A Story of Ignorant Bliss

Author: Carl Craig

I met Colonel Jack Van Loan in 1980. He introduced himself as Jack Van Loan, Freedom Hall 55. I knew he was a resident of the Hanoi Hilton for many years. Had the pleasure of flying him out to Oregon (where he was from and went to school). He was shot down on a mission flying with Robin Olds.

I am walking between the flight rooms at the 560th on my first day of PIT, and I see the Freedom Hall. As I walked through the hall, I came upon Jack Van Loan, Freedom Hall #55. It was then I realized why Jack always introduced himself that way. He was so proud to come back and fly there again, with his repatriated brothers from Vietnam.

I learned he died in 2019 and is buried where my mom and dad are buried. I make an annual trip to pay respects to my family and friends and stop by to see Freedom Hall 55 too.