The TRUTH of U.S.

Commander James Stockdale?was shot down in Vietnam during his third tour. He had already flown nearly 200 combat missions during the three deployments, earned numerous awards and medals for his leadership and bravery. He led the first bombing mission over North Vietnam in August 1965, and after being shot down and captured, wasn't released until Operation Homecoming?in February 1973.

Being the highest-ranking Navy officer to serve as a prisoner of war during Vietnam?isn't?what made Stockdale legendary or earned him the?Medal of Honor. Nor was it the 26 combat decorations, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Distinguished Service Medals, four Silver Star medals and two Purple Hearts. It was how he led his fellow prisoners by example for nearly eight years in captivity in the Hanoi Hilton and a special hellhole they called Alcatraz. "He was probably the strongest, most exemplary leader of the whole North Vietnamese POW environment," said fellow POW and retired Navy Cmdr. George Coker in the March 31, 1992 issue of The Seattle Times.

Today, situational-leadership theory preaches what Stockdale practiced: leaders must change their style to fit the environment and their followers' needs and skills. Any organization that articulates a purposeful goal in front of its members has started building a culture in which individuality can support solidarity, and in which personal desires (especially those of top management) take a backseat to the common good.

Stockdale frequently emphasized that every POW held different values and views on life, and that this diversity was an attribute. Each was his own man. The POWs were not a case study in conformity. Knowing this, Stockdale harnessed the diversity and gave them latitude. And in their common purpose, he also held out hope and solidarity.

From this eight-year experience, we can distil one all-purpose idea. . . . it is a simple idea . . . an idea that naturally and spontaneously comes to men under pressure. . . . “You are your brother's keeper." Stockdale used a form of code with his fellow POWs to share this idea. The initials U.S. shared among them put forth the principle of Unity over Self.

"A leader must remember he is responsible for his charges. He must tend his flock, not only cracking the whip but 'washing their feet' when they are in need of help," he stated. This approach frees the flock to look out for each other and the greater good.

It is a concept that is becoming more foreign to us in an increasingly divided world. Instead of embracing the differences among us and seeking common purpose we see a society that is looking for their own self-interest and is challenging diversity. We look for ways to take advantage over the greater good. We look for ways of taking advantage of our diversity over the greater good of all mankind.

The "Miracle on Ice" was an ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. It was played between the hosting United States and the Soviet Union on February 22, 1980, during the medal round of the men's hockey tournament. Though the Soviet Union was a four-time defending gold medalist and heavily favored, the United States?upset them and won 4–3.?Throughout this game the crowd chanted USA, USA, USA.?It became a chant of patriotism whenever the US finds itself in international competition. Is it naive of me to suggest that we see it standing for “Unity over Self, Always”? But it might be a start!

We can accomplish far more together than any one can on their own. We can reduce, or even eliminate self-interest in exchange for the common good. We can find the strength among great hardships and conflict to turn things around and accomplish great things, again. Our diversity is a tremendous advantage. It used to mean that we were the “great melting pot” embracing the best of where we came from and bringing the abilities and resources together for the good of all. Each one of us has something to offer, but we must embrace the differences and work together.