THINGS THAT DON'T MAKE YOU A HERO...

I've already seen the first post lauding John McCain for not accepting an offer of early release from the North Vietnamese captors. All US military people are taught the soldiers code-it goes like this:

Articles of Code of Conduct[edit]
The Code of Conduct provides guidance for the behavior and actions of members of the Armed Forces of the United States. This guidance applies not only on the battlefield, but also in the event that the service member is captured and becomes a prisoner of war (POW). The Code is delineated in six articles.

Article I:

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.[3]

Article II:

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.[3]

Article III:

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.[3]

Article IV:

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.[3]

Article V:

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.[3]

Article VI:

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.[3]

Now read article three, it states that accepting early release would be a violation and as such would be a court martial offense.

I do believe the man performed bravely in Vietnam. They called attacking Hanoi "Going Downtown" and no man who did that could ever be called a coward. But there was never an option of accepting an early return to the US.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_the_United_States_Fighting_Force