For 5 years and 8 months, Wayne Waddell endured life as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. His story is one of captivity, survival, resilience, and return. But it is also a family story — one preserved by his son, Greg Waddell, through the book 5 Years and 8 Months: A Multimedia Story of a POW in Vietnam.
POW/MIA stories hold a special place in American military memory because they represent not only the experience of those who served, but also the long uncertainty carried by the families waiting at home. When a service member is captured or missing, the burden is shared by parents, spouses, children, friends, and fellow veterans. The passage of time becomes part of the story. Days become months. Months become years. Hope, fear, strength, and uncertainty exist together.
This book helps preserve Wayne Waddell’s experience in a way that is personal, accessible, and meaningful. Through historical context, personal memory, photographs, documents, and multimedia storytelling, Greg Waddell gives readers a way to connect with the human side of a Vietnam POW story. It is not simply a record of what happened; it is a tribute to endurance and a reminder of why these stories must continue to be shared.
For readers interested in POW/MIA history, Vietnam veterans, military aviation, or family legacy stories, this book offers a powerful and respectful account of one man’s journey and the importance of keeping such stories alive.