News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update

Date: December 30, 1999

National League of Families
UPDATE LINE: DECEMBER 28, 1999

Happy New Year and thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Tuesday, December 28. The number of Americans still listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is 2,031.

Last week, the Department of Defense announced that COL. Robert Elliot, USAF, is now accounted for. COL. Elliot, from MA, was lost during his February 14, 1968, F105D Thunderchief mission over Hanoi. His remains were unilaterally turned over to US Officials by Vietnam in April 1988, along with his military ID card. Subsequent investigations in 1994, 97 and 98 resulted in an excavation during which additional remains and material were recovered.

On December 13, DOD released the names of 11 Americans previously missing from the Vietnam War, also now accounted for. The US Army personnel named were 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, WV, CMSgt. James A. Preston, GA, CMSgt. James E. Williams, MS, CMSgt. William L. Madison, KY, and SMSgt. Kenneth D. McKenney, MA.

Staff Sgt. Walter'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 8, DOD released the names of 4 Americans now also accounted for from the Vietnam War. They included Capt. Norman E. Eidsmoe, SD, and Lt. Commander Michael E. Dunn, of IL, both US Navy, and Capt. David May, MD, and CWO Jon E. Reid, AZ, both US Army.

Capt. Eidsmoe and LCDR. 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, remains were jointly recovered in 1998 by US and Lao officials.

The accounting for these Americans brings the number still missing to 2,031. The League appreciates the efforts of the US government and the cooperation of the Lao and Vietnamese governments that made possible the accounting for these US personnel.

The League office will close for the New Year's Holiday on December 31 and will reopen on Monday, January 3. For added information, please contact the League's web site at www.pow-miafamilies.org or call the national office at 202-223-6846 and leave a 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 and Happy New Year.