POW Denton Signals Torture via Morse Code During Vietnam Broadcast
Audie Murphy American Legend
While reciting coerced statements claiming adequate care, Commander Jeremiah Denton secretly blinked Morse code spelling out torture to alert U.S. Naval Intelligence to prisoner abuse.
AI-assisted summary of Admiral Jeremiah Denton Blinks Morse Code Warning as P.O.W. — original source. Check the original for full context.
Source published:
Key ideas
- During a televised North Vietnamese propaganda interview, Commander Jeremiah Denton Jr. secretly blinked the word 'TORTURE' in Morse code to alert U.S. Naval Intelligence. (0:00)
- Under coercion, Denton verbally claimed on camera that he received adequate food, clothing, and medical care while imprisoned. (0:00)
- When pressed on the war, Denton firmly stated his unwavering allegiance to the United States and full support for his government's position. (0:15)
- Denton's Morse code signal provided the first direct confirmation of the mistreatment endured by American prisoners of war in North Vietnam. (0:00)
Detailed notes
## Background Published on YouTube by the channel Audie Murphy American Legend on February 25, 2014, this archival footage presents Commander Jeremiah Denton Jr. during his captivity as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. According to the page description, Denton was filmed for propaganda purposes and used Morse code eye blinks to spell out 'TORTURE,' alerting Naval Intelligence and ultimately earning the Navy Cross for his heroism.
## TL;DR While being questioned in a televised propaganda interview, Commander Jeremiah Denton Jr. verbally claims he receives adequate food, clothing, and medical care from his captors. Simultaneously, he repeatedly blinks his eyelids to secretly transmit the word 'TORTURE' in Morse code to alert U.S. intelligence of prisoner mistreatment. When asked by the interviewer about the ongoing conflict, Denton steadfastly affirms his unwavering loyalty and full support for the position of the United States government before the broadcast ends.
## Atmosphere & style The clip carries a tense, chilling, and intensely focused atmosphere, marked by the palpable strain of a coerced captive speaking under immediate threat. Denton's rigid composure and measured, cautious delivery contrast sharply with the halting questions of his interrogator, highlighting the extreme duress of the situation. Watching his deliberate, silent Morse code blinks while maintaining a steady gaze produces a profound sense of quiet heroism and defiance hidden in plain sight.
## Bulletin - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) During a televised North Vietnamese propaganda interview, Commander Jeremiah Denton Jr. secretly blinked the word 'TORTURE' in Morse code to alert U.S. Naval Intelligence. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) Under coercion, Denton verbally claimed on camera that he received adequate food, clothing, and medical care while imprisoned. - [00:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=15s) When pressed on the war, Denton firmly stated his unwavering allegiance to the United States and full support for his government's position. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) Denton's Morse code signal provided the first direct confirmation of the mistreatment endured by American prisoners of war in North Vietnam.
## Key takeaways - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) Jeremiah Denton Jr. was subjected to a televised interview intended for North Vietnamese propaganda broadcast worldwide. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) An off-camera interviewer questioned Denton regarding his treatment and living conditions as a prisoner of war. - [00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=4s) Denton stated verbally that he received adequate food, clothing, and medical care when required. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) Simultaneously with his verbal statement, Denton used deliberate prolonged eyelid blinks to transmit Morse code. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) The Morse code blinked by Denton spelled out the word 'T-O-R-T-U-R-E'. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) United States Naval Intelligence successfully deciphered Denton's Morse code blinks from the broadcast footage. - [00:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=12s) The interviewer asked Denton about his perspective on the ongoing war effort. - [00:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=20s) Denton asserted that despite not knowing current developments, he fully supported the position of the United States government. - [00:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=31s) Denton reiterated his loyalty, stating that whatever the position of his government was, he believed in it. - [00:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=36s) Denton affirmed his duty as a military officer before the propaganda recording was cut off.
## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) Jeremiah Denton's Televised P.O.W. Interview
During a televised propaganda interview arranged by his North Vietnamese captors, Commander Jeremiah Denton Jr. is questioned on camera regarding his conditions in captivity and his stance on the ongoing conflict. An interviewer asks him off-camera, “How do you treat in the town?” to which Denton cautiously replies, “I get adequate food and adequate clothing and medical care when I require it.” Even as he speaks these scripted or coerced words to avoid further retribution, Denton famously utilizes deliberate, prolonged blinks of his eyelids to secretly transmit the word “T-O-R-T-U-R-E” in Morse code to observers back home, alerting United States Naval Intelligence to the severe abuse American prisoners of war were enduring.
The interviewer then presses him on his thoughts regarding the war effort, asking in halting English, “How do you think about uh the about soal definite world? Do you think about it?” Denton pauses briefly before firmly asserting his loyalty to the United States, carefully phrasing his response to declare his steadfast allegiance while appearing neutral on the operational details. Facing the camera directly, Denton states: “Well, I don't know what uh is happening, but uh whatever the position of my government is, I support it fully.” Reaffirming his oath and duty as an American military officer, he adds: “Whatever the position of my government is, I believe in it. Yes, sir. I am a member that—” before the footage cuts off.
- **Living Conditions Claim**: Denton verbally states on camera that he receives “adequate food and adequate clothing and medical care when I require it.” - **Allegiance to the United States**: When queried about current affairs and the war, Denton affirms his total support for the U.S. government regardless of what is taking place. - **Hidden Distress Signal**: While delivering these statements, Denton repeatedly blinks in Morse code to spell out "TORTURE," providing the first direct confirmation to American intelligence of the reality of North Vietnamese prisoner mistreatment.
## Notable quotes > [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg&t=0s) Whatever the position of my government is, I believe in it. — Jeremiah Denton
## Mentioned Jeremiah Denton Jr., United States Naval Intelligence, Navy Cross
## Video description Jeremiah Denton Jr. used his eyes to blink the word "TORTURE" and send a message using Morse Code during his captivity in Vietnam. #ad Save Big! 62% Off Bissell SpinWave Mop and Vacuum Robot! https://amzn.to/3TNAgZI He was being filmed for propaganda purposes and this video was broadcast around the world. Naval Intelligence was able to decipher his "strange" blinking. He was awarded the Navy Cross, our Nation's 2nd highest military honor for his heroism as a P.O.W.
Public Domain
[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufnWLVQcKg)