JACKSON, Miss. - Retired Air Force Col. Jack Pitchford, a fighter pilot from Mississippi who survived seven years in the Vietnamese prison camp known as the "Hanoi Hilton," has died. He was 82.

Pitchford's brother, Jim Pitchford, says the former pilot died Wednesday after battling a brain tumor.

The Natchez, Miss., native was shot down in 1965 and taken to the Hoa Lo prison, enduring torture in the same place as U.S. Sen. John McCain and other veterans.

Pitchford was released in 1973. McCain was released the same year after spending five years in the prison.

Pitchford was born John Joseph Pitchford Jr. on May 29, 1927.

After earning his wings, Pitchford volunteered with the Wild Weasels and was responsible for destroying surface-to-air missiles.

RIP

One of our nation's true heroes.

I've never understood why people who play a game are considered heroes and role models when there are people like this all over this great nation.

Missed this on the news, but there was plenty of coverage of Tiger Woods.

^ A shame isn't it.

RIP Col.

Misawa AB Japan, where I am currently stationed is home to the current day Wild Weasels, they are the ones that go in and clear a path, so to speak so the big guns can come in and do their job, quite an amazing history that dates back numerous wars and airframes.