The P.O.W. Network // Operation Smoking Gun
Posted 08/04/96
130802Z.OH
RMKS/1. INTERVIEW, 14 SEP 94, RE-INTERVIEWED RETIRED PAVN COLONEL HOANG HE
PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT FURTHER CLARIFIED SOME ITEMS ON THE QUANG BINH
GRAVES REGISTRIES, WHICH HE HELPED COMPILE. HE GAVE HIS OPINION ON WHY
INDIVIDUALS IN SEVERAL CASES WERE NOT INCLUDED ON ANY MILITARY REGION (MR) 4
GRAVES REGISTRY.
251102Z.OH
This Document is an evaluation of 130802Z.OH
160904Z.OH
INTERVIEWED PROFESSOR/DOCTOR LE CAO DAI. THE INTERVIEW WITH DR DAI WAS
GRANTED IN RESPONSE TO A LONG STANDING REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO DR. DAI, DUE TO
HIS REPORTED PREVIOUS INVOLVEMENT WITH US POW'S WHO WERE PROVIDED MEDICAL
TREATMENT IN FACILITIES OF THE PEOPLE'S ARMY OF VIETNAM (PAVN) MILITARY
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT DURING THE WAR. MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR (MOI)
REPRESENTATIVE, MR PHAM BINH, MONITORED THE INTERVIEW.
210002Z.OH
RMKS/1. REF A DOCUMENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. PHAM KHAC (AKA LE MINH),
CURRENT VICE-DIRECTOR OF THE HO CHI MINH CITY TELEVISION STATION, AND FORMER
EMPLOYEE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY FILM OFFICE. MR. KHAC PROVIDED INFORMATION
CONCERNING THE CONTENT OF SEVERAL COMBAT FILMS PRODUCED BETWEEN 1963 AND
1971, INCLUDING TWO FILMS, "DONG XOAI IN FLAMES" AND "SUOI DA BATTLE:
VICTORY AT TAY NINH," WHICH CONTAIN FOOTAGE OF DEAD AMERICANS. MR. KHAC ALSO
PROVIDED THE NAMES OF OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING
UNACCOUNTED-FOR U.S. SERVICEMEN.
Joseph J. Compa USA POW
Robert L. Curlee USA POW
Craig L. Hagen USA POW
Walter L. Hall USA POW
Bruce G. Johnson USA POW
Fred M. Owens USA POW
Donald R. Saegaert USA POW
210702Z.OH
RMKS/1. 15 SEPTEMBER 1993, INTERVIEWED RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL (MG) TRAN BACH
DANG, - A 73 YOA RESIDENT Of 14 PHAN KE BINH STREET, DISTRICT 1, HO CHI MINH
CITY (HQMC). MG TRAN BACH CANG, IS LISTED IN REFERENCE AS A POTENTIAL
SOURCE OF INFORMATION CONCERNING U.S. PERSONNEL MISSING IN ACTION (MIA) IN
VIETNAM.
2119127.OH
RMKS/1. ON 18 MAY 1993, INTERVIEWED MR. VU QUAN, APPROXIMATELY 70 YOA. A
RESIDENT OF TOAN THANG VILLAGE, TU LOC DISTRICT, HAI HUNG PROVINCE AND
FORMER BO GIUONG PRISONER OF WAR (PW) CAMP COMMANDER. MR. VU QUAN (AKA PHAN
VAN DONG (PHAMJ VAWN DOONG)). CONSIDERED A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF INFORMATION
CONCERNING U.S. PERSONNEL MISSING IN ACTION IN VIETNAM.
JTF0929.OH
BACKROUND. ON 15 SEPTEMBER 1993, INTERVIEWED MR. LE VAN DUM, ALSO KNOWN AS
BA DUM, A RESIDENT OF THU DUC TOWN, HO CHI MINH MUNICIPALITY. LE VAN DUM,
IS LISTED IN REFERENCE AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF INFORMATION CONCERNING U.S.
PERSONNEL MISSING IN ACTION (MIA) IN VIETNAM.
210052Z.OH
RMKS/1. REF A DOCUMENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. PHAM THANH LE, A FORMER
SPECIAL OPERATIONS OFFICER OF THE C15 SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMPANY. MR. LE
PROVIDED LIMITED GENERAL INFORMATION THAT POSSIBLY CORRELATES WITH REFNO
1131, [XXXX][XXXX][XXXX], AN UNRESOLVED CASE. MR. LE ALSO PROVIDED THE NAMES
OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING UNACCOUNTED-FOR
U.S. SERVICEMEN. MR. LE RECALLED THAT HE AND TWO OTHER CADRE FROM HIS UNIT,
MR. BA (DECEASED) AND MR. TOI (DECEASED) WERE INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE GUARDS
FOR TWO COMMO-LIAISON UNIT CADRE WHO WERE ESCORTING A RECENTLY CAPTURED
AMERICAN PW. THE AMERICAN PW WAS A CAUCASIAN A-37 PILOT, OF MEDIUM BUILD,
TALL WITH BROWN HAIR. MR. LE SAID THAT DURING THE TRIP THE AMERICAN WAS
UNINJURED AND WAS DRESSED IN CIVILIAN CLOTHIN6 (NFI). MR. LE SAID WHILE
WORKING AT A MEDICAL UNIT IN LATE 1969 OR EARLY 1970 HE HEARD THE AMERICAN
HAD DIED FROM MALARIA. HE COULD NOT RECALL ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE
DEATH.
John W. Held USAF POW
Posted 07/28/96
051936Z.OH
RMKS/1. ON 6 DECEMBER 1993, INTERVIEWED NGUYEN DINH TRANG, A 67 YEAR OLD
RESIDENT OF NUI THANH DISTRICT, QUANG NAM - DA NANG PROVINCE. MR. TRANG HAD
NOT BEEN INTERVIEWED BY A JOINT TEAM BEFORE. HE PROVIDED INFORMATION
PROBABLY CORRELATING TO PRIORITY CASE 0728, AS WELL AS GENERAL INFORMATION
CONCERNING PAVN EFFORTS BETWEEN 1975 AND 1977 TO RECOVER U.S. REMAINS IN
MR5. MR. TRANG CLAIMED TO HAVE LIVED WITH BOBBY GARWOOD FOR APPROXIMATELY
FIVE YEARS AND PROVIDED THE JOINT TEAM WITH AN OVERVIEW OF MR. GARWOOD'S
ACTIVITIES AS AN MR5 ENEMY PROSELYTIZING CADRE.
Robert Garwood USMC Released 03/21/79
Robert L. Platt USA POW
051102Z.OH
RMKS/1. ON 9 OCTOBER 1993, INTERVIEWED DR. NGUYEN KIN TU, A 66 YOA NHA TRANG
CITY, KHANH HOA PROVINCE, RESIDENT. DR. TU IS FORMER COMMANDER Of THE PAVN
2ND DIVISION'S (DIV) GK38 HOSPITAL, WHICH OPERATED IN QUANG NAM-DANANG AND
QUANG NGAI PROVINCES DURING THE WAR. THE SOURCE, NGUYEN KIM TU. PROVIDED
CREDIBLE BACKROUND INFORMATION ON HIS MILITARY CAREER AND HIS ACTIVITIES AT
THE PAVN 2ND DIV'S MEDICAL BATTALION (AKA GK38) IN QUANG NAM-DANANG
PROVINCE. SPECIFICALLY, HE RECOUNTED AN INCIDENT IN WHICH HE TREATED A U.S.
