Tap Code The Epic Survival Tale of a Vietnam POW and the Secret Code That Changed Everything

Carlyle S. Harris, Sara W. Berry, Col. Lee Ellis (Ret.)

eBook - 2019

Discover never-before-told details of POW underground operations during the Vietnam War told through one airman's inspiring story of true love, honor, and courage.Air Force pilot Captain Carlyle "Smitty" Harris was shot down over Vietnam on April 4, 1965 and taken to the infamous Hoa Lo prison—nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton." For the next eight years, Smitty and hundreds of other American POWs—including John McCain and George "Bud" Day—suffered torture, solitary confinement, and unimaginable abuse.It was there that Smitty covertly taught many other POWs the Tap Code—an old, long-unused method of communication from World War II. Using the code, they could softly tap messages of encouragement to lonely ...neighbors and pass along resistance policies from their leaders. The code quickly became a lifeline during their internment. It helped the prisoners boost morale, stay unified, communicate the chain of command, and prevail over a... more