When one hears POW-MIA one's headimmediately fills with the vivid imagery of wars' past - pilots in pajamas, men - their head's bandaged - being marched through jungles, frozen POWs with their feet wrapped in rags on endless death marches, on their knees in front of brutal captors about to be beheaded. We remember the names and the numbers... by the thousands missing, prisoner, just gone. We think of our history lessons and the places we know men were left behind... Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Laos, Cambodia, France, Belgium, the Phillippines, Japan, Iraq, behind the Iron Curtain.
But, it is not just by the thousands that they go missing. It is one at a time, two at a time and in threes. Those lone unreported heroes for whom there are no parades, no petitions... just questions and family waiting.
One of these cases is that of USAF Captain Paul Lorrence, lost off Libya in 1986. Captain Lorrence is not to be found on any of the many lists of formal, official, POWs and MIAs. He is one of those solo souls for whom there needs to be accounting.
Much Thanks goes to the family of Paul Lorrence for supplying the following material. For more on this case, please go to: http://paullorence.com/
AII POW-MIA
"Defense POW/Missinq Personnel Office Analyst Report
Case Summarv
Information: Name: Lorence, Paul Franklin
Loss Rank: Captain
Service: Air Force
Executive Summary
Major Ribas-Dominicci, pilot, and Captain Lorence, WISO, were lost off the Libyan coast near Sidi Bilal on 15 April 1986. Subsequent SAR efforts revealed no wreckage, debris, or parachute. No communications from the aircraft were heard prior to or after the loss incident. Approximately three weeks later, Maj Ribas-Dominicci's remains washed ashore 20 kilometers west of Sidi Bilal near Zawiyah. A subsequent autopsy revealed the cause of Maj Ribas-Dominicci's death was drowning. The only trauma to his body was a broken heel bone, consistent with a hard parachute landing in the pod. This indicates the pod, which carries both the pilot and the WISO, successfully separated from the aircraft and that Maj Ribas-Dominicci was still alive after the pod landed in the water. Because the pod was not subsequently seen by SAR forces, it is likely the pod sank due either to a failure of the flotation device or an inability of the aircrew to deploy it. Maj Ribas-Dominicci managed to unbuckle his harness and open the cockpit after landing. Whether he got out and drowned while attempting to swim to shore or whether he drowned in the pod and subsequently washed out is not known. Given these circumstances, it is likely Capt Lorence also drowned. His remains may be in the pod, washed out to sea, or washed into one of the many caves that are found along that portion of the Libyan coast. It is possible, though not likely, his remains washed ashore were found and not repatriated. In the nearly twenty years since the loss occurred, however, no concrete evidence indicating the Libyans have his remains has surfaced.
An even more remote possibility exists that Capt Lorence survived the landing, made it out of the pod, and successfully made it ashore. There is no credible evidence indicating this occurred.
In 2004, a DPMO team visited Libya in an effort to begin a dialogue with Libyan officials on finding Capt Lorence. The Libyans allowed the DPMO team to see some wreckage, which was found to be consistent with an F-11 I wing pivot attachment point. They also allowed the team to interview six witnesses who had either seen wreckage or Maj Ribas- Dominicci's remains. None of the witnesses provided any information that might help account for Capt Lorence. A subsequent visit with the Libyans also revealed no new information.
Resolution of this case will come about only when additional clarifying information is obtained from the Libyan government and or, the ejection pod is discovered. In December 2004, DPMO submitted a list of follow-on questions for the Libyan government through the U.S. Liaison Office in Tripoli. So far, no response has been received.
Incident Summary
On 15 April 1986, Major Ribas-Dominicci, pilot, and Captain Lorence, WISO, were flying an F-111 F (call sign KARMA-52) as part of a package of aircraft bombing targets in Tripoli, Libya during OPERATION ELDORADO CANYON. As the formation began a high-speed ingress into the target area, several aircraft reported seeing a large fireball. Two aircraft reported a fireball traveling from west to east near Sidi Bilal, which impacted near the beach at 1500042. This was confirmed by a third aircraft, which also reported a fireball near Sidi Bilal. A fourth aircraft reported the same fireball and crash as he exited the target area, position estimated to be 10NM from the beach, near 32-52N1013 OOE. Although numerous SAR assets were in the area, no contact was made with Major Ribas-Dominicci's aircraft before or after the reported fireball. Search and Rescue efforts continued late into the night,with no wreckage, debris, or parachute spotted. On 16 April, the Air Force determined the aircraft must have disintegrated upon impact with the water and that there was no hope of survival or remains recovery. In May 1986, however, the remains of Major Ribas-Dominicci were found on a beach 40 miles west of Tripoli. Those remains were returned to the U.S. via the Vatican in January 1989. Captain Lorence remains unaccounted for.
