James Hiteshew
GOLDSBORO, N.C. (AP) - Retired Col. James Hiteshew, an Air Force fighter pilot who was a prisoner of war for six years in North Vietnam, died Tuesday after a brief illness, according to the News-Argus of Goldsboro, N.C. He was 75.
Hiteshew was flying over Vinh Phu province when his F-105 Thunderchief was shot down March 11, 1967, and he was captured. He suffered two broken legs and a broken arm.
He lived in a 12-foot-square cell and developed tapped codes to stay in touch with other prisoners. He also reported being repeatedly beaten and tied to a post so villagers could pelt him with rocks. Hiteshew was released with hundreds of other service members March 4, 1973.
He retired from the Air Force in 1979 and was an avid pilot until near his death. He won the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star of Valor, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and several Air Medals.
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