The Hanoi Hilton (1987)

D. Paul Thomas: Shipboard Journalist

Quotes 

• Shipboard Journalist : [Interviewing Williamson aboard an aircraft carrier, Gulf of Tonkin, off Viet Nam in 1964]  Commander Williamson: there's a small, but growing, concern in Congress that, uh, we might be getting in over our heads in Southeast Asia. How does this strike you?

  Williamson : Well, I think we ought to be here. The South Vietnamese want to establish a country with values similar to our own. I think we ought to help.

  Shipboard Journalist : And what values are those?

  Williamson : Freedom, the right to think for yourself, follow your own faith--you know, individual freedom.

  Shipboard Journalist : Is that why you're here?

  Williamson : Well, I think I've told you why I'm here. But if you want the official reason, you'll have to ask the civilian authorities. They lawfully ordered me here. On that level I'm serving my country. I'm here to serve my government.