US Government Information 01/89: An autopsy of Major Ribas-Dominicci conducted by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner reveals the cause of death as drowning. There is no evidence of crash trauma except for a fracture of the right heel, such as might be sustained within the pod during a hard parachute landing. ((Note: This indicates the ejection pod successfully separated from the aircraft. Because the F-111 ejection pod is designed to carry both the pilot and the WISO, it is probable that Capt Lorence was also alive at the time the pod hit the water.)) Other items returned with Major Ribas-Dominicci include: $59.00 in U.S bills, a ten pound note, a cricket lighter, a survival knife, 13 bullets, and a wedding band with the inscription "Blanca Linda."
06/99: The LibyaITunisia Desk Officer, Department of State, informed DPMO that a retired general officer contacted her claiming to have knowledge of American remains in Libya. The desk officer and a DPMO analyst subsequently interviewed the retired general who said that through two Canadian acquaintances (NFI) he met an a naturalized American citizen who was related through marriage to a high ranking official in the Libyan Protocol Office. The naturalized American citizen passed to the general that the Libyan government was interested in securing the general's support for developing business with the U.S. The general reportedly told the naturalized American citizen he would not consider getting involved until Libya turned over the remains of the two F-1 I I aviators lost in 1986 ((The general appeared not to know that Maj Ribas- Dominicci had been returned).
The general advised the naturalized American citizen the Libyan's should prepare to work out a plan to return the remains and he would be willing to go to Libya to secure them. When the DPMO analyst suggested the general first obtain some identification media to prove the Libyans had remains, the general believed the gesture was unnecessary as he had no doubt the Libyan government held them. The State Department desk officer then requested the general not contact Libyan officials at the UN and asked him to contact the State Department if he received any further information from the Libyans.
06/99: A DPMO analyst contacted the naturalized American citizen in reference to the information provided by the retired general officer. The source clarified that he is related to Col. Chadly, a Libyan officer. Col Chady does not work in the Protocol Office but knows Mr. Abdallah Mansour, who is a high ranking official. The source corroborated the general's information about the Libyan government's desire to renew business contacts with the U.S. The source contacted the general through a mutual friend from Canada. The source reported the Libyan government had admitted to him they had the remains of "two airmen" and would take the general's request under consideration. The source further explained that Mr. Mansour was very close to Muammar Qadhafi and that Qadhafi was aware of the general's request. The DPMO analyst requested the source have the Libyans provide the names of the two airmen and identification media to confirm his information. (Note: CIA, State Department, and the FBI were unable to corroborate the source's story.))