PRISONER Of WAR (PW) AT GK38. THIS INFORMATION CORRELATES TO CASE
0678-1-02. A RESOLVED CASE. HE NEITHER ENCOUNTERED NOR HEARD OF ANY OTHER
U.S. PRISONERS DURING THE WAR. DR. TU CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF U.S.
PERSONNEL, LIVING FREELY OF AGAINST THEIR WILL, IN VIETNAM SINCE 1973.
Carlos Ashlock USMC POW
020002Z.OH
RMKS/1. ON 13 OCTOBER 1993, INTERVIEWED DR. NGUYEN NGOC CHANH, A 63 YOA QUI
NHON CITY, BINH DINH PROVINCE RESIDENT. THE SOURCE, DR. NGUYEN NGOC CHANH,
SUMMARIZED HIS MILITARY CAREER, HIS TIME AS A SURGEON IN PAVN 1ST REGIMENT
(REGT] MEDICAL FACILITIES, AND AS COMMANDER OF THE PAVN 2ND DIV'S GK38
HOSPITAL. HE DESCRIBED TREATING A FRENCH-SPEAKING AMERICAN, WHO WAS
SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED, AT A 1ST REGT MEDICAL FACILITY IN 1964. THIS
INFORMATION CORRELATES TO CASE 0016, A RESOLVED CASE. IN 1967 AT A 1ST REGT
MOBILE MEDICAL FACILITY, CHANH TREATED A BLACK AMERICAN SOLDIER WHO
SUBSEQUENTLY DIED AND WAS BURIED THERE. HE COULD PROVIDE NO EXACT LOCATION
FOR THE BURIAL SITE. THIS INFORMATION POSSIBLY CORRELATES TO CASE 0728, AN
UNRESOLVED CASE. DR. CHANH CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF U.S. PERSONNEL, LIVING
FREELY OR AGAINST THEIR WILL, IN VIETNAM SINCE 1973.
Robert L. Platt USA POW
081122Z.OH
RMKS/1. ON 10 NOVEMBER 1993, INTERVIEWED MS. PHUNG THI TAI, AN 80-YEAR-OLD
DIEN NGOC VILLAGE, DIEN BAN DISTRICT, QUANG NAM - DANANG PROVINCE RESIDENT.
THE SOURCE, PHUNG THI TAI, PROVIDED LIMITED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEATH
OF A CAUCASIAN U.S. MARINE IN DIEN BAN DISTRICT, QUANG NAM PROVINCE. THE
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MS. TAI CORRELATES TO CASE 0381. MS. TAI PROVIDED NO
NEW INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CASE. SHE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY OTHER U.S. LOSS
INCIDENTS.
Robert H. Gage USMC POW
061832Z.OH
RMKS/1. ON 21 JUNE 1993, INTERVIEWED RETIRED SENIOR COLONEL (SRCOL) TRAN KY,
A 63 YEAR OLD HANOI RESIDENT. MR. KY, IS A FORMER AIR FORCE OFFICER, IS A
WRITER AND CONTRIBUTOR TO THE AIR AND AIR DEFENSE FORCE MEMOIRS, VOLUMES I,
II, AND III. THE SOURCE, TRAN KY, PROVIDED NO INFORMATION CONCERNING U.S.
PERSONNEL MISSING IN ACTION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
071902Z.OH
This Document is an evaluation of 061832Z.OH
090702Z.OH
RMKS/1. MR. PHAM THANH LE IS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE PHUOC LONG (NOW SONG BE)
PROVINCE MILITARY FORCES. MR. LE REPORTED THAT SOMETIME AFTER RETURNING TO
HIS UNIT IN APRIL 1968, HE AND TWO OTHER CADRE WERE ASSIGNED TO GUARD TWO
COMMO-LIAISON TROOPS WHO WERE ESCORTING A RECENTLY CAPTURED AMERICAN
PRISONER. THE GROUP ESCORTED THE AMERICAN FROM A COMMO-LIAISON UNIT LOCATED
NEAR BU NHO (CURRENTLY DUC LIEU) VILLAGE TO GROUP 86-(PROBABLY PAVN REAR
SERVICES GROUP 86) LOCATED NEAR DUC BON VILLAGE (YT2597). ((NOTE: PAVN MAPS
INDICATE DUC LIEU VILLAGE IS LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF GRID COORDINATES
YT3298 VICE XU7913 AS REPORTED IN REF (A) AND REF (B) MESSAGES.))
John W. Held USAF POW
Donald R. Fowler USA POW
Steven M. Hastings USA POW
Peter J. Russell USA POW
110827Z.OH
MR VC NIEM (NIEEMJ), A 68 YEAR OLD NATIVE OF PHU LOC DISTRICT, THUA
THEIN PROVINCE, IS CURRENTLY RETIRED AND RESIDES ON PHAN CHAU TRINH STREET
IN HUE CITY. SOURCE REMAINED A SECRET MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL LIBERATION
FRONT AT HOME UNTIL 1967 WHEN CALLED TO DUTY WITH THE POLICY OFFICE (PRONG
CHINH SACH) OF THE MILITARY/ENEMY PROSELYTING OFFICE (MEPO). SUBORDINATE TO
THE POLITICAL DEPARTMENT (CUC CHINH TRI) OF TRI THEIN MILITARY REGION (QUAN
KHU TRI THEIN). SOURCE'S DUTIES INCLUDED EDUCATING THE MASSES, EDUCATING THE
FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM (RVN) AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND EDUCATING
ANY AMERICAN SOLIDERS WHO WERE CAPTURED CONCERNING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE
REVOLUTION. AFTER BEING EDUCATED, RVN POW'S WERE RELEASED TO RETURN TO
THEIR HOMES. US POW'S WERE EDUCATED TO THE HO CHI MINE TRAIL WHERE THEY
WERE PLACED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE 559TH LOGISTICS GROUP (DOAN 559). FOR
FURTHER EVACUATION NORTH.
Marjorie Nelson CIV Released 03/68
Sandra Johnson CIV Released 03/31/68
101012Z.OH
This Document is an evaluation of 110827Z.OH
Posted 07/21/96
150032Z.OH
RMKS/1. REF A DOCUMENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH RETIRED SENIOR COLONEL (SRCOL)
NGUYEN VAN THUONG, WHO PROVIDED A SUMMARY OF PAVN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
CONCERNING INTERROGATION AND INDOCTRINATION OF U.S. POWS, AS WELL PROCEDURES
FOR HANDLING U.S. POWS CAPTURED IN LAOS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.
