Reentry velocity was about 25000 mi/hr, or 40000 km/hr, if my memory serves. Yes, that's just about the same velocity they had as they left Earth.

No rockets were used to decelerate. Virtually all of the kinetic energy was dissipated by atmospheric friction. The resulting heat was shed by ablation - literally, the heat shield melted and the vaporized material blew away.

The last small percentage of the capsule's descent speed was moderated by three large parachutes. The landings were sometimes fairly rough, but the astronauts were in their couches to help cushion the blow a little. Also, the water landings helped soften the impact.

Anyhow, the HB was both right and wrong - right about the reentry speed, but wrong about the need for any powered deceleration.