Why Didn't You Get Me Out? Frank Anton with Tommy Denton The Summit Publishing Group Arlington, Tx

Many people associate Prisoners of War in Vietnam with Air Force pilots who were shot down over North Vietnam and imprisoned in the Hanoi Hilton. While this was certainly the case for a large number of POWs, it was not the case for all.

Frank Anton was a chopper pilot for the Firebirds, a top gunship unit of the Americal Division. On January 5, 1968, Anton was answering a call for help from a ground unit engaged in a bitter night fight. He called on the raido "How can we assist you?" But before he could come to the aid of the embattled infantrymen, he himself was in need of assistance.

The enemy was waiting for Anton's chopper. Tracers from fifty-caliber machines guns streaked from the ground and found their mark. "Nine-Zero is taking hits, taking hits!" radioed Anton. But it was too late. Firebird 90 was on its way down as Anton and his co-pilot tried frantically to find a safe place to crash.

Anton and the other three crew members survived the crash. They split up, with Anton deciding to stay near the downed chopper. Near dawn he dozed off and awoke to see a NVA soldier standing over him. The captor handed Anton a card printed in English: "You are a prisoner of the People's National Liberation Front. You will not be harmed..."

Frank Anton signs copies of his book at the 1999 ADVA Reunion

Anton was shot down in South Vietnam and that is where he would remain a prisoner for the next three years. He and other Americans were held in crude jungle camps under the most severe conditions. With little to eat and almost no medical care, several of Anton's fellow prisoners died in captivity. In 1971, he and the others were moved to a prison in North Vietnam. So why the title "Why Didn't You Get Me Out?" This seems to imply that the U.S. military knew where Anton was being held captive and that they had the means to free him. According to Anton, this was exactly the case. Upon his return to the United States in 1973, he was shown photographs and maps which indicated the location of the POW camps where he was kept. With U.S. forces still active in the area, they could have been sent to rescue him and his fellow prisoners. So why not?

Anton answers this question and many others. He also describes his encounters with Bobby Garwood, the ones in the camps in Vietnam as well as those in the courtroom at Camp Lejeune. Surprisingly, the only thing Anton wanted from Garwood was for Garwood to tell the truth. Be prepared: reading Anton's book may change your mind about some of the issues surrounding the POW/MIA debate.

After retiring from the Army, Anton spent several years flying for a major airline. He is now residing in Florida. If you would like to read Franks own words, go to Frank Anton's Page on the internet.

If you would like to purchase an autographed copy of the book, send $24 to
Frank Anton
730 Palm Drive
Satellite Beach, FL 32937-2523

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For more reading material related to the Americal Division, there's the Army's Official History of the division and additional bibliographical information.