A POW in Vietnam for nearly 7 years, Bradenton man will help mark 50 years of peace

James A. Jones Jr.
·1 min read
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Fifty years ago, the United States, South Vietnam, the Viet Cong and North Vietnam signed the Paris Peace Accords.

That treaty led to the withdrawal of U.S. armed forces from Vietnam and the release of U.S. prisoners of war.

Manatee County hosts a commemoration of that anniversary from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday at Veterans Park, adjacent to Manatee Memorial Hospital and the Bradenton Riverwalk.

Guest speaker will be Retired Navy Commander Bradley E. Smith of Bradenton, one of 591 American POWs released in 1973.

Smith was shot down over North Vietnam on March 25, 1966, while flying an A-4 Skyhawk jet.

It was his 77th combat mission. He remained a POW for the next 2,516 days, until his release during Operation Homecoming.

The invocation at Wednesday’s observance will be given by Dr. Willie J. Holley, pastor of the Pathways Christian Fellowship Church in Bradenton.

Holley, also a Vietnam veteran, served three combat tours in the Southeast Asia theater of operations.

The public is invited to Wednesday’s observance.

Retired Navy Commander Brad Smith survived seven years of captivity during the Vietnam War.
Retired Navy Commander Brad Smith survived seven years of captivity during the Vietnam War.