BITS 'N' PIECES DECEMBER 10, 1994

Did the Marines Cook The Books? How many more Marines declared Killed In Action Body Not Recovered, either at the time of incident or within days thereafter, are actually POW/MIA. Kenny Plumadore went from KIA/BNR - remains consumed by mortar and artillery fire - to Last Known Alive. Now, as we all know Kenny may be buried in a grave in Indiana. Marine Mark Judge, who for 27 years was thought to be in that Indiana grave, may actually have died as a POW. Now, we learn of another Marine Bruce Edward Kane, declared Killed In Action/Body Not recovered, 33 days after his loss. His status is now "Last Known Alive." This information was withheld from his family until November 1994. This in spite of the fact that the name Bruce Kane appears on the Lao discrepancy list, dated sept. 1992.

Let us not forget the case of Ronald Ridgeway. Declared Killed in Action, in 1968 Ridgeway along with 9 other Marines could not be individually identified. The nine Marines, including Ronald Ridgeway, were buried in a mass grave in St. Louis.

In January of 1973, the name Ronald Ridgeway appeared on the list of POW/MIAs Hanoi presented for repatriation. Ridgeway survived the 1968 incident, survived his captivity and came home.

The Marines were wrong in their determination that Ridgeway was KIA/BNR. The Marines were wrong in declaring Bruce Kane KIA/BNR. The Marines were wrong when they declared that there were no survivors from the battle at Con Thien, sept. 21, 1967, involving Kenny Plumadore and Mark Judge.

How many more times have the Marines been wrong in declaring a man Killed In Actions Body Not Recovered? Was this a deliberate attempt, by the marines, to reduce the number of POW/MIAs? Did the Marines cook the books? If so, did the Army, Navy and Air Force participate in these quick, erroneous declarations of Killed In Action Body Not Recovered?

Just how many men declared KIA/BNR are really POW/MIA?

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BITS 'N' PIECES JULY 29, 1995

Your not going to believe this one! The Department of Navy, on behalf of CIL-HI, is requesting that family member Patricia Plumadore pay $3,147.14 to process her FOIA request. Once payment is received it will take six months to one year to process her request.

Not only must family members do the governments job - now they have to pay for the privilege.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES APRIL 13, 1996

On Tuesday, April 9th, 1996, the families of Kenneth Plumadore, Mark Judge, and William Berry gathered at a small cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They gathered to witness the exhumation of the 28 year old grave once thought to contain the remains of Mark Judge.

The regular readers of "Bits 'n' Pieces" know the story of Kenny Plumadore, Mark Judge, and William Berry. On September 21, 1967, all were part of a Marine unit based at Con Thien, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. On that day the Marines engaged North Vietnamese regulars in one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.

When the shooting stopped, 31, 34, or 37 Marines lay dead (depending on which records you use.) records show that 16 sets of remains were recovered from the field, on the 21st. That left 15, 18, or 21 sets of remains on the field (again, depending on records used.) initially the Marine Corps (USMC) informed the families of those left behind that all were killed in action, bodies not recovered. Hazel Plumadore, Kenny's mother, was notified that Kenny was dead, on September 27, 1967. Already in poor health, Mrs. Plumadore suffered a major heart attack that day.

Records show that a search and recovery operation commenced on October 10, 1967. Documents state that 9 bodies were recovered. Also mentioned is the recovery of remains of an Air Force pilot, shot down, in January of 1967, in the same area. It is unclear if his remains are included in that total of 9.

Other records indicate that search and recovery operations may have begun as early as Sept. 26, 1967 and continued as late as January 1968. Despite repeated requests from Kenny's sister Pat., the USMC has refused to provide records on the other recovery operations. They claim that the October 9th, operation was the only one. When challenged on the difference of numbers, listing only 9 bodies recovered, with no accounting of the pilot, the Marines claim it was a typo and that the number should be 14.

