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Born into a poor family Eugene “Red” McDaniel grew up playing sports and carried that passion into his collegiate days. McDaniel became interested in flying and Naval aviation since he felt it complemented his athletic mindset. McDaniel began his US Navy active duty on March 15, 1955.

On May 19, 1967, During McDaniel's 81st combat mission, his A-6 Intruder was hit by a rocket forcing him and his bombardier-navigator to eject over North Vietnam. McDaniel was captured and interrogated on the ground and ultimately transferred to Hoa Lo Prison, infamously known as the "Hanoi Hilton".

For three years, McDaniel was listed as Missing in Action while his wife, Dorothy, and three children, Michael, David and Leslie, did not know if he was dead or alive. In 1970, the Hanoi government finally acknowledged that McDaniel was being held prisoner. After six years in captivity as a POW, he was released on March 4, 1973.

When McDaniel returned home to Virginia from Vietnam, he was awarded the Navy’s highest award for bravery, the Navy Cross. Among his other military decorations are two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit with Combat “V,” the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars with Combat “V” and two Purple Hearts.

Interview recorded on January 28, 2024

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