Were any POWs left behind in Vietnam?

Answer 1

The numbers have ranged from 1900+ to over 2500. Some of the MIA's have been recovered by finding crash sites and returning the remains to the U.S. which is contributing some to the changes. Probably now there aren't many left due to horrible conditions, age, disease, etc.
Statistics still show over 1,500 US servicemen still MIA.

Answer 2

AnswerNo one knows. Neither side will admit that there were anyone still there as a POW.

To my knowledge, the formal position of the governments of the United States and Vietnam state that there were no living American POWs or MIAs left within Vietnam when American soldiers left in 1973. This extended to 1975 when the official end of the war was declared.

In retrospect, after 36 years, and as a result of the Freedom of Information Act, archive retrieval, research documentation brought forward, and factual articles on the internet and elsewhere, a public review of the governmental position on the matter would likely conclude that indeed, there were known POWs and MIAs left behind.

In 1967, the average life span for a Vietnamese citizen was 43 years. Today, in 2011, its risen to around 74 years. A flat example : If a POW/MIA was 25 years old in 1967, he would be 69 years old today (44 years ago).

The only problem with this flat example is that it does not include variables, and in this case, the variables are overwhelming. Those of the West do not live well for extended periods in a jungle environment when contact and assistance from the West is not available.

Those MIA who made it to POW status plus other POW's were just that - Prisoners of War. The Vietnamese considered the prisoners as common criminals, susceptible to mob violence, and worthy of no more than a cell in a dank building. They were constantly tortured, deprived of food and water with no medical assistance in following or during times of disease or for treatment of war wounds.

Their health then would steadily decline, well below that of the Vietnamese, and subsequent deaths were not unexpected. This would have continued until wars end in 1975 when Vietnam became unified.

From 1975 forward, their quality of life would have steadily and logically increased, hopefully to a level at least equal to that of a Vietnamese citizen. Reasonably, the Vietnamese would have no gain in killing the remaining POWs, rather they would have everything to lose - their last few "Bargaining Chips".

All considered, I think the odd's would favor, and logic would dictate, that the remaining POWs would be sequestered in known and remote areas, under guard, but left to maintain their existence on par with that of a Vietnamese citizen farmer.

Of the 2485 POW/MIA's listed today as "Unknown Status", the odd's would heavily favor at least a few still living.

Answer 3

99.9% of the POWs being held in North Vietnam were downed US airmen. Australian airmen didn't normally conduct air strikes over North Vietnam. There have been no Australian POWs that most historians are aware of.

Answer 4

No one can say, because neither side wants to admit that there were US and allied POW's left behind.

Answer 5

Less than a thousand were released in 1973.

Answer 6

If any are they would be MIAs and would be near, at, or over the age of 70 by now.

Answer 7

Their may be but we don't know for sure and no one is admitting to it.