(15) CDR Alvarez, through his own actions, encouraged and inspired fellow prisoners of war to return with honor , which meant keeping their integrity in the face of torture and not cooperating with or divulging information to the enemy, so that they could return home having remained loyal to the United States. (16) At great risk, CDR Alvarez helped spread the means of communication among fellow prisoners of war, including the tap code and the mute hand code, to keep up spirits and stay organized. (17) On July 6, 1966, CDR Alvarez and 51 other American prisoners of war were forced to march in the Hanoi Parade where he was abused and attacked by mobs. (18) CDR Alvarez was released on February 12, 1973, after spending 3,113 days, or 8 years and 6 months, in captivity. (19) Following his release and hospitalization, CDR Alvarez resumed his service in the Navy, returning to Naval Air Station Kingsville for refresher flight training. (20) CDR Alvarez— (A) attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and received a master’s degree in operations research and systems analysis in 1976