Yet, records prove that at least one set of remains did not arrive at the Da Nang mortuary until November 1, 1967. They were immediately identified and returned to the U.S. on November 2, 1967.

When all recovery operations ended, 14 Marines were returned for burial. The USMC informed the Plumadore's, that Kenny was killed in action and that his body was unrecoverable. This was the first in a long, and twisted series of lies presented to the Plumadore family, by the Marine Corps. And the United States Government.

With her mom now gone Patricia Plumadore became primary next of kin. In 1986, a Marine Corps casualty officer made and unexpected and unexplained visit to Pat Plumadore. What little information provided amounted to a "we are just checking up on you." At that point in 1986, Pat never knew her brother was listed as missing in action. Nor, did she know that signal intelligence for days tracked the movement of captured personnel from the battle at Con Thien to their arrival at the Vinh Linh hospital in North Vietnam. At that point, 7 days later the two intelligence reports were received. One stated the soldier was recovering from his wounds and being moved north. The other reports the soldier as having died of his wounds. This information would be the first of the mounds of information withheld from the family, by the Pentagon and specifically the Marine Corp.

The 1986 visit by a casualty officer made Pat suspicious. At that point she began her inquiries. Subsequent letters to the Marine Corps generated little details other than Kenny's body along with the remains of "several" other marines had been "consumed by mortar and artillery fire." This was another lie. Pat would soon learn Kenny was the only man listed as unrecovered from the battle. Pat was told that the Marine Corps had witness statements and that Kenny was seen dead.

The USMC also stated that each man was examined on the field and declared dead before they were left behind. Pat located the many survivors of that bloody day. All state there was no way any of the remains could have been examined because they were all scattered about the field. They could not be reached, that was why they were left behind.

The witness the government claims saw Kenny dead emphatically denied ever seeing what happened to Kenny or giving a statement. The USMC can not produce the witness statements.

The Marines on the field that day acted heroically, risking life and limb to get to their wounded buddies. Some died in the attempt. Everyone that Pat has contacted as was more than willing to help and provide information. One ranking officer recently located told her, Command knew the day after the incident that someone had been captured. The Marines of 2/4 have not forgotten their brother Marines. It is sad the same can not be said for Command.

Now we jump ahead to 1992 and Pat Plumadore learns for the first time, that her brother is actually listed as missing in action. She also learns that in 1986, the Vietnamese returned the remains of the Marine captured at Con Thien on Sept. 21, 1967. The Vietnamese returned these remains as Kenneth L. Plumadore. Now, the government denies any name association came with the remains, another in the long list of lies.

After forensic examination at the Central Identification Laboratory - Hawaii, (CIL-HI) it was determined that the remains were not Kenneth Plumadore. Pat pursued Kenny's case vigorously. In 1992, exhausting all possibilities Pat inquired of the USMC regarding the possibility of a mis- identification of remains and that perhaps her brother might be buried in another man's grave. Pat was assured both verbally and in writing that the possibility had been investigated, and ruled out. This was another lie. Far from ruling out the mis-identification, CIL-HI, in 1989 had in fact confirmed the possibility of a mis-identification.

By 1994, the political climate changed. The U.S. was on a fast track to normalization. The only thing standing in the way was the discrepancy list of American POW's. The U.S. government had to reduce that list. Again, a USMC casualty officer visited the Plumadore family. Pat was informed that there was a mis-identification and the government now felt that Kenny was buried in Yreka, CA., under the headstone of William Berry. William Berry, they said was buried in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They also suggested the possibility of commingled remains with Kenny's remains buried in both graves. Mark Judge, they said was the American soldier captured by the North Vietnamese. Finally, the USMC acknowledged the mis-identification, the denied in 1992. Due to space constraints, we can not detail every lie told the Plumadore, Judge and Berry families. No one has that much paper, in their fax machines.

Here are the facts. The USMC and U.S. intelligence knew on 22 Sept. 1967 that at least one Marine was captured. CIL-HI knew in 1989 there was a mis-identification. They tried to hide that fact, hoping Pat Plumadore would go away.

