Douglas Brent Hegdahl (born September 3, 1946) is a former United States Navy petty officer second class (E-5) who was held as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.

During the Vietnam War, Seaman Apprentice Douglas B. Hegdahl survived for two years in the infamous 'Hanoi Hilton' prison by posing as an illiterate fool, while secretly memorizing the names of 256 …

Jun 2, 2025 · During his initial capture in 1967, U.S. sailor Douglas Hegdhal quietly began to collect vital information, covertly communicating with fellow POWs, memorizing the names, capture dates and...

Jan 13, 2025 · Doug Hegdahl, a young U.S. Navy sailor, became one of the most unlikely heroes during the Vietnam War. Born in South Dakota in 1946, Hegdahl enlisted in the Navy in 1966. His life took a …

May 11, 2024 · During the Vietnam War, Seaman Apprentice Douglas B. Hegdahl survived for two years in the infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison by posing as an illiterate fool, while secretly memorizing the …

Apr 15, 2025 · On April 6, 1967, a 20-year-old U.S. Navy sailor named Doug Hegdahl was swept overboard in the Gulf of Tonkin. There, he was picked up by a fishing boat and turned over to North …

In this article, we will explore the circumstances of Doug Hegdahl’s capture and his survival strategies that would make him a legend of the Vietnam War. Doug Hegdahl III was born in Clark, South …

Three Navy pilots released after six years in prison in North Vietnam yesterday detailed the torture they said they received at the hands of their captors. At a news conference held at the Naval Hospital in …

Mar 10, 2017 · Douglas Hegdahl was a young seaman apprentice when he was captured during the Vietnam War and imprisoned at "the Hanoi Hilton."

On April 6, 1967, Seaman Apprentice Douglas B. Hegdahl, aged 20, was serving aboard the USS Canberra (CAG-2), a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser converted for guided missile operations, …