Like Colonel George E. “Bud” Day who passed away earlier this year, Shuman was held captive during the Vietnam War at the infamous prison camp known as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Like Day, he was an American pilot whose plane was shot down over North Vietnam. And also like Day, who would go on to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Shuman rallied his fellow prisoners to defy their communist captors with simple expressions of faith.

In late 1970 Shuman chose to lead the captured Americans in prayer, even though he knew this act of disobedience was certain to result in his torture. Having received a commitment to participate in a church service from all 42 men incarcerated with him in a large holding area, Shuman began to pray. North Vietnamese guards immediately dragged him away for punishment. But encouraged by his leadership, the other prisoners continued and even managed to complete the Lord’s Prayer despite brutal beatings administered by their captors.

Faced with this united opposition, the prison guards relented. And from then on, until their release and return to the United States in 1973, the men held a weekly church service at the prison. Ever since, Ned Shuman and his fellow prisoners have served as inspiring examples of faith and courage in the most difficult of circumstances. May he rest in peace.