December 1999

Summary of news for the entire month.
For recent and daily news, please go to: InterNetwork

01 DEC 99: 2,032 Americans remain unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. Persian Gulf War - unsatisfactory accounting. Korean War - 8,177 remain unaccounted-for, 42 possible remains returned, 4 identifications. World War II - Over 78,000 remain unaccounted-for.

04 DEC 99: In response to the overwhelming number of requests for POW-MIA realted histories, AII POW-MIA has created a Histories section. This in no way is to be used in lieu of research, news, reports and updates... it provides a basic history of such things as - the POW-MIA Bracelet, the POW-MIA Flag, How To Return A Bracelet, Missing Man Formation, Taps, the Tomb Of The Unknowns, JTF-FA, CIL-HI, Blood Chits, POW Medal, the Remembrance Ceremony, the Empty Table Ceremony. POW-MIA Ribbon, Terminology, and The Wall. To view the new section, please go to -

POW-MIA Related Histories - http://www.aiipowmia.com/histories/histmnu.html

04 DEC 99: DPMO announces that 11 sets of remains of Americans from two wars have arrived at Hickhma AFB, Hawai'i. Eight are from the Second Indochina War, three from North Korea.

05 DEC 99: DPMO announces the conclusion of the 16th Plenary Meeting of the US-Russia Joint Commission (formerly US-USSR Joint Commission) at the end of November. A summary report of the Plenary is available in our Archives at - 16th Plenum - http://www.aiipowmia.com/reports/16plenum.html

05 DEC 99: The DPMO (sometimes) Weekly Update goes on - "RESEARCHERS FIND POW/MIA DATA AT RECORDS CENTER - Staff members from DPMO and CILHI conducted research last week at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis to review selected Korean War files which may add details about the status of servicemen missing from that war. Prior to the trip, DPMO compiled a list of several hundred Korean War personnel who remain unaccounted-for. The NPRC retrieved 235 personnel files although many files were destroyed in the 1973 fire. The team copied data related to losses from each of the four services. The data found includes: report of death memoranda on U.S. Army personnel who were killed in action or who died while prisoners of war. These were among the approximately 1,200 such memoranda copied during the last three research trips to St. Louis. The memoranda contain statements of individuals who witnessed the deaths of specific individuals. Some contain specific burial locations. The records also contain circumstances of loss and investigations of loss incidents, some of which number 60 pages in length. Copies were provided to CILHI and the data will also be disseminated to the next-of-kin through the service casualty offices.

Since the NPRC files records requests with the records, the researchers were also able to recover addresses of nearly 100 next-of-kin. The addresses are being provided to the services to assist in their outreach effort to Korean War families. The team located data on four members of the crew of the USS Brush, who were lost when the ship hit a mine. Their remains were recovered shortly after the incident but they were carried as MIA on the PMKOR. Navy Casualty will remove those names from the PMKOR. Also found was information on three U.S. Navy personnel lost on Dec. 30, 1946 in an aircraft accident in support of Adm. Byrd’s Antarctic expedition. Their remains were buried in the snow at a location specified on their certificates of death. The team continued its review of U.S. Army morning reports for Nov.-Dec. 1950. To date, 45 reels of microfilm have been reviewed, with each reel containing hundreds of reports. These reports provide an accurate accounting of servicemen who were listed either as MIA or KIA in major engagements during that period. The morning report data will be analyzed to provide more precise unit data, date of loss, and status for specific individuals listed on PMKOR. Some of this data has already been forwarded to the next-of-kin. Thus far, the focus of the morning report research has been on the 1st Cavalry Division and the 7th Infantry Division for November and December 1950. Other units’ morning reports will be reviewed on future trips to the NPRC."

09 DEC 99: The remains of four American servicemen previously unaccounted-for from the Vietnam war have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial in the United States. They are identified as Navy Capt. Norman E. Eidsmoe, Rapid City, S.D.; Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael E. Dunn, Naperville, Ill.; Army Capt. David May, Hyattsville, Md.; and Army Chief Warrant Officer Jon E. Reid, Phoenix, Ariz.

