John T. Downey

He refused to learn Chinese, which I find fascinating. I mean, how would you not learn it after all that time? But that was an important part of his strategy, wasn't it?

That entire decade goes by, 21 years eventually, but I'm saying the entire 1960s go by and no one even knows this man's alive.

That entire decade goes by, 21 years eventually, but I'm saying the entire 1960s go by and no one even knows this man's alive.

That entire decade goes by, 21 years eventually, but I'm saying the entire 1960s go by and no one even knows this man's alive.

It really is Nixon's reconciliation in the 70s that changes everything, right? Yes.

It really is Nixon's reconciliation in the 70s that changes everything, right? Yes.

It really is Nixon's reconciliation in the 70s that changes everything, right? Yes.

Did Downey feel this way about how he was treated? Did he see some sort of justice in their treatment of him?

Did Downey feel this way about how he was treated? Did he see some sort of justice in their treatment of him?

Did Downey feel this way about how he was treated? Did he see some sort of justice in their treatment of him?

Let's talk about that. So when he comes home in 73, how does he put his life back together?

Let's talk about that. So when he comes home in 73, how does he put his life back together?

Let's talk about that. So when he comes home in 73, how does he put his life back together?

You brought up the subject of Gary Powers is an interesting contrast, and I think it's important to define that powers that what happens to powers happens because he is acknowledged as a spy right away versus Downey, who they needed to have a cover story. And that really held up.

You brought up the subject of Gary Powers is an interesting contrast, and I think it's important to define that powers that what happens to powers happens because he is acknowledged as a spy right away versus Downey, who they needed to have a cover story. And that really held up.

You brought up the subject of Gary Powers is an interesting contrast, and I think it's important to define that powers that what happens to powers happens because he is acknowledged as a spy right away versus Downey, who they needed to have a cover story. And that really held up.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Well, fascinating. An ironic, happy ending to a very, very difficult tale. The book is called Prisoner of Lies, America's Longest Held POW, Jack Downey's Cold War. And it's filled with much more detail than we have gone through here. And a fascinating lens to look at all of the Cold War, which we have talked about a lot on this show. This is very exciting to read.