Charles Plumb Speaker Biography
North Vietnamese Prisoner Of War; Author, I’m No Hero; Motivating and Compelling Speaker
Captain Charlie Plumb graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis and went on to fly the F-4 Phantom jet on 74 successful combat missions over North Vietnam. On his 75th mission, with only five days before he was to return home, Plumb was shot down, captured, tortured, and imprisoned in an 8 foot x 8 foot cell. He spent the next 2,103 days as a Prisoner Of War in communist prison camps.
During his nearly six years of captivity, Charlie Plumb distinguished himself among his fellow prisoners as a professional in underground communications, and served for two of those years as the Chaplain in his camp.
Since his return home, more than 4,000 audiences in nearly every industry have been spellbound as Captain Charlie Plumb draws parallels between his P.O.W. experience and the challenges of everyday life. He has shared his message to an even wider public through appearances on Good Morning America, Nightline, Larry King Live, and The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.
One of the most sought-after achievement speakers of his time, Charlie Plumbs presentations are as he is, sincere, straightforward, humorous, and tailored to motivate each specific audience he encounters. His insights on how to cope with the difficulties as well as the opportunities in life have a positive impact on those who hear his message, those who read his books, and those who come to know him as a friend.
He is author of I’m No Hero, his easily read autobiography which takes you through Charlie’s life: farm kid, Top Gun pilot, prisoner of war. It describes the specifics of POW life in Vietnam from the grizzly torture cells to the humorous antics the American pilots created in order to survive.
Captain Plumb’s Military honors include two Purple Hearts, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the P.O.W. Medal.
Speaking:
Charlie presents a highly motivational message as he deals with overcoming adversity … His… and Yours. In an upbeat, humorous, impactive style he draws upon his experience as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam to demonstrate how to turn adversities into assets in today’s market place. Adept at using company jargon and industry buzz words to reach the hearts and minds of the audience, Charlie shares his insights on coping with the challenges of every day life and business competition in the 90’s. He leaves his listeners wanting to achieve and excel, no matter what the obstacles.
Charles Plumb Speaking Topics
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.
Charles Plumb Books
