Men of Steel behind bars of bamboo and iron. Some of the most under-sung heroes are American ex-Prisoners of War - this series lets them tell their stories in their own words - enhanced with photos and stock footage.This series shows you these strongly emotional and inspirational glimpses into sacrifice for country and outstanding patriotism. … T. Walter Middleton, 90, lives today in Sylva, deep in the heart of Western North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains. A retired minister, Walter remains eloquent and sharp, recalling the horrors he and others suffered more than 65 years ago. Captured at the fall of the Philippines, he spent the entire war in captivity, winning the Silver Star for bravery while a POW, an event that caused the Japanese to send him to Manchuria as punishment.