Doug Hegdahl Biography
Doug Hegdahl is a former United States Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5) who was held as a prisoner of war(POW) by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. After he was released, he was able to provide the names and personal information of about 256 fellow POWs, as well as reveal the conditions of the prisoner-of-war camp.
10 Quick Facts About Doug Hegdahl
Here is a list of 10 facts
- Name: Douglas Brent Hegdahl III
- Age:
- Birthday:
- Zodiac Sign:
- Height:
- Nationality:
- Occupation:
- Marital Status:
- Salary:
- Net worth:
Doug Hegdahl Age
Douglas Hegdahl is 77 years as of 2023. He was born on September 3, 1946, in Clark, South Dakota, U.S. Hegdahl celebrates his birthday on September 3rd every year. His birth sign is Virgo.
Doug Hegdahl Height and Weight
Doug stands at an average height and has moderate weight. he appears to be quite tall in stature if his photos, relative to his surroundings, are anything to go by. However, details regarding his actual height and other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We are keeping tabs and will update this information once it is out.
Doug Hegdahl Education
Hegdahl was born on September 3, 1946, and graduated from Clark High School in Clark, South Dakota on May 24, 1966.
Doug Hegdahl Family, Parents and Siblings
Doug was born to his parents in South Dakota, USA. Our efforts to find out more about his family came to no avail as no such information is publicly available. Thus the identity of his father and mother is still unclear. It is also not known if he has any sisters or brothers. This post will be updated as soon as we get any information about his family.
Doug Hegdahl Wife
Hegdahl has managed to keep information about his personal life in the limelight. Regarding his state as a prisoner of war, he might not have been married. However, this information will be updated as soon as it is clear.
Doug Hegdahl Children
There is no information about Hegdahl’s children at the moment. We are keeping tabs on him and we shall update this post as soon as we get any information about his kids.
Doug Hegdahl
Doug Hegdahl Military career
He was knocked overboard by the blast from a 5-inch gun mount from the USS Canberra in the Gulf of Tokin, three miles off the coast on April 6, 1967, when he was 20-years old. He was picked up several hours later by Cambodian fishermen who treated him well.
Doug Hegdahl’s shipmates tried to cover for him and did not report him missing for two days and the commanding officer did not conduct an immediate search for him. His rescuers turned him over to the Vietnamese militiamen who cubbed him repeatedly with their rifles before moving him to the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison.
His interrogators insisted that he was a commando or an agent. The interrogators found his story of being blown overboard unbelievable and did not buy the idea. He quickly realized that he would be much better off if he pretended to be a lowly fool. For a few days, he was slapped multiple times before he convinced his captors that he was of no value to them.
Doug Hegdahl’s bumpkin demeanor, youthful appearance, and country accent helped him in his ability to convince them that he was no threat to them. Hegdahl pretended to be unable to read or write whenever he was asked to write statements against the United States, which was unbelievable to his Vietnamese captors.
His Vietnamese captors thought they had someone who would be easily turned to their cause, but ended up assigning someone to teach him how to read. After he appeared incapable of learning to read and write, his captors gave up on him. He later came to be known to the Vietnamese as “The Incredibly Stupid One”, and he was nearly given free rein of the camp.
He memorized names, capture dates, method of capture, and personal information of about 256 other prisoners with the help of Joseph Crecca, a U.S. Air Force officer and fellow prisoner. Doug Hegdahl is still able to repeat the information to this day. He also convinced his captors that he needed new glasses and memorized the route from the prison into the city of Hanoi, where he was taken to be fitted.
He was able to disable five trucks by putting dirt in their gas tanks during his prison stay. He was one of the 3 POWs (along with Navy Lieutenant Robert Frishman and Air Force Captain Wesley Rumble) who were released on August 5, 1969, as a propaganda move by the North Vietnamese.
In 1970, he was sent to the Paris Peace Talks after his discharge and confronted the North Vietnamese with his first-hand information about the mistreatment of prisoners.
Doug Hegdahl Age
Doug Hegdahl Wife
Doug Hegdahl Rank
He left the US Navy as a Petty Officer Second Class and served from 1965 to 1970.
Doug Hegdahl Awards And Honors
- Prisoner of War Medal
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Combat Action Ribbon
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
How a mariner recollected 250 detainees of war through melody
How a mariner recollected 250 detainees of war through melody
Douglas Hegdahl strolled unreservedly around the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” jail camp, one of numerous American detainees of war held there in 1967.
The “Inept” Seaman Apprentice Hegdahl was gradually gathering knowledge, gathering detainee information, and in any event, undermining the adversary.
The mariner was first placed into a cell with Air Force official Joe Crecca, who instructed Hegdahl 256 names of different POWs and afterward showed him how to retain the data to the tune of “Old McDonald.” After that, Hegdahl was detained with Dick Stratton, who was the positioning official for a period.
As the mariner cleared the jail grounds, when the single gatekeeper alloted to him took his evening rest, Hegdahl would include a tad of earth to the gas tank of the closest truck.
Despite the fact that there was a severe request among the POWs to not acknowledge any early discharges, Hegdahl was requested to acknowledge an early discharge – the main Hoa Lo detainee requested to do as such – by his senior official, Lt. Cmndr.
Discharged in 1969, Hegdahl had the option to blame the North Vietnamese for torment and murder of detainees of war at the Paris Peace Talks in 1970.
Once Hegdahl depicted the treatment of POWs out in the open and to the media, the ones he abandoned saw their treatment improve, accepting better apportions and less severity in their day by day life.
In his journals, Stratton composed of Hegdahl:
“The Incredibly Stupid One,” my own legend, is the original of the creative, clever and valiant American Sailor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doug Hegdahl
Who is Doug Hegdahl?
He is a former United States Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5) who was held as a prisoner of war(POW) by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
How old is Doug Hegdahl?
He is 73 years as of 2019 and was born in Clark, South Dakota, U.S. on September 3, 1946.
How tall is Doug Hegdahl?
His height is not known.
Is Doug Hegdahl married?
Due to his state as a prisoner of war, he might not have been married but it is not clear yet.
How much is Doug Hegdahl worth?
His net worth is still not known.
How much does Doug Hegdahl make?
It is not available.
Where does Doug Hegdahl live?
He was born in Clark, South Dakota but his current residence is still unknown.
Is Doug Hegdahl dead or alive?
Doug is still alive and in good health.
Where is Doug Hegdahl now?
His current whereabouts are still not known.
About InformationCradle Editorial Staff
This Article is produced by InformationCradle Editorial Staff which is a team of expert writers and editors led by Josphat Gachie and trusted by millions of readers worldwide.
We endeavor to keep our content True, Accurate, Correct, Original and Up to Date. For complain, correction or an update, please send us an email to informationcradle@gmail.com. We promise to take corrective measures to the best of our abilities.