POW Captain Guy Gruters Speaks at Edison

Guy Gruters

Ace fighter pilot Captain Guy Dennis Gruters will speak at Edison Community College on Thursday, March 26 at 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in East Hall, room 456 of the Piqua campus.

Gruters, who was active in over 400 combat missions, maintains that, “courage is fear that has said its prayers.” First shot down over Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, and rescued by American forces, he was not as lucky on December 20, 1967. On that day he was shot down a second time and spent 1,900 days in North Vietnamese prisons, including the infamous Hanoi Hilton in which John McCain was imprisoned.

The 1,900 days translates to five years and three months, and Gruters was released with hundreds of prisoners of war (POW) in 1973 during Operation Homecoming. Gruters and the other POWs, who were initially considered by the North Vietnamese as war criminals, endured widespread and systematic abuse.

With engineering degrees from the U.S. Air Force Academy and Purdue University, Gruters has received dozens of commendations including over 30 combat awards, two Silver Stars, and two Purple Hearts.

Seating for this event is limited. It is recommended to reserve a seat by calling or emailing Dr. Vivian Blevins at 937-778-3815 or vblevins@edisonohio.edu.