01 100: The naturalized American citizen previously interviewed contacted DPMO and said the general had passed away. He reported he and his brother-in-law, were still interested in normalizing economic relations between the U.S. and Libya and wanted to continue negotiations on the return of the two aviators. The source explained that in order to do this, they would need a high-ranking contact equivalent to the general. The source said the general promised he would have direct contact with President Clinton and could handle high-level economic and political negotiations. The source said he was willing to travel to Libya and begin those negotiations, but needed the endorsement of the U.S. government and funds to cover expenses. The DPMO analyst explained that amplifying details on the American remains were needed. The source was unable to provide any details in terms of identity or current whereabouts. He became impatient and said, "you know, those pilots lost during the Reagan administration." The source then admitted the turnover of remains was not a Libyan initiative, but one that had been instigated by the general, their Canadian friend, his brother-in-law, and himself. The DPMO analyst then asked the source how he knew the Libyan government had remains. The source explained his brother-in-law was very close to the "number two guy" in the Libyan government, who had admitted to holding remains. The source could not provide the name of this official. The DPMO analyst explained that in order to pass this information to higher U.S. officials, more details on his Libyan contact and information on the remains were needed. ((Note: The source spoke in very broad terms and was insistent on gaining contact with a "high ranking official." His information is second or third hand and he had no knowledge that one aviator has been unaccounted for))
02/01: The naturalized American citizen previously interviewed contacted DPMO to report he was planning travel to Tunisia and implied he would be in touch with his Libyan contacts, to include a potential exchange with Col Qadhafi. He wanted U.S. government support to see if the "door was open" for pursuing the turnover of remains of the two U.S. aviators as a goodwill gesture towards reestablishing economic relations. The source requested to be put in contact with a high-ranking U.S. government intermediary that could assist in this project. The DPMO analyst explained the recovery U.S. remains is a humanitarian issue not related to economic endeavors. The source assured the analyst the idea was intended as a goodwill gesture to "open the doors," and potential compensation for families of the Lockerbie aircraft could be addressed as well. The analyst explained the Libyan government had made no public admission of holding the F-I I I aviators' remains and the source had not provided any concrete information to the contrary. The source stated he and his contacts knew the "reality of the situation" and asked for examples of concrete information. The DPMO analyst explained the details regarding his contact, and the remains, e.g., identity, location, and disposition, would be helpful. Source seemed optimistic he could provide such information and promised to contact analyst while abroad.
08/03: The naturalized American citizen previously interviewed again called DPMO and said he had high-level contacts within the Libyan government and might be able to assist in recovering "the live American" still being held there. The call was referred to a DPMO analyst who confirmed the source had no information or specific knowledge of live Americans in Libya. The source said he was referring to the Americans killed "during the Reagan administration." When asked again, he emphatically stated he had no knowledge of any live Americans. The source then offered his services as an intermediary between DPMO and Libya. Without naming them, he explained to have Libyan contacts "at the highest level." The source speculated the time was right for making contact because it appeared that Libya was eager to be more open and had taken the responsible position of acknowledging their role in the Lockerbie incident. The analyst thanked the source for his offer of assistance, but added in such matters DPMO would work through the Department of State. ((Note: Source called back and subsequently asked for contacts in Department of State.))
ANALYST NOTE: It appears the line of investigation beginning in June 1999 with the retired general officer and ending in August 2003 with the naturalized American citizen was nothing more than an attempt to use DPMO as a conduit to improving economic ties to Libya. At no point during numerous interviews were any of the sources able to supply names, identification media, or any other evidence indicating Libya was holding Capt Lorence's remains. Indeed, neither source seemed aware that one of the aircrew was returned in 1989.
Joint Investigations
04/04: Two DPMO representatives traveled to Libya and met with members of the Libyan government to establish communication with appropriate officials and assess matters related to accounting for Capt Lorence. Col Abolgasem Mohamed, Director of Libyan League for Families of Martyrs, Prisoners of War, and War Wounded was the primary ILibyan host for the visit.
The DPMO representatives were taken to Col Qadhafi's residence where they viewed pieces of wreckage from the aircraft. Subsequent analysis of the wreckage indicated they were from the wing pivot joint of an F-1 1 1. Five helmets were also seen at the site, two of which were of the same type used by Air Force crewmen in the mid- 1980s. The DPMO representatives were unable to determine if any names were on the helmets. ((Note: When initially queried, Libyan officials said an effort had been made to recover portions of the F-1 I 1 . Subsequently, they denied any such effort. The presence of the wing pivot joint, however, suggests a recovery effort was made. Even if Libyan officials know the location of the primary aircraft wreckage, it does not mean they know the location of the pod, which likely ejected from the plane prior to impact.))
