News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: POW-MIA Update Line

Date: December 26, 1999

National League of Families
UPDATE LINE: DECEMBER 20, 1999

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Monday, December 20th. The number of Americans still listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is now 2,031.

On December 13th, the Defense POW/MIA Office released the names of 11 Americans previously missing from the Vietnam War who have been accounted for. The US Army personnel included Staff Sgt. Tim L. Walters, IN, 1st Lt. James R. McQuade, WA, and Spec. 4 James E. Hackett, FL. The eight USAF personnel named are COL George W. Jensen, WA, COL Marshall L. Tapp, CA, COL Lavern G. Reilly, MN, Major George W. Thompson, W.VA, CMSgt. James A. Preston, GA, CMSgt. James E. Williams, MS, CMSgt. William L. Madison, KY, and SMSgt. Kenneth D. McKenney, MA.

Staff Sgt. Walters's remains were recovered in March of 1999 by an US-Lao excavation team. Lost during a March 9, 1969, forward air control mission over Laos, the crash site of his 0-2A aircraft was searched immediately and both crewmembers found dead, but hostile activity prevented recovery of their remains. First Lt. McQuade and Spec. 4 Hackett were attempting to rescue the crew of a downed aircraft when their helicopter exploded in midair on June 11, 1972. Their remains were recovered in 1994 by an US-Vietnamese team. COL Jensen was piloting an AC-47D gunship on an armed reconnaissance mission over Laos. On board the aircraft were Tapp, Reilly, Thompson, Preston, Williams, Madison and McKenney. Several US-Lao investigations were conducted before an excavation in 1997 that brought recovery of remains and crew-related items.

On December 8th, the DOD released the names of 4 Americans now also accounted for. They included Captain Norman E. Eidsmoe, SD, and Lt. Commander Michael E. Dunn, IL, both US Navy, and Captain David May, MD, and CWO Jon E. Reid, AZ, both US Army.

Capt. Eidsmoe and LtCdr. Dunn had been missing since January 26, 1968, during a night bombing mission over North Vietnam, flying off the USS Ranger. Their remains were jointly recovered in 1997 and '98 by US and Vietnamese specialists. Captain May and CWO Reid were lost on February 20, 1971, when their helicopter was shot down during an emergency resupply mission over Laos. Following several investigations, their remains were jointly recovered in 1998 by US and Lao officials.

Although the name has not yet been announced, one additional US Air Force officer has been accounted for from North Vietnam. His remains were turned over unilaterally by Vietnam 1988, but a 1994 investigation and a 1998 excavation of the site, brought added remains and case-related material. The accounting for this American brings the number still missing to 2,031. The League appreciates the cooperation of the Lao and Vietnamese governments that made possible the accounting for these US personnel.

In September and October, Vietnam reportedly conducted two unilateral investigations that resulted in 18 reports, described by US officials as "thorough and of great assistance" to the accounting effort. No clarification was given on what this description means. Vietnam also recently set up a unit of senior investigators, called the Special Research Cell, to conduct research and interviews in support of their own unilateral activities. The League welcomes Vietnam's increased unilateral investigations and formation of this special office, both actions that respond to repeated League requests, most recently during the May 1999 League Delegation.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Bob Jones recently visited Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; no background was provided on the reason for this trip and no report has been provided. BG Harry Axson, USA, JTF-FA Commander, and DPMO staff members accompanied Jones.

The US-Russian Joint POW/MIA Commission met recently in Moscow and agreed to renew efforts, hoping to overcome a lapse that occurred due to political turmoil in Russia. The results of these discussions were encouraging, as was POW/MIA-related material provided by the Government of Belarus.

On November 19th, remains believed to be those of 11 unaccounted for Americans, 8 from the Vietnam War and 3 from the Korean War, were honored at an arrival ceremony held at Hickam AFB, HI. The remains were taken to CILHI where the latest scientific procedures will be used in an effort to individually identify these men.

For added information, please contact the League's web site at www.pow-miafamilies.org or call the national office at 202-223-6846. If no one is available, please leave a clear message, giving your name, address and phone number, and your call will be returned. Current factual data can be requested for duplication. POW/MIA car-window decals are available at a cost of $20 per 100 by sending a check to the League office at 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 919, Washington, DC 20036.

Again, thank you for calling.