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The Party Dolls: The True, Tragic Story of Two Americans’ Attempted Escape from a 1969 Hanoi POW Camp
The 2021 Best Indie Book Award winner for Nonfiction Military History!
In May 1969, at the peak of the Vietnam War, two American prisoners of war escaped from a brutal North Vietnamese prison camp. Their story is one of incredible bravery against the longest of odds—and also one of bitter conflict. Air Force Captains John Dramesi and Ed Atterberry escaped with help from their fellow prisoners, but that help was not given freely. Their attempt killed one man and brought many others a lifetime of pain.THE PARTY DOLLS tells the true, tragic story of an escape code-named the “Party.” The story is told by the men who lived it, American POWs, via interviews conducted by the author some two decades ago, but never published until now. For decades, questions lingered about how Dramesi and Atterberry did it, and how Atterberry died, even among their fellow prisoners. Indeed, the story of the Party is virtually unknown outside Vietnam POW circles. THE PARTY DOLLS opens the door into one of the most tortured stories of the Vietnam War.The story opens in April 1968, in a Hanoi POW camp called the Annex. John Dramesi believed it was American POWs' duty to escape, mandated by the U.S. military's Code of Conduct, even though there was virtually no chance of successfully reaching freedom. Dramesi's cellmates believed any attempted escape would violate standing orders and the Code of Conduct, whose articles were vague and conflicting, and subject them to horrible tortures and suffering. Nonetheless, Dramesi recruits one man, quiet and unassuming Ed Atterberry, to go with him. They and their reluctant cellmates spend the next year devising a way out of the cell, building, and camp, while amassing props and supplies that can aid the escape. Their story, told by Dramesi and nearly a dozen other former POWs, includes anecdotes, arguments, conflicts and incidents, some humorous, some horrifying, and some graphically raw. Ultimately, Dramesi and Atterberry escape, only to be recaptured, and causing months of suffering for dozens of American POWs throughout the summer of 1969.
In May 1969, at the peak of the Vietnam War, two American prisoners of war escaped from a brutal North Vietnamese prison camp. Their story is one of incredible bravery against the longest of odds—and also one of bitter conflict. Air Force Captains John Dramesi and Ed Atterberry escaped with help from their fellow prisoners, but that help was not given freely. Their attempt killed one man and brought many others a lifetime of pain.THE PARTY DOLLS tells the true, tragic story of an escape code-named the “Party.” The story is told by the men who lived it, American POWs, via interviews conducted by the author some two decades ago, but never published until now. For decades, questions lingered about how Dramesi and Atterberry did it, and how Atterberry died, even among their fellow prisoners. Indeed, the story of the Party is virtually unknown outside Vietnam POW circles. THE PARTY DOLLS opens the door into one of the most tortured stories of the Vietnam War.The story opens in April 1968, in a Hanoi POW camp called the Annex. John Dramesi believed it was American POWs' duty to escape, mandated by the U.S. military's Code of Conduct, even though there was virtually no chance of successfully reaching freedom. Dramesi's cellmates believed any attempted escape would violate standing orders and the Code of Conduct, whose articles were vague and conflicting, and subject them to horrible tortures and suffering. Nonetheless, Dramesi recruits one man, quiet and unassuming Ed Atterberry, to go with him. They and their reluctant cellmates spend the next year devising a way out of the cell, building, and camp, while amassing props and supplies that can aid the escape. Their story, told by Dramesi and nearly a dozen other former POWs, includes anecdotes, arguments, conflicts and incidents, some humorous, some horrifying, and some graphically raw. Ultimately, Dramesi and Atterberry escape, only to be recaptured, and causing months of suffering for dozens of American POWs throughout the summer of 1969.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2021
52 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
George Hayward
2 books4 followersAuthor George Hayward grew up in the shadow of Boston and lived in six states before settling for good in Colorado. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he was recognized as one of the service's top journalists in the 1990s. Among his two dozen military journalism awards, he won the Department of Defense's Thomas Jefferson Award for editorials and commentaries in 1991 and was the Air Force's journalist of the year in 1993. He left the service in 1999 and has worked primarily in public relations since, including media relations for NASA, corporate gigs in Los Angeles and Hawaii, and four rewarding years at a nonprofit serving veterans. Today, when not writing, he focuses his p.r. work on public service--local government and nonprofits. His books SOUL AFFLICTED and THE PARTY DOLLS are vastly different works--a fiction novel of spiritual self-discovery bordering on the paranormal, and a true-history account of a tortured and tragic escape from a Hanoi prison. Yet both delve into the conscience and consequences of personal choices, of right and wrong, and the gray areas in between.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 20, 2025
Well written
It's great to have this many sources to support the story . Many of these brave men endured unbelievable hardship and torture for such a prolonged period that their stories need to be heard.
Thank you for letting us hear this hidden story. And thank the POW who shared.
It's great to have this many sources to support the story . Many of these brave men endured unbelievable hardship and torture for such a prolonged period that their stories need to be heard.
Thank you for letting us hear this hidden story. And thank the POW who shared.
January 29, 2022
2021 Best Indie Book Award Winner!
November 26, 2022
I had the honour to sit across from author, George Hayward over coffee. He told me of his time in the Air Force and the fight he went through to get this book published. The first hand accounts he heard of this miraculous tale really brought everything to life for me.
When beginning this novel, I had the thought for hearing some of this information straight from the author. Hearing his tale, and then reading these accounts, brought the story of these brave men’s sacrifice home.
