United States Marine Corps. - U.S. Marine Guidebook

Suppose a man surrenders while he still has the means to fight back or can remain in hiding. What can he expect to gain in captivity? During the Korean War, four out of every ten Americans who became prisoners of the communists died. Untold numbers were coldly executed shortly after laying down their arms, and these were not included in the prisoner statistics. The odds are in favor of the man who sticks by his guns. Since many of the deaths in a prison camp result from lack of will, the person who surrenders to the enemy is even less likely to survive.

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.

INTERPRETATION: If I am captured, I will not take any favors from the enemy, but I will resist and escape, If possible.

EXAMPLE: One prisoner who escaped against great odds was Lieutenant Charles F. Klusmann, a U.S. Navy pilot, shot down over Laos and captured by the communists in June 1964. Lieutenant Klusmann at once decided to escape, if possible. After 2 months of solitary confinement, he was moved in August to another building where some Laotians were imprisoned. Here, he and two other prisoners cautiously mapped out an escape plan.

Their moment came in late August and they succeeded In breaking out of the prison compound. Throughout the night, the three escapees traveled through rice paddies and along wooded trails. A communist patrol recaptured one of the Laotians the next day, but the other two escapees evaded the patrol in the brush. After running for 2 hours, they slowed to a walk keeping to animal trails.

A chilling rain that night added to their misery. At dawn the following day they were on their way again, heading toward friendly troops which they believed to be beyond a high mountain. Keeping a close watch for communist patrols, the two succeeded in crossing over the mountain by late afternoon. That night they risked a small fire to cook some squash they had found. Early the next morning, after finishing the remains of the squash, they resumed their march. Since their escape, Lieutenant Klusmann and his companion had been bothered by painful leech bites which caused their legs to swell. Klusmanns right leg was in such bad shape that he could not lift it without using his hand to lever it along, but by midafternoon the two reached a friendly outpost. That evening a plane was called In to fly Lieutenant Klusmann to safety, capping his escape with a final triumph.

4. Article IV. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor 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.

INTERPRETATION: If I am a prisoner I will help my fellow prisoners and not sell them out for favors from the enemy. If senior, I will take charge; if not, I will follow the orders of the senior prisoner, regardless of his branch of service (U.S. or allied nation).