How I Dodged Missiles in an F-4 Phantom and Lied to Survive as a POW | Charlie Plumb

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On June 5, 1960, Charlie Plumb entered the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduating in 1964, Plumb was commissioned Ensign, completed Navy Flight Training, and reported to Miramar Naval Air Station. There, he flew the first adversarial flights in the development of The Navy Fighter Weapons School–also known as “Top Gun.”

Plumb deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, where he began flying the F-4 Phantom Jet. There, he flew 74 successful combat missions over North Vietnam and made over 100 carrier landings.

In May 1967, on his 75th mission, Plumb was shot down over Hanoi. He was taken prisoner and tortured. He spent 2,103 days – nearly 6 years – as a Prisoner of War. While a Prisoner of War, he served as a chaplain for two years.

On February 18, 1973, Plumb was released during Operation Homecoming. In 1974, he joined the Naval Reserves. There, he flew A-4 Sky Hawks, A-7 Corsairs, and F-18 Hornets.

He retired from the United States Navy with the rank of Captain. Plumb was awarded, among other things, the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and two Purple Hearts.

Interview recorded on May 28, 2023

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Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - Daniel Taksas

[jamesyoungquist]

I'm a vet with PTSD from war. Seeing Charlie Plumb's resilience and positivity gives me hope. Thanks for the interview

[trumanstumo]

Excellent Sir!! Thank you for your service!! To hear your stories really mean a lot to us ground crew. I was stationed at the PAX RIVER NAVEL AIR TEST CENTER in 1960-63. As a plane captain on the chance vought crusader. In those years we were required to pull flight time each month . We were testing a F4 PHANTOM at the time so needless to say, I climbed into the back seat as many times that I could! A test pilot by the name of JJ OLSEN told me to hold my stomach muscles tight when doing maneuvers and I wouldn't get sick. I am 81 now, and have never done anything that even begins to come close to the maneuvers we did. Negative & positive G's, in flight refueling, and of course MACH TWO. even received a mach two pin from McDonald Douglas and still proudly have it. What a rush!!

[Nicklafuego]

There is no shame in survival, glad you came home Plumber. Thank you for your service sir what an incredible life!

[kemblephotography]

I listened to Charlie Plumb's story on Jocko's podcast. He has been a continuing source of inspiration for me. What he and the other POWs were able to accomplish while being held under unimaginable circumstances is astounding. I'd highly recommend listening to it.

[mnraker]

My great uncle graduated from the Naval Academy in 65, and arrived on the 'Hawk in Fall of '67. He was lost on 1/18/68 when his F4 flew into the gulf of tonkin. I never got the chance to meet him but it is awesome to hear from men like Charlie who were in the same role as my Uncle and survived that awful war.

[dajosh]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE these types of interviews. This mans experiences are incredibly recounted... and most all vets should give long detailed debriefs/interviews abut all of their experiences for the sake of historical record.

[gmdsr]

Excellent interview. Too bad more of their stories haven't been told. These guys were HERO'S.

[samrodian]

What an excellent interview! Captain Plumb is sharp as a tack, and his recollections clearly so vivid in his depiction to us all. A brave man, though he probably would not agree. So glad he got home. Enormous respect to him and all the others who made it home, and I'm a Brit by the way!

[nichille]

I had the privilege to attend Charlie’s speech in person at a corporate event years back. I’ve never heard such applause before or since. One point that stuck with me - 40% of Vietnam Vets were diagnosed with PTSD - only 4% of the POW’s were diagnosed with PTSD. There is no prison as bad as the 8”x8” cell between your ears.

[dannymatthews]

I graduated from high school in May of 1974 so I wasn’t drafted or sent to Vietnam. I am sorry you went through that and still feel guilty for not being old enough to fight. Not so much for not defending our country, but not being able to do anything to help our military people. Dad fought Nazis in Germany in 1945 and carried the wounds from artillery shrapnel going through his thigh for the rest of his life. WWII was different though. We fought to stop the Nazis and preserve our way of life. With Vietnam I’m still not sure what the motivation for our involvement was.

I’m really glad you survived that hell. Thank you for your service Mr. Plumb.

[johnshields]

My uncle Jack piloted the F4 phantom in Vietnam, I remember he came home on leave a couple of holidays and I was in awe, I was around 10 and I was kinda surprised no one talked about the war, I figured it was taboo to ask him anything, so I didn't. It's a beautiful airplane, obviously I'm bias. Thank you for your stories.🇺🇸🙏

[cskamoskva]

Incredible story, courage and service. What an inspiration.

[davidmcneil]

Good story. Thank you for sharing. Times have definitely changed since Vietnam. This veteran seemed interesting to interview, I am sure he has a bunch on intriguing stories.

[BurglarBars]

What a amazing story and message. I'm glad he made it home and got to tell his story.

[willj]

Most of the time you hear somebody start talking about being the best of the best and you dismiss them as a braggart. Then you listen to someone like this and realize they are probably being modest and they are about as tough as they come

[HabitualButtonPusher]

Thank you Mr. Plumb. Thank you for enduring what you did yet still be an amazing man and an inspiration to us all.

[volusian]

The idea of being deep in the heart of NVA territory and destroying your emergency radio - must have been quite a feeling. A brave man.

[acousticshadow]

I could listen to Captain Plumb all day! Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Sir! ✈🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲✈

[shawnrubel]

What an incredible story that needs to be shared. Great job with the interview sharing it. Thank you for your service!

[alericc]

One of my uncles was an F4 pilot in Vietnam, came back without a scratch and took his own life in 1981 and he never spoke of what went on in his time over there.