RFT 042: Vietnam F-4 POW Colonel Lee Ellis

Lee Ellis was on his first Air Force assignment, flying an F-4C aircraft out of Danang, South Vietnam, when he was forced to eject over Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, and captured. He endured 5 1/2 years as a Prisoner of War (POW) in the infamous Hoa Loa prison, nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton. It was during that incarceration, in the crucible of leadership, that he learned the lessons that guided him through the rest of his career and his life.

After repatriation, he returned to flying, serving as a T-38 Instructor Pilot (IP), Stan-Eval Flight Examiner (SEFE), and Squadron Commander. His final assignment in the Air Force was Commander of the Air Force ROTC Program at the University of Georgia.His company Leading with Honor provides leadership assessment, consulting, training, and coaching. His book, Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton won several awards as has his most recent book, Engage with Honor: Building a Culture of Courageous Accountability. Lee travels and lectures extensively on Leadership.

His website is www.leadingwithhonor.com and his Twitter handle is @LeonLeeEllis.

https://youtu.be/FvllDuIec-U