Everett Alvarez , Jr . Everett Alvarez Jr . ( born 1937 , Salinas , California ) was a Navy Commander who endured one of the longest periods as a prisoner of war ( POW ) in American history . Alvarez was the first American pilot to be shot down and held as a POW in North Vietnam . He spent over 8 years in captivity , making him the second longest - held POW in American history . Early life and captivity . Alvarez is the grandson of immigrants from Mexico . He went to Santa Clara University on an academic scholarship . He joined the United States Navy in 1960 and was selected for pilot training . On August 5 , 1964 , during Operation Pierce Arrow , LTJG . Alvarez ' s plane was shot down in the immediate aftermath of what is known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident . Alvarez endured eight years and seven months of brutal captivity by the North Vietnamese , in which he was repeatedly beaten and tortured . Alvarez was especially esteemed by his fellow prisoners because he was for almost a year the only aviator prisoner of war . Back in America . He is the recipient of the Silver Star , two Legions of Merit , two Bronze Star s , the Distinguished Flying Cross , and two Purple Heart Medal s . In 2012 he received the Lone Sailor Award . Alvarez has co - authored two books , writing of his prisoner of war experiences in " Chained Eagle " and " Code Of Conduct " . Everett Alvarez High School in his native Salinas , California is named after him . There is also a park named in his honor in Santa Clara , California and a post office named in his honor in Montgomery County , Maryland . A subdivision at Naval Air Station Lemoore , California was named after Alvarez during his internment . In 2012 , the Mobile , Alabama Chapter of the Association of Naval Services Officers ( ANSO ) was named after Alvarez . The Lone Sailor Award was given to Alvarez in Washington , D . C . on September 18 , 2012 . The Lone Sailor Award is given to Sea Service veterans who have excelled with distinction in their respective civilian careers while exemplifying the Navy ' s core values of Honor , Courage and Commitment . Life After the Military . Alvarez retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander in 1980 . He later earned a Master ' s Degree in Operations and Research Analysis and a Juris Doctor degree and in April 1981 , he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the post of Deputy Director of the Peace Corps . In July 1982 , President Reagan nominated and the Senate confirmed him as Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Administration ( VA ) . After six years with the Veterans Administration he was appointed by President Reagan in 1988 to the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences ( USU ) in Bethesda , Maryland . Alvarez served on that Board for almost 21 years , including serving as Chairman of the Board twice . Alvarez has served on the President ’ s Task Force to improve Health Care Delivery for our Nation ’ s Veterans and recently chaired the VA ’ s CARES Commission ( Capital Asset Realignment and Enhancement Study Commission ) . Alvarez is a lifetime member of the Board of Fellows of the University of Santa Clara . He served on the Board of Directors of the International Graduate University of Democracy in Washington DC . He served on the College of William & Mary Washington DC Council . He has served on the White House Board of Fellows Selection Committee and on the Board of Directors of the Armed Services YMCA of the USA . He is on the Library of Congress Veterans History Project Five Star Council Advisory Committee . In 2004 , Alvarez founded Alvarez & Associates , an IT consulting firm in Washington , D . C . which sells IT services to the U . S . government . Alvarez is married and has two children .