010042Z.OH
RMKS/1. REF A DOCUMENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH TRAN NGOC KHANH, SONG BE PROVINCE
PEOPLES CHAIRMAN. MR. KHANH PROVIDED INFORMATION WHICH POSSIBLY CORRELATES
WITH REFNO 0054, [XXXX],[XXXX],[XXXX]. MR. KHANH ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION
CONCERNING THE K4 PRISONER OF WAR (PW) CAMP NEAR DAK NHAO IN PHUOC LONG
(CURRENTLY SONG BE) PROVINCE AND THE NAMES OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE
INFORMATION RELATING TO UNACCOUNTED FOR U.S. SERVICEMEN.
James H. Mc Lean USA POW Capture Confirmed
220112Z.OH
RMKS/1. BACKGROUND. ON 18 JUNE 1993 MR. CUONG HAD NOT BEEN INTERVIEWED BY A
JOINT TEAM BEFORE. THE SOURCE MR. CUONG, PROVIDED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE
DAK NHAO PRISON CAMP LOCATED NEAR DAK NHAO STREAM IN BU DANG DISTRICT,
PHUOC LONG (CURRENTLY SONG BE) PROVINCE INCLUDING INFORMATION CONCERNING AN
AMERICAN WHO ALLEGEDLY DIED IN CAPTIVITY DURING 1966. THIS INFORMATION
PROBABLY CORRELATES TO CASE 0054-1-01, AN UNRESOLVED CASE.
James H. Mc Lean USA POW Capture Confirmed
241102Z.OH
RMKS/1. REF A DOCUMENTS AN INTERVIEW OF MR. PHO BIEN CUONG (AKA TU CUONG), A
FORMER LEGAL OFFICER IN CHARGE OF PRISONER EXPLOITATION AND DIRECTOR OF
PHUOC LONG PROVINCE DETENTION CAMP. MR. CUONG PROVIDED INFORMATION POSSIBLY
PERTAINING TO REFNO 0054 [XXXX][XXXX], AN UNRESOLVED CASE. HE ALSO PROVIDED
THE NAMES OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO
UNACCOUNTED FOR U.S. SERVICEMEN.
James H. Mc Lean USA POW Capture Confirmed
270012Z.OH
RMKS/1. BACKGROUND ON 18 JUNE 1993, INTERVIEWED MR. TRAN NGOC KHANH (AKA BA
KHANH, AN APPROXIMATELY 65 YEAR OLD THU DAU MOT TOWN, SONG BE PROVINCE.
RESIDENT. MR. KHANH IS CURRENTLY THE SONG BE PROVINCE PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN. THE SOURCE, TRAN NGOC KHANH. PROVIDED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE
K4 PRISONER OF WAR (PW) CAMP NEAR DAK NHAO IN PHUOC LONG (CURRENTLY SONG BE)
PROVINCE' INCLUDING A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF AN AMERICAN HELD THERE IN 1965. KHANH
CLAIMED THE AMERICAN WAS LOST WHEN U.S. FORCES ATTACKED THE CAMP AREA, AND
THEREAFTER KHANH HEARD NO FURTHER NEWS OF THIS AMERICAN. THIS INFORMATION
PROBABLY CORRELATES TO CASE 0054-1-01 AN UNRESOLVED CASE.
James H. Mc Lean USA POW Capture Confirmed
221812Z.OH
RMKS/1. BACKGROUND. ON 17 MAY 1993, INTERVIEWED BRIGADIER GENERAL (BG) VAN
DUY, A HANOI RESIDENT. BG DUY IS CURRENTLY HEAD OF THE CENTRAL INSPECTION
COMMITTEE FOR RED CROSS VIETNAM. HE IS THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL
GOVERNMENT'S ENEMY PROSELYTING DIRECTORATE. THE SOURCE, BG VAN DUY,
PROVIDED NO DETAILS CONCERNING THE STATUS OF U.S PERSONNEL MISSING IN ACTION
IN VIETNAM.
060122Z.OH
This document is a evaluation of 221812Z.OH
091802Z.OH
RMKS/1. BACKGROUND. 21 JUNE 1993, INTERVIEWED RETIRED SENIOR COLONEL (SRCOL)
NGUYEN VUONG, A 53 YEAR OLD HANOI RESIDENT. MR. VUONG, A FORMER INFANTRY
OFFICER, WAS AN EDITOR AND RESEARCHER FOR THE AIR AND AIR DEFENSE MEMOIRS,
VOLUMES I AND II. THE SOURCE, MR. VUONG. PROVIDED NO INFORMATION CONCERNING
U.S. PERSONNEL MIA IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
090102Z.OH
This document is an evaluation of 091802Z.OH
Posted 07/14/96
I80002.OH
1. Former Viet Cong Major Nguyen Van Tuoi (Boat #TG212C), a 42 year old
native of Tay Ninh, was re-interviewed at Pulau Galang, Indonesia, on 30
January 1980. This was a follow-up to a previous interview (see I79-025
dated 27 December 1979) and was aimed at eliciting in-depth information on
U.S. casualties and missing in Vietnam and Cambodia A comparison of the
results of the two interviews will reveal several seeming inconsistancies
and/or contradictions. Rather than delete those apparent areas of
inconsistancies, and await later clarification, the entire interview is
being reported as it was understood by the interviewer. During subsequent
interviews with Tuoi, attempts will be made to resolve those areas still in
questions In this interview Mr. Tuoi revealed a long standing relationship
with McKinley Nolan and provided a rather extensive insight into the
handling of prisoners and the recovery of U.S. remains by COSVN prior to and
following the fall of South Vietnam. He also provided hearsay information on
the active program of gathering remains of U.S. casualties in North Vietnam
and indicated that 300 to 400 remains have already been recovered in the
North.
200012Z.OH
RMKS/1. ON 20 JULY 1993, A JOINT U.S./VIETNAM PRIORITY CASE INVESTIGATION
TEAM (PCIT) INTERVIEWED PHAM KHAC (AKA LE MINH)' A 54 YEAR OLD HO CHI MINH
CITY RESIDENT. MR. KHAC IS CURRENTLY VICE-DIRECTOR OF THE HO CHI MINH CITY
TELEVISION STATION, FORMERLY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY FILM OFFICE
AND PARTICIPANT IN THE MAKING OF THE FILM "DONG XOAI IN FLAMES." THE
SOURCE. PHAM KHAC' PROVIDED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CONTENTS OF SEVERAL
COMBAT FILMS PRODUCED BETWEEN 1563 AND 1571, INCLUDING TWO FILMS WHICH
CONTAIN FOOTAGE OF DEAD AMERICANS. MR. KHAC PROVIDED NO INFORMATION THAT
WILL, IN ITSELF, RESOLVE ANY EXSISTING PW/MIA CASE. HE ALSO SUMMARIZED THE
PURPOSE OF COMBAT FILM MAKING. THE SOURCE CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF AMERICANS,
LIVING FREELY OR AGAINST THEIR WILL, IN VIETNAM SINCE 1973.
