| From: | Perry, T Civ DPWCM[SMTP-PerryThq.afpc.af.mil) |
| Sent: | Monday January 12,1998 6.154 PM |
| To: | JOHNIE WEBB; JOE HARTSELL |
| Cc: | Huey, Garold; J.J. CAMPBELL; Gossling, E Col DPW;- Frampton,W Civ DPWCM; Rein, M Maj PA, Atkinson, G Civ DPWC; Grojean, J Civ PA |
| Subject: | Possible Adverse Media on REFNO 1853-0-01, 1 Lt Michael J. Blassie, Air Force |
Received a call 1615 local, 12 Jan 98, from Ann Mills Griffth. She stated that Jo Ann Shirley (National League of Families, Chairman of the Board) had just called her concerned about a 3 hr conversation she had with Ms. Pat Blassie, sister of 1 Lt. Michael J. Blassie, Air Force KIA/BNR from Southeast Asia. Pat Blassie told Jo Ann Shirley that CBS National Reporter was going to run a story on 60 Minutes (or possibly some other CBS news show) sometime around the end of this month and the story was going to state their reporter has strong evidence that 1Lt. Michael J. Blassie was buried in the Tomb of the Unknown, in Arlington Cemetery and that the government had a pretty good idea that these remains are Lt. Blassie's when the decision was made.
As CILHI, JTF-FA, and our office all received a FOIA from Mr Vince Gonzales, CBS NEWS (KCNC-TV, Denver, CO) in Sep 97 asking for everything we all had on this case (PNOK changed consent from to consent Yes to accommodate Mr. Gonzales's request) my guess is the story is a result of his investigation.
Ann Griffith believes if this story hits the airwaves it will cause a lot of problems over the issue of disinterment, not only regarding the Tomb of the Unknown, but regarding the Punchbowl in Hawaii. It will also put the government and past administration in a very bad light, as the story will undoubtedly be slanted toward the investigator's point of view. If you haven't received a call from Ann, you probably will. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on this issue.
For Johnie, would appreciate your comments on the above allegation. Specifically, does CIL-HI have any documentation, or knows of any documentation in existence that this reporter could have obtained that would indicate the partial human remains recovered on 31 Oct 71 approximately 2 kilometers from the crashsite associated with REFNO 1853-0-01 (along with 1Lt. Blassie's military ID card) were the same remains interred in the Tomb of the Unknown, in Arlington? Appreciate your help.
Tom Perry