Longest held AF enlisted POW inspires Airmen at 59th MDW annual awards ceremony Published March 2, 2016 By Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis 59th Medical Wing JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The longest-held enlisted prisoner of war who went on to become an officer in the U.S. Air Force recounted how he was able to endure years of captivity at the hands of the Viet Cong. During a Feb. 26 ceremony honoring the contributions of standout performers in the 59th Medical Wing, retired Capt. William A. Robinson detailed how he managed to survive 2,703 days in multiple prison camps. With medallions draped around their necks, the annual award winners, nominees and guests in attendance soon realized they were in the presence of a true military hero. Addressing the audience at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the Air Force icon recalled the seven and a half years he spent as a POW in North Vietnam. Robinson was an airman first class at the time, serving as a crew chief on a HH43B Huskie rescue helicopter when it was shot out of the sky by the Viet Cong. From that day forward, the 22 year-old Airman faced numerous near death experiences. “First experience that set the tone was when I was lined up before a firing squad,” said Robinson. “I remember counting my breaths and seeing how many I could get in before the end was there.” When the stand down came and they didn’t execute me, I came to the belief that I was going to make it,” he continued. “I didn’t know how difficult the road was going to be, but I knew I was going to make it.” One of the prisons Robinson was has held captive was the Hanoi Hilton, made famous because of its most famous inmate, senator and former presidential candidate John McCain. Robinson considered himself the welcoming committee for McCain because he had already been in the prison two years prior to McCain’s arrival. Robinson described how the Vietnamese could not understand the Americans’ mental strength, saying they repeatedly tried to destroy our will. Despite all that, he endured. Robinson’s message was one of hope and perseverance. There were four faiths that he constantly relied on, he said. “I had faith in myself, faith in those around me, faith in my country and faith in my God, said Robinson who donned a red Vietnam veteran jacket adorned with medals during his address. He concluded by telling every Airmen who could listen, “Don’t give up; don’t give in.”