180022Z.OH
RMKS/1. BACKGROUND - ON 12 MAY 1993, DET 2, JOINT TASK FORCE FULL ACCOUNTING
RESEARCHER/HISTORIAN INTERVIEWED RETIRED SENIOR COLONEL (SRCOL) NGUYEN VAN
THUONG ((NGUYEENX VAWN THUOWNGF)). A 74 YOA RESIDENT OF LY NHAN DISTRICT,
NAM HA PROVINCE. DURING THE VIETNAM WAR SRCOL VAN THUONG WAS A DEPUTY
DIRECTOR OF THE ENEMY PROSELYTING DEPARTMENT ((CUC DICH VAN//EPD)) OF THE
GENERAL POLITICAL DIRECTORATE (GPD) OF THE PEOPLE'S ARMY OF VIETNAM (PAVN)
HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECTING PROPAGANDA ACTIVITIES. HE WAS FAMILIAR
WITH PAVN'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING INTERROGATION AND
INDOCTRINATION OF U.S. POWS. SRCOL THUONG DISCUSSED PRISONER OF WAR (POW)
CAMPS IN VIETNAM AND PAVN'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING U.S POWS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES PAVN OCCASIONALLY PUBLICIZED THE
FACT THAT IT PUT U.S. POWS AT A LOCATION THE U.S. HAD ANNOUNCED IT WAS GOING
TO BOMB--FOR EXAMPLE, THE YEN PHU THERMAL POWER PLANT IN HANOI.
32492.OH
SUMMARY: ON 26 FEB 92, TEAM TWO INTERVIEWED FORMER ENGLISH INTERPRETER
FOR THE COMMUNIST CAMP GROUP "A" PW CAMP SYSTEM FROM 1963-75. HE PROVIDED
BACKGROUND INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CAMP SYSTEM, PW POLICY, AND CURSORY
DETAILS CONCERNING THE SPECIFIC PRISONERS HE RECALLED. ALTHOUGH FIELD
ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT SOME OF THIS INFORMATION PERTAINED TO UNRESOLVED
INCIDENTS, THE BREADTH OF THIS WITNESS' KNOWLEDGE, HIS DEMONSTRATED
EVASIVENESS, AND HIS WEAKENED PHYSICAL CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE
INTERVIEW PROMPTED THE TEAM CHIEF TO RECOMMEND HE BE THOROUGHLY INTERVIEWED
BE A SENIOR JTF-FA LINGUIST AT A LATER DATE. ON 26 FEB 92, TEAM TWO
INTERVIEWED TWO WITNESSES AT THE EMBASSY HOTEL IN HCMC. THE FIRST WITNESS
INTERVIEWED WAS DANG THUAN HOA (DAWGJ THUAANJ HOAF). HOA WORKED AS TU MAO'S
INTERPRETER FROM 1963 UNTIL THE END OF THE WAR. HOA WAS QUESTIONED
CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CAMP SYSTEM FOR WHICH HE WORKED, THEIR
POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE DETENTION OF SPECIFIC
AMERICAN PRISONERS. HIS RESPONSES ARE REPORTED HEREIN.
Donald G. Cook USMC POW 12/01/67 On PRG DIC List
William H. Hardy USA Released 02/12/73
Douglas K. Ramsey CIV Released 02/12/73
Kenneth M. Roraback USA POW 09/29/65 Executed, On DIC List
Raymond C. Schrump USA Released Injured 02/12/73
190922Z.OH
1. INTERVIEWED MR NGUYEN KHAC TINH, A 73 YEAR OLD NATIVE OF QUANG BINH
AND FORMER DAC LAC PROVINCE PARTY SECRETARY. SOURCE IS CURRENTLY RETIRED
AND RESIDES AT 14 LE QUI DON STREET IN HO CHI MINH CITY. SOURCE CLAIMED TO
HAVE HAD NO DIRECT CONTACT WITH U.S. PERSONNEL DURING THE WAR. SOURCE SAID
THAT DURING, 1962, HE RECALLED HAVING BEEN INFORMED CONCERNING AN INCIDENT
INVOLVING THE CAPTURE OF THREE FOREIGNERS FROM THE BUON EA ANA LEPROSARIUM.
SOURCE RECALLED THAT FROM THE DAC LAG LOCAL FORCES RAIDED THE COMPOUND,
CAPTURED ONE FEMALE DOCTOR, ONE MALE PREACHER, AND ONE MALE MECHANIC WHO MAY
HAVE BEEN OF FILIPINO ORIGIN.
Daniel A. Gerber CIV POW Taken from Leprosarium
Archie E. Mitchell CIV POW Taken from Leprosarium
Elanor A. Vietti CIV POW Taken from Leprosarium
300112Z.OH
This Document is an evaluation of 190922Z.OH
RMKS/I. REF A DOCUMENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH MR NGUYEN KHAC TINH. SOURCE
PROVIDED THE NAMES OF OTHER POTENTIAL SOURCES WHO MAY HAVE INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO UNACCOUNTED FOR SERVICEMEN. MR TINH CORRECTLY PROVIDED THE
NUMBER, SEX AND PROFESSION OF THE PERSONNEL CAPTURED AT THE BUON EA ANA
LEPROBARIUM, AS WELL AS CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEIR CAPTURE.
221902Z.OH
RMKS/1. INTERVIEW TEAM INTERVIEWED MR. LE DO NGOC (LEE DOOR NGOC), CURRENTLY
46 YEARS OF AGE AND RESIDENT OF HANOI. MR. NGOC SAID HE HAD NOT BEEN
INTERVIEWED BY JOINT TEAMS PREVIOUSLY. THE SOURCE PROVIDED EXTREMELY
LIMITED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SUBJECT OF U.S. SERVICEMEN WHO BECAME
UNACCOUNTED FOR IN VIETNAM THE SOURCE SAID THAT HE HAD PRACTICALLY NO
KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIFIC AMERICAN SERVICEMEN OR THEIR FATES.
030112Z.OH
This Document is an evaluation of 221902Z.OH
RMKS/1. MR. NGOC PROVIDED NO INFORMATION CONCERNING ANY SPECIFIC
UNACCOUNTED FOR U.S. SERVICEMEN. HE DID PROVIDE THE NAMES OF OTHER
INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO UNACCOUNTED FOR
PERSONNEL.
231812Z.OH
RMKS/1. INTERVIEWED MR. NGO DAT TAI, A RETIRED COLONEL. HE CURRENTLY
RESIDES ON ICH KHIEM STREET IN HANOI. MR. TAI SAID HE HAD NOT BEEN
INTERVIEWED BY JOINT TEAMS PREVIOUSLY. THE SOURCE PROVIDED LIMITED
INFORMATION CONCERNING U.S. PERSONNEL WHO WERE RELEASED TO U.S. CONTROL
AFTER DIFFERENT PERIODS OF CAPTIVITY. THE SOURCE PROVIDED NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING U.S. PERSONNEL WHO BECAME UNACCOUNTED FOR. MR. TAI DID NOT
RELATE MUCH OF HIS HISTORY PRIOR TO 1970, BUT SAID THAT BY SEPTEMBER 1970 HE
WAS ASSIGNED TO THE POST IN THE SOUTH. HE ALSO RECALLED THAT THE PROVISIONAL
REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT RELEASED A "DIED IN CAPTIVITY" LIST. MR. TAI SAID
THAT MR. TAM HUY (TAMS HUY) AKA LE HUY (LEE HUY) WAS THE CAMP COMMANDER
AND, AS SUCH, WAS IN CHARGE OF THE POWS. MR. TAI SAID THAT HE DID NOT KNOW
ANY SPECIFICS HIMSELF.
