Sid Stockdale, class of 1973 is the son of distinguished military hero, James Bond Stockdale. Sid Stockdale was eleven years old when his father’s US Navy fighter jet was shot down over North Vietnam and he was held a POW in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” for the next seven years. Sid authored a memoir, about his father and his time as a POW during Vietnam, titled A World Apart: Growing Up Stockdale During Vietnam.
Sid Stockdale is the second of four sons of Sybil and Vice Admiral James Stockdale. An educator for forty years, Sid taught history, coached, and served as a department chair, hiring, evaluating, and mentoring teachers in independent schools across the country. He and his wife, Nan, met while undergraduates at Colorado College and Sid later received a master’s degree from St John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Nan and Sid both retired in spring 2017 and now live in Oakley, Utah, where they enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Sid currently serves on the board of trustees at his alma mater, South Kent School, in Connecticut. They have two daughters, Minda and Sarah.
James Bond Stockdale Military Record Below and Learn more about the South Kent School Stockdale Hockey Arena & Dedication
Naval Career
Stockdale’s naval career was marked by exceptional leadership and bravery. He began as an assistant gunnery officer and later became a naval aviator in 1950. He excelled in various roles, including as a test pilot and as commander of Carrier Air Wing Sixteen.
Vietnam War Heroics
During the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, Stockdale led aerial attacks from the USS Ticonderoga. In 1965, his A-4 Skyhawk was shot down over North Vietnam, leading to his capture and subsequent imprisonment for over seven years at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.”
Prisoner of War Leadership
As the highest-ranking naval officer in captivity, Stockdale organized resistance efforts among prisoners, enduring torture and solitary confinement. His defiance and leadership earned him the respect of fellow captives and inspired a code of conduct that upheld honor and resilience.
When she learned her husband was a POW, Mrs. Stockdale began organizing the wives of POWs who began pressuring the government to demand North Vietnam cease the torture and inhumane treatment of the POWs. Her organization eventually became The National League of Families of POWs and the Missing in Southeast Asia with roughly 1,500 members across the country. This organization was responsible for designing the POW/ MIA flag that is flown in the US today.
The Stockdale Paradox
Stockdale’s philosophy during captivity, encapsulated in the Stockdale Paradox, emphasized balancing unwavering faith in eventual success with a clear-eyed assessment of current challenges—a mindset that sustained him and his fellow prisoners.
Return and Post-War Life
Released in 1973, Stockdale received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary courage and leadership. Despite debilitating injuries, he continued to serve in various capacities, including as President of the Naval War College and later as President of The Citadel.
Following his retirement from the Navy in 1979 Stockdale became an author and an academic. In 1984 Stockdale and his wife Sybil co-authored In Love and War which tells the story of their lives during the Vietnam years in alternating chapters. Stockdale was a Senior Fellow at The Hoover Institution located on the campus of Stanford University. He wrote and lectured on leadership, and stoic philosophy with an emphasis of the ancient stoic Epictetus. You can find works written by Admiral Stockdale here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001K8WHBQ
Stockdale’s legacy extends well beyond his military service. He co-authored a book detailing his experiences, advocated for POW rights, and even ventured into politics as Ross Perot’s running mate in the 1992 presidential election.
Final Years and Legacy
Vice Admiral James Stockdale passed away on July 5, 2005, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, leadership, and service. His name adorns awards, buildings, and educational institutions, ensuring his memory and principles endure.
James Bond Stockdale’s life and career exemplify the highest ideals of military service, leadership, and personal sacrifice, making him a revered figure in American history and naval tradition.
