Before I introduce you to Mr. Robinson, ponder this number: 2,703.
2,703 would make for a nice take-home paycheck. For purposes of this story, let’s convert the dollars into days.
What can happen in that span of time? 2,703 days – roughly 7 years and 4 months (or about 7.41 years). To put it in perspective, this duration represents more than a quarter of many people’s adult working lives, a full cycle of primary education plus some extra, or enough time for profound personal transformation. Breaking it down:
- 7 years and 148 days (accounting for typical calendar years).
- In hours: approximately 64,872 hours.
- In minutes: over 3.89 million minutes.
- In seconds: roughly 233.5 million seconds.
That’s long enough for a child in kindergarten to finish elementary school and enter middle school. It’s the span in which many people complete a university degree and start a career, or where couples build a home, have children, and watch them grow from infants into school-aged kids. Someone who exercises consistently could dramatically transform their physical health, perhaps running the equivalent of circling the Earth multiple times. Historically, 2,703 days covers events like entire U.S. presidential terms (1,461 days each) plus extra time for transitions and new administrations. It’s longer than many major wars or economic cycles.
In technology, it’s enough time for smartphones to evolve through several generations, for social media platforms to rise and mature, and for breakthroughs in AI, medicine, or renewable energy to move from concept to widespread adoption. In short, 2,703 days is neither fleeting nor endless—it’s a formative chapter. It’s long enough for significant achievements and meaningful change, yet short enough to feel like it passes in the blink of an eye when looking back. Whether it’s a period of patient waiting, steady building, or unexpected adventure, those roughly seven and a half years shape identities, legacies, and futures in ways both visible and invisible. Wow!
My new buddy, William “Bill” Robinson, spent 2,703 days as a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton and North Vietnam prison camps.
Bill was one of 9 honorees at this year’s Gathering of Eagles event in Montgomery.
Each year, I narrate brilliantly produced videos (by local wizard Larry Carter) to honor Eagles selected for extraordinary service to America. Bill earned his wings this year along with Fred Haise of Apollo 13 fame, Jessica Cox (born without arms but against all odds became the first armless pilot), and other flyers, test pilots, and astronauts of extraordinary accomplishment.
Another local hero, Colonel Joe Panza, brought Bill to my radio studio for an interview recently, and it became an hour of mesmerizing testimony to the human spirit and humility. I was in awe of this man!
First, from the GOE program- Robinson and his crew had flown many rescue missions before they were shot down on September 20, 1965, while trying to rescue Capt Willis Forby, an F-105 [F One Oh Five] pilot who had been shot down while attacking a railroad bridge near Ha Tinh, North Vietnam.
Robinson’s pilot was killed while trying to evade capture, but the rest became prisoners of war. Together, they endured more than seven years of captivity in North Vietnam, being routinely moved, being held in multiple camps, and finally in the prison known as the Hanoi Hilton; surviving torture, starvation, and psychological brutality.
Life in captivity demanded resilience, discipline, and moral courage. Robinson relied on faith, humor, and the quiet support of fellow prisoners. Through shared hardship, small acts of defiance, and mutual support, they preserved their dignity and sense of purpose.
When at long last released on February 12, 1973, instead of bolting for civilian life, Bill Robinson served our country another 12 years, becoming an accomplished Huey helicopter pilot before retiring.
Since then, Bill has been in demand as a motivational speaker focusing on resiliency, survival, and other lessons learned during 7+ years of captivity. Jeff Probst will never talk to a Survivor of Bill Robinson’s pedigree.
What struck me most was Mr. Robinson’s utter lack of regret over any of what he endured. He retains the great sense of humor that helped him make it through 2,703 days. When I asked what he chose for his first real meal in 7 years, he chuckled and said, “Whatever we wanted. We asked for 12 eggs, and the cook said,‘We’ll start with 6 and have the next 6 ready in a few minutes.’ Waiting a few minutes for Bill? No big deal!
Robinson’s story is chronicled in a book- The Longest Rescue: The Life and Legacy of Vietnam POW William A. Robinson.
His 2,703 days of captivity remain the longest of any enlisted man in American history.
At the end of the interview, Bill’s love of life was exploding through the radio. Me? I was choking back tears of gratitude to be in the presence of this remarkable man.
Next time you’re delayed a few minutes by traffic or slow service, please think of Bill. Better yet, next month, when we’re celebrating America’s 250th birthday, pop something cold with your friends and family and lift a toast to this man and his fellow Eagles and all who served.
We owe them a debt of gratitude bigger than any number.
Greg Budell has lived in Montgomery for 20 years. A 50+ year veteran of radio, TV and writing, Greg hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas and Jay Scott, 6-9 AM Monday – Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with Pamela Dubuque and a variety of sidekicks. His favorite topic is life! Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com.