090840Z.OH
INTERVIEWED MR TRUONG HUYNH MAO, AKA HUYNH KIM TRUONG, AKA TU (4) TRUONG,
AKA TU (4) MAO (MAOX) A 71 YEAR OLD NATIVE OF SAIGON. MR MAO SAID HE WAS
ASSIGNED AS THE DIRECTOR OF INTER-CAMP "A" OF THE EPO FROM THE TIME IT WAS
ESTABLISHED IN 1963. SOURCE SAID HE HAD DIRECT CONTACT WITH U.S. POWS IN
INTER-CAMP "A", AND ON ONE OCCASION HE PERSONALITY PHOTOGRAPHED THE BODY OF
A U.S. POW WHO DIED WHILE BEING HELD IN THE CAMP. SOURCE SAID DETAILS
CONCERNING THE US POWS HELD IN INTER-CAMP "A" WERE PROVIDED TO A US
INVESTIGATION ELEMENT LED BY JAMES COYLE DURING NOVEMBER 1992. SOURCE SAID
THAT HE HAD ALREADY PROVIDED ALL THE INFORMATION HE COULD RECALL AND HAD
NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD.
Andrew J. Elliott USA POW
210102Z.OH
This Document is an evaluation of 090840Z.OH
RMKS/1. REF A REPORTED THE RESULTS OF AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. TRUONG HUYNH
MAO.
181822Z.OH
RMKS/1. ON 17 MAY 1993, INTERVIEW OF MR. KHUONG XUAN QUE, A 51-YEAR OLD
NATIVE AND CURRENT RESIDENT OF HANOI WHO WAS A CADRE OF THE ENEMY
PROSELYTING SECTION OF THE B3 FRONT FROM 1965 UNTIL 1973. MR. QUE SAID HE
HAD NOT BEEN INTERVIEWED BY JOINT TEAMS PREVIOUSLY. THE SOURCE PROVIDED
VAGUE, LIMITED INFORMATION CONCERNING U.S. PERSONNEL WHO BECAME UNACCOUNTED
FOR IN VIETNAM. THE SOURCE PROVIDED ONLY GENERAL NON-SPECIFIC STATEMENTS
CONCERNING HIS MILITARY ASSIGNMENTS AND EXPERIENCE TO SUPPORT THE CONCLUSION
THAT HE HAD NO SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION TO CONTRIBUTE.
Joe L Delong USA POW On PRG DIC List 11/67
010807Z.OH
SR COL BUI THANH NOON, A 65 YEAR OLD NATIVE OF CAN THO, WAS INTERVIEWED IN
CAN THO CITY ON 6 MAR 93. ACCORDING TO SOURCE, HE DID NOT RAVE DIRECT
CONTACT WITH U.S. POW'S DURING. HIS WARTIME ASSIGNMENT IN THE SOUTH, DUE TO
HIS HIGH POSITION AND THE FACT THAT HE SERVED IN THE FORWARD HQ OF THE
SVNLAF, SOURCE SAID ONLY THOSE SERVING AT THE REAR HQ WOULD HAVE HAD AN
OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH U.S. PERSONNEL. SOURCE SERVED IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE
CAPACITY SUBSEQUENT TO HIS RETURN TO THE NORTH, WHERE HE ASSISTED THE
PROVISIONAL REVOLUTIONARY G0VERNMENT IN ESTABLISHING THE PROCEDURES FOR THE
RELEASE OF U.S. POW'S DURING THE FEBRUARY-MARCH 1973 RELEASE.
John McDaniel USAF POW
Betty A. Olsen CIV POW
Lilburn Stow USAF POW
Larry Todd USAF POW
200341Z.OH
6 TO 18 JANUARY 1993, THE FOLLOWING SRV CADRE WERE INTERVIEWED AND
PROVIDED INFORMATION: SR COL PHAM VAN BAN AKA PHAM HAN. NGUYEN VAN VAN
(VANJ) AKA NGUYEN VAN BON (BOONS). VO NIEM (NIEEMJ). LTC PHAN VAN KHUONG
(KHWONG) AKA NGUYEN VAN LY LYS). NGUYEN KIEU DA (DA). NGUYEN TAN HUNG
(HUNGF). YEN THANH NM (NAWM) AKA HAM.
051802Z.OH
RMKS/1. BACKGROUND. JUNE 1993, INTERVIEWED PHAM THANH LE. A 50 YEAR OLD THU
DAU MOT RESIDENT, MR. LE IS A FORMER SPECIAL OPERATIONS OFFICER. THE
SOURCE, MR PHAM THANH LE, PROVIDED INFORMATION CONCERNING AN AMERICAN
PRISONER OF WAR (PW) CAPTURED IN PHUOC LONG. CURRENTLY SONG BE PROVINCE
DURING 1968. HE SAID THIS AMERICAN PW DIED OF MALARIA WHILE IN CAPTIVITY
LATER THE SAME YEAR. THIS INFORMATION PROBABLY CORRELATES TO CASE 1131-1-01.
AN UNRESOLVED CASE. MR. LE PROVIDED NOTHING THAT WILL, IN ITSELF, LEAD TO
THE IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION OF ANY EXISTING U.S. PW/MIA CASE.
John Held USAF POW
101140Z.OH
1. BACKGROUND: FROM 19 THROUGH 23 AUGUST 1993, THE PRIORITY CASE
INVESTIGATION TEAM (PCIT) SEARCHED FOR DOCUMENTATION AND EXPLORED LEADS
ASSOCIATED WITH THREE CASES WHICH OCCURRED IN KONTUM PROVINCE. THE PCIT
INVESTIGATED CASE 1868 IN KONTUM. THE TEAM INTERVIEWED FOUR WITNESSES WHO
PROVIDED NO INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THIS CASE. VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS IN
KONTUM PROVINCE DENIED THE EXISTENCE OF ANY ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTATION WHICH
MIGHT ASSIST THE INVESTIGATION. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON
THIS CASE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
William Ellis USA POW
Robert H. Grzyb CIV On PRG DIC List 09/04/68
Larry K. Morrow USA POW
Robert H. Reeder USA Released 03/27/73
231628Z.OH
ACTIVITY CONDUCTED IN VIETNAM 20 AUG - 17 SEP 92. PARAGRAPH 20 OF REF NOTES
THE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT OF IEL TO OBTAIN INFORMATION THAT COULD BE
CORRELATED TO CASE 1242. ON 8 SEP 92 LTC CHU OF VNOSMP INFORMED IEL THAT IN
THE COURSE OF HIS PREPARATIONS FOR JOINT INVESTIGATION OF CASE 1242 HE HAD
BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION WHICH COULD BE CORRELATED TO THE CASE IN
LOC YEN (LOOCJ YEEN) VILLAGE, HUONG KHE DISTRICT, HA TINH PROVINCE, THE
VILLAGE IN WHICH THE COORDINATES ASSOCIATED IN U.S. RECORDS WITH CASE 1242
ARE LOCATED.
