The Queen of Mean Pulls The Plug! - In the September 12th "Bits 'N' Pieces," we reported that the lights of the world famous Empire State Building would go yellow the weekend of September 18th - 20th, in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Like most commitments made to POW/MIA families, this was a commitment made to be broken.
At 11:30 A.M. on Friday September 18th, POW/MIA Recognition Day, we were notified that the plug had been pulled. The lights would not go yellow. For the first time in six years, the famous lights of the Empire State Building were not yellow in honor of our POW/MIA's from all wars.
No one from the Empire State Building had the courtesy to notify us of the change. Notification came through a third party. Repeated calls went unanswered. However, we did learn that the plug was pulled on orders from the very top.
Only one person in the hierarchy of the Empire State Building Management team has this kind of power. That person is Leona Helmsley, the "Queen of Mean," as she was dubbed by New York newspapers. With the limited information available to us, we can only conclude that Mrs. Helmsley did not think turning the lights yellow in honor of our POW/MIAs was worthwhile.
Let Mrs. Helmsley know exactly what we think of her actions. You can contact the "Queen of Mean" at 212-679-3600. Or e-mail the Empire State Building at: info@esbnyc.com
(Click e-mail address to send your e-mail, now.
If you're planning to visit New York, stay away from the Empire State Building. If your looking for a good view of the City, try the World Trade Center, it's taller.
Real Time Analysis vs. Air Conditioned Analysis - In the last Bits N Pieces we discussed the seemingly high number of incorrect correlations made by intelligence officers during the war. Of course, these reports and the decision that they were fabrication were made only after the war and only if the report correlated to a non-returnee.
Here is another example - Real time vs. Air Conditioned Analysis - On September 26th, 1974 the following information was reported to U.S. Military Interrogation Division. The report was prepared by the Liaison Officer and the approving authority was the Chief of the Collection and Liaison Section.
The information contained in the report was provided by a North Vietnamese captured in the South. According to the source "in approx. Jun 68, while at his residence in Trung Chau (H) Don Kinh (V) Khoai Chau (D) Hai Hung (P), NVN, source heard AA guns in his hamlet firing." "From yard of his house, source observed one Unk type US Acft. approach from direction of Ha Nan (P) with its tail on fire and crash in a Jute field, Vic WJ971026, near Thu Ba Hamlet, Tan Chau (V) Hoai Chau (D), Hai Hung (P) NVN. After Acft crashed, source observed three other Acft of same type circling over the crash site, at the same time, source heard AA guns firing at these Acft, but none of them were hit and they flew away. Five min later, source then went to crash site where he observed a group of armed Militia surrounding wreckage of Acft whose nose was deeply buried in the ground. He learned from Villagers at the scene that the pilot had bailed out and landed in VIC WJ972026 where he tried to hide in nearby brush, but was spotted by a villager. The pilot fired on the villager who fled for help. Approx five min later, local militiamen arrived and captured the pilot. The villager was so angry at the pilot that he beat him with a wooden stick. The Militiamen then intervened and asked the villager to stop beating the pilot who was taken to a Match Factory in Tan Chau (V), Khoai Chjua (D) Hai Hung (P). "
"Source then went to the factory where he observed the pilot sitting on ground dressed in local grey pants and shirt, and blindfolded with his arms and legs tied. Source also observed blood on PW's face but didn't notice a wound. One hour later, a district secty agent armed with a K-54 pistol arrived at scene by three wheeled motorcycle and talked to PW in English."
"Source could not understand conversation, as he did not know English. A moment later, a jeep carrying seven armed scty agents from Khoai Chau (D) unit arrived at the site and ordered the crowd to disperse for fear that other US ACFT might return to rescue downed pilot. After the crowd dispersed, the pilot was taken toward Hanoi by Jeep (NFI)."
"Source observed PW for approx one hr. form distance of 10M and provided fol limited description:"
| Name: Unk | Rank and Branch of SVC: Unk | Nationality: American |
| Height: 5ft 7in | Weight: 165 lbs | Hair: Light Brown Short Wavy |
| Eyes: Light Brown | Race: Caucasian | Complexion: Light |
| Nose: Long Crocked | Build: Heavy | Age: Approx 23 yrs |
| Face: Long | Forehead: Straight Hair Line | Cheekbones: Normal |
| Chin: Long | Eyebrows: Blond | Footwear: Barefoot |
| Clothing Worn: NVN Grey Peasant Clothing | Health Condition: Good |
Based on the above information, the following comments were added to this report. "Records this office reflect that on 29 Feb 1968 Pers [data] flying an F-105F was downed Vic 205300N, 1054600E and is listed MIA. Source claimed he was unable to identify PW from Photo Album because incident took place so long ago."
Now this source wasn't perfect according to the Real Time "source used several names during his previous debriefing upon his capture, he identified himself as [name] and during his initial debriefing he stated his name was [name]. However, during debriefing for U.S. PW info, source appeared very coop and said his name was [name]"
This report, in real time, was correlated to POW/MIA Cleveland S. Harris.
Air Conditioned - Oct. 23, 1974 Defense Information Report - "PW observed by source was probably Lt. W.D. Key, USN (returnee) downed in this vicinity on 17 Nov 67. Key attempted to hide in a clump of trees, but the local civilians and militia quickly located his hiding place. However, contrary to sources comment that PW fired upon villager, Lt. Key, according to his debrief, did not use his weapon. Key generally fits the description provided by source 5'6" 153 lbs.; brown hair hazel eyes and was 27 years old at date of shootdown.
Harris was shotdown on February 29, 1968. Key was shotdown November 17, 1967. Source reported incident as "approx June 68."
Who was the POW -- it wasn't Wilson D. Key! In response to e-mail request for confirmation that he was the POW described Mr. Key wrote "The shootdown story is not mine. Some of the events are similar to mine, but I did not shoot my pistol, and I did not get beaten bloody. Also, I was not taken to a match factory. GBU, Denver Key"
Remains of POW Cleveland S. Harris were returned by unilateral repatriation March 20th, 1985.
Photos from the POW/MIA pre-capture book are available on our website. Click here to view them. Based on the description, the source report and Lt. Key's information, you decide... Real Time or Air Conditioned.
Thanks to Mary and Chuck Schantag of the POW Network for their assistance in contacting former POW Key.
The Russians are Coming - From United Press International, "Washington, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Pentagon says (Wednesday) five former U.S. fighter pilots and Russian officials will hold an unprecedented meeting Thursday to share information about Russian airmen missing since the Korean War. The Russians arrived in the United States on Sunday and have spent the past few days reviewing records, meeting with members of Congress, and exchanging documents with American MIA officials."
More on mtDNA From the August 1998 issue of Popular Science - The following quote is taken from an article titled "DNA tests reveal the fate of Soldiers left behind in the last battle of the Vietnam War" by Ralph Wetterhahn. "Mitochondrial DNA analysis is not used as the sole means of identification, because it does not identify an individual, only a blood line" Lt. Col. Roger King - JTF-FA.
