Rocky Versace.  Although I am also a Vietnam Vet, the real heroes of Vietnam are the men still missing and the names of all the heroes on the wall in Washington DC.

There have beem stories about missing American POW's all the way back to World War II when German POW camps were overrun by the Russians and the American troops were never heard from again.  Our country has not done a very good job of making sure that "No Man Is Left Behind", and they are still fiddle farting around while giving lip service that they are using all means necessary to find our missing men.

To Rob, Vancouver, BC
Is that why your country is NOTHING but a FOLLOWER that lead you to this conclusion; pathetic P.O.S.

Would to God that they not have fallen, would to God we never forget, so sorry that we left them.. let us hope never again...

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

Dr. D. R. Baker Captain USAF Retired Vietnam 68-68

It's too bad the people in the United States do not remember the way these heros were treated when they did make it back. They were spit on, booed at and called terrible names. Some paid the ultimate price but all paid a price and they did it to keep us safe. I was married to one who was lucky enough to make it back and I know what they went through stateside. May God bless the souls of the ones who did not make it home and the ones who are still missing.

God bless all veterans of all the wars.  Too many in this country today do not realize nor do they care, that so many young men and women sacrified so much for them to able to do what they do.  Some of the bums taking up space on the earth, as they are totally worthless, need shook until the brains rattle, if they haven't totally blown them out on drugs.  I had many young friends that did not come home from Nam, and a lot of them had young families.  I still get upset, and always will, that they didn't really ask to be sent to that jungle to loose their lives.

So many opinions about who is a hero and who is not. Who is right or wrong? We weren't there. Clearly our Rocky was a hero. Is John McCain less of a hero because he made it home? His comrades call him a hero. They were there.

May God Bless the soul and spirt of Capitan Versace and his family. Due to his undomitable sense of pride he and countless others have given thier lives so that we Americans have the ability to live in a free and democratic society. Unfortunately a few of us forget the sacrifice made by these brave individuals and do not realize that the price of Freedom is not free. May the world one day rid itself of War, Hatred, Racial Indifferance and poverty and learn to compromise for the greater good, until then let us remember Cpt. Versace and those like him and honor them in our hearts and prayers.

Sacrifice? Soldiers are nothing but pawns for politicians.  There is nothing heroic about following commands to invade another country in the name of geopolitics.
Rob, Vancouver, BC

Rob, Possible you left the U.S. after your birthdate was called up and went to Canada?  My husband's number was called and he served his country - right or wrong - in Vietnam.  If the colonists were all cowards, we'd still be under British rule. Are we always right?  No, but if soldiers hadn't fought for our freedoms, we'd all be speaking German, or Japanese now - if we were allowed to survive.  What do you think will happen if our government and our servicemen allow terrorists (of any nation) to take over the rest of the world? Take a look at our continent, which includes Canada, by the way.  Are your borders strong enough to keep out terrorists if they over-run the U.S.???  You'd be asking for help from anyone, anywhere.  That's what the world does, my friend . . .  ask the United States of America for help when the going gets tough!!!!

God Bless Rocky and all of our troops currently in harms way.

The best way to remember 'Rocky' would be to stop voting for wars for profit. Vietnam was no threat to the US, just like Iraq wasn't. Communism was a bogeyman, just like Saddam. Oil in the Gulf of Tonkin was the goal. Drilling started just months after the fall of Saigon.

See'Sweet Freedom's Hope - Our Country's Flag', a poem written and published in 1988 by W. Kent Goble  to honor Captain H. R. (Rocky) Versace and dedicated by the author to him memory. God bless and keep Rocky and may generations to come remember, always, his singular example of family, duty, honor and country.

I am a veteran of the Vet Name Era, my assignment was Korea. I honor the service and the sacrifice of the fallen and those that came home. I swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. I will do so. Now it is time to restore that constitution and prosecute those that have tried to destroy it. Thank you God for giving us Obama.

