J. Charlie Plumb

Captain, USNR (Ret.), Former Navy Fighter Pilot, Prisoner Of War and Hall of Fame Motivational Speaker

Topics: Inspirational & Motivational, Military, Attitude, Leadership, Resilience, Storytelling, TED Speakers

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Biography

Captain Charlie Plumb has lived what he believes to be the American Dream. As a farm kid from Kansas, he fantasized about airplanes, although he felt certain he would never have the opportunity to pilot one. It would be the United States Navy who afforded Plumb the opportunity to live out that dream.

After graduating from the Naval Academy, Plumb completed Navy Flight Training and reported to Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego where he flew the first adversarial flights in the development of what would be called The Navy Fighter Weapons School, currently known as “TOP GUN.” The next year, Plumb’s squadron the Aardvarks launched on the Aircraft Carrier USS Kitty Hawk with Fighter Squadron 114 to fly the Navy’s hottest airplane, the F-4 Phantom Jet. Code named “Plumber,” Charlie Plumb flew 74 successful combat missions over North Vietnam and made over 100 carrier landings.

On his 75th mission, just five days before the end of his tour, Plumb was shot down over Hanoi, taken prisoner, tortured, and spent the next 2,103 days in North Vietnamese Prisoner of War camps. His first prison cell was 8 ft. long and 8 ft. wide. During his nearly six years of captivity, Plumb distinguished himself as a pro in underground communications. He was a great inspiration to all the other POWs and served as chaplain for two years.

Following his repatriation, Plumb continued his Navy flying career in Reserve Squadrons where he flew A-4 Sky Hawks, A-7 Corsairs and FA-18 Hornets. His last two commands as a Naval Reservist were on the Aircraft Carrier Corral Sea and at a Fighter Air Wing in California. He retired from the United States Navy with the rank of Captain after 31 years of service.

Since his return home, Plumb has captivated more than 5,000 audiences in almost every industry around the world with stories that parallel his POW experience with the challenges of everyday life.

To this day, Captain Plumb continues to fly left seat at every opportunity. The most treasured plane he owns and flies is a WWII PT-19 Open-Cockpit antique which is currently on loan to the Palm Springs, CA Air Museum. He also owns a Rutan-designed experimental single-engine Long-Eze.

Captain Plumb’s Military honors include two Purple Hearts, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the POW Medal.

Videos

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

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.

Testimonials

From the preparation to the audience reaction, you grade was excellent. You took Rob's information and weaved it perfectly into your talk. You gave us many messages and words of inspiration. In each one of us there are the elements for success if we choose to use them. Our adversity in our daily lives becomes miniscule in comparison to your experiences in North Vietnam. Your positive spirit in meeting your challenges can be an example for us.

– Nike

I have attended and hosted many kick-off meetings throughout my career, but never have I heard a more compelling message. Your enthusiastic, humble delivery is superb, and your experience and positive attitude are an inspiration to all.

– Integrated Systems Solutions Corporation

Your remarks were very thought provoking, and the analogies made concerning your experiences dealing with adversity and change in today's pharmaceutical environment were right on the mark.

– Bristol - Myers Squibb

You skillfully weaved the challenges our company faces into your personal experience and, in doing so, bolstered our resolve to do what it takes to improve, to grow, and to prosper. Please accept my deepest appreciation for your significant contribution to our meeting, and more importantly, to our future.

– Clark & Reid

I am very proud that Wells Fargo chose such a man of character as our speaker. I enjoyed how you took your captivity situation, and our mortgage industry, and blended it so that it would make me a better mortgage banker.

– Kathy Davis, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Captain Charlie Plumb is truly an extraordinary speaker with a wonderfully effective delivery and powerful content. I was particularly impressed by how well he established metaphors between his POW experience and the challenges faced by business leaders. It strikes me that virtually everyone I know would benefit from his message: executives, leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, even lawyers. We all need to be reminded about the important things in life, and how vital it is to manage our own destinies.

– Bob Herson, President, Executive Focus International, Inc.

Your motivational message and emotional impact on our audience was exceptional! We believe that each and every one of our 300+ attendees took a message with them that will be forever embedded in their hearts and minds. Your message was delivered with amazing intensity – no words can explain. You are the first motivational-type speaker we have hosted at this Semi-Annual Summit and because of your strong message and polished delivery, we will continue to consider speakers similar speakers to you. (If they exist!)

– Peggy Cunningham, Progressive Group Alliance

I cannot begin to tell you how your story has touched my heart and changed my life – professionally and personally. Your message will live in the hearts and minds of all who hear you – from that moment on.

– Ima King, GMAC Real Estate