North VietNam HMO Program

By Jack (aka “Fingers”) Ensch

 Here’s a late entry report on the “NVN HMO program.”  In addition to the previously reported incidents of “humane” treatment, I know of at least one amputation performed by that “world class” team of medical experts, much in the same manner as the medical procedures described by others.

Immediately after being captured and I was taken to the Hilton with (among numerous other discomforting wounds) two dislocated elbows and a partially severed left thumb from my high speed ejection. I underwent around the clock interrogation for 3-4 days (with threats of being left to die w/o medical treatment) until I finally “cooperated.”  I was then blindfolded and taken to a medical facility somewhere in the vicinity. There I was strapped down to a table and held in place by several “physician’s assistants” while a doctor (?) proceeded to amputate my thumb - sans anesthesia - and bandaged the wound. They then sat me in chair and held me in place while the same doctor (?), foot on my chest, tugged on my arms until the elbows snapped back into place (or at least close to in place), wrapped them in crude splints, then blindfolded me again and returned me to my cell.  The rest is history – thank God.

As painful as the experience was, I guess it beat the alternative. But, I still don’t have a warm and fuzzy feeling for the Vee’s version of ‘humane treatment.”  So, Mr. Ramsey Clark, I think I’d prefer doing time at Gitmo under the USA’s supervision.