Forensic evidence that would prove or disprove the identity of the CIL-HI remains as Mark Judge is inconclusive. According to renown Anthropologist Michael Charney, there is no evidence to prove or disprove the identity of Mark Judge. Independent dental examination, questions CIL-HI's identification of a specific tooth as matching Mark Judge.

The government claims mt-DNA testing conducted proves the remains to be Mark Judge. Yet, test results provided to Mark's mother, Mary Jellison, is redacted. When the full unsanatized test results were requested Mrs. Jellison was informed those portions of the test did not pertain to "her son, her daughter (who also provided blood for the dna testing) or herself." The redacted sections related to the skull and ulna.

Facial reconstruction of the skull resulted in a determination that the skull could "Possibly be mongoloid female." The family also scheduled a 2nd, more advanced, computer enhancement facial reconstruction. This week a Pentagon spin doctor cited the military's cooperation with the families to conduct this test. They failed to mention the test was not conducted because the skull did not meet the required criteria, i.e.: male.

The lies of the U.S. government and the USMC, led the families to the action taken April 9th. Fearing that the U.S. government would seize the Fort Wayne, Indiana grave, leaving the families with no control of events, or knowledge of what was actually contained in the grave, they took a pre-emptive action.

In the presence of a board certified anthropologist and odentologist, the grave once thought to contain Mark Judge was opened. The anthropologist, after a preliminary examination have reached the following conclusions. The remains are male, there is no commingling of remains and they are not Kenneth Plumadore. The procedure is slow going because the U.S. government, so far, has not provided original records.

Right now, the families are very angry. They have been lied to and deceived for the last 28 years. Pat Plumadore will not give up. Discussing the time when hopefully she will have Kenny home, pat said "if the Marines think I' m going away, they are wrong. I'm adopting another Marine POW and I'll find out what happened to him. They lied to me and they have probably lied to everyone else. Someone has to be held responsible for the lies."

We will keep you informed, as new information develops.

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We ask you all to hold a special place in your hearts for Pat Plumadore, Mary Judge Jellison and Fred Berry. Both Mary and Fred are new to our ranks. For 28 years, they believed they mourned at their loved ones grave's. They could have accepted the governments explanation and a switch of graves. Instead they stood firm in support of Pat Plumadore. We can only imagine how difficult it was to take the action they did, knowing they had no choice, if they wanted the full truth. They acted with the dignity and strength that is the hallmark of every POW/MIA family member. If you are looking for a definition of courage, look to Pat Plumadore, Mary Judge Jellison and Fred Berry. If you are looking for the definition of courage look to any of our POW/MIA family members.

From BITS 'N' PIECES JUNE 1, 1996

Speaking of Gross Incompetence -- on July 18, 1995 Patricia Plumadore, sister of POW/MIA L/CPL. Kenneth Plumadore, petitioned the Dept. of Navy Board for Correction of Naval Records for a change in her brothers status. Regular readers of bits 'n' piece know that Kenny was originally listed as killed in action body not recovered. Regular readers also know that evidence indicates Kenneth Plumadore was captured.

Pat filled out the necessary form, indicating she was next of kin. She supplied necessary documentation, to support her claim. On March 21, 1996, a letter arrived at her home addressed to Mr. Kenneth Plumadore. The letter, from the Board of Correction, informed Kenny that the Personnel Records Center, in St. Louis, was unable to locate his records.

Kenny was asked to verify the accuracy of his service number and social security number. He was requested to "submit any official records or documents you may possess relating to your naval service."

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To the Board of Correction -- take note -- Kenny's records were pulled from St. Louis in March 1986. One month before the Vietnamese returned the remains of the American captured at Con Thien on September 21, 1967. Check DPMO. We also suggest a class in reading comprehension.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES JUNE 29, 1996

Breaking News -- the families of Kenneth Plumadore, Mark Judge and William Berry gathered on June 20th, in Yreka CA., for the exhumation of the grave once thought to contain the remains of William Berry. Also in attendance were independent forensic experts, representing the Plumadore, Berry and Judge families, along with representatives from CIL-HI and the U.S. Marine Corps. The results of the preliminary examination, by the two independent experts, shows that the California remains are not those of L/Cpl. Kenneth L. Plumadore.

