The Last P.O.W.?: Bobby Garwood Story (film)
"The Last P.O.W.?: Bobby Garwood Story" is a television film produced by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) that explores the controversial life of Robert R. Garwood, a U.S. Marine captured by Vietcong forces in 1965 and held until 1979. Upon his return to the United States, Garwood faced serious allegations, including charges of collaborating with the enemy, leading to a court-martial in 1981. The film dramatizes the complexity of his experiences and the public's divided response to his actions during and after the Vietnam War. Some viewed Garwood as a traitor deserving of severe punishment, while others highlighted that he was the only soldier charged with such crimes, suggesting a selective approach to his prosecution. The film, featuring Ralph Macchio as Garwood, was originally set to air in December 1990 but was postponed until June 1993, partly due to concerns about its impact on national sentiment during the Persian Gulf crisis. "The Last P.O.W.?" not only recounts Garwood's story but also touches on broader issues such as the status of missing-in-action personnel in Vietnam, a topic Garwood himself became involved with. This film offers a lens into the lasting effects of the Vietnam War on individuals and society, making it a poignant exploration of a complex chapter in American history.
The Last P.O.W.?: Bobby Garwood Story (film)
Type of work: Television film
Broadcast: June 28, 1993
Director: Georg Stanford Brown (1943- )
Subject matter: Dramatization of the real-life story of a U.S. Marine who was accused of collaborating with the enemy after being released by his communist captors during the Vietnam War
Significance: Broadcast of this film was delayed by fears that its airing would harm the U.S. military effort in the Persian Gulf War
Captured by Vietcong guerrillas in 1965, Robert R. Garwood was not allowed to leave Vietnam until 1979. Upon his return to the United States, he was immediately charged with several military crimes. Court-martialed in February, 1981, for collaborating with the enemy, he was reduced in rank to private, forced to forfeit pay, and dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Marines. Public reactions to Garwood’s sentence were mixed. Some people wanted to see him punished more severely; others claimed that he had been selectively punished as the only U.S. soldier charged with collaborating with the enemy during the Vietnam War. Meanwhile, Garwood himself claimed that other missing-in-action (MIA) personnel might still be held in Vietnam, and he became involved with that sensitive issue.
In 1990 the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) made a television film of Garwood’s version of his story. Its broadcast was scheduled for December, 1990, but was delayed until June 28, 1993. ABC said the broadcast was delayed to prevent raising questions about patriotism during the Persian Gulf crisis. Ralph Macchio, who played Garwood in the film, stated that Garwood’s involvement with MIA’s also delayed the film’s release.