Edward J. Broms USN POW
230046Z.OH
BACKGROUND: SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM (SRV) FOREIGN
MINISTER NGUYEN MANH CAM MET WITH UNITED STATES (U.S.) ASSISTANT
SECRETARY OF STATE SOLOMON IN HANOI ON 4 MARCH 1992. FOREIGN
MINISTER CAM AGREED THAT THE VNOSMP COULD ARRANGE FOR SPECIALISTS
FROM THE VNOSMP AND DETACHMENT 2 TO MEET WITH A QUOTE MR. Y UNQUOTE
WHO SOME SOURCES HAD DESCRIBED AS ONE OF VIETNAM'S PREMIER
AUTHORITIES ON WARTIME RECORDS CONCERNING U.S POWS AND MIAS.
Steven A. Harkness CIV Remains Recovered 08/16/74
180022ZB.OH
16 AUG 93 - INTERVIEWED RETIRED SENIOR COLONEL (SRCOL) NGUYEN NGOC SON, A 70
YEAR OLD DONG KY DISTRICT SEAT, BAC THAI PROVINCE RESIDENT. SRCOL SON WAS
FORMERLY THE PAVN 968TH DIVISION (DIV) POLITICAL OFFICER. THE SOURCE
CLAIMED KNOWLEDGE OF NO U.S. ACTIVITY IN HIS UNIT'S AREA OF SOUTHERN LAOS
DURING THAT PERIOD, AND THAT THE 568TH DIV NEVER CLASHED WITH U.S. OR
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM (RVN) GROUND FORCES OR TOOK U.S. PRISONERS. THE SOURCE
HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF PRISON CAMPS IN VIETNAM OR LAOS. SRCOL SON CLAIMED HE
HAD NEVER, SINCE 1973, SEEN OR HAD KNOWLEDGE OF U.S. PERSONNEL, LIVING
FREELY OR AGAINST THEIR WILL, IN VIETNAM.
120002Z.OH
RMKS/1. ON 21 JULY 1993, INTERVIEWED MR. NGUYEN VAN THU, A 64 YEAR OLD
THUAN HOA AREA, HUE CITY RESIDENT. MR. THU WAS FORMERLY A MAJOR GENERAL AND
COMMANDER OF MILITARY REGION TRI THIEN-HUE. THE SOURCE, NUGYEN VAN THU,
PROVIDED INFORMATION RELATING TO VIETNAMESE POLICY CONCERING MANAGING U.S.
PRISONERS ON MILITARY REGION TRI THIEN-HUE (MR-TTH) BATTLEFIELDS. THE
SOURCE CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF U.S. PERSONNEL, LIVING FREELY OR AGAINST
THEIR WILL IN VIETNAM.
Douglas K. Ramsey CIV Released 02/12/73
120032Z.OH
RMKS/1. 13 SEPTEMBER 1993 - INTERVIEWED RETIRED SENIOR COLONEL (SRCOL) LE
NGHIA SY, A 70 YOA RESIDENT OF 90/88E NGUYEN DINH CHIEU STREET, DISTRICT l,
HO CHI MINH CITY (HCMC). THE SOURCE, SRCOL LE NGHIA SY, PROVIDED EYEWITNESS
ACCOUNTS OF TWO INCIDENTS OF U.S. AIRCRAFT SHOOTDOWNS, ONE OF WHICH INVOLVED
THE CAPTURE OF A U.S. PILOT IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER OF 1967. THE FIRST
INCIDENT INVOLVED AN RF-4C HIT BY AAA FIRE THAT CRASHED IN THE VICINITY OF
HUONG DO VILLAGE, HUONG KHE DISTRICT, HA TINH PROVINCE. THE PILOT WAS
CAPTURED ALIVE, BUT THE SOURCE HAD NO INFORMATION REGARDING THE ULTIMATE
FATE OF THE PILOT. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DECEMBER OF 1970, AND
INVOLVED THE SHOOTDOWN OF AN AC-130 IN QUANG TRI PROVINCE AT AN UNSPECIFIED
POINT NEAR ROUTE SOUTHWEST OF KHE SANH.
130042Z.OH
RMKS/1. 6 AND 7 OCT 1993 - INTERVIEWED EIGHT INDIVIDUALS WITH KNOWLEDGE OF
U.S. BURIAL SITES IN THE U MINH FOREST, PAVN MILITARY REGION 9 (MR9). THE
EIGHT INTERVIEW SUBJECTS PROVIDED FIRSTHAND AND HEARSAY INFORMATION
CONCERNING THE IMPRISONMENT, DEATH, AND SUBSEQUENT BURIAL OF FOUR AMERICAN
PRISONERS OF WAR (PW) HELD IN THE MR9 U.S. PW CAMP BETWEEN LATE 1963 AND
EARLY 1967. THE WITNESSES ALSO REFERENCED OTHER AMERICANS HELD AT THE CAMP
WHO LATER ESCAPED OR WERE RELEASED. THE WITNESSES' STATEMENTS CORRELATE TO
UNRESOLVED CASES 0021, 0047, 0048. AND 0086; AND TO RESOLVED CASES 0022-1-01
AND 0022-1-02.
Joe Parks USA POW On PRG DIC List 12/30/66
Daniel L. Pitzer USA Released in Cambodia 11/11/67
James N. Rowe USA Escaped 12/31/68
Leonard M. Tadios USA POW On PRG DIC List 03/11/66
Humberto R. Versace USA POW On PRG DIC List 09/22/65 Possibly Executed
Brien J. Walker USA POW Probably Dead 02/01/66
130102Z.OH
RMKS/1. 9 NOVEMBER 1993 - INTERVIEWED LIEUTENANT GENERAL (LTG) NGUYEN HUY
CHUONG, A 67 YOA DANANG CITY RESIDENT- LTG CHUONG IS CURRENTLY VICE
COMMANDER OF MILITARY REGION 5 (MR5). THE SOURCE. LTG NGUYEN HUY CHUONG,
PROVIDED LIMITED INFORMATION CONCERNING INCIDENTS IN WHICH U.S. PERSONNEL
WERE TAKEN PRISONER OR LOST IN BATTLE. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY LTG
CHUONG POSSIBLY CORRELATES TO CASES 1167, 1171, AND 0728. LTG CHUONG
PROVIDED THE TEAM WITH PAVN SECOND DIVISION POLICIES CONCERNING PW HANDLING
AND REPORTING. HE ALSO SUMMARIZED PAVN EFFORTS MADE AFTER THE WAR TO RECOVER
THEIR OWN MISSING. LTG CHUONG CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF U.S. PW'S OR "STAY
BEHINDS" IN VIETNAM AFTER 1973.
Robert L. Platt USA POW
300802Z.OH
RMKS/1. 14 SEPTEMBER 1993 - INTERVIEWED RETIRED LIEUTENANT GENERAL (LTG) NAM
NGA. ALSO KNOWN AS NGUYEN MINH CHAU, AN 81 YOA RESIDENT OF 557 NGUYEN TRI
PHUONG STREET, DISTRICT 10, HO CHI MINH CITY (HCMC). LTG NAM NGA IS THE
FORMER COMMANDER OF PAVN MILITARY REGION 7 (MR7). THE SOURCE. LTG NAM NGA,
PROVIDED LIMITED INFORMATION CONCERNING HIS ROLE DURING THE WAR. THE SOURCE
CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF U.S. PERSONNEL LIVING FREELY OR AGAINST THEIR WILL
IN OTHER MISSIONS OF VIETNAM SINCE 1973.