09 DEC 99: The heartbreaking news that a helicopter with 18 Marines onboard is lost at sea reminds us all that the issue of Prisoners and Missing is NOT an old issue, but one that we are forced to live with daily. A Marine chopper went down in the Pacific this afternoon with 18 people aboard. Of the 18, eight had been rescued and 10 were still 'in the water' according to the US Coast Guard.

The CH-46E had taken off from the USS Pecos and was reported missing overwater about 25 miles from San Diego, CA, at 1316 hours (PST). The personnel aboard are listed as the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton. According to the Pentagon, Search and Recovery operations are underway.

10 DEC 99: With 11 Marines rescued within an hour of the loss incident, Pentagon and Camp Pendleton officials have stated that 7 Marines remains missing. The Sea Knight CH-46, introduced in 1964, was on a training run. It had left the USS Bonhomme Richard and was enroute to the USS Pecos when it went into the sea. The Sea Knight is reproted to have sunk after the crash. Officials stated family members of all individuals were being contacted and an intense Search and Recovery was underway, to include the Navy and Coast Guard. Conditions at sea were good with a water temperature of 59 degrees F.

The Marines have stated, "We will continue the search and rescue until all efforts are exhausted.

10 DEC 99: MARINE HELICOPTER ACCIDENT
"CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A Marine helicopter, assigned to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 and attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, crashed off the coast of Point Loma, Calif. at about 1:18 p.m. today while training for an upcoming six-month deployment.

The CH-46 Sea Knight was flying from the USS Bonhomme Richard to the USNS Pecos during a routine training mission. Eleven Marines have been rescued. The rescued Marines were transported to the USS Pearl Harbor.

U.S. Coast Guard and Navy helicopters are involved in extensive search and rescue efforts. The names of the Marines are being withheld pending the notification of the next of kin."

A private prayer service will be held at 2 p.m. today aboard USS Bonhomme Richard for the Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

11 DEC 99: "Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California
RELEASE 99-092
DECEMBER 10, 1999

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MISSING MARINES AND SAILOR DECLARED DECEASED
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Six Marines and one Sailor, missing since the CH-46 Sea Knight they were riding in crashed yesterday about 14 miles off the coast of Point Loma, Calif., have been declared deceased.

An extensive search-and-rescue operation was called off earlier this afternoon. Recovery operations remain ongoing.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well as their families and friends," said Lt. Gen. Bruce B. Knutson Jr., commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force. "We are doing everything we can to support them in this time of sorrow."

Deceased are:
* Gunnery Sgt. James P. Paige Jr., 37, an air maintenance mechanic assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Middlesex, N.J.;
* Staff Sgt. William C. Dame, 33, an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to MEU Service Support Group 15, and a native of Yuma, Ariz.;
* Petty Officer 1st Class Jay J. Asis, 33, a corpsman assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Quezon City, Philippines;
* Staff Sgt. David E. Galloway, 28, a reconnaissance Marine assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Oregon City, Ore.;
* Staff Sgt. Vincent A. Sabasteanski, 34, an infantry unit leader assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Cumberland County, Maine;
* Staff Sgt. Jeffrey R. Starling, 27, a field radio operator assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of South Daytona, Fla.;
* Cpl. Mark M. Baca, 22, a reconnaissance Marine assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Arvada, Colo.

Eleven Marines were injured in the accident and rescued immediately afterward. Three of the injured have been transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Balboa.
The rescued Marines are:
* Capt. James I. Lukehart Jr, a CH-46 helicopter pilot assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Springfield, Ohio;
* Capt. Andrew Q. Smith, a CH-46 helicopter pilot assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Decatur, Ga.;
* Sgt. Robert T. Evers, an air maintenance mechanic assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Spokane, Wash.;
* Cpl. Adam L. Johns, an air maintenance mechanic assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Fairfield, Ohio;
* Staff Sgt. Timothy J. Mueller, a counterintelligence specialist assigned to the 15th MEU Command Element, and a native of Doniphan, Kan.;
* Capt. Eric L. Kapitulik, an infantry officer assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, North Grosvenordale, Conn;
* 1st Lt. Michael J. Butler, an infantry officer assigned to MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Cobb County, Ga.;
* Staff Sgt. Michael S. Archer, an infantry unit leader assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Altamonte Springs, Fla.;
* Gunnery Sgt. Vojin Marjanovich, an infantry unit leader assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Lake Station, Ind.;
* Staff Sgt. Mark R. Schmidt, an infantry unit leader assigned to I MEF Headquarters
* Staff Sgt. Robert G. Ward, a radio chief assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Tacoma, Wash.

