Posted on 08/02/2009 4:32:09 AM PDT by naturalman1975
The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) has positively identified remains recovered in Iraq as those of Captain Michael Scott Speicher. Captain Speicher was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet over west-central Iraq on January 17th, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Speicher's family for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country," said Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy. "I am also extremely grateful to all those who have worked so tirelessly over the last 18 years to bring Captain Speicher home."
“Our Navy will never give up looking for a shipmate, regardless of how long or how difficult that search may be,” said Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Captain Speicher and his family for the sacrifice they have made for our nation and the example of strength they have set for all of us.”
Acting on information provided by an Iraqi citizen in early July, US Marines stationed in Al Anbar Province went to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Captain Speicher’s jet. The Iraqi citizen stated he knew of two Iraqi citizens who recalled an American jet impacting the desert and the remains of the pilot being buried in the desert. One of these Iraqi citizens stated that they were present when Captain Speicher was found dead at the crash site by Bedouins and his remains buried. The Iraqi citizens led US Marines to the site who searched the area. Remains were recovered over several days during the past week and flown to Dover Air Force Base for scientific identification by the AFIP’s Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner.
The recovered remains include bones and multiple skeletal fragments. Positive identification was made by comparing Captain Speicher’s dental records with the jawbone recovered at the site. The teeth are a match, both visually and radiographically.
While dental records have confirmed the remains to be those of Captain Speicher, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology DNA Lab in Rockville, Maryland is running DNA tests on the remains recovered in Iraq and comparing them to DNA reference samples previously provided by family members. Results will take approximately 24 hours.
A high-resolution photo of Captain Speicher is available at http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=2934
Contact: Navy Public Affairs (703) 697-5342.
Prayers of Gratitude that the family can rest easier with the positive knowledge of Capt. Speicher’s demise. He is one of our heroes.
I believe January 17, 1991 was the first official day of the Gulf War.
Rest in peace, Captain Speicher.
You won't be forgotten.
I believe he was at Lt. Commander rank when shot down. promoted to Commander and then Captain in his absence.
RIP
RIP, finally. A little peace for the family.
Captain Speicher has been the subject of much speculation in the past. Iraqi operatives loyal to Saddam probably snuck his remains back to the crash site after holding him as a political prisoner for years. Or so WND will have us believe.
May he rest in peace now, I’m sure that in some way it must be a relief for the family to now know his fate.
RIP
Listening on Fox, some Iraqis approached Marines in Anbar and two of them led to the site. They claim that the Captain was buried long ago by Bedouins. I imagine that they treated him with respect in doing so and to keep him from enemy hands.
I am grateful that his family can have their son back. Welcome home, Captain.
Amen.
Patriot ping.
R.I.P. Brave Warrior.
Welcome home, Captain.
Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice; you may now rest in peace.
RIP Captain Speicher. Welcome home. May your family find comfort in God’s arms and rejoice in thier loved one being returned home after so many years.
Thanks be to God.Welcome home Captain.
America’s finest. R.I.P., sir. Welcome home.
BravoZulu, Welcome Home Captain Speicher.
Welcome home Michael.
Until They Are Home
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