444 Days

[Copper]

I recently found out that one of the guys I have been golfing with for the last year+ was one of the Iranian hostages.

I saw him today and chatted with him about it for a while, obviously a very interesting talk.

They had little or no news from outside so, at the time, they didn't know what a big deal it was back home. I said that I assume he knew about the Yellow Ribbons and all that now. He said, Oh yes, when he got home, Tony Orlando called him personally and sang the song to him over the phone.

He gets a kick out of still seeing this photo of his younger self pop-up on cnn from time to time.


[George K]

Wow.

I'm old enough to, indeed, remember when this was (to use President Biden's words) a big freaking deal.

Did he share any details of his internment? How was he treated?

[jon-nyc]

Wow that’s cool.

[Catseye3]

@george-k said in 444 Days:

Did he share any details of his internment? How was he treated?

I'd like to know about this, too, Copper.

[Copper]

He wasn't tortured, but he said they played a lot of head games. For example, they would deliver personal mail to 3 of the 4 people sharing a room in an attempt to upset the 4th person who got none.

He did mention that there was a navy pilot that saved his life, he was a young navy Petty Officer at the time. The navy pilot was very demanding toward the Iranians and he said the pilot forced him to be just as demanding. For example the pilot made him bang on the doors and shout that his commander insists on this or that. he thinks this helped them to intimidate the Iranian students somewhat.

He said they were moved several times and more regularly after the failed Desert One rescue. They didn't know exactly what was going on but they were split into smaller groups and moved around after that event.

[brenda]

That's the definition of living history. What an amazing thing to get to talk with him.

[Copper]

We have a group of about 20-25 guys who play golf every Saturday AM. He is in the group and I have played with him several times over the last year and a half.

Until this week I don't believe that anyone knew his story. He was just Sam, like many of us a retired guy who lives on the course. It wasn't a secret but it just never came up in conversation. Someone in the group heard the story and word spread.

It's funny how you never know about a guy.

[jon-nyc]

They were all embassy employees, no? Did he stick with the state department or change careers?

[Copper]

At the time he was in the Navy.

Before retirement he was a civilian doing work with the Navy. My recollection from previous conversations is that it was some kind of electronics testing.

[jon-nyc]

That’s right. There were quite a few military attaches and what not there as well.