The Marines transported to USNH Balboa are 1st Lt. Butler, Staff Sgt. Ward and Sgt. Evers. The other eight injured Marines remain aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard.

A memorial service for the deceased service members will be held after the 15th MEU returns from its training exercise.

The accident, involving a helicopter and personnel attached to the 15th MEU, occurred during training for an upcoming six-month deployment. The helicopter was flying from the USS Bonhomme Richard to the USNS Pecos when it crashed.

The cause of the accident is under investigation."

"MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RECOVERY EFFORTS SUSPENDED

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Search and Recovery operations were suspended at 4:45 p.m. today, more than 51 hours after six Marines and one Sailor from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit were killed in a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter crash.

The service members were declared dead yesterday following Thursdayıs crash about 14 miles off the coast of Point Loma.

The U.S. Navy Third Fleet suspended the search pending the results of an aviation mishap board investigation."

13 DEC 99: The remains of eleven American servicemen previously unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial in the United States.

They are identified as U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tim L. Walters, South Bend, Ind.; U.S. Army 1st Lt. James R. McQuade, Hoquiam, Wash.; U.S. Army Spc. James E. Hackett, Bradenton, Fla.; U.S. Air Force Col. George W. Jensen, Seattle, Wash.; U.S. Air Force Col. Marshall L. Tapp, Los Angeles, Calif.; U.S. Air Force Col. Lavern G. Reilly, St. Paul, Minn.; U.S. Air Force Maj. George W. Thompson, Beckley, W.Va.; U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James A. Preston, Bowden, Ga.; U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James E. Williams, Oxford, Miss.; U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. William L. Madison, Lexington, Ky.; and U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth D. McKenney, Auburn, Mass.

14 DEC 99: The National League of Families reports - "DPMO has reported that Vietnam fielded two unilateral teams in September and October, resulting in 18 reports that were described as "thorough and of great assistance" to the accounting effort. DPMO provided no clarification on what this means. Vietnam also recently established a unit of senior investigators, called the Special Research Cell, to conduct research and interviews in support of unilateral Vietnamese 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."

15 DEC 99: Following the tragic loss of 6 Marines and one Sailor just before the Holidays, the USMC Camp Pendleton, released the following -
"RELEASE 99-095
DECEMBER 15, 1999

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEMORIAL SERVICE
What: Memorial service in remembrance of the Marines and Sailor who died in Thursdayıs CH-46 mishap.
When: The service will be held Monday, December 20 starting at 1 p.m.
Where: The service will take place at the Marine Corps Base Theater.

Note: The Force Recon Association established the "15th MEU Memorial Fund" to provide support and financial assistance to the families of the Marines and Sailor who died in this tragic accident. All funds collected will be distributed to surviving family members. Donations should be made payable to the "15th MEU Memorial Fund" and addressed to:

15th MEU Memorial Fund
c/o Force Recon Association
PMB 1775
3784-B Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92054-1460

If you wish your donation to benefit a specific individual or family, please indicate your desires with your donation.

For more information and to RSVP call (760) 725-5043 or 5044."

16 DEC 99: Remains believed to be from a group of 18 U.S. Marines killed in action on Butaritari Island during World War II's Makin Atoll Raid in August, 1942, will be repatriated at a ceremony on Hickam Air Force Base, at 3 p.m. Hawaii time, Friday, Dec. 17. The Marines were from the famous 2nd Raider Battalion, and the remains are believed to include those of Sgt. Clyde Thomason, the first enlisted Marine awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II. The medal was presented posthumously for his actions on Butaritari.

