Gulf War pilot reclassified as prisoner of war

Navy Times ^ | 16 March 2002 | Carolyn Skorneck

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

U.S. intelligence agencies say an American pilot shot down over Iraq during the Gulf War was either captured alive or his remains were recovered by the Iraqis. Lt. Cmdr. Michael Scott Speicher was lost when his Navy F-18 Hornet was shot down Jan. 16, 1991, in a dogfight with an Iraqi fighter jet during the first few hours of the war. He was the first American lost in the war.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Sorry if this is already posted. I did a search and didn't find anything.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"On Jan. 11, 2001, the day Speicher was declared MIA, U.S. officials said more than one informant had told U.S. intelligence agencies that an American thought to be Speicher was being held prisoner in Iraq after the war ended in March 1991. The sightings were in 1991 and 1992, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity."


February 1991:
Colonel Millard Peck,
Chief of the Pentagon's Special Office for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action,
resigns in protest of being ordered by policy makers in the POW/MIA Inter-Agency Group
not to investigate live-sighting reports of American POWs!

Where can I find the statistics for POW/MIA's from other wars than Vietnam?

There are things we as FReepers can do to help our POW/MIA's
Please see what you can do to help.
POW/MIA Awareness Campaigns-Get Involved

POW/MIA Web Ring List of sites.

[Pern]

If this is true, it is inexcusable. No US serviceman/woman deserves to be left behind.

[WyCoKsRepublican]

Bunk! If he was alive, the Iraqis would have used him for a propaganda "bargaining chip" long ago. I cannot see any reason why the news would now be breaking. I would hope he is alive, as a vet, I would love to see him return, healthy and safe, but this will not happen in all likelihood. This stuff is BUNK!.....

[WyCoKsRepublican]

DITTOS TO MY LAST POST!..........BUNK!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

The Iraqis probably executed him and are covering that up. We need to find out the truth even if it requires strangling every scumbag in the Iraqi government.

[antaresequity]

Odd...the title of this....He hasn't been reclassified as a POW. He was reclassified MIA on January 17 2001 I believe.

[WyCoKsRepublican]

I agree. I'd like to know the truth as well. Perhaps when we make a new "parking lot" for Wal Mart out of the Iraqi landscape, we'll find out a lot more. I'm tired of these jerks too.......

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Upon further review, I think your right. Interesting title and timing on the part of AP.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

This statement was made one month AFTER our Gulf War Pilot was declared MIA.

"I have seen firsthand how ready and willing the policy people are to sacrifice or abandon anyone who might be perceived as a political liability. It is quick and facile, and can be easily covered. I feel strongly that this issue is being manipulated and controlled at a higher level, not with the goal of resolving it, but more to obfuscate the question of live prisoners, and give the illusion of progress through hyperactivity.",
from the resignation of
Colonel Millard A. Peck, Chief of the Special Office for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action,
February 19, 1991.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

your = you're

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Interesting statement. We need to find out the truth, and I could give a crap if it makes some politicians look bad. It's wrong to sell out a guy for the sake of politics.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Odd...the title of this....He hasn't been reclassified as a POW."

Navy Times must have some inside track. Navy Times is reporting the AP headline and story.

[Pern]

It's wrong to sell out a guy for the sake of politics.

Right on the nose! How could a person sleep at night knowing that a person we owe so much to could be in enemy hands? I couldn't. Then again, my wife tells me I have a major flaw that is too uncommon in today's world: I have a conscience.

Apparently the people responsible (and someone IS responsible), will just hide behind the government's wall of secrecy.

[antaresequity]

Save me a trip to the reading room:

Bellicosity = ?

[krb]

I cannot see any reason why the news would now be breaking.

I can see why. True or not true, it's great propaganda for the US to be using to prepare our nation to invade Iraq with no coalition support.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

According to www.dictionary.com, bellicosity is: Warlike in manner or temperament; pugnacious; combative; belligerent.

[antaresequity]

thanks for the website...thats kewl...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Navy Times must have some inside track. Navy Times is reporting the AP headline and story.

Could be, maybe somebody at Navy Times has a heavy contact.