Retiree News

A Tribute to Hawaii National Guard Former Prisoners of War

From the frigid hills of North Korea to the dense jungles of Vietnam, the story of Hawai‘i’s sons in uniform is marked not only by valor in battle, but also by the unyielding strength of the human spirit under captivity. Three men, Specialist Second Class Francis Wright, Captain Melvin Matsui, and Specialist6 Thomas Horio, endured the unimaginable as Prisoners of War (POW), each representing the resilience and loyalty of the Hawai‘i National Guard.

Specialist Second Class Francis H. Wright – Captured in the Cold

The Korean War was just months old when Specialist 2nd Class Francis H. Wright, serving with C Company, 8th Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, found himself engulfed by chaos in the mountains near Unsan, North Korea. On November 2, 1950, the Chinese Communist Army launched a surprise offensive, encircling American units and forcing many into surrender. Wright was among them.

For 32 long months, he endured brutal conditions in North Korean prison camps—bitter cold, meager rations, and relentless indoctrination attempts. Yet, he survived. When the Armistice was signed in July 1953, he was finally released on August 23rd.

After recovering, he reenlisted in February 1954 with the 613th Ordnance Company, Hawai‘i Army National Guard. He served faithfully for decades, eventually reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant before retiring in 1988. He was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal—a quiet but enduring symbol of his sacrifice.

Captain Melvin K. Matsui – Courage in the Skies

Two decades later, on July 29, 1972, Captain Melvin K. Kazuki Matsui, a Hilo-born pilot with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron, took to the skies over North Vietnam in an F-4E Phantom. It would be his last mission before captivity. Hit by a Soviet-made Atoll missile fired from a MiG-21, Matsui and his co-pilot ejected into hostile territory northeast of Kep. They were quickly captured.

Held for 236 days in the infamous prisons of North Vietnam, Matsui upheld the U.S. Military Code of Conduct, resisting enemy propaganda and maintaining integrity. His gallantry in captivity earned him the Bronze Star with Combat “V” and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Released on March 29, 1973, during Operation Homecoming, Matsui continued to serve with distinction and joined the Hawaii Air National Guard. His career flourished, eventually leading him to command the 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. He passed away August 11, 2023, remembered not only for his heroism but also his unwavering spirit.

Specialist 6 Thomas T. Horio – The Long March to Hope

Among the longest-held Hawai‘i National Guard POWs was Specialist 6 Thomas T. Horio, activated during the Vietnam War in 1968. Captured by the Viet Cong, Horio was subjected to nearly four years of imprisonment, enduring forced marches, disease, and psychological torment.

His journey included a grueling 350-mile march to Hanoi, where he was treated for malaria before being moved to the dreaded “Plantation” camp. There, far from home and family, Horio found solace in camaraderie. POWs lifted each other’s spirits through whispered jokes, secret exercises, and shared coded messages.

In 1973, as peace talks bore fruit, Horio was released during Operation Homecoming. Returning to Hawai‘i, he used his GI Bill to begin anew going into the medical field and starting a family.

Legacy of Honor

Though separated by years, locations, and branches of service, Wright, Matsui, and Horio are bound by a shared legacy: of sacrifice, resilience, and deep devotion to both country and community. Their experiences as POWs shaped their lives and their service. These men stood firm, not just as soldiers, but as warriors of aloha.

References: Warriors: Pu’ Ali Koa by Lincoln C. Yamashita pp. 68, Hawaii Army National Guard Records, Military Times, pownetwork, the National Archives, CIA, 1974 July Kūkāʻilimoku, Hawaii Air National Guard Records, 1998 Winter Pūpūkahi

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