The Real American Hero

My second son has always enjoyed watching superhero movies and was especially excited to hear that a new Superman movie was coming to theaters on July 11, his birthday week. However, as we began to see and hear reviews from Christians and non-Christians alike, we gathered that this movie could be quite the disappointment. Compared to the original patriotic Superman who was classy, confident, mature, and masculine, movie critics said this Superman was portrayed as goofy, angry, whiny, and worst of all...weak. 

We explained to him why we didn’t want to support this “pushover Superman” and decided that we would forgo that particular movie for his birthday. Ironically, our plans for July 11 still involved a superhero. A true American hero. He never wore a cape, yet he was one of the bravest and most faithful of all heroes...a man named Col. Carlyle Smith Harris. 

…

On April 3, 1965, Col. Harris, an experienced United States Air Force pilot, was a part of a vital mission to destroy the Ham Rong bridge in Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam, with mostly guided missiles. The very next day, they were given orders to execute the exact same plan, with the exception of using bombs rather than guided missiles. The determined pilots went in at the same time, direction, and altitude. Leading the way, Col. Harris was the first to drop his bomb on the target, but, tragically, his F-105 “Thunderchief” was immediately bombarded by enemy artillery. He was forced to eject as his plane began to break apart.  

With an injured shoulder and knee, he was able to land safely, but relief quickly vanished as he realized he was behind enemy lines and surrounded. He was aggressively stripped, captured, and marched to the nearest village, becoming the 6th American POW of the Vietnam War.

For 2,871 days, nearly 8 years, he was persecuted and kept alive in hopes they could use him for information. During that time, he was transported to multiple POW camps, most notably the ‘Hanoi Hilton,’ an infamous camp that incarcerated U.S. prisoners throughout the war.

While in captivity, Col. Harris remained deeply committed to his country in every way. Although escape was impossible, surrender was never an option. Through daily unfathomable physical and mental torture, he stayed true to the military Code of Conduct, never once yielding to the enemy.

Desperate to survive, Col. Harris was able to recall a quick conversation with an Air Force instructor prior to going overseas about a long-lost communication code used in WWII, called the Tap Code. The secret code was based on a 5x5 alphabetical grid that omitted the letter K, and messages were passed on a letter-by-letter basis by tapping. The system was covertly passed on to every POW who entered the North Vietnamese prison system and was used for basic communication, top-secret church services, passing on the order of command, and most importantly, it was used as a means of encouragement and solidarity. They tapped on anything they could get their hands on – walls, pipes, floors, etc.  According to fellow POW Guy Gruters, this code saved their lives because it gave them “command and control.”  

On February 12, 1973, Col. Harris was finally released. He returned home with honor and was reunited with his wife, two daughters, and an 8-year-old son he had never even met.

During his military career, he progressed through the ranks from Private to Air Force Colonel and received numerous decorations, including two Silver Stars, three Legion of Merits, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars for valor, two Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, two Commendation Medals, and the Eagle Award. Some of his artifacts from his days of captivity are on display in the Smithsonian, and his book, Tap Code, written by award-winning author Sara W. Berry in conjunction with Harris, became a bestseller.

Equally as impressive as his military accolades is the fact that once he integrated back into his normal way of life, his faith was unwavering, he was intentional in his relationships, and he was successful in all he pursued. He vowed never to waste a day, and he certainly accomplished that mission by loving others and living life to the fullest.…

On July 11, 2025, my oldest sons and I sat in a room filled with hundreds of people who came to celebrate his life and mourn his passing. The priest who gave the eulogy stated, “You don’t just happen to be a hero. You make a choice to be a hero.”

This described Col. Harris to perfection. He made a choice to defend our country. He made a choice to depend on the Lord. He made a choice to defeat the enemy. He made a choice to deeply love his family and lead them well.

He didn’t let his past define him. He didn’t become bitter towards his country because of torture and stolen time while in oppression. Instead, his persecution led to perseverance, and he loved his country all the more.

Although we grieve to lose an American hero and hurt for the Harris family who lost their rock, we are extremely proud of the humble hero we were blessed with the opportunity to support on July 11. A hero who was never guilty of being goofy, angry, whiny, or weak. A hero who never fell short, but always stood tall.

I’m forever thankful my sons witnessed the legacy of a man whose superpower was the Lord.

GBU, Col. Smitty. We will never forget your service and sacrifice to our great nation.