17 DEC 99: North Korea Balks and Walks From Talks - North Korea balked and the US walked from 3 days of remains recovery discussions in Berlin, where Stalinist North Koreans have maintain a mission.

Taking a cue from Hanoi... pay up or give up... the communist country demanded substantial humanitarian aid and reparations - Communist Vietnam also tied the POW-MIA issue to aid and something they called 'healing the wounds of war.' In most countries the words that describe this mindset are blackmail or extortion... and payola is illegal.

The Pyongyang terms were that the US provide 'extensive' aid in order to extend 'cooperative' searches for remains of US service personnel still unaccounted-for from the Korean War that raged from 1950 until an armistice ended the shooting, but not the hostility, in 1953. Some cooperation, eh?

The entire North Korean recovery operation has been an ongoing fiasco, we note:

42 sets of remains recovered and repatriated thus far remain at CILHI, unidentified

Only 3 positive identifications thus far

North Korea's practice of complete destruction and/or commingling of remains

Continuous breakdowns in discussions

North Korea's continued disputes over repatriation 'procedure'

Continued demands by NK for payment for 'bones' under the guise of aid

ad infinitum, ad nauseum

North Korea continues to hold hostage the remains of missing US servicemen... the continued reports of living Americans will not go away... in effect, the Forgotten War is not forgotten, it is not even past. Dr. Paul Cole hit the nail on the head when he wrote; "North Korea and the United States remain in an official state of war. This, in addition to the fact that the North Korean government has not told the truth on a single issue related to the recovery of American remains, is the point of departure for any discussion of North Korea's remains strategy."

Then he writes - "North Korea has attempted to apply something akin to China's hostage strategy to the human remains issue. First, North Korea has exhibited an interest in achieving the perception of par status with the United States. This is illustrated by North Korea's interest in bilateral negotiations. Second, North Korea has attempted to appeal to the American public to bring pressure to bear on US officials. Thus far, the North Koreans have realized little if any tangible advantage beyond winning valuable time from the use of remains for foreign policy purposes."

"North Korea's bid to placate the United States by providing dubious remains is a remarkably shortsighted policy." further, "Experience and accumulated forensic data show that the current US policy and recovery strategy does not serve the legitimate needs of the families or the interests of the US government. For remains recovered under the current policy, the prospects are minimal that these remains or any others returned in similar condition will ever be associated with an individual missing case."

And finally he delivers the coup de grace - " This study recommends that the objectives of US policy be changed to recover and identify. If this measure is not adopted, this study recommends that the US government should invest in a larger warehouse for the storge of human remains obtained from North Korea."

17 DEC 99: Cuban Torture Program by Chip Beck - CARDENAS CHALLENGE ALREADY MET
In his editorial response to my views on adopting a practical approach toward bilateral relations with Cuba ('Solution to Cuba crisis too simplistic', 15 Dec), Jose Cardenas ended by challenging the group I will lead to Havana next month 'to press for answers on Cuban torture of American POWs during the Vietnam War.'

As a former POW investigator-turned-journalist who has twice traveled to Cuba, Mr. Cardenas' challenge has already been met during my earlier trips, beginning a year ago, and the subject will be discussed again on my January visit.

Ironically, officials in Havana were more forthcoming and willing to address this topic on a professional level than Mr. Cardenas' allies in Congress, including Congresswoman Ileana Roz-Lehtinen. When the House Committee on International Relations discussed the so-called 'Cuban program' in Vietnam last October, I was originally invited to testify at the suggestion of former POW Mike Benge, who knows of my work in this field.

After being interviewed by congressional staffers in Mrs. Roz-Lehtinen's office prior to the hearings, I was told the next day that 'the docket was full' and my testimony would not be received.

