SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977 
Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor 
P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602 
Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and 
spelling errors). 

ROBERT W. BARNETT 
Lieutenant Colonel - United States Air Force 
Shot Down: October 3 1967 
Released: March 14 1973 

As I write this on 3 April 1973, I'm at my parent's house in Medicine Hat, 
Alberta, Canada. I was released from Hanoi 14 March and arrived at March 
AFB, California on the 17th where I met my wife, Anita; daughter, Lori; my 
sister Doreen; my brother Don; his family and many other friends. I was 
finally home. 

I had kissed my wife and daughter, then age 7, goodbye at the Los Angeles 
International Airport on 3 July 1967 on my way to Korat AFB Thailand 
where I Was to be assigned as an F-105D pilot in the 44th Tactical Fighter 
Squadron. As I got aboard the PSA Electra for Oakland on my way to Travis 
AFB for my departure overseas I felt a great sorrow and my eyes began to 
moisten. Somehow I sensed that it would be a long time before I would see 
them again. 

In 1967 I was a Major in the Unite State Air Force and have been flying 
since 1953 when I entered the Air Force after graduating from the 
University of Southern California. My wife and I were born and raised in Los 
Angeles and while in college we met and married. We celebrated our 20th 
wedding anniversary on 7 June 1972 while I was a prisoner. 

My military career consists of three years in the United States Coast 
Guard and nearly twenty years in the Air Force. My overseas assignments have 
been in Iceland, Ecuador, and Thailand. In the States I've been stationed 
at Perrin AFB, Phoenix Air Defense Sector, and Hamilton AFB to name a few. 

On 3 October 1967 on my 43rd combat mission over North Vietnam as I 
approached my target at Bac Ninh 18 miles northeast of Hanoi a surface to 
air missile exploded near my aircraft causing a fire in the engine and 
loss of flight controls. Eventually I ejected 15 miles from the coast 
northeast of Haiphong. A valiant effort was made to rescue me but I was 
captured on the morning of the 5th when the Communists tracked me down with 
a dog. My prison life began when I arrived at the "Hanoi Hilton" on 7 
October l967 and lasted 1989 days. It is impossible to properly condense 
nearly five and a half years as a POW into such a short space. 

The many stories that are coming out are true. My wife did not know my 
status until 27 March 1970. I did not receive any mail until 18 September 
1970. I don't need to elaborate on the treatment as much has already been 
said. I feel certain the pressure from the good people in the United States 
led to our improved treatment in October 1969. I thank God for this as I 
feel certain that many of us would not have held up for another three 
years. 

I had not been very religious and perhaps am still not in the classic sense 
but God came into my life and sustained me. The church services that we 
were allowed to have later (1971) and daily prayers gave me great comfort. I 
have always and will always believe in our country. We hold that what we 
were doing in Vietnam was right. We wanted to come home with honor. Had the 
United States just pulled out and had no bargaining position I believe 
without doubt that many of us would have been tried as war criminals and 
many would never have rejoined their families. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers concern 
compassion and assistance they have given me and my family. In the midst of 
our happiness at being home again I cannot help but feel sorrow for the 
many dear friends who lost their lives in Vietnam and for the families whose 
loved ones will never return. I pray that they do not lose faith in their 
God and country for I'm sure their husbands or sons never did. 

November 1996 
Robert Barnett retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. He and 
his wife Anita live in Arizona.