The longest-held prisoner of war in American history (360)

Cold War Conversations

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 9 August 2024

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jack Downey was the longest-held prisoner of war in American history. He was a CIA officer captured in China during the Korean War and imprisoned for twenty-one years. I speak with Barry Werth the author of Prisoner of Lies - Jack Downey's Cold War. He details Downey’s story when the CIA recruited him as a new Yale graduate in the post-World War II years. In a violation of protocol, Downey took part in an airdrop that failed and was captured over China. US government policy forbade ever acknowledging the identity of spies, no matter the consequences. Washington invented a fictitious cover story and stood by it through four Administrations. As a result, Downey was imprisoned during the decades that Red China, as it was called, was considered by the US to be a hostile nation. This is a harrowing, chilling story of one man whose life is at the mercy of larger forces outside of his control; in Downey’s case as a pawn of the Cold War, and more specifically the Oval Office and the State Department. However above all, it is an inspiring story of remarkable fortitude and resilience. Buy the book here & support the podcast https://amzn.to/3LRQyvW Linked episodes Gary Powers & the 1960 U2 Incident https://pod.fo/e/f830 The Chinese Civil War and the Independence of Taiwan https://pod.fo/e/b9f5d Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode360/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:05.9	Timothy Shalame is Bob Dylan and a complete unknown.
0:09.4	If anyone who's going to hold your attention on the state, you have to kind of be a freak.
0:14.0	Critics agree it's outstanding on every level. Five stars.
0:19.1	Shalemate is a revelation.
0:20.8	What do you want to be?
0:21.9	Whatever it is, they don't want me to be.
0:23.8	Now nominated for the Golden Globes for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor, Edward Norton.
0:29.3	A complete unknown.
0:30.5	Ladies and gentlemen, Bob Bill!
0:32.4	In cinema's January 17, rated 15.
0:36.1	From the get-go, he denied everything, but they knew who he was and they would continue to say to him,
0:40.6	you were Jack, tell the truth and your future will be bright, lie and your future will be dark.
0:48.7	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War history accounts.
0:58.8	Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app so that you don't miss out on future episodes.
1:04.6	Jack Downey was the longest held prisoner of war in American history.
1:09.2	He was a CIA officer captured in China during the Korean
1:12.5	war and in prison for 21 years. I speak with Barry Worth, the author of Prisoner of Lies, Jack Downey's
1:20.4	Cold War. He details down his story when as a new Yale graduate in the post-World War two years,
1:27.3	he was recruited by the CIA.
1:29.9	In violation of protocol, Downey took part in an airdrop that failed and was captured over China.
1:36.5	At the time, US government policy forbade ever acknowledging the identity of spies no matter the consequences,
	...

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