One of the longest evasions in history was logged by then Captain Roger Locher, now a Colonel serving as director of safety for the Pacific Air Forces headquarters at Hickam A.F.B. near Honolulu.
After his F-4 Phantom was shot down 45 miles northwest of Hanoi, Vietnam on May 10, 1972, he successfully evaded the enemy for 23 days until he was rescued by Air Force combat search and rescue helicopters about 11 miles from where he ejected.
He survived because he evaded the enemy!