News-Info-Alerts

Re: Leaugue Update Line

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: March 22, 2002

"Update Line
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: According to the Department of Defense, there are now 1,932 Americans still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, although the names of four have not yet been publicly announced.

Remains jointly recovered in June, 1994, were identified as Air Force Colonels Peter M. Cleary of CT and Leonardo C. Leonor of NY, both listed as MIA October 10, 1972 in North Vietnam, and Maj Claude Silva, USAF, missing since January 29, 1967 in North Vietnam. Also recently identified were Army SSGs Larry G. Kier of NB and Rufugio T. Teran of MI, missing in a South Vietnam ground incident since May 6, 1970. Local villagers initially provided remains in August 1992; joint operations resulted in further information and remains. Others recently accounted for include Air Force Col William C. Coltman of PA and LtCol Robert A. Brett, Jr., of OR, missing in Laos since September 29, 1972, with remains jointly recovered August 28, 2000. Also announced within the last few weeks were LtCol Lawrence G. Evert, USAF, from WY, LT David E. McRae, USN, of GA, LT Gene R. Gollahon, USN, of OH, CAPT Jon E. Swanson, USA, of CO, and SSG Larry G. Harrison of NC.

Of the 1,933 total unaccounted for, 1,457 are in Vietnam, 409 in Laos, 58 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Over 90% of all Vietnam War missing were lost in Vietnam or areas under its wartime control.

US/LAOS CONCLUDE JOINT FIELD OPERATIONS: US personnel from JTF-FA, CILHI and DIA's Stony Beach Team, working with Lao counterparts, just concluded the 72nd field operations in Laos, a 30-day period of joint field investigations and recoveries. POW/MIA consultations will again be held April 5-7th and will include a full operational assessment. US and Lao officials will meet in Luang Prabang for these important sessions.

JOINT ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM: A team of over 90 US personnel from JTF-FA, CILHI and DIA's Stony Beach team are now in Vietnam conducting joint investigations and recoveries in 16 provinces, during which an underwater recovery operation in southern Vietnam is also scheduled. Reportedly, the special Research Investigation Team will investigate up to eight Last Known Alive cases during this period, 14 additional cases will also be investigated, and recoveries are scheduled at five primary sites.

CAMBODIA & US CONDUCTING FIELD OPERATIONS: US and Cambodian officials are currently conducting joint field operations that began in mid-February and are expected to conclude on April 14th. Several cases were to be investigated and others were scheduled for excavation. Cambodian officials are also involved in a unilateral plan of investigations that is supported by the United States.

US PURSUING ANSWERS IN FORMER REPUBLIC OF USSR: Officials from the Joint Commission Support Directorate, or JCSD, and Task Force-Russia, headquartered at the US Embassy in Moscow, are continuing to pursue interviews of potential witnesses with useful POW/MIA-related information. Two teams focused on widely separated areas and made progress in conveying the message to citizens in the area, as well as confirming the validity of earlier information regarding POW camp locations. The work of these professionals continues to be encouraging and deserves attention by high-level officials, both Russian and American, to reinforce and strengthen ongoing and future initiatives.

LEAGUE REGIONAL MEETINGS SCHEDULED: League members and friends are invited to attend two upcoming regional meetings. The Region IV and V meeting will be held in Columbus, Ohio, on April 6th. Region IV includes OH, IN, MI, WI and MN; Region V includes IL, MO, IA, KS, NE, SD and ND. Registration forms and information were sent to all League members. For further information, call Region IV Coordinator Liz Flick, 614-451-2405.

The Regions II and III meeting will be held in Newport, Rhode Island, on May 3-4th. Registration forms are also being sent for this meeting, and for further information, call Region III Coordinator Maureen Dunn, 781-961-2110.

LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED: The League's 33rd Annual Meeting will be held June 19-22nd, 2002, at the Crystal City DoubleTree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Forms to register for the meeting and reserve hotel rooms will soon be distributed to all League members by mail and available by request to the League office.

UPDATE LINE RESTORED: An automated, shorter League Update Line is now available by calling 703-465-8444.

THE LEAGUE HAS MOVED: The new League office location is 1005 North Glebe Road, Suite 170, Arlington, VA 22201.

The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia
1005 North Glebe Road
Suite 170
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(TEL) 703-465-7432
Federal Tax ID #23-7071242"