I expressed some incredulity that a Congressional body that publicly stated that it 'wanted to get to the bottom of the issue' about alleged Cuban interrogation of U.S. POWs, would not want to hear from the only source who had actually talked to Cuban diplomatic and military officers in Havana about this specific program. I was told 'it's just a scheduling matter.'

Perhaps it was my advice to the Congresswoman and her staffers that soured them on my proposed testimony. I said that if they really wanted to find answers to lingering questions about unrepatriated POWs, then I was supportive of this process, and in fact this was one of my goals in going to Cuba. However, I added, if they simply wanted to use the emotional POW issue as a means to exacerbate already poor relations between Cuba and the U.S., then I viewed that as an inappropriate and disrespectful use of American servicemen and the POWs.

I was the POW investigator who three and a half years ago resurfaced the files hidden by a handful of Pentagon officials that lead to last October's House hearings. In October 1996 I testified before the Dornan Subcommittee in close session on related matters. I have since retired from the Navy and traveled to Cuba, where I have talked to Cubans who served in Vietnam, including two war correspondents who interviewed American POWs in Tay Ninh Province (South Vietnam) held by the Viet Cong in 1965. I believe I know what happened in the Hanoi prison called 'the Zoo' in 1967-68, and why. I expect to find out more answers in my next trip.

Those answers, should they evolve, will come about because I elected to engage Cuban professionals in a direct manner that genuinely seeks answers, but gives them an opportunity to express their point of view, investigate some possibilities on their own, and provide information that Mr. Cardenas and Mrs. Roz-Lehtinen are too biased to even consider.

During a November 1998 trip to Havana, I viewed films of American POWs in captivity during the Vietnam War, mostly taken by war correspondents from Vietnam, Cuba, East Germany, and other countries. Officials of the Cuban foreign ministry (MINREX) and the Jose Martı Press Institute expressed willingness to cooperate on identifying U.S. POWs in the films to see if any of them were POWs who did not return after Operation Homecoming in 1973.

During my upcoming visit, I plan to discuss yet another trip to Havana, accompanied by select ex-POWs and POW family members who are experts on identifying former prisoners from photos, to see what can be learned from the Cuban press files and even official archives.

As to the 1967-68 program involving 20 American POWs who were beaten, with Vietnamese approval by the way, I have more insights on what transpired, the mission requirements of the interrogators, and what products were sought by those involved, whoever they were, than meets CANF's eye. To obtain more facts, however, requires that we set aside the emotional and venal aspects of our approach, and take a competent, objective, and professional approach.

I don't know if Mr. Cardenas served in Vietnam, but I spent nearly five years on the ground in Indochina, and have some right to speak for my generation of combat veterans. The Vietnamese certainly tortured and killed American POWs, yet I do not hear CANF calling for an end to our economic programs with Hanoi, just Havana.

American forces, in select cases, did not perform admirably with regard to enemy prisoners of war. Any cries of war crimes would be hypocritical if aimed only in one direction. What was done in Vietnam, for good or bad, is over. We need to acquire answers on the larger issue of what happened to America's unrepatriated POWs from 50 years of warfare where the Soviets had a secret exploitation program in their operation intelligence arsenal. I uncovered relevant insights in East Berlin and Havana in the past two years, not by being antagonistic nor subservient, but objective.

As Mr. Cardenas suggested, I am willing to bring up these issues when I travel to Havana. It's a disappointing however, that his allies in Congress, in my own nation's capital, are not interested in hearing what I learn during those trips.
CDR Chip Beck, USNR
Arlington, VA

17 DEC 99: DPMO Weekly (sometime) Update offers - "ALASKA PEAK NAMED IN HONOR OF POWs, MIAs

Mount POW/MIA is now a reality in Alaska, thanks to a unanimous decision by the U.S. Boards on Geographic Names. The Board, voted on October 21 to name a 4,314 foot peak "Mount POW/MIA" approved the proposal forwarded by the Chair of the Alaska Historical Commission., Lt. Governor Fan Ulmer.

"I applaud the actions of the Board on Geographic Names and the Alaska Historical Commission in naming this peak in honor of our veterans," said Interior Secretary Babbitt. "I am proud to be a part of a well-deserved recognition and unique reminder of those courageous men and women that answered our nation's call."

