For visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum, one exhibit tells the story of experiences for prisoners of war in North Vietnam which evokes an array of emotions and reactions, but few are more personal than those of ENS Bryan McGrath.

While awaiting the commencement of Aviation Preflight Indoctrination aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, the recent Naval Academy graduate McGrath participated in the museum's Active Duty Volunteer program. As he became familiarized to the museum's buildings, he stepped through facade recreating the walls of Hoa Lo Prison, better known as the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

"I had never seen it," McGrath recalled. "It made me proud." The pride stemmed from the experiences of his grandfather, retired Capt. John "Mike" McGrath, USN, who spent six years as a POW in North Vietnam. McGrath was shot down on June 30, 1967, while flying an A-4C Skyhawk during a bombing attack against a bridge near Thanh Hoa. After his repatriation he published a book, "Prisoner of War: Six Years in Hanoi," which feature his illustrations depicting the torture and deprivations he and his fellow prisoners endured. Copies of books artwork is displayed in the exhibit while the originals are preserved for posterity in the museum archives.

Prior to departing for primary flight training on NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, ENS McGrath reflected on the lessons in leadership passed down by his grandfather and father, retired Cmdr. Rick McGrath, USN, both of them Naval Academy graduates as well.

"They taught me to be humble and stressed the importance of integrity, doing the right thing when no one is around," he said.

He remembers first hearing about his grandfather's experiences as a child, recalling how Capt. McGrath would speak at his middle school in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Injured from the ejection of his aircraft, McGrath's parachute opened at treetop level. His captors subjected him to extreme torture, causing further painful injuries, held in solitary confinement for extended periods of time and surviving on minimal rations. "I remember being shocked hearing what he went through, but amazed at how he could still talk about it."

While a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, McGrath oftentimes invited his grandfather to speak to fellow classmates. "He would tell them that they had the capacity to endure what the Vietnam POW's did if forced to confront a similar situation. His words reinforced the understanding that challenges can arise at any time and appreciation for the caliber of people in the Navy that we will be called upon to lead," said McGrath.

It took only one flight in a Navy aircraft during his time as a midshipman to make ENS McGrath realize that naval aviation was where he wanted to serve. As he seeks to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, he carries on a proud tradition of service whose foundation was shaped in the prison cells of Hanoi nearly a half century ago.

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