Thank you Rocky, and all others in your position who went before you and who have gone after you.  I salute you.

Thank you Rocky, and all others in your position who went before you and who have gone after you.  I salute you.

For most people history starts around the time they were born. That's why it si so important to remember Rock Versace and retell his leife often. Maybe if we taught the history and sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms we wouldn't be running a Barak Obama to be our commander in chief.

They are not forgotten. We will keep faith with them and with each other until the last Vietnam veteran fades from the scene. Until then, welcome home, brothers and sisters.

Rocky,

Wherever you are, thank for sacrificing your future for mine and my family.

I read Col. Nick Rowe's book many years ago and even then was just awestruck at the steel and fortitude these men possessed, enduring hell on earth in the forgotten jungles of Vietnam.  I cried when Col. Rowe described seeing Rocky for the last time, blind and visibly aged at the hands of his unfeeling captors.

I cried again when I read a few years later (1990?) about the death of Col. Rowe somewhere in the Phillipines.  

I wish I could have met one of these men to shake their hand or to simply tell them that often over the last 20 years, I have thought of them and silently thanked them for their service and possessing the strength I will never know.

Take a minute please and find a veteran close to you.  Look them in the eye and shake their hand.  No words need be spoken, but your acknowledgement of their sacrifice will stretch further than any action you could offer.

Col. Nick Rowe, I humbly salute you.
Capt. Humbert Versace, I humbly salute you.

I will not forget nor will my children.

I too lost my brother (Sgt. James P. Mason) in Viet Nam on October 17, 1968.  He also is listed as MIA.  I thank God everyday for his service to our great country and to all those who have served.  

Rocky didn't break and did not return.  McCain broke, gave up info, and came home.  Who's the hero?

Its Sad to see a coward like G. Bush use the courage of a man like Rocky to forward his own aims.
And to those of you who like to rewrite history let me remind you Vietnam was a mistake and had nothing to do with any fight for freedom, unless you are talking about the Vietnamese peoples fight to be free of the French.

John McCain endured torture, but unlike a real hero such as Rocky Versace, he caved and colluded with the enemy, hence his nickname of "Songbird." He has consistently voted against any benefits for armed services personnel during his tenure in the Senate.  McCain sponsored federal law that set prohibitions to keep the most revealing information about these MIA/POWs buried as classified documents. Afraid the truth of his own failings will come to light? What an egomaniac this man is!

John McCain endured torture, but unlike a real hero such as Rocky Versace, he caved and colluded with the enemy, hence his nickname of "Songbird." He has consistently voted against any benefits for armed services personnel during his tenure in the Senate.  McCain sponsored federal law that set prohibitions to keep the most revealing information about these MIA/POWs buried as classified documents. Afraid the truth of his own failings will come to light? What an egomaniac this man is!

WWII was the right war at the right time.  Vietnam was a farce and Iraq was a war crime, an unjust war as defined by St. Thomas Aquinas and later the College of Cardinals, specifically by John Paul II for this pre-emptive war that pre-empted nothing. Iraqis were not among the 9/11 attackers, this was all about the oil.
That said, men like Rocky make me weep with respect. They do what they are commanded, even if the reasons for the war are not explained.  Let us support his memory and go back to the days where the President must ask congress for a United Declaration of War, with yes voting members driving their eldest sons to the Army or Marines to enlist like they did in WWII.  I am sick and tired of poor young men doing the fat rich old white people's bidding without any sacrifices by the rich.  They should all be taxed until they are again middle class with net worths of less than 1 million to pay for this banking mess.

I'm a vet from foreign wars, God Bless all those that serve their nation unflinchingly in the face of certain death.  Let us not forget the sacrifice they made to help keep our freedoms.  Let us not forget those that would try to scare us into giving up those same freedoms.  Obama in 08'
 Time for the republican party to pay the price for their arrogance, and manipulation.

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