Vietnam veteran John Morriessey of Patterson, New York proposed the name. Morrissey, who had previously lived and worked in Alaska, had been searching for a suitable monument to honor approximately 800,000 Americans who served as Prisoners of War or remain listed as Missing in Action. In June 1999, he planted a flag atop the unnamed peak, approximately six miles southeast of Wasilla, Alaska. It is in direct view from Wasilla's "Veteran's Wall of Honor," a local, popular roadside memorial.

In Alaska, the Historical Commission has designation over geographic names within the state. "Even though we officially adopted the mountain as Mount POW/MIA, it was not an official U.S. name until it was accepted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names," explained Lt. Gov. Ulmer. "I am very pleased the federal government has agreed to recognize this special peak as Mount POW/MIA. It gives special meaning to veterans." Said Ulmer.

Governor Knowles, a Vietnam Army veteran, said "It's a fitting tribute to POWs and MIAs. We must never forget them and this peak will be a permanent reminder to us. My thanks to the many veterans and veterans groups in Alaska and around the country who supported this idea."

The peak, in Chugach State Park, is at 61 degrees 26 minutes 47 seconds north latitude and 149 degrees 11 minutes 47 seconds west longitude.

AND

In November 1999, in a joint venture with the Smithsonian Institution, the Central Identification Laboratory- Hawaii (CILHI), sponsored a symposium focusing on the latest technology involved in mass casualty identifications. The conference, held November 15 th through November 18th in Hawaii, was the brainchild of Dr. Thomas Holland, CILHI's Scientific Director."

19 DEC 99: 2000 PROPOSED "FAMILY UPDATE" SCHEDULE
22 Jan Los Angeles, CA
25 Jan Honolulu, HI
26 Feb Albuguerque, NM
25 Mar New Orleans, LA
22 Apr Indianapolis, IN
20 May Charleston, SC
Jun (TDA) Washington, DC
29 Jul Milwaukee, WI
26 Aug Knoxville, TN
23 Sep Seattle, WA
21 Oct Pittsburgh, PA
18 Nov Miami, FL

21 DEC 99: North Korea gets chummy with Vietnam, read on - Why are we not surprised. News from the North...
"Greetings to Vietnamese leaders

Pyongyang, September 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the ,DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong on the occasion of the 54th National

Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The message noted that the Vietnamese people are now achieving a great success in the struggle to defend the gains of revolution and industrialize and modernize the country under the leadership of the communist party of Vietnam (CPV).

Expressing the belief that the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger and the message wished the president and people of Vietnam greater successes in their work to carry through the decisions of the 8th congress of the CPV.

Meanwhile, premier of the DPRK cabinet Hong Song Nam and Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent messages of ,greetings separately to Vietnams Eprime Minister Phan Van Khai and deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam. "

Birds of a feather....

22 DEC 99: More sad news...
"MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SERVICE MEMBERSı REMAINS IDENTIFIED
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The remains of two Marines and one Sailor that were recovered by the Navyıs Deep Submergence Unit have been identified.
The remains have been identified as:
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey R Starling,27, a field radio operator assigned to IMEF Headquarters Group, and a native of South Daytona, Fla.;
Cpl. Mark M. Baca, 22, a reconnaissance Marine assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Arvada, Colo.;
Petty Officer 1st Class Jay J. Asis, 33, a corpsman assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Quezon City, Philippines.

Starling, Baca and Asis are three of seven service members who died in the CH-46 helicopter mishap December 9 during the 15th Marine Expeditionary Units training for their upcoming six-month deployment.

The Navy and Marine Corps will continue the recovery and salvage efforts."

23 DEC 99: Even more sad news...
"MARINES REMAINS FOUND
CAMP PENDLETON, CALIF. -- The Navy Deep Submergence Unit located the remains of the last four Marines earlier today. Efforts continue to recover the Marines and should hopefully be completed sometime today.

Salvage efforts are ongoing."

AND

MARINESı REMAINS RECOVERED
CAMP PENDLETON, CALIF. ­ Personnel from the Navyıs Deep Submergence Unit have recovered the remains of the last four Marines who were involved in the December 9 CH-46 helicopter mishap.

The remains of the Marines will be transported to Balboa Naval Hospital for positive identification.

The recovery operation has been a joint operation between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Navy. Marine Corps personnel are aboard Kellie Chouest working closely alongside DSU personnel, providing assistance during survey and recovery work.

The Navy and Marine Corps will continue the salvage efforts."

24 DEC 99: More Empty Coffins At Arlington, a must read article by Amanda Kidd - go to
More Empty Coffins - http://www.aiipowmia.com/inter/in122299.html

25 DEC 99: The traditional AII POW-MIA Christmas message is posted yet again -
The Night Before Christmas at the White House http://www.aiipowmia.com/special/inxmas99.html

26 DEC 99: Former WW II, British POWs who suffered under the torturous extremes of German slave labor camps have been excluded in a landmark settlement that will be paid out to survivors.

In an historic payment agreement, Germany will dole out roughly US$ 5.2 billion... but not a single POW survivor will receive any compensation. The agreement is for civilians only although a significant number of military POWs suffered the privatuions of slave labor, political prisoner and death camps. It is believed that nearly 500 of the original 1,000 plus British POWs who suffered under the Nazis are still alive.

"We had to work 12 hour shifts"

27 DEC 99: VIETNAM POWS: STORIES OF SURVIVAL
WINS NATIONAL PRIMETIME EMMY

Washington, DC -- Knightscenes, Inc., a Washington, DC-based film and video production company, has won a Primetime Emmy Award for its fifty-two minute documentary commemorating the release of American Prisoners of War from Vietnam. Vietnam POWs: Stories of Survival was awarded the Emmy in the category of Outstanding Non-Fiction Special by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on Saturday, August 29th, in Pasadena, California. The documentary was produced by KnightScenes for the Discovery Channel in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the American POWs' return.

The show's narrator is Terry MacDonald. Stories of Survival details the courage and determination of a group of fighting men who wouldn't die.

The program reminds us of the honor and sacrifice of James Stockdale, Dick Stratton, Everett Alvarez, John McCain, Paul Galanti, Michael Benge, Norman McDaniel and all their compatriots. It is now available on home video from Discovery.

At the gala premiere of the film February 18, 1997 at the U.S. Navy Memorial and Visitors Center in downtown Washington, Stories producer Brian Leonard of Knightscenes said: "I've always dreamed of doing a show like this, focusing on battlefield diaries. The reaction of everyone--especially the POWs--makes it all worthwhile. It couldn't have come out better." After winning the Primetime Emmy, Brian Leonard exulted: "We won the big one!"

28 DEC 99: From the NLF - "2,031 Americans are still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, though 468 were at sea/over water losses: Vietnam - 1,518 (North, 549; South, 971); Laos - 429 Cambodia - 74; Peoples Republic of China territorial waters - 8. The League seeks the return of all US prisoners, the fullest possible accounting for those still missing and repatriation of all recoverable remains.

The League's highest priority is resolving the live prisoner question. Official intelligence indicates that Americans known to have been alive in captivity in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were not returned at the end of the war. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it must be assumed that these Americans may still be a live. As a matter of policy, the US Government does not rule out the possibility that American POWs could still be held."

29 DEC 99: The remains of an American serviceman previously unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial in the United States. He is identified as Air Force Colonel Robert M. Elliot of Springfield, Mass.

30 DEC 99: REMINDER -
DOD/DPMO Family Updates - 22 Jan Los Angeles, CA - 25 Jan Honolulu, HI - 26 Feb Albuquerque , NM

31 DEC 99: A final thought -
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."

Major Michael O'Donnell, Jan. 1, 1970, Dak To, Vietnam. O'Donnell, a helicopter pilot, went Missing on March 24th, 1970 during a rescue attempt. His remains were returned in 1995 and identified in 2001.

POW-MIA Issue Update January 2000