Among the highlights of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 is a tribute to the veterans and aircraft of the Vietnam War. EAA’s Rick Larsen, vice president of communities and member programs, noted, “This is an opportunity to recognize those that served, many of whom did not receive a grateful welcome when they returned from their service.” Among those veterans who sacrificed so much were American prisoners of war, who, true to their motto, returned with honor.

Flying his 68th combat mission on November 7, 1967, Air Force Capt. Lee Ellis was shot down over North Vietnam. In his book, Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton, he described the experience: “Captain Ken Fisher and I rolled into a dive-bomb pass in our F-4C Phantom jet … Tracers from the North Vietnamese antiaircraft artillery fire flashed by our canopy like giant Roman candles … We released our heavy payload of bombs, and suddenly an explosion rocked our aircraft … Now on fire and out of control, there was only one option: eject.”

Ellis was taken prisoner and began a tortuous journey through five-and-a-half years of captivity, ultimately being held in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Military records indicate that 766 Americans passed through its walls, and 591 were released beginning in early 1973. In March 1973, Lee Ellis came home.

After his return to flying status and following assignments of increasing responsibility, in 1980 Ellis took command of the 560th Flying Training Squadron at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. The squadron was, and remains, the “schoolhouse” where Air Force pilots learn the art and science of instructing in the supersonic T-38. This was not his first stop at the 560th. From May 1973 to November 1976 the squadron was tasked with requalifying more than 150 pilots, all former POWs. Once medically returned to flying status, a T-38 “freedom flight” was their first step back to the skies.

They were given the call sign “Freedom” and a number reflecting their order of flight. In August 1973, Lee Ellis was “Freedom 34.”

Following his assignment at the 560th, Ellis moved up through increasing positions of leadership and retired as a colonel on February 1, 1990. His decorations include the Silver Star with one oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with “V” device, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, and the Prisoner of War Medal.

After military retirement, Ellis founded Leadership Freedom LLC, which counts Fortune 500 companies among its clients. The company’s mission is to train business executives to grow and lead through character, courage, and commitment — leadership traits exemplified by the senior officers Lee Ellis served under as a POW. His latest book, written with co-author Greg Godek, is Captured by Love: Inspiring True Romance Stories from Vietnam POWs.

You can hear firsthand accounts of his POW experience and leadership lessons learned when Col. Ellis speaks on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in the EAA Aviation Museum’s Vette Theater.