GN,
I have visited the Hanoi Hilton and while inside some of the Cells....one can only begin to imagine what it must have been like to be at the complete mercy of some very un-nice individuals who sole mission was to extract "confessions" and information from you using whatever means they wished for as long as they wished and no real concern if you survived or not.
I am so glad I never had to confront such a situation.....and I can only stand in admiration to those that did...and who prevailed over Evil as they did.
Now that the true Story of the Clandestine Communication system that was in place is being told it really does add a dimension to the story that we all need to read and appreciate.
Stockdale won the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions and others were cited for theirs as well.