As I sit here writing this review, I find myself at a loss. How do you review something that is true, that really happened, that made such a profound effect on so many lives.
Over 30 years ago Americans were fighting, firing in Vietnam. They were struggling both in and out of POW camps. They were being tortured and killed. Knowing the atrocities that were enacted on those brave men, told in such a straightforward way, was difficult to stomach.
How does someone simply review such a tale?
All I can say is how much this take affected me as I was reading. I learned so much more about a struggle that occurred before I was born. I learned things that no one teaches in school; things that get glossed over and forgotten about. The closest I have ever gotten to such a story is watching The Great Escape (1963) with my dad, which is more fact than fiction to be sure.
This tale hit me hard. I grew up in a military family. My grandfather was a First Lieutenant the Army during the Korean War, my father is a retired Navy Chief who served in the Gulf War, my brother is currently a Master-at-Arms (Military Police) in the Navy.
It took me a couple tries to sit and read this novel. What got me through was comfy clothes and my cats beside me. I was safe through reading, which further separated me from the terrible fate of those brave men in Vietnam.
I greatly recommend this novel to everyone. I feel that all should try to understand the horrors that war brings. The terrible things that can and does happen to POWs and soldiers overseas.
The tale is thought provoking and humbling. It tells of how far a man can go, both for himself and his fellow men. It’s is a story of brotherhood and pride, of perseverance and commitment. This novel is a wonderful and horrible account of the real things that happen. The delivery is straightforward and emotional in its lack of emotion.
My heart hurts for all these men went through, and though it is an impossible hope, I wish that no one has to go through similar trials and tribulations. History should not be made to repeat itself.
“It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.” - Robert E Lee
I received this novel for free and am leaving this review and these thought honestly and voluntarily. Thank you to the author for sitting down with me over coffee and bringing this take even more close to home.
When beginning this novel, I had the thought for hearing some of this information straight from the author. Hearing his tale, and then reading these accounts, brought the story of these brave men’s sacrifice home.
As I sit here writing this review, I find myself at a loss. How do you review something that is true, that really happened, that made such a profound effect on so many lives.
Over 30 years ago Americans were fighting, firing in Vietnam. They were struggling both in and out of POW camps. They were being tortured and killed. Knowing the atrocities that were enacted on those brave men, told in such a straightforward way, was difficult to stomach.
How does someone simply review such a tale?
All I can say is how much this take affected me as I was reading. I learned so much more about a struggle that occurred before I was born. I learned things that no one teaches in school; things that get glossed over and forgotten about. The closest I have ever gotten to such a story is watching The Great Escape (1963) with my dad, which is more fact than fiction to be sure.
This tale hit me hard. I grew up in a military family. My grandfather was a First Lieutenant the Army during the Korean War, my father is a retired Navy Chief who served in the Gulf War, my brother is currently a Master-at-Arms (Military Police) in the Navy.
It took me a couple tries to sit and read this novel. What got me through was comfy clothes and my cats beside me. I was safe through reading, which further separated me from the terrible fate of those brave men in Vietnam.
I greatly recommend this novel to everyone. I feel that all should try to understand the horrors that war brings. The terrible things that can and does happen to POWs and soldiers overseas.
The tale is thought provoking and humbling. It tells of how far a man can go, both for himself and his fellow men. It’s is a story of brotherhood and pride, of perseverance and commitment. This novel is a wonderful and horrible account of the real things that happen. The delivery is straightforward and emotional in its lack of emotion.
My heart hurts for all these men went through, and though it is an impossible hope, I wish that no one has to go through similar trials and tribulations. History should not be made to repeat itself.
“It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.” - Robert E Lee
I received this novel for free and am leaving this review and these thought honestly and voluntarily. Thank you to the author for sitting down with me over coffee and bringing this take even more close to home.
April 5, 2023
This book was appropriate to read on the 50th Anniversary of the Operation Homecoming and the release of Vietnam POW's. I am privileged to be friends with Wally Newcomb, one of the POW's featured in this story. Knowing him, made this a difficult read for me, because it gave me an understanding of the suffering this remarkable man endured. When he was directly quoted, I could hear him speaking as he has shared some of the stories told in the book. From what I know, this account is accurately detailed. Even though I knew the outcome of the escape, I was still on pins-and-needles reading it. In the end, this a remarkable story of perseverence, honor, hope, and survival.
July 14, 2021
This is a tragic and inspiring story of real American heroes! The things these men endured is unimaginable to most of us and is a reminder or price that has been paid by so many so that we can live our spoiled lives! This book will make you cry, laugh, cringe and will educate you on this important point in American History!
December 26, 2025
Amazing read.
I couldn't put it down. One POW mentioned in the book, Col. John A. Norris, was the man whose name was on the POW bracelet I wore until they were released in 1973. I watched as he came down the steps of the plane when they were released, and his name was called. I mailed his bracelet to his home, and received a beautiful letter back from his wife.
I couldn't put it down. One POW mentioned in the book, Col. John A. Norris, was the man whose name was on the POW bracelet I wore until they were released in 1973. I watched as he came down the steps of the plane when they were released, and his name was called. I mailed his bracelet to his home, and received a beautiful letter back from his wife.
December 27, 2025
A book well worth the time to read, but it isn't really an easy one. It is terrible what soldiers went through during war, but those who were POW survivors suffered all kinds of maladies & mistreatment. For me, should be a must read, just to get a brief look at how bad war is.
January 24, 2022
Well, I wrote it, so I'd say I like it. :-) I hope other readers do, too. I'm just humbled and honored to be the person to tell this amazing true story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews