Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 . __ . . -*- N A M V E T -*- ____/ \_ . . ( * \ . . Managing Editor \ Quangtri . . ---------------- \_/\ \_ Hue . . G. Joseph Peck \_Ashau Phu Bai . . \_* \_ . . Editorial Assistants \ * ) . . -------------------- _/ Danang . . Pete Farias \|/ ( \_*Chu Lai . . Sarge Hultgren --*-- \_ ------- \__ . . /|\ \_ I Corps \ . . Distribution Manager \ ------- ! . . ------------ /\_____ ! . . Jerry Hindle / ! \ . . ! !___ \ . . Section Editors ! \/\____! . . --------------- ! ! . . IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau / Dak To ! . . INCARCERATED VETS: Joyce Flory / * / . . NEED-TO-KNOW: Lefty Frizzell ! \_ . . VETERAN EMPLOYMENT: Fred Sochacki ! Phu Cat\ . . MIA/POW: Marsha Ledeman \ * * ) . . AGENT ORANGE: Jim Ferguson \ Pleiku ) . . KEEPER OF THE LIST: Charlie Revie \ \ . . / / . . "In the jungles of 'Nam, some of us ( -------- ! . . were scared and wary, but we pulled _\ II Corps ! . . one another along and were able / -------- \ . . to depend on each other. That has \ \ . . never changed. Today, free of the ! * / . . criticisms and misunderstandings _/ Nhatrang / . . many veterans have endured, _/ / . . NAM VET is a shining beacon, __/ ! . . a ray of hope, and a _ __/ \ ! . . reminder that the _____( )/ ! Camranh Bay . . lessons learned / !__ ! . . at such a high / \ / . . price shall not \ Bien Hoa \ / . . be forgotten - ! Chu Chi * \ __/ . . nor the errors \_ * --------- \ ___/ . . repeated!!!" ____ \ III Corps \ _/ . . / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ Duplication in . . ! ( ___/ any form permitted . . _____! \__ * ___/ for NONCOMMERCIAL . . ! Saigon/ purposes ONLY! . . \___ -------- / \/ . . \ IV Corps / For other use, contact: . . ) -------- / . . / ! G. Joseph Peck (413) 442-1660 . . / ____/ Managing Editor . . / Mekong/ . . ! Delta/ This newsletter is comprised of articles . . ! ____/ and items from individuals and other . . ! / sources. We are not responsible for the . . ! / content of this information nor are any of . . ! __/ NAM VETs contributors or Section Editors. . . \_/ gjp . . . NAM VET Newsletter Page i Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 ================================================================== T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 1. Editorials Once upon a long time ago... ............................. 1 Thanks ................................................... 3 Murphy's list continues to grow! ......................... 4 2. Sister Vets Chronology of Vietnam Women's Memorial Project ........... 6 Monumental Difference .................................... 9 VWMP's Sister Search ..................................... 10 VWMP's Sister Search Form ................................ 11 3. In-Touch EDS and VETLink helps vets get "In Touch"! ............... 12 Khe Sanh Vet searches for info on KIA brother ............ 14 They haven't forgotten US!!! ............................. 15 In-Touch: What is it??? .................................. 16 IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form!!! .................... 19 KheSanh Vet Newsletter "Red Clay" ........................ 21 Khe Sanh Innovations and Information ..................... 22 4. Drums be not Silent Freedom Now! ............................................. 23 POW Items Available ...................................... 27 Pentagon admits "POWs alive in Laos!" .................... 28 Not prepared to be abandoned! ............................ 30 Anatomy of MIA/POW Scam! ............................. 35 DIA wants to stop POW search ............................. 38 5. Shiftin' Sands Desert Storm Trophies WARNING! ........................... 40 Desert Storm Vet Not Forgotten! .......................... 41 She Flies Ever High!!! ................................... 42 Long Time Now ............................................ 43 War Criminal Hussein and 'Nam PM Not? .................... 44 6. Don't drink the water! Agent Orange & Adverse Health Effects .................... 48 NJ A/O Commission - Attention Women Vets! ................ 52 NJ Agent Orange Alert! ................................... 54 Break out the Clearasil ! ............................ 55 7. A Family Affair SURVIVOR's - A program for veterans and families ......... 56 Hands Across Time ........................................ 60 Kokomo Vet Reunion... Vet groups - CHECK YOUR SIX! ....... 61 8. Veterans n' Jobtalk EMPLOYMENT: A Report by DAV's RONALD W. DRACH ............ 63 Hiring quota's make a Job NOT a Job! ..................... 69 Applied Dedication and Commitment ....................... 71 9. Forgotten - again? Veterans Forgotten? ...................................... 72 Jungle to Jail - Part 1 .................................. 77 VIET CONS ..................... 78 A visit or note once in awhile? .......................... 81 Petition/Form for POW US Postal Stamp ................... 82 10. Over Montezuma, Anchors yonder! The Eight Days of Creation ............................... 83 The Electronic Chapel .................................... 84 To Those Born Before 1945 ................................ 85 11. Hmmm... Only the Phony ... Fake Vets Cash In ..................... 87 Persevere in dealings with COVA .......................... 94 12. Charlie's Angels VIETNAM_VETS: Where? ..................................... 98 Some Gave All... ......................................... 101 NAM VET Newsletter Page ii Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 ================================================================== Editorials ================================================================== Once upon a long time ago... By G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Once upon a long time ago "advisors" were sent to a little country across the sea. Soon thereafter, a US President said "Ask not what your country can do for YOU... ask what YOU can do for your country!" Almost immediately, there thronged to military recruitment centers around the country hordes of young Americans, eager and willing to do what proud countrymen had done in ages past: Defend America and her principles - this time in a country called Viet Nam. With leaders that often pulled in different directions, objectives taken only to be quickly abandoned, America super-examining HER conscience and losing many of her finest, military strength began to decrease and "Project 100,000" (A Great Society "brainchild" instituted to get America's disadvantaged youth 'off the streets' and teach military discipline and skills) was instituted. Soon that, too, disturbed the conscience of America. Proud defenders of freedom they, returning soldiers were treated with less-than-honorable regard as America "punished the warriors" for doing what their country had asked them to do. Once upon a long time ago, too, on a cold and quiet Wyoming night, a computer-using veteran tap-tap-tapped out a message on his keyboard to another veteran who "understood" and "talked the same language" into an echo called VIETNAM_VETS. A "bouncing betty" had taken the legs from that veteran and he was confined to his home "for the duration". Soon, heavens that once were filled with tears melted into a link of brotherhood. And that "brotherhood" grew and grew and grew as more and more veterans discovered they weren't alone in their nightmares, troubles and successes - and they began to communicate with one another. Other "echoes" (message bases that were exchanged with other BBSs and their users) were created as VIETNAM_VETS discovered the wide range of topics that America's veterans had in common - or wanted to learn more about... and VETNet was born. On Veterans' Day, 1987 (11/11/87) there entered into the computer- using veterans' world an electronic newsletter that would distill some of the information from VIETNAM_VETS and the VETNet echoes and add other articles that all veterans (and their families) might like to know about. "NamVet" - the electronic newsletter by, for and about veterans and the issues that concern them - became a monthly reality! No "magic wand" was waved, nor was there anyone "behind the scenes" casting spells or other incantations upon the messages in VIETNAM_VETS and the VETNet echoes. Almost miraculously, a NAM VET Newsletter Page 1 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 "loosening of the chains" began to take place. Veterans, once solely focused on the "rejection" they endured when they returned to civilian life, began to communicate about BASIC training, weaponry used in battle, tracers, dustoffs, medevacs, soldier "games" and happenings, EARNED veteran benefits that often were being denied by a cold an' sterile Veterans Administration and other agencies ... and VETLink #1 - on the scene from almost day one - increased its efforts to touch ALL veterans. VETLink #2 (703-471-8010), with SysOp Ray "Frenchy" Moreau at the Herndon, VA helm, added his efforts, equipment and expertise; VETLink #3 (314-334-6359) in Cape Girardeau, MO with SysOp Mike Bryeans continuously added his programming expertise and an awful lot of needed help; VETLink #4 (301-261-5644) in Shady Side, MD with SysOp Jim Hildwine added his communications expertise; and VETLink #5 (201-778-1879) in Passaic, NJ with SysOp Fred Sochacki "Semper Fidelis"-ing all the way ... and the VETLink #? BBS, each carrying the VETNet echoes, important veteran text files and many issues of NamVet, became truly a LINKing of the proud VETerans of our nation - with each new VETLink BBS adding a new and sometimes colorful hue to the word VETERAN. (VETLink's 4 and 5 will soon be adding special and unique echoes to the VETNet echoes) Once upon a long time ago on a cold and quiet Wyoming night, a computer-using veteran tap-tap-tapped out a message on his keyboard to another veteran who "understood" and "talked the same language" into an echo called VIETNAM_VETS -- ...and his brothers and sisters, in an electronic way, have answered the call! The MORAL of this story? "Ya ain't alone, brother and sister veteran! If you wanna talk to a brother/sister veteran or you need veteran benefit information or want to find out about a reunion or try to find out about a veteran you've lost contact with, or anything else veteran-related, pop into the VIETNAM_VETS echo or call a VETLink near you. If there ISN'T one, think about BEING one... or ask your friendly SysOp about VETLink!!!" 'til next month Show a brother or sister veteran That YOU care!!! and we might ALL "live happily ever after" Ci'ao for Ni'ao - Joe - NAM VET Newsletter Page 2 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Thanks By Jim Hildwine NamVet's Federal Benefits Section Editor Dak To West/VETLink #4 - Shady Side, MD (301) 261-5644 In our lives, we all have a dream we'd like to see come true. To some, it's hitting the lottery for a million bucks. For others, their family's return after divorce or separation. To others, to find or see some place like Hawaii, or to go to the top of Mt. Everest. Sometimes these dreams do come true, but the key factor is not luck, it's just hard hard work, and a determination to make that dream come true. Among us walks a man. His dream five years ago was to do something with a computer to help Veterans and, to be more exact, the Vietnam Vet and Vietnam Era Vet. He has poured his life, hours, days, weeks, months and even years to accomplishing this fact. A dream comes true when one day along comes a brother VetLink #2 and it's way down south in a place called Herndon, Va. And not long after VetLink #2, then POW! Vet Link #3 pops up and starts to fall into place, and then out of nowhere here comes VetLink #4, followed by Vet Link #5. Yep folks a dream is coming true. It's not a fast dream, but its a slow, o' so painfully slow one. But the hard work, late hours, attention to detail, and devotion to a self-appointed duty is making this dream come true. Some day... Some day... This nation will have VetLinks from sea to shining sea, from Canada, to Australia, and even more. We the proud the few and then the so many Veterans need to take a few seconds out and thank a guy Named Gjoseph Peck. For Joe has carried the ball for the rest of us when we were not even sure where it was..... So from this VetLink #4, Thanks for a job well done. Jim Hildwine, SysOp - Dak To West/VETLink #4 [Note from Joe: I was a little humbled in placing the above in this month's NamVet. Jim specially asked me to. Thanks, Jim... Its KNOWING that in some way I've been able to help make things better for our computer-world of veterans that makes it ALL worthwhile! Welcome aboard, bro'!!! And Thanks for the Thanks!!!] NAM VET Newsletter Page 3 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Murphy's list continues to grow! Anonymous A special THANKS to Dave Doehrman and Khe Sanh Vets Newsletter; Springfield, MA VVA Chapter 111; Lt. Col Jack Finch USA (Ret.) and members of the VIETNAM_VETS International Echo for helping us keep Murphy's list growing! Okay... now all we need is to have our Desert Shield/Desert Storm folks let us know how Murphy treated them? How's about it, folks? - An Incomplete List of Murphy's Laws of Combat Operations - 1. Military intelligence can be a contradiction in terms. 2. Recoilless rifles - aren't. 3. A sucking chest wound is nature's way of telling you to slow down. 4. The enemy diversion you are ignoring is the main attack. 5. If the enemy is within range, then so are you. 6. Friendly fire - isn't. 7. If it's stupid and works, then it ain't stupid. 8. When you have secured an area, don't forget to tell the enemy. 9. If you're short of everything except the enemy, then you're in the combat zone. 10. Try to look unimportant. They may be low on ammo. 11. The easy way is always mined. 12. Tracers work both ways. 13. Sh*t happens. 14. Incoming fire has the right of way. 15. Teamwork is essential. It gives them other people to shoot at. 16. Never draw fire - it irritates everyone around you. 17. No combat ready unit has ever passed an inspection. 18. No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat. 19. Make it too tough for the enemy to get in and you can't get out. 20. If both sides are convinced they're about to lose, they're both right. 21. Professionals are predictable, but the world is full of dangerous amateurs. 22. Fortify your front and you'll get your rear shot up. 23. When in doubt, empty your magazine. 24. In war, important things are very simple and all simple things are hard. 25. Don't look conspicuous, it draws fire. 26. Communications will fail as soon as you need fire support. 27. Weather ain't neutral. 28. Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than you. 29. Remember, your weapon was made by the lowest bidder. 30. If you can't remember, the claymore is pointed towards you. 31. All five second grenade fuses are three seconds. 32. The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly. 33. If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush. 34. No OPLAN survives first contact intact. 35. If it flies, it dies. 36. When you are forward of your position, the artillery will always be short. 37. Suppressive fire - won't. 38. You are not Superman. 39. Cavalry doesn't always come to the rescue. NAM VET Newsletter Page 4 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 40. B-52's are the ultimate in close air support. 41. Sniper's motto: Reach out and touch someone. 42. Peace is our profession - mass murder's just a hobby. 43. Killing for peace is like whoring for virginity. 44. There's always a way. 45. Murphy was a grunt. 46. It's not the one with your name on it - it's the round addressed "to whom it may concern" ya gotta think about. 47. Remember napalm is an area weapon. 48. Mines are equal opportunity weapons. 50. There is no such thing as the perfect plan. 51. The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions: a. when you are ready for them. b. when you are not ready for them. 52. Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing. 53. Marine math: 2 beers times 39 Marines is 49 cases. 54. Body Count Math: 2 VC plus 1 chicken and 3 pigs equals 37 enemy killed in action. 55. Things that must be together to work, can't be carried in the field that way. 56. If you take more than your share of objectives, you will be given more than your share of objectives to take. NAM VET Newsletter Page 5 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 ================================================================== Sister Vets ================================================================== Brief Chronology of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc. 2001 S Street, NW - Suite 302 Washington, D.C. 20009 (202) 328-7253 FAX (202) 328-0063 Submitted by: Martha Green VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 1983 (September) The idea for the memorial is conceived by Diane Carlson Evans, RN, who served in Vietnam. Evans shared her dream with Rodger M. Brodin, a noted Minnesota sculptor. Together, using Brodin's skills as an artist and Evans' memories of life in Vietnam, they created a statue of a female veteran. 1984 (April) To place this statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project is incorporated as a nonprofit volunteer organization. Its additional goals are to educate the public about the role of women during the Vietnam war and to locate the women who served. 1985-1986 Resolutions are passed at the national conventions of major veterans organizations supporting the efforts of the Project: The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Jewish War Veterans. 1986 (May) FIRST APPROVAL OBTAINED. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. chaired by John Wheeler and President Jan Scruggs, approve the placement of a women's memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 1986-1987 Fundraising, education, public relations and Sister Search activities continue. 1987 (September) SECOND APPROVAL OBTAINED. Secretary of the Interior approves the concept of placing a Vietnam Women's Memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 1987 (October) FINE ARTS COMMISSION REJECTS PROPOSAL for memorial in public hearing by a 4-1 vote. 1987 (November) S.J. 215 is introduced in the senate authorizing a Vietnam Women's Memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and companion bill H.R. 3628 is introduced in the House. 1988 (February) Hearings are held on S.J. 2042 before the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, National Parks and Forests to complete the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with a Vietnam Women's Memorial. NAM VET Newsletter Page 6 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 1988 (May) To comply with the Commemorative Works Act, the law governing the process for the authorization and placement of approved memorials, the VWMP must receive site approval before it can proceed with the presentation of a memorial design for approval. 1988 (June) Project Headquarters move from Minneapolis to Washington, D.C. 1988 (June) Senate passes S.J. 2042 by a vote of 96-1. 1988 (June) Hearings held before the House Subcommittee on Libraries and Memorials. 1988 (September) House of Representatives rejects the language of S.J. 2042, and on September 23 passes another version of the bill to authorize a memorial to women who served in Vietnam. However, language does not specify the site of the memorial, other than it be placed on federal lands in Washington, D.C. or its environs. This adds a level of concern that without specification, the memorial could be built in a less appropriate place. 1988 (October 12) The Senate passes an amended version of S.J. 2042 as passed by the House, authorizing that the memorial be placed on federal lands in Washington, D.C. or its environs. 1988 (October 21) Just hours before the adjournment of the 100th Congress, the House rejects the Senate's amendment. The Senate receded to the House position. 1988 (November 15) President Reagan signs S.J. 2042, which becomes Public Law 100-600, authorizing the approval for a Vietnam Women's Memorial. 1989 (October 31) Senate approves Area I site specificity for the Vietnam Women's Memorial. 1989 (November 17) House approves Area I site specificity for the Vietnam Women's Memorial. 1989 (November 28) President Bush signs legislation authorizing Area I site for the Vietnam Women's Memorial. 1990 (April) National Capital Memorial Commission and Commission of Fine Arts approve specific sites within Area I for the Vietnam Women's Memorial. 1990 (May) National Capital Memorial Commission approves specific sites within Area I for the Vietnam Women's Memorial. 1990 (August 20) National Open One-Stage Design Competition launched for design of the Vietnam Women's Memorial. 1990 (Veterans Day) Co-Finalists and Honorable Mentions of NAM VET Newsletter Page 7 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Design Competition announced at Press Conference, National Building Museum, Washington, D.C. 1991 (June) Glenna Goodacre, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Honorable Mention Winner, selected by VWMF Board of Directors to design the Vietnam Women's Memorial. 1991 (September 12) Vietnam Women's Memorial approval by National Capital Memorial Commission. 1991 (September 19) Vietnam Women's Memorial to be presented before Commission of Fine Arts for final approval. NAM VET Newsletter Page 8 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Even a small donation can make a monumental difference. Efforts are now underway to erect a monument on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that recognizes the role played by women veterans. The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project is conducting this drive as part of a larger effort to educate all Americans about the vital services provided by over 265,000 women, military and civilian, during the Vietnam War. O O O O O O O O O O O O O Your contribution, large or small, O O will help ensure that these women's O O sacrifices are not forgotten. O __________ O O ) O /(O) / O\ / / O \ / VIETNAM / \ / WOMEN'S /HONORING\ / MEMORIAL /\ THE \ / PROJECT / \ WOMEN \ / / \ WHO \ / / \ SERVED / (__________/ \ / \ / \ / \/ _ /_/ Yes, I want to help honor America's Women Vietnam veterans. My tax-deductible contribution is enclosed. _ /_/ Send me more information abut how I can help make this dream a reality. _ /_/ I am a woman who served during the Vietnam era. NAME ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________________________________ CITY ______________________________________ STATE ______________ ZIP ____________________ PHONE __________________________________ Clip and mail along with your contribution to: VWMP 2001 S St., NW Suite 710 Washington, DC 20009 VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL PROJECT A legacy of Healing and Hope NAM VET Newsletter Page 9 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc. "Sister Search" Submitted by: Martha Green VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project's "SISTER SEARCH" is a program designed to locate the military and civilian women who served their country during the Vietnam War. The goals of "SISTER SEARCH" are to facilitate hope and healing among women veterans; to provide a network for them; and to assist research efforts on women who served during the Vietnam War. Vietnam era women veterans are asked to provide as much information as they feel comfortable sharing. Although "Sister Search" is NOT a locator service, should an inquiry be made as to whereabouts of a person included in the "SISTER SEARCH" database, the VWMP will pass the inquiry along in writing to the individual, allowing her to decide whether she would like to respond. If the individual is deceased, the inquiry will be sent to the closest family member identified by the VWMP. All women veterans in the "SISTER SEARCH" database will periodically receive information on the Project's progress and ultimately receive an invitation to the dedication ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project is a non-profit, volunteer organization with the threefold purpose of: educating the public about the women who served during the Vietnam era; locating and providing a network for these women; and placing a realistic representation of a Vietnam woman veteran on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The Project has the support of every major veterans group in America, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. For more information, contact: "SISTER SEARCH" Vietnam Women's Memorial Project 2001 'S' Street NW Suite #302 Washington DC 20009 NAM VET Newsletter Page 10 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc. 2001 'S' Street NW - Suite 302 - Washington DC 20009 (202) 328-7253 FAX: (202) 328-0063 Submitted by: Martha Green VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 SISTER SEARCH Name:________________________Vietnam Era Name: ___________________ (If different) Address:_____________________________________ Work #: ____/_______ City:________________ State: __ Zip:________ Home #: Branch of Service or Civilian Organization: ___________________________________________ In-Country (Vietnam) Assignment #1: ___________________________________________________ Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________ Assignment #2: ___________________________________________________ Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________ Assignment #3: ___________________________________________________ Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________ Vietnam Era (1959-1975) Assignment: ______________________________________________________ Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________ The Project receives inquires from the press and researchers in search of Vietnam era women veterans who are willing to share their experiences.Your participation as a press/research/education contact is strictly optional. I authorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release my name to individuals or organizations who are seeking information on Vietnam era women veterans for press inquirries, research or educational activities. Signature ________________________________________ Date __________ I authorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release my name to the National Associate Volunteer, Regional and/or State Coordinator in my area. -------------------| FOR OFFICE USE | DATE RECEIVED: | | Signature ___________________ Date __________ TRANSFER: | | Please list the names and addresses of any ENTER: | other Vietnam era women veterans you know on | the back of this form. | COMMENTS: | -------------------| Thank you for participating in SISTER SEARCH NAM VET Newsletter Page 11 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 ================================================================== In-Touch ================================================================== EDS and VETLINK helps vets get In Touch By Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NamVet's In-Touch Section Editor Herndon Byte Exchange/VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 Ninety-six people have volunteered their time at the tenth annual Vietnam Veterans Reunion in Kokomo, Indiana from September 12 through 15, 1991 to help others learn more about family members or fellow veterans who were lost in the Vietnam war. The "In Touch" program, which combines computer technology with the work of Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, was in operation Friday through Sunday - 9/12-15. The "Buddy Search" which uses an online Bulletin Board System software called OSIRIS was linked via the Delco Switch to the Herndon Byte eXchange/Veterans Memorial Gateway BBS in Herndon, VA. The System Operator, Ray "Frenchy" Moreau, is a technical manager with EDS who designed the "In Touch" system and was the recipient of 1991 FOSE Award. Frenchy is also a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy with over four tours in Vietnam. The "Buddy Search" and associated data bases is available to the public via their nearest Vetlink or FIDONET backbone on the International Vietnam Veterans Echo Conference (IVVEC). More than ten major VETLinks are now in place and its presence is creating interest among many large groups including EDS. The weekend effort marked the second year that "In Touch" made its presence and the first year for a new online "Buddy" search system. Both were extremely successful. EDS had one AT system next to the moving Wall in order to facilitate the search for our Wall vets. Three additional AT systems were located in the non- profit tent and were primarily used to locate family, relatives and friends of our KIA and MIA brothers. More than 25,000 requests were made of the "In Touch" systems. More than 2,000 entries were provided for the "Buddy Search" online system. All data that was gathered during the reunion will be entered by EDS volunteers in Herndon as well as the Friends in Washington, DC. The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a non-profit organization that supports the National Park Service by helping the thousands of people who visit the Wall on a daily basis. Friends also provides educational services, assistance to Vietnam veterans and volunteers who help at the memorial. Frenchy was involved for the entire EDS effort in Kokomo. "Many of the vets were still grasping out of the 60's" Frenchy stated. "You could smell the booze throughout the tent area; yet, not one can or bottle of booze was anywhere next or close to the moving Wall." Frenchy stated that in many ways he felt ashamed, especially when the local police busted up some "vegetable matter" NAM VET Newsletter Page 12 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 users. He ended the conversation with "Yes, I felt shame, but I also looked in their eyes and was able to see the depth of pain, the longing to belong to something, someone or an organization". He also stated that "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones, in retrospect they should reach out to assist. We have turned our heads on many, let's not turn our heads on our brothers." NAM VET Newsletter Page 13 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Khe Sanh Vet searches for info on KIA brother Input by Dave Doehrman Semper Fi BBS - Ft. Wayne, IN (219) 424-4292 The following was copied from the "Khe Sanh Veteran Newsletter". Hopefully someone can help. I have been looking for information about my brother, PFC Michael Glenn Lipsius, D Co, 5th Bn, 7th CAV, 2nd Bde, 1st Air Cav, KIA 4/19/68. He participated in Operation Pegasus to relieve Khe Sanh, and from there headed for A Shau Valley, where he was shot down. My brother and I were from a broken family. He did not know where my dad was, we did not know where he was, for 12 years. While in Vietnam, Mike somehow got our Dad's address and wrote a letter home. The next day we got the telegram. All these years I have had a difficult time knowing him only as "the remains", and pretending he never existed is not possible. Any assistance or information you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Jane Lipsius Barnes 7 Plymouth Pl. Williamsville, NY 14221 NAM VET Newsletter Page 14 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 W W M M W W M M M M W W \ / M M M M OOOO W W W --*-- M M M IIII O O W W W W / \ M M II O O W W W W M M II O O W W M M II O O II PPPPPP O O ..... II AA PP PP OOOO . '' '' .. IIII A A PP PP ..' '.. A A PPPPPPP ..' ''. A A PP ..' '. AAAAAA PP .' ''. A A PP .' '. A A .' .:::::.. '. .' .::::::::::. ' .' .::::::::::::::. '. .' __ .::::::::::::::::;:... '. .' _- -_ .:::::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' _-_ _ _ -_ ::::::::::::::::::::::::' '. .. _- -!!___!!!-_:::::::::::::::::::::::. .. .' ==_ _- _= .:::::::::::::::::::::::: ', . =-_= _= = :::::::::::::::::::::::: . .' =-_ =_- = ::::::::::::::::::::::: '. .' = - -_ =_:::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' -_ -_- .:::::::::::::::::::;;;. '. .' _-_ ..::::::::::::::::::::::::; '. . _ _ .:;:::::::::::::::::::::;, . ' _ .:::::::::::::::::::::::::. '. Y .'.....::::::::::::::::::::::::::;' '. N ::::::::::::::::::::::::' `''' ': O `::::::::::::::::::::::: \v/ \ / :'E `:::::::::::::::::::::: =========================== :' U `:::::::::::::::::::::. /^\ \ :'T `:::::::::::::::::::: .: A `:::::::::::::::::: .:'T `::::::::::::::::::. .;' R `:::::::::::::::::. .;' T `::::::::::::::::. .;' E `:::::::::gjp::: .:' O `:::::::::::::...........'' G N O T F O R " Bring them home --- NOW !!! " NAM VET Newsletter Page 15 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 In-Touch. What is it ??? Input by: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NAM VETs IN-TOUCH Section Editor Herndon Byte eXchange/VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 ================================================================= |+++++++++++++++++++++++++ IN TOUCH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++| | There are some 43 million people in the United States whose | | lives were directly and irrevocably touched by the Vietnam | | War. | | | | Almost four million people served in Vietnam -- the longest, | | and perhaps most difficult, war in our history. More than a | | quarter of a million were seriously wounded. 58,175 are dead | | or missing. | | | | Each of those who returned recognizes the true cost of war. | | But so too do the families and friends, wives and lovers of | | those listed on the Wall. They too paid a tremendous price, | | not always recognized... many still do. | | | | Though twenty years have passed, it seems that is the period | | people have needed to get the distance necessary to begin to | | address the unresolved, deeply personal issues that have | | been haunting them since the war. Perhaps that is a measure | | of the pain. | | | | But, the "healing of a nation" that was intended by the | | building of the Memorial, has begun. | | | | In the office of the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans | | Memorial, we hear them on the other end of the phone on | | any given day, and far into the night, they call from all | | corners of the country. | | | | "If only I could find out..." | | "I need to find his family so I can keep my promise..." | | "I just want to talk to someone who was with him... " | | "Please, can you help...?" | | | | At the Wall, we find them every day. Veterans who have not | | spoken of their experiences even to their most intimate | | family members are now beginning, tentatively, to seek a | | responsive ear. | | | | Brothers and sisters, parents and even wives who were simply | | never allowed full expression of their grief because of the | | fierce pressures of the time, are now coming forward, | | looking for someone who can help with their healing. | | | | We hear from children, now 15 - 25 years old, who are | | searching for bits and pieces of information they can | | assemble to help fill that empty place in their lives that | | is the father they never knew well, if at all. And they want | | to talk to each other, to share their special needs and the | | unique experience of growing up with a father on the Wall. | | They understand each other all too well. | NAM VET Newsletter Page 16 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 | | | Millions of Americans need to meet and talk because of the | | Wall, and only the Friends can help them. | | | | Initial discussions with many other national organizations | | whose work brings them into contact with Vietnam veterans | | and their loved ones have attested to the need for IN TOUCH | | and their willingness to help. | | | | Simply put, the Friends will draw on its special work at the | | Memorial, its acquired and available data bases and | | programs designed and integrated by Electronic Data Systems | | (EDS), and the commitment and concern of its volunteers to | | place people with a common association to a name on the Wall | | to be in voluntary communication with each other. | | | | From there, we will let human nature take its good course. | | And let the healing begin. | | | | The starting point for the data base will be the more than | | twenty thousand names of people who have requested name | | rubbings from our volunteers in Washington. Each will be | | contacted and given the opportunity to participate by being | | listed in the IN TOUCH central data base file. | | | | Confidentiality is the keyword to cooperation and IN TOUCH | | will respect the integrity of all lists and records. Lists | | will be unavailable for public use and will not be | | distributed for any commercial purpose. | | | | By its nature, IN TOUCH must reach far beyond the veterans | | community in order to be successful. With professional | | guidance, the Friends will develop a program of on-going | | articles and other coverage in major media markets, high- | | lighting the personal experiences of people as they are put | | "in touch." The International Vietnam Veterans Echo | | Conference via the Herndon Byte eXchange 1:109/316 node as | | the enter point for gathering and disseminating information | | will be used. Aside from bringing the program into public | | awareness, these articles and stories will serve as a val- | | uable tool for public education on a wealth of matters | | relating to the Vietnam era. | | | | As a preliminary test of the IN TOUCH project, the Friends | | has implemented a pilot project to test the design and | | demands of such a program. Several hundred requests with | | full background information have been entered into a system | | designed to match requestor data with the existing Memorial | | data. Even with such a small sample, limited data and a | | fairly unsophisticated cross-indexing system, matches have | | been made and IN TOUCH has produced its first real | | connections. The results have been as profoundly moving for | | the participants as expected. And as gratifying for the | | Friends. | | | | But it was clear that the information management system and | | the supporting hardware system would have to be more power- | | ful and more complex in order to handle thousands, perhaps | | hundreds of thousands, of requests. Confidentiality of the | NAM VET Newsletter Page 17 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 | system and information must be paramount. | | | | With well over 2,000 Vietnam veterans, Electronic Data | | Systems (EDS) became involved and has been generous in its | | assistance with designing the data management systems which | | will be critical to a successful program. The Friends have | | reached a three-year working agreement with EDS which | | promises continuity and maximum potential for success in | | building an information bank that can truly help people in | | their search for others who knew a loved one. | | | | The Friends are delighted that Bob Hope has agreed to make | | a public service announcement which we can use on radio and | | television to help get the word out to the public on the | | availability of the service. | | | | The Friends are also pleased to note that Hewlett Packard, | | Zenith Data Systems, Borland International, FASTCOMM | | Communications Corporation and the First National Bank of | | Chicago have all contributed computer equipment, computer | | software, and office equipment to the project, so they are | | beginning to feel fully functional. | | | | The Friends hear from people who have long been living with | | the pain of loss and looking for a way to heal. For | | instance, the Friends recently received a letter from a | | woman who wrote: | | | | Dear Friends: | | For quite some time I have been searching for a | | way to know my brother. It seems hopeless at times. | | I was 12 when he was killed... I had waited for the | | day he would come back to us. He never did. A part | | of me will always be 12 and continue to wait. | | Thank you for giving me hope that there may be | | a way to find him and bring him home to my heart..." | | | | + + + | | | | The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial | | Electronic Data Systems | | Herndon Byte eXchange TCOMMnet BBS 1:109/316 | | | |+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++| NAM VET Newsletter Page 18 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form THIS FORM REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY RELEASE PLEASE READ BELOW ------------------------------------------------------------------ I wish to be IN TOUCH with (Please circle and/or comment) Family, Friends and/or Fellow Veterans of the following: __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ----------- PERSON WHO DID NOT COME BACK FROM VIETNAM ------------ First Name_____________ Middle Name___________ Last Name__________ Relationship to You and/or Reason for Request (Answer as fully as possible)_____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ================================================================== -------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIM/HER - IF KNOWN --------- Rank_______ Birth Date ______________ Soc. Sec. # ________________ Tour Date of Birth _______________ Where Buried __________________ Branch of Service: AR__ NA__ AF__ MC__ CG__ RC__ CIV__ (Fill in his/her equivalent unit designations in the spaces below) Division ____________ Brigade ___________ Battalion ______________ Regiment ____________ Company ___________ Ship ___________________ Battles:__________________________________________________________ Locations:________________________________________________________ Nicknames:________________________________________________________ Hometown (while in Nam): ____________________ Home State: ________ ================================================================== ---------------------- INFORMATION ABOUT YOU --------------------- Title___ First Name ____________ Middle/Maiden Name _____________ Last Name ____________________ Address___________________________________________________________ City __________________________________ State ____ Zip: _____-____ Your Home Phone ( ) ____________ Work Phone: ( ) ____________ ---------------- IF YOU ARE A VIETNAM-ERA VETERAN ---------------- Tour date _______________________________ Rank __________________ Branch of Service: AR__ NA __ AF __ MC __ CG __ RC __ CIV __ Fill in your equivalent unit designations in the spaces below Division: __________ Brigade: ___________ Battalion: ___________ Regiment: __________ Company: ___________ Ship: ________________ Battles: _________________________________________________________ Locations: _______________________________________________________ Nicknames: _______________________________________________________ Hometown (when in VN) _______________________ Home State: ________ Comments: ________________________________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT _____ I give permission to the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to release my name, address, phone number and relationship to other participants in the IN TOUCH project seeking information on the individual above (strike out NAM VET Newsletter Page 19 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 phone number if you do not want it released). OR _____ I would like to have the names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons who knew my friend or relative, but prefer NOT to have my name, address, and phone number released. I hereby release the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from any and all liability that may arise from the operation of the IN TOUCH project. Signature ____________________________________ Date _____________ NOTE: Do not electronically transmit this form, instead mail to: Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 1350 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NAM VET Newsletter Page 20 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 KheSanh Vet Newsletter By Dave Doehrman Semper Fi BBS - Ft. Wayne, IN (219) 424-4292 A few years back, a few Khe Sanh Vets who maintained contact with each other decided to establish a list of names and addresses of fellow Khe Sanh Vets. We started with about 40 names and since then we have grown to include the names and addresses of 2,000 Marines, Army, Air Force and Navy personnel who served there. (If we missed the Coast Guard, we apologize) In 1984 or 85, Ray Stubbe and Ernie Husted issued a small newsletter with all the names and addresses along with a few news items and some articles about Khe Sanh. The newsletter has grown since then and is now published by the Marine Corps Association in Quantico, VA, who publishes almost all of the 28 or so Newsletters of various Marine corps groups. If you are a Khe Sanh vet or know someone who is, please contact me here or in Netmail if you would like to be included in the address listing in the Newsletter. The newsletter has been renamed recently from "The Khe Sanh Veteran Newsletter" to "Red Clay". If you would like to contribute any information, receive the newsletter or send in any poems or short stories, write to: Ray W. Stubbe 8766 Parkview Ct. Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (BTW, Ray is the Sky-pilot I mentioned in a few posts awhile back. Ray is retired from active duty with the Navy, but still is active as a minister. If any of you want to contact Ray, I'm sure he would be glad to hear from you.) The last issue of "Red Clay" had a listing of all the sons of Khe Sanh Vets who were serving in Desert Storm. Also in that issue was a list of Khe Sanh vets who were still on active duty or in the Reserves and were called up to serve in Desert Storm. "For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected never know" NAM VET Newsletter Page 21 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Khe Sanh Innovations and Information Input by Dave Doehrman Semper Fi BBS - Ft Wayne, IN (219) 424-4292 The following is quoted from "The Khe Sanh Vet Newsletter". Just thought some of you might be interested. "Khe Sanh was the place for innovations in the Viet Nam War. In the past, it had been the place for the first use of 120mm mortars. Now, during the Siege, it was the place for the first use of massed NVA troops, the first use by the NVA of tanks. It was the first use of COFRAM munitions by Americans (during the fall of Lang Vei); the first use of "Gravel mines", and electronic sensors in a defensive battle situation; the first combat use of supplies being delivered by LAPES and GPES (landing of supplies by low- flying aircraft with supplies on a skid) and use of ground TPQ radars for delivering supplies. It was the first place for sustained use of B-52 Arc Light strikes for close-in bombing." If any of you are looking for good books on Khe Sanh, try the following: "End of the Line" Robert Pisor "Welcome to Vietnam, Mach Man" Ernest Spencer - Corps Press "Scarce Time" Written by William T Craig, former Team Sergeant of Team A-101 at Lang Vei (when it was overrun, Feb 1968) Ballentine Books Let's hear from some Khe Sanh vets...... NAM VET Newsletter Page 22 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 ================================================================== Drums be not Silent ================================================================== POW FREEDOM FOUNDATION P. O. Box 65, MCRD San Diego, CA 92140 (619) 283-9879 FAX:(619) 283-0850 Did the United States knowingly abandon American Prisoners of War to Communist Governments world wide? Does evidence exist of these abandonments? Are American Service Personnel (ASP) still alive as POWs in Communist countries? Why would the U.S. Government (USG) leave our POWs behind? Why would the Communists keep and continue to keep American Service Personnel? What can YOU do to help? PLEASE SPEND FIVE MINUTES READING THIS SHEET [ARTICLE] THEN YOU DECIDE AND ACT! Fact sheet paid for from donations to: POW FREEDOM FOUNDATION WWII HISTORY OF POWs German records pertaining to Allied POWs showed 20,000 ASPs were in German POW camps that had been, or would be, liberated by Soviet Forces. Some had been "liberated" as early as February 1945. It was later learned that Allied POWs "liberated" by the Soviets had been transported to Siberia, with all Soviet troops that had also been POWs. In 1946, the USG declared all World War II POWs and MIAs dead, even though many were known to be held in Siberia. To declare these personnel dead, the USG used the authority of the one year clause of the MISSING PERSONS ACT OF 1942. In 1945, John Noble, a U.S. civilian, was taken from East Germany to Siberia for 9-1/2 years of slave labor. He was released only because a third country asked the USG why he was there. PFC Howard Humble, a "liberated" U.S. POW also disappeared from East Germany. He was declared dead in 1946, only because he had not been seen, or heard of, for one year. KOREAN AND COLD WAR The USG expected more than 10,000 POWs from North Korea. Less than 6,000 returned. Since 1953 the status of 8,000 POWs is still undetermined. Allied POWs have been reported in North Korean slave labor camps as late as 1979. USG intelligence reported nearly 3,000 ASPs were moved from China to Siberia in 1953 and 1954. Eleven ASPs, captured in Korea in 1952, were released from China in 1955, but only after the Secretary General of the United NAM VET Newsletter Page 23 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Nations brought them to the attention of the USG. John Downey and Richard Fecteau (pilots) were captured by China in 1952. Fecteau returned in 1971 and Downey in 1973 as part of the Vietnamese POW exchange. Reports indicate that crew members of a U.S. Navy plane, shot down in the Baltic Sea in 1950, were captured by the Soviets. Since 1954, 200 ASPs have disappeared during brushes with Soviet Forces. All have been declared dead under the MISSING PERSONS ACT OF 1942. In 1954 all U.S. POW/MIAs were declared dead under the MISSING PERSONS ACT OF 1942. THE VIETNAM WAR The first American was imprisoned in Southeast Asia in 1961, the last in 1973, the last MIA in 1975. In 1973, the USG was expecting more than 1,200 POWs for Operation Homecoming. Only POWs 591 came home, some known live POWs did not. Of the 569 ASP MIAs in Laos, nearly half were known to be POWs. No POWs, held by any Laotian Forces were released. No accord was signed between Laos and the U.S. Col. Charles E. Shelton, shot down over Laos April 29, 1965 on his 33rd birthday, is the only American still officially listed as a PRISONER OF WAR by the U.S. Government. Except for Col. Shelton, in 1979 all ASPs were declared dead under the MISSING PERSONS ACT OF 1942. As of May 1991, there are 2,274 Americans still unaccounted for in SE Asia. Of the POWs, MIAs and Killed In Action-Body Not Recovered (KIA-BNR), 80 percent are pilots and flight crews, only 20 percent are ground personnel. EVIDENCE OF ABANDONMENT POWs came from 13 separate camps. U.S. Intelligence knew of only 9 camps so we received POWs from 4 camps we did not know existed. The USG received some POWs back in 1973 we had no knowledge were in captivity. In 1979, PFC Robert Garwood, USMC, was returned from Vietnam. He claimed he had knowledge of four Communist POW camps still active. In 1985, Special Forces Major Mark Smith and Sgt Melvin McIntyre filed suit against the U.S. Government alleging they were prevented from acting on evidence of POWs in SE Asia. In 1987, Hun Sen, Premier of Kampuchea, accused the USG of never having directly asked his Government about MIAs lost there. The USG confirmed that it has no intention of contacting Sen's Government directly on the POW issue. In 1989, a Buddhist monk was released by Hanoi after 14 years of imprisonment. He identified 6 ASPs being held as POWs by the Communists. Also in 1989, Stan Cottrell, a long distance runner and a member of the Billy Graham Crusade, said he witnessed about 20 Americans entering "heavily camouflaged tunnels" north of Hue, Vietnam. In October 1990, Vietnam's Deputy Premier Nguyen Co Thach told the USG that his government was holding an American. This man has since been identified as a civilian member of the GLOMAR JAVA SEA which sunk off the coast of Vietnam during a typhoon in October 1983. Other survivors are thought to still be there. An interim Senate report released n October 1990 states that the DOD "IN APRIL 1974 CONCLUDED BEYOND A DOUBT THAT SEVERAL HUNDRED LIVING AMERICAN POWs REMAINED IN CAPTIVITY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA". NAM VET Newsletter Page 24 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 IMPORTANT POW/MIA QUOTES "Accounting for Americans Missing in Action is a matter of highest national priority." - PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH - JUL 28, 1989 and again, JUL 1990. "There are today, Americans held against their will in foreign lands and Americans who are unaccounted for." PRESIDENT BUSH - JAN 20, 1989. "There is quite a lot of evidence given by people who have no ulterior motives and no reasons to lie, and they are telling things they have seen. I do think there has to be ... there have to be live Americans there." - FORMER NAT'L SEC. ADVISOR ROBERT McFARLANE - OCT 9, 1985 "During my tenure as Director, I saw more information on POWs than any other man in the world. I was convinced then, and I am convinced today, that Americans are being held against their will by the Communists in SE Asia. There could be 50-60 in Vietnam, maybe more." FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE DEFENSE INTEL AGENCY, LtGen EUGENE TIGHE - 1986 "Look, the nation knows they (the POWs) are there, everybody knows they are there, but there's no groundswell of support for getting them out. Certainly you are not suggesting we pay for them, surely not saying we could do anything like that with no public support?" FORMER CIA DIRECTOR WILLIAM CASEY - OCT 7, 1986 "There is no longer any question that there are live Americans in SE Asia. The question is who they are and how many of them there are. There could be Americans in the mountains, in the caves, in areas beyond their control. For God's sake, bring them home." CONGRESSMAN G. SOLOMON - 1986 "By the end of the war there was probably close to 480 names on the list of MIAs which I carried around... 302 to 304 alive. Only a small percent were returned. If you find anybody at my operational level that said we got 'em all back, I'll be totally surprised." FORMER NAT'L SECURITY AGENCY ANALYST, JERRY MOONEY - 1986. "My plan was to be totally honest and forthcoming on the entire issue and aggressively pursue innovative actions and concepts to clear up the live sighting business. I became painfully aware, however, that I was not really in charge of my own office. Practically all analysis is directed to finding fault with the source. The policy people manipulating the affair have maintained their distance and remained hidden in the shadows, while using the Office as a TOXIC WASTE DUMP to bury the whole MESS. Whatever happens in the issue, DIA takes the blame, while the real players remain invisible." CHIEF OF THE SPECIAL OFFICE FOR POW/MIAs, COL MILLARD A. PECK, Request for Relief - 12 FEB 1991 THE USG LEFT OUR POWs BEHIND Every administration since the Nixon administration has been unable to recover the ASPs in SE Asia. Each subsequent administration has compounded the tragedy and would become directly accountable for the men who died during their tenure in NAM VET Newsletter Page 25 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 office. In 1973 the pressure to withdraw from SE Asia was immense and Congress refused to appropriate the 3.4 billion dollars in war reparations that had been promised by President Nixon. There has been a conspiracy of silence and clear lack of resolve to address the POW issue. There has been a long history of neglect and incompetence, protection of individual career interest, poor judgment and insufficient correlation, synthesis, processing and dissemination of POW data. THE COMMUNISTS STILL KEEP ASPs Our representatives at the Paris Peace Accords failed to demand the return of all of our POWs. Hanoi never released them because we never asked for them. The countries of Laos and Cambodia did not participate in the Paris Peace negotiations which led to an agreement only between the U.S. Government and North Vietnam. No direct, formal negotiations for POWs were ever conducted with either country. Prisoners could have been retained as insurance against the 3.5 billion dollars that the Vietnamese termed a "blood debt". Remaining American POWs were to be used as a bargaining tool if the planned military objectives against South Vietnam were not successful. POWs were retained for purposes of internal propaganda. The countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia included many different regional and political factions. These factions may have held POWs outside of "official government control" in remote areas. Many of the missing men who were not returned had highly specialized expertise or advanced training in areas of particular value. A very small number of these "high priority captures" such as the Electronics Warfare Officer (EWO) on the F-4 Phantom jet were ever returned. Basic mechanical, repair and maintenance skills were also needed by an underdeveloped Vietnam. Many of the enlisted men captured and not returned had valuable "hardware" skills. The Communists consider POWs as "war criminals" who are not entitled to the protection of the Geneva convention which requires the return of POWs after a negotiated settlement. Further, the Vietnamese do not feel bound to recognize these men as POWs because the U.S. Government never officially declared war in Vietnam. WHAT CAN YOU DO? CALL/WRITE your Congressman, Senator and President weekly and demand that HR 1730, The Missing Service Personnel Act replace The Missing Persons Act of 1942. Demand that all Servicemen be accounted for and that our POWs be brought home - NOW! DISPLAY THE POW flag and stickers, WEAR a POW bracelet and T- shirt and GIVE ten friends a copy of this fact sheet. SUBSCRIBE to the FREEDOM FIGHTER newsletter and keep current on POW issues. Donate what you can to a POW/MIA organization. REMEMBER THEM - THEY STILL WAIT! NAM VET Newsletter Page 26 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 POW ITEMS AVAILABLE VIA DONATIONS QTY/TOTAL POW Flag, 3' X 5' $20 ____/_____ Double sided/Outdoor T-Shirt $10 ___/______ M L XL XXL POW Newsletter (yr) $15 ___/_______ POW/MIA Bracelet $ 5 ___/_______ POW Patch $ 5 ___/_______ Run FT Wall Patch $ 5 ___/_______ POW Window Sticker $ 3 ___/_______ POW Lapel Pin $ 3 ___/_______ Postage & Handling $ _______ ($1 for each $5 ordered) Total Enclosed $ _______ (VISA & MASTERCARD AVAILABLE) __________________________________________________ (Name) __________________________________________________ (Address) __________________________________________________ (Address) The POW FREEDOM FOUNDATION is a nonprofit, tax deductible organization [501(c)(3)] (IRS #33-0384562) dedicated to the freedom of American and Allied POW/MIAs through public education, awareness and direct action. The FOUNDATION is the organizer of the annual RUN FOR THE WALL veterans POW awareness "run" between San Diego and Washington, D.C. each May. Thank you for your support. POW FREEDOM FOUNDATION P. O. Box 65, MCRD San Diego, CA 92140 (619) 283-9879 FAX: (619) 283-0850 NAM VET Newsletter Page 27 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 PENTAGON ADMITS TO CONGRESS THAT POWS ARE ALIVE IN LAOS!!!!!!! By Mike Blair August 26, 1991 Exclusive to the Spotlight Submitted by Marsha Ledeman VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 The SPOTLIGHT has learned that the Pentagon has evidence American prisoners of war left behind in Laos from the Vietnam War are still alive and in captivity. Reliable sources have told THE SPOTLIGHT that during a closed door session of the House Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs it was revealed that live American POWs were being held in Laos. Testimony regarding the live POWS was reportedly presented to the subcommittee. chaired by Rep. Stephen J. Solarz (D-N.Y.). by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Carl W. Ford. The Department of Defense has not confirmed publicly Ford's reported assertions nor has the subcommittee announced any details of the closed-door session. Ford, according to SPOTLIGHT sources, told the subcommittee members that the Americans were in poor mental condition due to their long years of confinement and harsh treatment. The exact number of Americans being held in Laos was apparently not revealed by Ford. However, private sources working on the POW- MIA issue, with close ties to what is going on within the Southeast Asian nation, which borders northern Vietnam, have estimated there are at least 70 Americans being held. The lid was blown off the POW-MIA issue when a series of photographs of reported Americans in captivity began to flow out of Southeast Asia, starting with a photo of three American fliers supposedly being held as prisoners in Laos (Spotlight,July 29). They have all been positively identified by their families, although the Pentagon claims the photograph is a fake. This photograph was followed by several more of individual captives believed to be Americans and also identified by their families. One of the most striking of the photographs was released by Col. Jack Bailey, a longtime POW-MIA activist who has worked in Southeast Asia for years, searching for clues to the locations of missing Americans. The captive in the photograph has been identified as Army Special Forces Capt. Donald Gene Carr of San Antonio, Texas, by his family. Bailey claims proof of the photo's authenticity is confirmed by the fact that the clothing Carr is wearing in the photograph was smuggled into Laos by Bailey. NAM VET Newsletter Page 28 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Carr became missing in action on July 6, 1971, when the Air Force OV1OA Bronco reconnaissance aircraft he was a passenger in was shot down inside of Laos, west of Ben Het. Another striking series of photographs have been smuggled out of Laos through the efforts of Circuit Court Judge Hamilton Gayden of Nashville, Tennessee, and his Laotian-American bailiff, Khambang Sibounheuange, identifying as being a captive an American Navy flier missing for 18 years. Sibounheuange was an officer in the Laotian Army before the communists overthrew the nation in 1975. Gayden and Sibounheuange have released to the press photographs which have been identified as being of Navy Lt. Daniel Borah Jr. Borah parachuted from his Navy attack jet northwest of the city of Quang Tri, South Vietnam, on September 24, 1972, while he was attacking communist troops entrenched in bunkers. The two POW-MIA activists claim to have received 19 photographs and negatives of Borah that were smuggled out of Laos by Laotian anti-communist resistance fighters. Gayden and Sibounheuange claim to have "conclusive evidence," including photographs, negatives, hair, fingerprints and footprints, of 14 American servicemen missing in Laos. They also claim to have lists of names and nicknames of more than 70 Americans being held as prisoners. They estimate from 90 to 200 Americans are being held in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Most of them, according to the two men, are being held near where the three countries intersect. They are held in the deep jungle and periodically transferred from one country to another. Gayden and Sibounheuange have been working with U.S. Sen. Robert Smith (R-N.H.) and U.S. Rep. Robert Clement (D-Tenn.) NAM VET Newsletter Page 29 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Not Prepared to be Abandoned! By William P. Hoar The New American Vol.7, No.18 August 27, 1991 Submitted by Marsha Ledeman NamVet MIA/POW Section Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 [Mr. Hoar is editor of World News Digest and the author of the book ARCHITECTS OF CONSPIRACY.] "They also serve who only stand and wait," wrote John Milton more than three hundred years ago. True enough. But Dorothy Howard McDaniel found that just waiting wasn't enough. Standing by would not suffice, not when there was no word of her naval aviator husband missing behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War. North Vietnam refused to acknowledge he was being held. Nor could she be satisfied, even after then Commander Eugene "Red" McDaniel was at long last identified as a Prisoner of War in Hanoi, that the U.S. government was doing its utmost for our men who, as it happened, were being tortured brutally by the communists. Regardless of what some in the bureaucracy wanted, Mrs. McDaniel would not let our men and their plight be forgotten. As the headlines in recent weeks attest, that war is not over for some, despite the fact that the Paris Peace Accords were signed 18 years ago. Captain McDaniel, now retired, made it back alive, and he and his wife have not given up hope for the men so many fear were abandoned outright by the country they swore to defend. On 81 missions until 1967 (when Captain McDaniel's A-6 Intruder was shot down) to the present, the McDaniel team has been fighting on two fronts. SHIFTING BATTLEFIELD: First, it was combat from the air for Red, while Dorothy reinforced the family at home. Then they fought back against Hanoi, he from inside the prison camp and she from outside. Later, it became an effort with both allies and adversaries in a divided Washington, whose more powerful side preferred that the truth be ignored and eventually buried. With recent revelations being so well-publicized, after such a lengthy war in the shadows, one cannot blame Red for being somewhat optimistic. "We're on a roll," he said in mid-July. "This used to be lonely battle, but it isn't anymore. We're beginning to see the beginning of the end. "Yet, even as he has been doing his best to bring the issue to the forefront, unseen enemies within the government have been smearing McDaniel, intimating (and getting the message spread on national television) that he is somehow involved only for financial motives. Red is an honorable man who can defend himself. Nevertheless, as he asks, why "kill the messenger" who brings word that some of our missing may yet be alive? Red McDaniel's decorations include the Navy Cross (for "outstanding leadership and heroism" in prison), two Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. yet as Red himself admits, it was his wife Dorothy who probably saved his life by helping mobilize the home front and publicizing the savagery of his captors. Quite a heroic team indeed. Mrs. McDaniel, who was to become a "single mother," public NAM VET Newsletter Page 30 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 organizer, and later a congressional press secretary, obviously didn't know what was about to happen before her husband's last tour in Vietnam. After the Hero's Welcome (her recent book) tells of her commitment to family and country, of her strong devotion to God, and of the courage required to carry through with those responsibilities. There's many a lump in the throat to be found throughout these pages. Dorothy McDaniel recalls Red trying to build up "quality time" with their seven and eight year old sons, and three year old daughter before he left. "Don't forget to sign Mike up for Little League," he told her. "I'll be back in time to see the last two or three games." An outstanding athlete himself, Red was "going off to war, and he was talking about baseball!" she marveled. "Be brave for me Dorothy," he said, holding me close. Mercifully, I could not foresee how many years would pass before his arms would hold me again." NO-WIN STRATEGY: Before that horrendous day when she heard the words "Red's down" from a Navy lieutenant, Dorothy had felt his frustration coming through on tapes and letters from the combat zone: He and other pilots were risking their lives flying through heavy antiaircraft fire and evading deadly radar-guided surface-to-air missiles, to bomb insignificant targets; storage facilities, truck repair depots, and the same bridges over and over again. They wanted to go after targets that would make a difference: the airfields, the SAM sites, the ships in Haiphong Harbor that they could see unloading hardware with impunity. Their targets were chosen for political reasons by the White House and never, he said, by the military commanders in the field, Hanoi, where the enemy's command structure was located, was definitely off limits. Informed that her husband was "presumably captured," Mrs. McDaniel was instructed not to talk about him outside the family. A State Department representative told her that they had "reason to believe" Red was being treated well, and she naively believed the "bureaucrats when they said,"We're doing all we can.'" Finally, after 17 months of public silence, with no confirmation from Hanoi about her husband's existence (which might mean no accounting at war's end), she and a few other wives in late 1968 started to speak out. Meanwhile, in Hanoi, the brutality was unspeakable --- from beatings, to rope tortures that broke Red's arm, to repeated electric shock, to lacerating cuffs. The North Vietnamese were turning the screws on their American captives. SILENCE NO LONGER: A line from a prayer ends one of Dorothy's early speeches: "Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen." The POW/MIA wives started a firestorm. By the fall of 1969, as Captain McDaniel wrote in his own 1975 book SCARS and STRIPES, "the pressure of the torture was easing, and I am sure that the people in the States demanding better treatment for us have to get the credit. We didn't know how much work the POW wives were doing with their persistent effort to get better treatment for us, but sometimes new shoot-downs brought us NAM VET Newsletter Page 31 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 up to date. I had no idea how much Dorothy was involved --- that she was playing a key role in the organization of POW wives back in Virginia Beach." It was three full years before Dorothy received word, via a six- line letter from Red in Hanoi, that her husband was actually alive. Throughout Red's confinement, the North Vietnamese doled out letters to Dorothy like bones to a dog. For example, she got seven short notes in all of 1970, four in 1971. In one of these Red asked about "Kelly," supposedly referring to their dog, but actually an attempt to indicate he had not seen his bombardier- navigator. The inside fighter was worried about others even in the belly of the beast. NEW MISSIONS: When freedom finally came in 1973, and Red deplaned, Dorothy's eyes were so filled with tears she couldn't see him properly on the television. It would be a heartless reader, having only sampled her family's trials, who didn't get misty as well. Homecoming and reunion were glorious --- tempered when she dis- covered how brutal had been the torture inflicted by the communists. "The congregation of our own church had prayed for Red for six years," she recollects, "and they were spellbound as he told them how God had heard their prayers and had delivered him from the hands of his enemies." Captain McDaniel was given command of a supply ship, then of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. The deteriorating shape of the military was shaping Red's politics, though he felt obliged to keep his view private (especially so under President Carter, when McDaniel became director of Navy Liaison for the U.S. House of Representatives). After Carter's military slashing, Red was elected, though the couple would later become heartsick and disillusioned with those around the President, especially over the issue of those Missing in Action. Dorothy discovered that she and the other wives had been manipulated by the Nixon White House. Appendices in her book include official memos that show in black and white the crass POW/MIA politics played in the White House under both Nixon and Carter. Having honed her skills in the publicity efforts about the prisoners, she became a congressional press secretary. Then Red retired and decided to run for Congress in North Carolina --- as a Republican against a three-term incumbent in what was basically a one-party district. The theme was conservative, Red recalls: "When I returned home after six years in a Communist prison, I saw an America in trouble. Our national defense was crumbling. We had lost the respect of the world community. Big government was out of control. Well-meaning measures that we had taken to make life easier had grown into monsters that threatened to devour us. The moral fiber of our nation was disintegrating. A sense of helplessness and frustration was sapping our national spirit." Though McDaniel's electoral attempt failed, his message rang true. The enthusiasm generated by young people from his campaign stirred the formation of the American Defense Institute. What started as a pro-defense group, with an emphasis on the young and the importance of voting in the military, broadened into a concern for those still missing. MIA families were growing restive and needed a leader who would not be a parrot for the Administration (the League of Families that Mrs. McDaniel had helped organize was NAM VET Newsletter Page 32 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 attacking Red for his efforts). The McDaniels found themselves being drawn into another battle. ADMISSIONS OF MISSING MEN: Mentioning "live sightings" of those missing, as Captain McDaniel was doing, was not popular with some in power. One midnight in the summer of 1985 a phone call came from the POW "handler" on the National Security Council, complaining about his raising such matters. Dorothy recalls: Groggy with sleep, Red held the receiver a few inches from his ear and just listened, puzzled. Finally, he asked, "Tell me, Dick, do you think we still have American POWs in Southeast Asia?" "You're damn right we do," Colonel Dick Childress of the White House staff boomed. Red bolted upright in bed, wide awake now. "When do we get them home, Dick?" he asked. "In two or three years, Red." "That's too long, Dick. They're running out of time," Red said and hung up the receiver. Childress, by the way, has recently stated: "Vietnam knows enough to account for hundreds of Americans, if Hanoi would make the political decision to do so." The McDaniel family was not intimidated. Red and Dorothy helped provide information for Kiss The Boys Goodbye, a startling expose by Monika Jensen-Stevenson and William Stevenson. In that 1990 book, the former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, General Eugene Tighe, is quoted as saying, "There are other live Americans over there." Roger Shields, who once handled POW/MIA matters for the Pentagon, admitted, "We negotiated the prisoners away." A member of the elite Delta Force told Captain McDaniel at Fort Bragg that "we have planned two different rescue missions into Southeast Asia. We knew where the men were. We knew how many were there. We were ready to go. We were excited about it. But, at the last minute, both time, someone cancelled the mission. "The soldier revealed his deep disappointment at his country's conduct, saying: "Captain, those men have been abandoned by this country. There's no two ways about it. Thank God for men like you who refuse to let that happen." TIMELY MESSAGE: The manuscript for After The Hero's Welcome was completed in November 1990. Yet the book could not be more timely. The developments of the last month or two have put the cause of the missing on the front pages. A recent Senate study concludes that the intent of past bureaucratic POW/MIA investigations has been to debunk and reject all evidence that there may be any of our men alive in Southeast Asia. (The interim Senate report is included in the volume.) The chief of the DIA's office for POWs and MIAs, Colonel Millard Peck, resigned over this issue earlier this year, saying: "From my vantage point, I observed that the principal government players were interested primarily in conducting a `damage control' exercise." Peck found that there was no effort to pursue live sightings --- and there have been more than 1,400 firsthand sightings reported since the end of the war. Perhaps it is now too late for some of our MIAs. No doubt there has been some fabrication of evidence by those in the region NAM VET Newsletter Page 33 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 hoping for payoffs. that is not the point. For how can even ONE MAN be left behind? Senator Bob Smith (R-NH), who is trying to set up a Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, recently testified on Capitol Hill, quoting Red McDaniel. "`I was prepared to fight,'" quoted Smith. "`I was prepared to be wounded; I was prepared to be captured; I was even prepared to die ------ but I wasn't prepared to be abandoned.'" But the evidence indicates that is exactly what has happened to American POWs and MIAs...... NAM VET Newsletter Page 34 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 ANATOMY OF A POW-MIA SCAM! By Chuck Fremont October 1991 Soldier of Fortune Magazine Input by Marsha Ledeman NamVet MIA/POW Section Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Robert K. Brown had seen it before. A grainy photo of three middle-aged Caucasian men, smiling, well-fed, grouped around a cryptic sign. Allegedly taken in Cambodia, the photo was said to show three American aviators, held captive for more than 20 years. When the photo hit the national press on a slow news day in July, Brown got on the horn to a long-time friend. "Mongoose," active in the continuing fight for freedom in communist Southeast Asia, had first seen the photo, along with Brown, in October 1990. An American journalist working in Thailand obtained it from a Cambodian "businessman" near Site 2, a refugee settlement in Thailand. The Cambodian claimed the POWs were being held near Phnom Penh. Mongoose thought the photo was bogus, but he passed it to appropriate contacts in the U.S. intelligence community. They confirmed his assessment and returned the photo. He filed it away. Mongoose later learned that the journalist also sent copies to the families of Major Albro Lundy and Colonel John Robertson, Air Force pilots lost in Indochina. Family members passed copies to William "Billy" Hendon and Jack Bailey, longtime POW/MIA activists. One of these men apparently passed the photo to Eugene "Red" McDaniel, who released the photo to the press, claiming that the U.S. government was suppressing this "evidence" of live POWs. This is just one more scam coming out of the cottage industry in phony POW reports in Southeast Asia," Mongoose told Brown. "These hustlers figure if a live POW is worth $1 million U.S., a picture or letter, or even a rumor, should be worth at least a few bucks. "It's no accident that Robertson and Stevenson were named as the POWs in the photo," Mongoose continued. "thousands of leaflets offering a reward for POW information were floated into Laos by balloons from Thailand and given to Cambodians to launch into the Mekong in 1989. "Robertson's and Stevenson's names were on those leaflets, along with computer-aged photos. Robertson's name was misspelled on the flier. Guess what? His name was misspelled identically on a letter that he was supposed to have written from some forced-labor farm." "What's their official status?" Brown asked Mongoose. "Robertson was carried KIA/BNR. His back-seater punched out when they were hit, but Robertson never got out. His wingman followed him in, confirmed that the F-4 Phantom exploded on contact with Robertson still on board. Stevens went down in an A- 6 Intruder over Laos; he was carried MIA. No one ever came out of Laos; not one POW. The Pathet Lao have stonewalled us ever since the war. "And Lundy was lost in Laos too," Mongoose added. "He was a `Sandy'; flew Skyraiders in support of `Pony Express,' the Jolly Greens on search and rescue missions. They'd go in low and slow; NAM VET Newsletter Page 35 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 orbit while the PJs (pararescuemen) went in on the pick-up. Lundy reported engine trouble and bailed out. The other four Sandys all saw the parachute open, but they said the harness was empty. They figured he'd unhooked the leg straps. Those guys would do crazy stuff in those big cockpits to get comfortable; they were up there four or five hours sometimes." "But they never found his body?" Brown asked. "No. They sent in the PJs at the crash site, no trace. Never even picked up a distress signal. They carried him MIA, but the review board changed it to KIA later on. Stevens I don't know about, but the bottom line on Lundy and Robertson is they bought the farm." "Well, if this latest photo is bogus, I want to blow it out of the sky," Brown told Mongoose. "It's just causing more anguish for the families, and these bullshit reports discredit the legitimate investigators; make anyone concerned with POW/MIAs look like a nut. And that's wrong." Mongoose went to work on a detailed analysis of the photo. He talked to sources in the U.S. intelligence community, but they were of little help. In the end, it was his 10 years of on-the- ground experience in Southeast Asia and close contacts with the Vietnamese and Laotian expatriate community in the U.S. that told him who the men were and where the mysterious photo originated. He called Brown back the next day --- Friday, 19 July 1991. Mongoose told Brown that the photo probably originated in communist Vietnam. "this sign in the photograph located it in Lam Dong province, near Da Lat in Vietnam's Central Highlands. The Vietnamese write a date with a location preceding it; the `LD' in front of the date stands for Lam Dong," according to Mongoose. "The word `photo' at the top of the sign is clearly written as two words --- `PHO TO' --- this is a distinctly Vietnamese linguistic style, " he said. "What about the periods separating the date?" Brown asked. "I've never seen Americans write a date like that." "Right. Now, the next line is `NNTK.' `TK' stands for thieu khu, Vietnamese for `small unit,' as in a military unit. I believe the `NN' stands for nhan nguia, which is the designation for a civil engineering-type outfit, like our Navy Seabees. Next line is `KBC 19,' which stand for Kha Buu Chinh 19. This is the Vietnamese equivalent to an APO or a military postal address. KBC 19, as I recall, was a Vietnamese address in Cam Ranh." Since 1975, Cam Ranh Bay has been a major base for Soviet Far East forces. The Da Lat/Lam Dong area is often visited by Soviet personnel assigned to Cam Ranh. Mongoose consulted with authorities on the Soviet Union regarding the clothing and general appearance of the men in the photo. "the man to the right, identified as possibly being Larry Stevens," Mongoose, "is wearing a Stalin style tunic. My Soviet expert identified this tunic, and specifically the points beneath the buttons on the breast pockets, as being distinctly Russian. The high collar and lack of epaulets are characteristic of a Cossack tunic, which was adopted as a Soviet field fatigue uniform. The other men wear darker clothing, possible naval uniforms. One appears to have a hat under his hand. The haircuts, NAM VET Newsletter Page 36 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 round faces and mustaches are consistent with Soviet or Eastern European appearance. And these individuals just look too healthy to be prisoners. Most POWs lost hair, lost body mass, lost muscle mass. These guys are pretty chubby. "There are problems with the sign. There is a black box --- or a blocked-out area --- below it. On the left-hand side, it looks like there was air-brushing or blocking done to the photograph below the sign. The sign looks like it was superimposed and then air brushed to make it look like part of the photograph. "My conclusion is that the men are Soviets, possibly in an extremely old picture that was reworked in an unsophisticated Vietnamese lab. The Vietnamese added the sign that appears on the photograph to date it for use as a POW scam, based on the flier that was floated all over from Laos," Mongoose told Brown. "The sign, in fact, is probably nothing more than an identification note conveniently taken from the back of another photograph in the lab that created the forgery." This article was written by Chuck Fremont who is an Army Special Forces Reserve NCO. __________________________________________________________________ Anyone want to write about this article should write to: Articles editor: Soldier of Fortune P.O.Box 693, Boulder, Co. 80306 The phone number for the editorial office is: (303) 449-3750 I would also like more information on "Mongoose" ... thanks Marsha Ledeman NAM VET Newsletter Page 37 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 DIA wants to stop POW search 8/26/91 -EXCLUSIVE- to the Spotlight By Mike Blair Input by: Marsha Ledeman NamVet MIA/POW Section Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 The administration of President George bush, stung by the recent series of photographs of American prisoners still being held captive from the Vietnam War in Southeast Asia, is proposing legislation "to punish anyone who fraudulently holds out false hope to Americans with relatives missing from the war." According to SPOTLIGHT sources, Pentagon officials also want legislation to punish those who willfully withhold information that could help investigators learn whether missing servicemen are still alive. This flies in the face of statements made to the contrary by former national security advisers of the previous administration of President Ronald Reagan, including Richard Allen and Robert McFarland. Scowcroft's statement also brought a sharp rebuke from Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole of Kansas, who said he doesn't believe Scowcroft knows for sure. He has urged that Bush establish a special commission to focus on the issue. PROPOSE LEGISLATION: However, the Justice Department is reportedly putting together legislation that would punish those who circulate fraudulent information about live sightings of American POWs and MIAs and for not reporting evidence to government investigators. "This is nothing but an effort by the Pentagon to stifle private efforts to help resolve the POW-MIA issue, while the government wants to cover it up," an officer of one POW-MIA activist group told The SPOTLIGHT. "Such a law will frighten people from coming forward with information, since they will fear it will be declared fraudulent, thus making them subject to prosecution," he added. "The Defense Intelligence Agency [DIA] will determine if the evidence is fraudulent and will be allowed to collect solid evidence and then bury it under a blanket of national security," he concluded. According to SPOTLIGHT sources, the Bush administration hopes to have the new law tacked onto the anti-crime package currently pending in Congress. The sources said the DIA pressed for the legislation during a closed door session of the House POW-MIA Task Force on August 1. REPORTS FILTERED: Reports from the DIA, the U.S. intelligence agency chartered during the Reagan administration as being responsible for POW and MIA intelligence collection and evaluation, go to the White House, after being carefully filtered by the special "interagency group" that supposedly coordinates efforts to resolve the issue. Col. Millard Peck, who quit his post as DIA's chief of POW affairs, charged in his five-page resignation, which he tacked to his office door, that Ann Mills Griffiths, executive director of the supposedly private National League of POW-MIA Families, is the real power behind the interagency group. NAM VET Newsletter Page 38 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 As Peck charged, and as documents uncovered by The SPOTLIGHT reveal, Mrs. Griffiths does direct the Pentagon how to deal with the POW-MIA issue, even to the point of editing and rewriting policy statements. Peck and others have charged that DIA, frequently under Mrs. Griffiths's guidance, is more concerned with debunking reports and evidence of live POWs being held in captivity than in actually investigating them. Sen. Robert Smith (R-N.H.), who is proposing the Senate establish a select committee to deal as an oversight group to monitor the manner in which the Pentagon deals with the POW is opposed to the passage of legislation that would establish criminal penalties for willfully withholding information or for disseminating fraudulent information. An aide to Smith said the senator is convinced the administration is attempting to close down national debate on the POW-MIA issue and he believes punitive legislation would help serve to accomplish that end. "The DIA and the administration have a tendency to discredit reports first and not thoroughly investigate." the aide said. Smith said he is convinced after "countless" briefings that the Pentagon has "not followed up diligently on every one of the reports from Southeast Asia." DIA officials have told members of Congress in an effort to force passage of the punitive legislation that there is a "cottage industry" in the United States and Southeast Asia that "[manufactures] evidence" about supposed live POWs. This is from a statement by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), who favors such legislation. Such evidence includes phony dog tags from supposed live POWs and MIAs and phony photographs purporting to show Americans in captivity, Hyde added. But those, including Smith, who oppose such legislation contend the Pentagon has been all too eager to tar with the same brush persons coming forth with genuine information as those with the false information. "I have always wondered," Ted Sampley, chairman of Homecoming II, a national POW-MIA activist group based in North Carolina, said, "why they never tell us who these frauds are so that people can be forewarned about them." The Defense Department, in its efforts to curb the firestorm that has resulted from the recent flow of POW photographs from Southeast Asia, said that between the fall of Vietnam in 1975 and last June 10 there have been 13,473 reports made to the U.S. government of live Americans in captivity. Pentagon officials said about 25 percent of the reports are known or suspected of being phony. However, what about the other 75 percent??? NAM VET Newsletter Page 39 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 ================================================================== Shiftin' Sands ================================================================== Desert Storm Trophies WARNING! Input by Charlie Revie NamVet's KOTL (Keeper of the List) Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 SUBJECT: Desert Storm Weapons 29 Jul 91 1. Request supervisors pass this memo to personnel who supported Desert Storm overseas. 2. In late June 91, Army CID reports indicate that three booby- trapped AK-47 rifles, recovered during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, presented a potential threat to personnel handling them. The rifles in question were initially recovered in and around the Kuwaiti Theater of Operations (KTO) and retained as "War Trophies". The booby-traps consist of an unknown type of plastic explosive with detonator placed into a hollowed out portion of the rifles' buttstocks. The buttstock device is designed to detonate the explosive charge upon recoil, as the weapon is fired. Currently, only weapons with fixed buttstocks have been discovered fitted with the booby-trap device. Information received in late June 91 indicated the booby-traps were relatively simple in construction and did not appear to contain anti-tampering components. It is unknown at this time whether this is an isolated incident of weapons tampering or whether more of these booby-trapped weapons are among those that were recovered after the war in the middle east. 3. In accordance with Army Safety and Physical Security Standards, any rifles (AK-47 or otherwise) with wooden buttstocks recovered from the KTO and shipped to CONUS during or after the gulf war should be examined closely prior to test firing. If the examiner suspects tampering, arrangements should be made with EOD to x-ray the buttstock of the rifle in question. If concealed explosives are found, the local Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms office should be notified. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Para 4, had some local information about whom to contact, etc. But common sense says if you have one or know someone who has one, don't screw with it (you too Richard -- though it might help with the cucarachas and the hostiles) but any military installation of any consequence usually has an EOD unit as likely does the local Police Department -- call 'em. If they screw up the weapon that is better than getting your head blown into orbit. $#@~@~$&#$#!$#%$^$%*&%&%$%#$#%$# Iraggis!!!!!!!!!!!!! and toss the Iranis in for good measure------- Charlie NAM VET Newsletter Page 40 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Desert Storm Vet Not Forgotten Anonymous To S. Sgt. Michael R. Conner Sr.: Dear Michael; You don't know me and I never met you. This is the wrong place to leave you a letter,but there is no memorial yet for those of you that perished in Desert Storm, so I guess the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is as good a place as any. How do I know you?, you may be asking. Well there was an article about you along with your poem in the White Sands Missile Ranger Feb. 22,1991. I still have the article and poem: "MY SYMBOL" I had a dream near 3 a.m. That crashed into my night A multitude of warriors Standing in full sight On their anguished faces Were grim and hateful glares; They wore Marine Corps blouses Yet all they did was stare. I saw wounds of Belleau Wood, I saw the scars of Guam, The dead were there of Heartbreak Ridge And a company from 'Nam. Then, one spoke out and asked me A question loud and strong: "Can they burn the flag we died for?" How can it NOT be wrong? I did not have an answer To ease their angry pain I could only give excuses For a country gone insane... I saw the flag on Iwo Just before I died I saw that lead pole lifted Where the flag was safely tied. I know it's just a symbol That flies above our graves, But, let it be a symbol Of what these men and I gave. With that, the dream was over, And I woke with fear and shame. To think a FOOL can trample The flag that bears OUR names. . . You had no way of knowing that the flag WOULD bear your name. Rest easy Michael, you are not forgotten. -- A friend NAM VET Newsletter Page 41 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 Operation Desert Shield NMNMNMNMNMNMNM\ Operation Desert Storm MH * * * HN/NMNMNMNMNMNMNMNNMNM\ NH * * * HM/MH * * HMNMMNMN/MMMMMMMMMMMMM\ MH * * * HN/NH * * * H////////MMMMMMMMMMMMM/MMMMMMMMMMMMMMH NH * * * HM/MH * * H//////////////////////MMMMMMMMMMMMMMH MH * * * HN/NH * * * HNMNMMNM/////////////////////////////H MH * * * HM/MH* * * HMNMNNMN/NMNMNMNNMNMNM///////////////H MH * * * HN/NH * * * H////////MNMNMNMMNMNMN/NMNMNNMNMNNMNHH NH * * * HM/MH * * H//////////////////////MNMNMMNMNMMNMNH MH * * * HN/NH * * * HMNMMNMN/////////////////////////////H H//////////////MH * * HNMNNMNM/NMNMNMNNMNMNM///////////////H H//////////////////////////////////MNMNMNMMNMNMN/NMNMNNMNMNNMNMH NNNNNNNNNNNNNN///////////////////////////////////MNMNMMNMNMMNMNH NNNNNNNNNNNNNN/NMNMNMNMNMNMNMNNMNM/////////////////////////////H H//////////////MNMNMNMNMNMNMNMMNMN/NMNMNMNNMNMNM///////////////H H//////////////////////////////////MNMNMNMMNMNMN/NMNMNNMNMNNMNMH MNMNMNMNMNMNMN///////////////////////////////////MNMNMMNMNMMNMNH NMNMNMNMNMNMNM\NMNMNMNMNMNMNMMNMNM/////////////////////////////H \NMNMNMNMNMNMNNMNMN\NMNMNMNNMNMNM///////////////H \MNMNMNMMNMNMN\NMNMNNMNMNNMNMH WELL DONE !!! \MNMNMMNMNMMNMNH WELCOME HOME!!! NAM VET Newsletter Page 42 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 "Long Time Now" By Jim Kramer Submitted by Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 This was sent to me in a newsletter from "Vietnam Veterans for Christ" from Searcy, Ark. -- Joyce "It's been a long, long time - now so many days have passed - how? yet, a sight, sound, or a smell will bring back the "past hell". The sight of a line of trees, a "huey" sound or diesel on a breeze, trigger moments we thought were gone, 'n jolt us from sleep before dawn. The smell over there can't be told, it was the heat, death 'n blood that's old, why was I there 'n allowed to come back, while others came home in a plastic sack. Perhaps, someday it will be clear, when I'm reunited with those so dear, just for today I accept it's "the plan", part of the work of a "greater hand". The price we paid can never be counted, but tears 'n pain can be surmounted. just let them out with those who care, those who listen make it easier to bear. Today, I'm proud I did my part, its a feeling down deep in my heart, I did my best 'n am glad to be alive, Wasn't it our goal to at least " survive". NAM VET Newsletter Page 43 Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991 WAR CRIMES TRIAL FOR HUSSEIN CONSIDERED BUT CRIMES OF VIETNAM'S PRIME MINISTER IGNORED By Tom Cartwright - SPECIAL TO 8/24/91 U.S. VETERAN Input by Marsha Ledeman NamVet MIA/POW Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 The Congressional Human Rights Caucus is holding hearings to determine if Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should be tried as a war criminal for his troops' harsh treatment of "Coalition," including American, prisoners of war during the Persian Gulf conflict. Also under consideration for war crimes prosecution of Hussein is the Iraqis' brutal treatment of the Kurdish minority in Iraq and the people of Kuwait during Iraq's brief occupation of its tiny Arab neighbor state. Meanwhile, however, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the chairman of the Senate's new Select Committee on matters relating to America's unaccounted for POWs and MIAs, appears willing to overlook the atrocious war crimes of Vietnamese communist officials, including Vietnam's new prime minister, Vo Van Kiet, a key member of the Viet Cong Central Committee during the war in Vietnam. Kerry, in fact, while ignoring Vietnam's