Examination of the Indiana remains indicates they could be those of William Berry. Although no formal identification has been made on any of the remains. The Berry family indicated they would accept the identification of the Indiana remains, if a 6 foot 3 inch Marine (Plumadore) was found in the California grave. If the remains were not Plumadore's, the Berry family would request mt-DNA testing on both sets of remains. Preliminary examination revealed that the California remains are the shortest of the three sets of remains.

When Pat Plumadore requested bone sample from the California remains for independent mt-DNA test she was told by representative of the USMC that she would not be given access to samples as the "nothing there pertains to you."

However, we have learned that Pentagon spokesperson Beverly Baker is responding to media questioning by say --- they expect to find Kenneth Plumadore in the California grave.

To that we ask -- how can the shortest of the three set of remains, become the remains of the tallest marine?

The Plumadore, Judge and Berry families have requested the following: independent mt-DNA testing on the CIL-HI remains and CIL-HI and independent mt-DNA testing on both the Indiana and California remains. So far, the government has refused their requests.

No one should jump to any conclusions on the identity of any of these remains. As of now, the California remains are unknown. The Indiana remains are questionable in their identity, as are the CIL-HI remains. L/cpl Kenneth L. Plumadore remains unaccounted for.

It is time the Marines and the U.S. government come clean on this case. How many men died in this incident? How many were capture? How far from the original loss incident were the remains of 9 of those marines recovered?

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Attn: Marines and U.S. government - you cooked the books on this one, and your house of lies is tumbling down around you. Tell the truth, now! Your continued lies, only increases your embarrassment.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES JULY 27, 1996

Special message to the Marine Corps. Re: Plumadore / Judge / Berry / ?

1 + 1 = 2 2 + 1 = 3

How do you know when the Marine's and CIL-HI are lying in this case? Their lips are moving. Seriously, Friday July 26th, another lie was passed to the Plumadore family from the Marine Corps. Within the next several weeks we hope to be able to share with you, several very interesting developments on this case.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES DECEMBER 7, 1996

INSULT TO INJURY - Mary Judge Jellison, mother of Prisoner of War or Missing in America Pvt. Mark Judge, received a check forwarded by the Marine Corp. The check in the amount of $45.06 represented accrued pay and POW allowance for the time one of the possible several Marines, "captured at Con Thien on 21 Sept. 1967," survived in captivity. Deducted from the check were social security and medicare taxes.

Mrs. Jellison returned the check advising the Marine Corp, in no uncertain terms, that she wants no money. She wants this case resolved to her satisfaction. To resolve the case to Mrs. Jellison's satisfaction, the Marine Corp. must allow independent mt-DNA testing of the CIL-HI remains, before Mrs. Jellison accepts them. Both CIL-HI and independent mt-DNA testing is needed on the Indiana remains before she releases them. Original CIL-HI records generated from 1986 and authentic medical records on all Marines involved in the controversial identifications from this incident, must be provided to the Judge-Jellions family.

Is it to much ask of the Marine Corp. that they grant Mrs. Jellison's requests? Mary's request is simple. She wants to be very sure that, this time, she is burying her son.

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UNKNOWN SOLDIER - Remember an almost complete set of remains was exhumed from the California grave, once thought to hold William Berry. Which Marine from Operation Kingfisher was buried in that grave? So far, there is no indication that the Marine Corp. is trying to locate any other families to advise them of the third mis-identification in this incident.

