The Daily Stoic – Sid Stockdale On The Stoic Legacy Of His Father, Admiral James Stockdale

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic” podcast, host Ryan Holiday interviews Sid Stockdale, son of Admiral James Stockdale, about his new memoir “A World Apart: Growing Up Stockdale During Vietnam.” Sid shares his unique perspective on the Stockdale story and the power of Stoicism as he reflects on what it was like to have James Stockdale as a father and be a child during those tumultuous times.

Main Takeaways

The Stockdale Family’s Role in the POW Movement

• The Stockdale story is often focused on James Stockdale, but his wife and children played important roles as well.
• Sybil Stockdale created a lobbying organization to bring POWs home and is still active today.
• The organization put pressure on the government to take action, without being overtly oppositional.

Sid Stockdale’s Memoir: A Unique Perspective

• Sid Stockdale wrote a memoir called “A World Apart: Growing Up Stockdale During Vietnam” about his experience as James Stockdale’s son.
• This is the first time one of the Stockdale children has shared their experience and trauma.
• The memoir provides a unique perspective on the Stockdale story and the power of Stoicism.

The Impact of a Father’s Absence

• Growing up without their father was a challenging experience for the Stockdale children.
• The memoir explores the incomprehensible impact of a father going to war, being missing, and then found but not available to his family.
• The importance of spending time with loved ones because you never know what the future holds.

Stoicism and the Stockdale Family

• Sid Stockdale’s father, James Stockdale, was interested in Stoicism and shared its power with his family after returning from prison.
• Sid followed in his father’s footsteps by studying classics at St. John’s College.
• The memoir provides a unique perspective on the Stockdale story and the power of Stoicism.

The National League of Families and POW Advocacy

• The wives of POWs in Southeast Asia formed the National League of Families to put pressure on the government to take action.
• The organization grew into a nationwide effort, with chapters forming in military towns across the country.
• The organization’s story is important for everyone to know.

Summary

The Stockdale Family’s Role in the POW Movement

Sid Stockdale highlights the often overlooked contributions of his mother, Sybil Stockdale, in the POW movement. Sybil created a lobbying organization that put pressure on the government to bring POWs home. The organization, still active today, played a crucial role in advocating for the return of POWs without being overtly oppositional.

Sid Stockdale’s Memoir: A Unique Perspective

In his memoir, “A World Apart: Growing Up Stockdale During Vietnam,” Sid Stockdale shares his personal experience as James Stockdale’s son. This is the first time one of the Stockdale children has publicly shared their experience and trauma. The memoir provides a unique perspective on the Stockdale story and the power of Stoicism, offering readers a deeper understanding of the family’s journey.

The Impact of a Father’s Absence

Sid Stockdale reflects on the profound impact of growing up without his father during the Vietnam War. The memoir explores the challenges and deprivation faced by the Stockdale children, emphasizing the importance of cherishing time with loved ones. It delves into the incomprehensible experience of a father going to war, being missing, and then found but unable to be fully present for his family.

Stoicism and the Stockdale Family

James Stockdale’s interest in Stoicism influenced his family’s approach to life. Sid Stockdale, following in his father’s footsteps, studied classics at St. John’s College. The memoir provides a unique perspective on the Stockdale story and the power of Stoicism, showcasing how this philosophical framework shaped their resilience and perspective during challenging times.

The National League of Families and POW Advocacy

The wives of POWs formed the National League of Families, an organization dedicated to advocating for the return of POWs. The organization grew into a nationwide effort, with chapters forming in military towns across the country. Their story is vital for everyone to know, as it sheds light on the collective efforts to bring POWs home and the impact of their advocacy.

Conclusion

In this episode, Sid Stockdale shares his family’s story and the power of Stoicism during challenging times. Through his memoir, readers gain a unique perspective on the Stockdale story and the impact of a father’s absence. The Stockdale family’s role in the POW movement, as well as the advocacy efforts of the National League of Families, are highlighted. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights into resilience, family bonds, and the enduring power of Stoicism.