During the Vietnam War, a US Naval Vessel, The Pueblo, was captured by North Vietnamese forces and the crew held hostage. A group picture was staged by the Viets to show the crew was in good condition, and they were told to smile and wave at the camera. One of the sailors asked if it would be ok for the crew to give the "Hawaiian Good Luck Sign", and the Viets said that was alright. The entire crew promptly presented their middle fingers to the camera. It was some time afterwards that the Vietnamese realized they had been the butt of the joke, and the crew was punished severely.