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TEASER - Research on the Plumadore/Judge/Berry/??/?? continues to unearth contradictory and embarrassing evidence. Should the government move to seize the remains in Indiana, through court order, they will be in for quite a surprise at the information ready for release by the Plumadore and Judge-Jellison families, both in court and to the public.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES JANUARY 11, 1997

Plumadore/Judge/Berry/?/? -- Let's try this again in words so small and clear, that CIL-HI and Marine Headquarters can understand them. The piece of jaw bone recovered from the grave in Yreka, Ca., contains one (1) tooth and one (1) impacted wisdom tooth.

Kenny Plumadore's wisdom teeth were removed prior to his entry into the Marine Corp. This fact is reflected in his master records. In spite of this fact, CIL-HI and Marine Casualty insist that there is "reasonable" evidence to indicate that the jaw bone, found in the Yreka grave, represents the remains of Kenneth Plumadore.

In summary: Kenneth Plumadore had all his wisdom teeth removed. The jaw bone from the grave in California has one (1) impacted wisdom tooth. Therefore, the jaw bone can not belong to Kenny Plumadore.

We know our readers grasp the concept. However, CIL-HI and Marine Casualty are sure having a difficult time understanding it. Their disregard of facts and documented evidence proves what we've said all along. CIL-HI is more interested in naming remains than identifying them. In this case the Marine Corp is more than willing to cooperate.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES SEPTEMBER 6, 1997

Regular readers of Bits 'N' Pieces know of our deep involvement in the case of Kenneth Plumadore-Mark Judge-William Berry-??????-and ???????. It has been a year since we have brought you anything of substance on this case. It is time for an update.

On August 23 1996, the Marine Corp. contacted Mary Judge Jellison, mother of Mark Judge. In their letter signed by Lt. General C.A. Mutter an ultimatum was issued stating "If you have not authorized the release of the remains by September 6, 1996, we will have no alternative but to pursue legal action against you...." That deadline was one year ago today. Imagine how Mary Jellison felt. The weight of the United States Marine Corp against a grandmother from Indiana. Well, we are still waiting for the Marines to take their legal action.

To take legal action, you need legal grounds and quite simply the Marines don't have a leg to stand on and they know it. This case has been mishandled from day one. We have no idea where Kenneth Plumadore is. We have no idea who the remains, exhumed from the California grave are. We can tell you they are not those of Kenny Plumadore, Mark Judge or William Berry. Mt-DNA testing which is 100% conclusive in proving a no match has excluded the possibility that the remains from California might be Judge or Berry. Height and the presence of wisdom teeth rule out Kenneth Plumadore. The identification of the CIL-HI remains, once thought to be Mark Judge is now in serious question.

But guess what folks.... there is at least one other misidentification in this case occurring in November of 1967 and we have the documentation! We've refrained from comment hoping to give the Marines the opportunity to do the right thing. Well times run out!

One must remember that the Marine Corp said 15 Marines were left on the field at Con Thein on September 21, 1967.

Message traffic dated 23 Nov. 67 states: "1. On 14 October 67 fifteen skeletal remains were delivered to the Da Nang Mortuary by the 1st Marine Med. Bn. Records accompanied these remains and fourteen were identified and proc sed (sic.) The one remains which was unidentified would not compare with any records sent forward."

"2. Checking the medical records on file for MIA's Maj. James M. McGarvey's records were in very favorable agreement with the post mortem identification findings for this remains. Maj. McGarvey's name was given to the 1st Med Bn as a BTB (believed to be) for this remains. The 1st Med Bn informed identification specialist that Maj McGarvey's plane had gone down in this area were (sic) the remains were recovered and that they had reason to believe that at least one of the original fifteen remains had been replaced by another remains."

.

"3. With this information placing Maj McGarvey in this area, and the agreement of age and distinct dental characteristics it was recommended the remains DAD-1676-67, be identified as Major James M. McGarvey."

The McGarvey family was notified that remains were recovered and identified. On November 18th, 1967, the day after Mark Judge was buried in Indiana, the remains BTB Major James McGarvey were shipped from the Da Nang Mortuary to Dover Air Force Base. On December 19th, at Dover Air Force Base, it was determined that the remains were not those of Major James McGarvey.

