On August 5, 1964, during Operation Pierce Arrow, LTJG. Alvarez's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was shot down in the immediate aftermath of what is known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Alvarez endured eight years and seven months of brutal captivity by the North Vietnamese at the Hỏa Lò Prison (sarcastically known as the "Hanoi Hilton" by fellow POWs), in which he was repeatedly beaten and tortured.[4] Alvarez was especially esteemed by his fellow prisoners because he was for almost a year the only aviator prisoner of war.[5]
Back in the United States
He was released on February 12, 1973[6] as part of the first group of American POWs repatriated under Operation Homecoming, after spending 3,113 days in captivity. After hospitalization, Alvarez briefly attended refresher flight training with VT-21 at NAS Kingsville and then attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, where he received a master's degree in Operations Research and Systems Analysis in October 1976. His final assignment was in Program Management at the Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C., from October 1976 until his retirement from the Navy on June 30, 1980.
The Lone Sailor Award was given to Alvarez in Washington, D.C., on September 18, 2012.[7] This award is given to sea service veterans who have excelled with distinction in their respective civilian careers while exemplifying the U.S. Navy's stated core values of honor, courage and commitment.[8]
Post-military life
Lieutenant Commander Everett Alvarez Jr., "Welcome Home" sketch by combat artist Dante H. Bertoni.
Alvarez retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of commander in 1980. He later earned a Master's Degree in Operations and Research Analysis and a Juris Doctor degree.
Alvarez has served on the President's Task Force to improve Health Care Delivery for our Nation's Veterans and recently chaired the VA's Capital Asset Realignment and Enhancement Study Commission (CARES). Alvarez also serves on Grantham University's independent Board of Governors.
Alvarez is a lifetime member of the Board of Fellows of Santa Clara University. He served on the board of directors of the International Graduate University of Democracy in Washington, DC. He served on the College of William & Mary Washington, DC Council. He has served on the White House Board of Fellows Selection Committee and on the board of directors of the Armed Services YMCA of the USA. He is on the Library of CongressVeterans History Project Five Star Council Advisory Committee. In 2004, Alvarez founded Alvarez LLC, an IT consulting firm which sells IT services and products to the U.S. government.[10] In March 2014, Alvarez was appointed to the Vietnam War Commemoration Advisory Council by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel.
Personal life
Alvarez is married to Thomasine Ilyas and has two children. In 2004, Alvarez founded Alvarez LLC.
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