250702Z.OH
RMKS/l. 18 AUG 1993 - INTERVIEWED MAJOR GENERAL (MG) TRAN CONG MAN. A
67-YEAR-OLD HANOI RESIDENT. MG MAN IS CURRENTLY VICE-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF
THE VIETNAM JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION. TRAN CONG MAN HAD NOT BEEN INTERVIEWED
BY A JOINT TEAM BEFORE. THE SOURCE RELATED NO INFORMATION ABOUT U.S.
PERSONNEL MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF U.S.
PERSONNEL LIVING AGAINST THEIR WILL IN VIETNAM SINCE 1973.
Robert R. Garwood USA Released 03/21/79
120022Z.OH
RMKS/1. 5 OCTOBER 1993 - INTERVIEWED LUU VAN LOI, AN 80 YOA HANOI RESIDENT.
MR. LOI IS CURRENTLY AN ADVISOR TO THE CONTINENTAL SHELF COMMITTEE OF THE
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF VIETNAM. HE CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE
DISPOSITION OF ANY U.S. PERSONNEL MIA IN SOUTHEAST ASIA OR DOCUMENTS RELATED
TO THE PW/MIA PROBLEM. HE ALSO KNEW NOTHING CONCERNING U.S. PERSONNEL LIVING
FREELY OR AGAINST THEIR WILL IN VIETNAM SINCE 1973.
090712Z.OH
RMKS/1. 9 SEPTEMBER 1993 - INTERVIEWED NGUYEN VAN CHAU, A 54 YOA DANANG CITY
RESIDENT. MR. CHAU IS CURRENTLY RETIRED, FORMERLY A MEDIC AT THE PAVN 2ND
DIVISIONS'S (DIV) GK38 HOSPITAL, WHICH OPERATED IN QUANG NAM-DANANG AND
QUANG NGAI PROVINCES. THE SOURCE, RECOUNTED AN INCIDENT IN WHICH A U.S.
PRISONER OF WAR (PW) RECEIVED TREATMENT AT GK38. THIS INFORMATION CORRELATES
TO CASE 0678-1-02, A RESOLVED CASE. HE NEITHER ENCOUNTERED NOR HEARD OF ANY
OTHER U.S. PRISONERS DURING THE WAR. DR. TU CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF U.S.
PERSONNEL, LIVING FREELY OR AGAINST THEIR WILL, IN VIETNAM SINCE 1973.
Carlos Ashlock USMC POW
270722Z.OH
RMKS/1. 20 OCTOBER 1993 - INTERVIEWED RETIRED SENIOR LIEUTENANT NGUYEN HONG
SON AKA NGUYEN HONG HAI, A 66 YOA TRUC HUNG VILLAGE, HAI HAU DISTRICT, NAM
HA PROVINCE RESIDENT. THE SOURCE, MR. NGUYEN HONG SON, PROVIDED A SUMMARY
OF HIS ACTIVITIES AS A POLITICAL OFFICER AT HOSPITAL GK38, PAVN 2ND DIV,
AND HIS ASSOCIATION WITH AN AMERICAN PRISONER OF WAR (PW) TREATED AT THE
HOSPITAL. THE AMERICAN, DESCRIBED AS "DARK SKINNED BUT NOT BLACK" WAS
TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL DURING THE SUMMER OF 1966 OR 1967 FOR A WOUND TO THE
BUTTOCKS. FOLLOWING HIS TREATMENT, THE AMERICAN WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE
HOSPITAL TO AN UNSPECIFIED LOCATION AND SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED AND
REPATRIATED TO THE UNITED STATES. THIS INFORMATION PROBABLY CORRELATES TO
CASE 0678-1-02, A RESOLVED CASE.
Carlos Ashlock USMC POW
061802Z.OH
RMKS/1. 15 DECEMBER 1793 - INTERVIEWED RETIRED BRIGADIER GENERAL (BUI) BUI
DUC TUNG, A 65 YEAR OLD VINH CITY RESIDENT. MR. TUNG IS A FORMER CADRE OF
THE 31ST REGIMENT. THE SOURCE, MR. BUI DUC TUNG, PROVIDED GENERAL
INFORMATION CONCERNING U.S. LOSS INCIDENTS IN THE SECOND PAVN'S OPERATIONS
AREA- HE PROVIDED LOCATIONAL AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL INFORMATION POSSIBLY
RELATING TO CASES 0678, AND 0728.
Carlos Ashlock USMC POW
Robert L. Platt USA POW
190012Z.OH
RMKS/1. 12 OCT 1993 - INTERVIEWED RETIRED PAVN LIEUTENANT COLONEL (LTC) DR.
NGUYEN VAN HIEU. A 65 YOA VINH PHU PROVINCE RESIDENT. THE SOURCE, DR.
NGUYEN VAN HIEU, PROVIDED BRIEF CAREER BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SUMMARIZED
HIS POSITION AND ACTIVITIES AT THE MILITARY MEDICAL BATTALION (AKA GK38),
PAVN 2ND DIV. HE TREATED ONE U.S. PRISONER OF WAR (PW) DURING HIS TENURE AT
GK38. THIS AMERICAN, WHOM DR. HIEU BELIEVED TO BE PUERTO RICAN, RECEIVED
TREATMENT, LEFT THE HOSPITAL, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPATRIATED TO THE U.S.
THIS INFORMATION PROBABLY CORRELATES TO CASE 0678-1-02, A RESOLVED CASE. DR.
LIEU NEVER MET ANOTHER AMERICAN DURING THE WAR OR SINCE, AND HAD NO
KNOWLEDGE OF OTHER U.S. PRISONERS IN THE GK38 AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.
Carlos Ashlock USMC POW
210942Z.OH
LTC. NGUYEN HONG CHAU, A 52 YEAR OLD NATIVE OF PEN CAT, SONG BE, WAS
INTERVIEWED IN XUAN LOC TOWN, ON 16 MARCH 1993. SOURCE'S FIRST CONTACT WITH
U.S. POWS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE BATTLE OF BINH GIA (NOTE: SOURCE WAS
NOT ABLE TO RECALL TIME FRAME BUT THE BINH GIA BATTLE OCCURRED IN LATE
DECEMBER 1964). SOURCE RECEIVED CUSTODY OF TWO CAUCASIAN U.S. POWS IN THE
AREA OF SUOI DA STREAM (XS6393) NEAR XUAN BAD VILLAGE "A FEW DAYS" AFTER THE
BINH GIFT BATTLE. SOURCE BELIEVES THE POWS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE CAPTURING
UNIT, BUT COULD NOT RECALL THE DESIGNATION OF THAT UNIT. SOURCE RECALLED
THAT BOTH MEN WERE IN GOOD HEALTH WITH NO APPARENT WOUNDS OR INJURIES.