Who did these remains belong to? Major McGarvey was at least 8 years older than the oldest Marine lost during Operation Kingfisher. What happened to the "agreement of age and distinct dental characteristics" between the remains and Major McGarvey? As to the loss location; Major McGarvey and his copilot Captain Carlton were lost over North Vietnam, not South Vietnam where the remains were recovered.

In a conversation with Major McGarvey's wife, Pat Plumadore (sister of Kenneth Plumadore) confirmed that Major McGarvey had distinctive and unmistakable dental work. How could such a misidentification occur? More importantly, what happened to the remains once thought to be Major James McGarvey?

According to the Marine Corp., the remains once thought to be Major McGarvey were consolidated with the remains of another Kingfisher loss. However, the Marine Corp. denies any exhumations of Kingfisher losses prior to the Indiana and California exhumations in 1996. We know Mark Judge was the last documented Kingfisher burial on November 17th, 1967. The misidentification of Major McGarvey was not formalized until December 19th. So, how could these remains have been consolidated. What happened to these remains with

the "distinct dental characteristics?" How could those "distinct dental characteristics" be misidentified in Da Nang? How many other misidentification are there?

The Marine Corp. admits to leaving 15 Marines on the field September 21st, 1967. They claim to have recovered and identified 15 sets of remains. The memo clearly states "fifteen skeletal remains," arrived on October 14th. One of those sets of remains was shipped home as James McGarvey. If you are to believe the Marine Corp. fiction the other 14 were identified as the Marines of Operation Kingfisher, with Kenneth Plumadore the only unaccounted for Marine.

Yet, documentation proves beyond doubt that remains once believed to be William Berry did not arrive at DaNang mortuary until November 1st. That leaves us with one Marine to many or does it?

How does the misidentification of Major McGarvey fit into the Marine Corp threat to take legal action against Mary Jellison? It really doesn't. It is just another piece of the puzzle, a piece of information the Marine Corp. tried to hide and a piece of information unearthed in spite of their best efforts to withhold it.

However, there is information that directly relates to the Marine Corp's empty threat to take legal action. We are not going to get into that today. What we will do is restate Mary Jellison's requests and give the Marine Corp. another opportunity to do the right thing.

Mary Jellison requests the following:

1) Independent mt-DNA testing on the CIL-HI remains.

2) CIL-HI and independent mt-DNA testing on the Indiana remains to rule out the

probability that the Indiana remains are in fact Mark Judge.

In our June 29th Bits 'N' Pieces, we wrote of the briefing provided by Mr. James Canick of the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, we stated "As we knew the answers to all questions asked beforehand, we can say that Mr. Canick answered all but one of our questions as expected. Someday, in a future edition of Bits, we will be able to discuss that unexpected answer."

The next time we write about this case, there will be tremendous amount of embarrassment for the Marine Corp., CIL-HI and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL.)

In another edition of Bits we wrote "don't ever play poker with Dolores Alfond, she doesn't bluff." Well extend that warning to Pat Plumadore, Mary Jellison and Lynn O'Shea. We're not bluffing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From BITS 'N' PIECES SEPTEMBER 20, 1997

CIL-HI, Marines, et. al. -- claim remains held at the Port Mortuary in California are those of L/Cpl Mark Judge. His mother believes Mark's remains are in a Fort Wayne, In. cemetery. CIL-HI and the Marines are still refusing to provide the testing need to prove the Fort Wayne remains are not Mark's.

So, we are going to ask a some of questions: Have the Vietnamese ever returned remains with a name association of someone listed as recovered? Have any of these remains come from loss incidents where all remains were deemed recovered, "identified" and returned to their families for burial? Are the Army Mortuaries responsible for any other mis-identifications beside Plumadore/Judge/Berry/McGarvey/?

If CIL-HI and the Marines make us keep asking questions, they are not going to be happy with the answers.

