Charlie Plumb

Captain Charlie Plumb is a Vietnam War hero, former Navy fighter pilot, and motivational speaker who survived 2,103 days as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam after his F-4 Phantom jet was shot down on his 75th combat mission, just five days before he was scheduled to return home. His extraordinary story of survival, resilience, and gratitude has inspired millions.

2,103 Days as a Prisoner of War

Plumb graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis and flew 74 successful combat missions over North Vietnam before being shot down. He spent nearly six years in communist prisons including the infamous Hanoi Hilton, enduring torture, isolation, and deprivation. His survival depended on mental toughness, faith, and the bonds he formed with fellow prisoners. His famous “Who Packed Your Parachute?” concept reminds audiences to recognize and honor the unsung supporters in their lives.

Who Packed Your Parachute?

Plumb’s presentations are among the most powerful and moving on the speaking circuit. His keynotes deliver unforgettable presentations on resilience and survival in the most extreme conditions, the importance of recognizing those who support your success, mental toughness and maintaining hope in hopeless situations, and the preparation, faith, and human connection that sustain us through life’s greatest challenges.

The Power of Choice

In a daily routine, or in a communist prison camp, each of us has the choice to succeed, to fail…or to become the victim of circumstances.

Adversity

Viewed as opportunity and challenge, adversity encourages growth, and propels us beyond

self-imposed limits.

Teamwork

In a world where downsizing forces us to do more with less, we must empower the

team. “Packing parachutes” can mean the difference in survival. Yours, and your teams!

Change

Invariably, just about the time things  feel comfortable, change hits. And whether that

change is positive or negative it can be disturbing and difficult to adjust to. Yet, it’s during those times that ones true value shows up, in taking the risks necessary to adapt to change.

Empowerment:

Each of us has assets we often times don’t tap into until we’re challenged.

Whether or not we realize it, we each have the inner strength and resources to meet whatever business or personal challenges come our way.