Contact Us

Roswell Remembers
617 Atlanta St.
Roswell, GA 30075

Phone: (770) 640-3253
Fax: (770) 640-3252
Tollfree: (800) 776-7935

E-mail

Biography - Colonel Benjamin H. Purcell

Colonel Benjamin H. Purcell was serving as the Deputy Commander, DaNang Sub Area Command, and Executive Officer, 80th General Support Group in Vietnam when the helicopter on which he was a passenger was shot down south of Quang Tri City, South Vietnam, in February 1968. He spent more than five (5) years as a prisoner of war, 58 months of that time in solitary confinement. Longer in solitary than any other American POW, Colonel Purcell was the highest ranking Army officer returnee from the Vietnam conflict and was released on March 27, 1973.

Ben escaped from his prison cell on two different occasions only to be recaptured each time, somehow, escaping execution. Tedious, brilliant, daring, are words that will never do justice to his hours and months of planning and finally executing the two escapes. During one attempt he actually made his way into Hanoi, hoping to locate the French Consulate and ask for political asylum. He was recaptured at a precinct police station. General Westmoreland in his own book refers to Ben as "the great escape artist."

Ben is a unique individual. He has a deep religious faith which helped him to endure his lonely hours of captivity. He has the strength and determination of ten men as he tells you of his experiences in a POW camp. His words alone and his actions in prison, convey more than any written word could ever possibly begin to tell.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and Army commission from North Georgia College, Dahlonega, Georgia and a Master's Degree from Shippensburg State College, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. He is a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. War College selections are made up of the top five percent of military officers, making it a top honor to attend.

Awards and decorations include: the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for two escapes from POW camps in the vicinity of Hanoi in December 1969 and March 1972; the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Purple Heart; Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutist Badge.