Harold G. Bennett USA POW On PRG DIC List 06/65
Donald G. Cook USMC POW On PRG DIC List 12/01/67
Charles Crafts USA Released 02/07/67
Samuel Deickleman USAF POW
Joe L. Dodd CIV Escaped 10/25/65
071842Z.OH
This Document is an evaluation of 210942Z.OH
RMKS/1. REF A PROVIDED RESULTS OF AN INTERVIEW WITH LTC NGUYEN HONG CHAU, A
FORMER COMMUNIST GUERILLA IN THE LONG KHAN AREA AND A RETIRED PAVN OFFICER.
ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION HE PROVIDED INDICATES A POSSIBLE CORRELATION TO
REFNOS 0049, 0050, AND 0163. REFNO 0049: ON 29 DECEMBER 1964, SERGEANT
HAROLD G. BENNETT AND PRIVATE CHARLES E. CRAFTS WERE ADVISORS TO THE 33RD
ARVN RANGER BATTALION ENGAGED A HOSTILE FORCE NEAR GRID COORDINATES
YS549755, APPROXIMATELY FIVE KILOMETERS EAST OF BINH GIA VILLAGE AND THREE
KILOMETERS SOUTWEST OF XUAN SON VILLAGE, BA RIA-VUNG TAU PROVINCE, VIETNAM.
DURING THE BATTLE, NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT FORCES CAPTURED SERGEANT
BENNETT AND PRIVATE CRAFTS. THE NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT RELEASED PRIVATE
CRAFTS ON 23 FEBRUARY 1967. UPON HIS RETURN TO MILITARY CONTROL, PRIVATE
CRAFTS SAID THAT THEY HAD KILLED SERGEANT BENNETT BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO
TRAVEL.
George E. Groom USA Released 05/01/62
James R. Moore USMC POW
Francis Quinn USA Released 05/01/62
Earl C. Weatherman USMC Reported DIC during escape 04/01/68
1109302Z.OH
REF. INTERVIEWED FORMER ENEMY PROSELYTING CADRE NGUYEN VAN HUNG IN DANANG
CITY ON 14 JAN 93. WHEN ASKED SPECIFICALLY CONCERNING CASE 1456 (SPARKS).
SOURCE SAID HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS CASE. AFTER HEARING THE
CIRCUMSTANCES, SOURCE OPINED THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO HAVE ANY
KNOWLEDGE REGARDING CASE 1456.
Donald L. Sparks USA POW Letters Found, reported DIC
101202Z.OH
This Document is an evaluation of 110930Z.OH
RMKS/1. REF A DOCUMENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. NGUYEN VAN HUNG, FORMERLY
ASSIGNED TO THE MILITARY ENEMY PROSELYTING OFFICE (MEPO) OF THE QUANG DA
SPECIAL ZONE AND TO THE MEPO IN MILITARY REGION FIVE (MR5). MR. HUNG
PROVIDED NO INFORMATION PERTAINING TO ANY UNACCOUNTED FOR PERSONNEL.
120925Z.OH
1. REF: INTERVIEWED MR PHAM KIEU DA, IN DANANG CITY ON 14 JAN 93. SOURCE
EMPEASIZED THAT HE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN THE CAPTURE OR DETENTION OF ANY US
PERSONNEL AND CITED THE BREVITY OF PIS MISSIONS, AS WELL AS THE INHERENT
REQUIREMENT FOR SPEED, AS THE REASONS FOR HIS LACK OF INVOLVEMENT. SOURCE
SAID THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE CAPTURE OR DETENTION OF ANY
US PERSONNEL, HE DID OBSERVE AN AMERICAN POW ON ONE OCCASSION. SOURCE SAID
THAT DURING THE WAR YEARS HE OBSERVED AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO
RECALL ANY DETAILS. SOURCE WAS CERTAIN HE DID NOT OBSERVE ANY REMAINS OR
GRAVES ASSOCIATED WITH US PERSONNEL. SOURCE CLAIMED TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF
ANY AMERICANS REMAINING IN INDOCHINA.
Robert R. Garwood USMC Released 03/21/79
101122Z.OH
RMKS/REF A REPORTS THE RESULTS OF AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. PHAM KIEU DA. SOURCE
PROVIDED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ALLEGED SIGHTING IN 1968 OF AN AMERICAN
SOLIDER NEAR THE MILITARY REGION FIVE (MR5) HEADQUARTERS IN THE HIEP DUC
AREA (AT9024) OF QUANG NAM-DANANG PROVINCE. ACCORDING TO THE SOURCE, THE
SOLIDER WAS ARMED AND TRAVELING ALONG A TRAIL WITH A COMMUNIST UNIT.
280506Z.OH
1. REF LTC KHUONG WAS INTERVIEWED IN HUE ON 12 JAN 93. THE FOLLOWING REPORT
PROVIDES THE RESULTS OF THE INTERVIEW. SOURCE, A 67 YOA NATIVE OF HUE,
REGROUPED TO THE NORTH IN 1954 AND RETURNED TO THE HUE AREA IN 1960 WHEN THE
NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (NLF) WAS ESTABLISHED. SOURCE'S FIRST CONTACT
WITH US POW'S WAS SOMETIME DURING LATE 1963 OR EARLY 1964 WHEN HE OBSERVED
ONE CAUCASIAN POW IN THE "A NGO" CAMP LOCATED IN THE VIETNAM-LAO BORDER AREA
WEST OF A LUOI. SOURCE HEARD THE MAN WAS A MILITARY OFFICER WITH THE RANK
OF CAPTIN WHO WAS CAPTURED BY ETHNIC MINORITIES IN WESTERN THUA THIEN
PROVINCE. SOURCE'S SECOND ENCOUNTER WITH US POW'S OCCURRED SOMETIME DURING
THE LATE 1960'S OR EARLY 1970'S (SOURCE NOT SURE OF YEAR BUT RECALLED THAT
THE OBSERVATION TOOK PLACE AFTER THE 1968 "TET" OFFENSIVE). SOURCE RECALLED
THAT TWO US MILITARY PERSONNEL WERE CAPTURED DURING FIGHTING IN PHU
(FORMERLY PHU VANG) DISTRICT. THE TWO MEN WERE BOTH CAUCASIAN AND ENLISTED
MEN.
JTFFA106.OH
1. 5 OCTOBER 1993 - RE-INTERVIEWED DR. BUI HUY LIEU, A 52 YOA HANOI
RESIDENT. THE SOURCE, DR. BUI HUY LIEU, PROVIDED INFORMATION CONCERNING A
U.S. PRISONER HE TREATED AT HIS FIELD HOSPITAL IN PHUOG LONG PROVINCE IN
1968 OR 1969. THIS AMERICAN SUBSEQUENTLY DIED AND WAS BURIED NEAR THE FIELD
HOSPITAL. THIS INTERVIEW CLARIFIED STATEMENTS DR. LIEU MADE DURING A
PREVIOUS INTERVIEW (SEE REF B). THE INFORMATION POSSIBLY CORRLATES TO CASE
1244 OR 1131. HE CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF U.S. PERSONNEL, LIVING FREELY OR
AGAINST THEIR WILL, IN VIETNAM SINCE 1973.
John W. Held USAF POW
Peter J. Russell USA POW Reported Died 1968 - Grave Marked w/map
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