The Libyans arranged for the DPMO representatives to meet and interview six witnesses to the incident: Mr. Taib Othman, driver of official photographer of Maj Ribas- Dominicci's remains; Mr. Madqur Yousef, a fisherman: Mr. Mohammed Sayah, an oil refinery worker; Mr. Ali Mohammed Veshna Sayed, official incident photographer; Mr. Abdul Salem Ashor, officer in charge of refinery security; and Mr. Munji Hussein, the police officer in charge of the investigation. None of the witnesses provided any information that would help account for Capt Lorence. All witnesses had either seen portions of wreckage or Maj Ribas-Dominicci's remains. Mr. Sayed, the photographer, took the photos and video of Major Ribas-Dominicci's remains. He stated he took photos of a helmet on the beach at Zawiyah and at the police station. When queried, he did not know if the helmet he photographed at the beach was the same helmet that was photographed at the police station. He did not know the subsequent disposition of the helmets. Mr. Hussein, the investigating police officer, described how civilians had discovered Maj Ribas-Dominicci's remains at the Zawiyah beach on 6 May 1986, approximately three weeks after the attack. He provided a list of items found with the remains, which matched the items returned in 1989 with the exception of a canteen and a wallet. He claimed he may have seen dogtags, though there was no mention of dogtags in his official, report. He believed all the items found were returned to the American's in 1989, including the canteen and wallet ((Note: This testimony indicates th Libyans withheld at least two personal items belonging to Maj Ribas-Dominicci)). Mr. Hussein did not know of any other unidentified bodies washing out of the sea in the intervening years.
The DPMO representatives were then taken to the beach were Maj Ribas- Dominicci was found. The coast was rocky with numerous caves cut under the shoreline. Libyan officials said many fishermen drown off the coast and are not seen again as their bodies wash into the caves and are not seen again. Mr. Hussein said the currents off the coast were variable and strong, though they generally went west. This was confirmed by Col Muhamed, who said that recently a Libyan aircraft had been lost off the coast and the body was subsequently returned by the Tunisians. ((Note: The beach is just over 20 kilometers west of Sidi Bilal. The fact that Maj Ribas-Dominicci's remains and some wreckage was found at the beach confirms the Libyans' assertions the current runs generally to the west.))
The following information was requested for the next visit: Access to the original police report, access to military (air defense records) that relate to the shoot down, access to videos and any other photographs taken during the recovery of equipment an1 remains, meetings with members of air defense units active during the evening of the shoot down, meetings with any potential witnesses to the shoot down.
12104: DPMO representatives returned to Libya for follow-up questions to Libyan officials. Though the meeting had been fully coordinated with Libya prior to the DPMO representatives visit, no Libyan officials were made available for interview. The DPMO representatives passed questions of interest on to the U.S. Liaison Office in Tripoli for forwarding to the Libyan government.
1/06: DPMO analyst resubmits follow-on requests and questions to the U.S. Liaison Office in Tripoli for forwarding to Libyan government officials.
Libyan Unilateral Information 05186: Libyan autopsy report of Major Ribas-Dominicci describes extensive decomposition, pulmonary congestion, and emphysematous changes from decomposition and no apparent signs of injury. The body was reported to be wearing one boot at the time of the Libyan examination. The body was reported to be covered ir aquatic weeds and algae and the flight gear pockets were to be full of sand such as was typically found on beaches. ((Note: The original Libyan autopsy does not identify Major Ribas-Dominicci by name. Instead he is described as 'American Pilot.' When Major Ribas-Dominicci's remains were returned to U.S. custody, they were identified by the Libyan government as Capt Lorence.))
Further Pursuit
The F-I I I aircraft ejection pod, which descends beneath a large parachute, carries both crewmembers from a stricken aircraft, and there is no provision for individual ejection or parachute descent. Consequently, it is likely that Capt Lorence was alive at the time the ejection pod descended into the Mediterranean Sea ((Note: During an investigation of a B-1 Bomber incident, which uses an escape pod similar to the F-11 1, it was noted that one of the retro rockets misfired causing the pod to land at an angle. This resulted in the death of one aviator while the other survived)). If Capt Lorence survived the initial descent, it is not known whether he subsequently drowned. The escape pod is equipped with flotation air bags, which are designed to keep it upright and afloat during a water landing, once activated by one of the aircrew. A bilge pump is also included in the pod. It is probable these systems failed and the pod sank shortly after landing. An extensive U.S. search and rescue effort conducted after the loss found no signs of the pod or debris. To date, all efforts to clarify the fate of Capt Lorence have been unsuccessful.
At this point, the resolution of the case will come about only when additional clarifying information is obtained from the Libyan government and or, the discovery of the ejection pod.