A Former POW Has His Wedding Ring Returned

November 24, 2009 posted by OldWarrior

rings-photos-022.jpgThis is a story that has a rough start but a happy ending. I had to use it when I saw it because it fits so well with this blog.

The story begins in the Vietnam War in 1965. I wanted to write about it because it expresses the sentiment that a ring may elicit. This can be any kind of ring to include a wedding ring, but also a military ring fits in this category.

Air Force Capt James Hivner and his co-pilot were shot down over North Vietnam while on a bombing run in 1965. They were captured minutes after they ejected from their F-4 Phantom and subsequently stripped of all possessions and clothing. Gapt Hivner kept his wedding ring inside a pocket along with his dog tags on a small chain. He remained a prisoner for 7and1/2  years never seeing his ring again. He eventually purchased another like the first one which he never wore much but kept for sentimental value.

This all came to an end this October when his original ring was returned to him by retired Navy commander Rick Talley. It seems that Talley’s former son in law was working in Vietnam when he was approached by a retired NVA soldier. It seems that the soldier found it in his desk and wanted to get it back to its owner. Mr. Talley knew who the owner was because of the attached identification tag. 

This story is so good because it shows the sentiment that a military ring or any other ring can have. We always stress to our customers to make their ring speak to them because your custom military ring can be used to tell so much. This is a fabulous story but it is nothing compared to the story that a custom military ring can tell.


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