Six Years in Hell: A Returned Vietnam POW Views Captivity, Country, and the Future

by Jay R. Jensen

Six Years In Hell" is the memoir of Jay R. Jensen's 6 years as a POW during the Vietnam War. He was in such places as "The Zoo" and "The Hanoi Hilton". He talks of the struggles, hope and fears, and moral dilemmas they faced. The book is in good condition, illustrated, 171 pages

171 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1989

Reviews

[Sonyajohnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second reading of this book. Many years ago I saw Jay speak about his experiences. I grew up during the Vietnam era and some of the young men from my high school went to Vietnam and never returned. One of my best friends from work talks about her brother Donald Frye who was killed in Vietnam. She said it was something that her family never truly recovered from. We owe a debt of gratitude to the men who were drafted and sent to a war where it wasn’t so easy to tell who the enemy was. I love reading history and think the best way to learn it is through the eyes of those who were living the experience.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every few years, I read this book, usually around Memorial Day, to remember my grandpa Jay. Jay married my maternal grandmother Jan in 1973 following his captivity. I have vivid memories of visiting their home in Santa Barbara, CA as a child and loving every minute with Grandpa Jay. He was the best storyteller. He would always make us laugh with his stories of "the V". While I knew his stories came from his time as a Prisoner of War, his upbeat delivery and laughter did not paint a picture of suffering and pain. One of my favorites stories, which was not in the book, was when he and several other servicemen who were in a group room were given some colored chalk. It was around Christmas time so the men drew a life-size Christmas tree and other Christmas scenes all around the room. They drew a toy soldier on the back of the door and where the face of the soldier should have been was a small door that the guard would slide open to check on them. Every time one of the guards opened the door his face would become the toy soldier's face. Grandpa said they would break into hysterical laughter each time it happened and it made the guards so mad because they couldn't figure out what was making the prisoners laugh so hard. Even when he was telling us the story years later, my grandpa still laughed about it.

He maintains that same positive outlook in his book. Rather than dwelling on the pain and suffering, he makes simple statements regarding the torture and focuses more on what helped him and his fellow POWs survive. I loved how the scriptures and other religious material became so precious and really sustained them. I liked how they taught each other everything they knew on a wide range of subjects. Most of all, I love my grandpa's example. He stayed positive in the worst of circumstances and turned to God during his many hours of need. It is so inspiring.

Jay R. Jensen received a Purple Heart for his time in captivity. He is buried in the Mountain View Memorial Cemetery and I visit his grave on occasion. I'm grateful for his service to his country. I am grateful that I was his granddaughter and have such happy memories of him. I am grateful he introduced my parents to each other. I'm so glad he wrote all his experiences down so future generations can be inspired by his example. Love you Grandpa Jay!

[Heavenlyharpstringsgmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true account of a man I knew when we lived in California years ago. A well written account of his experience, and faith. Must read.