Ever hear of Pandora's box??????????

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From BITS 'N' PIECES NOVEMBER 15, 1997

Slipping the lid -- on Pandora's Box. The case of mis-identifications involved in the Plumadore/Judge/Berry/Unknown Remains from the California Grave/McGarvey/?/?/?/?/ case looks more wide spread then we imagined.

Years ago, one casualty officer told a family member that he and other casualty officers went to bed each night thanking God Kenny Plumadore was a Marine and they did not have to deal with this case. Heads up.... casualty officers, you are not out of the woods, yet. Are the mis-identifications spilling over to other branches of the service? Ask the Marines and CIL-HI! They know, but will they tell!

Marine Corp., CIL-HI, et al: Give Mark Judge's mother, Mary Judge Jellison, the testing and records she wants. If this case goes to court, you are going to have to set up phone banks to field the call from family members. You know the questions they will be asking.

What we don't understand is why CIL-HI and the Marine Corp., continue to maintain this fraud forcing us to dig for more information. The more we dig, the more we find. We'll give you a hint.... "Dead Man Walking" (FYI - CIL-HI and the Marine Corp. the typographical error excuse will not work on this one.)

Riddle me this.... two anthropologists examine remains, one anthropologist described a set of remains as having weak mastoid bones. The other anthropologist described the remains as having strong, well developed mastoid bones. Two sets of remains or incompetent anthropologists.....

The next time we discuss this case maybe we will talk about what we really know about the mt-DNA testing process.

Records and testing is all Mary Judge Jellison wants. The evidence is there to disprove the identification of the CIL-HI remains as Mark Judge. It's in the words and documentation of official government reports and records. The lid is slipping on Pandora's Box.

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Honors to the Unknown -- As we paused this past Veterans' Day to honor our heroes, let us remember the Unknown of California, found in the grave once believed to be William Berry's. Are you wondering what is being done to identify that hero and return him to his family? We are wondering too.....

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From BITS 'N' PIECES JANUARY 24, 1998

This Bits N Pieces is dedicated to Kenny Plumadore, Mark Judge, William Berry,

the Unknown of Yreka California, the Men of Operation Kingfisher, wherever they are, Victor J. Apodaca and Michael J. Blassie.

MAY THE TRUTH BRING THEM HOME

This is perhaps one of the most important issues of Bits 'n' Pieces ever done. It certainly took the longest to prepare and was one of the hardest to write. Today, we will tell you why mt-DNA testing must be banned as the PRIMARY means of identifying missing servicemen. We will also tell you why mt-DNA testing can be a useful tool as a Secondary or confirming means of identification.

We delayed this report for several reasons. First, we realized we were in over our heads on the technology. So we checked, double checked and triple checked all information. Second, we hoped the Marine Corp, the Central Identification Laboratory - Hawaii (CIL-HI) and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) would correct their errors. Lastly, in December of 1997, Steven S. Honigman, General Council of the Navy, contacted Mary Judge Jellison to discuss the case. We briefly hoped the U.S. government was about to take responsibility for their errors and grant Mrs. Judge-Jellison's demands, for records and independent testing of all remains.

Instead, he offered Mary Judge Jellison a financial settlement, of $25,000.00, to relinquish the remains in the Indiana grave, she believes are her son's. Her reply "my son is not for sale." Several days later, the offer was upped to $50,000.00. That offer was also refused. A third phone call withdrew all financial offers with the comment ''this isn't about money." Instead, she was offered CIL-HI (AFDIL) testing on the Indiana remains with no provision for independent testing or release of records. Again, she refused.

In the September 6th, 1997, edition of Bits 'N' Pieces, we said that the next time we wrote about this case it would bring embarrassment to the Marine Corp, CIL-HI and AFDIL. We weren't bluffing.

The National Alliance of Families has always been against the use of mt-DNA testing, as the primary means of identification of remains. Our practical experience, in the case of L/Cpl. Mark Judge, raised serious concerns about the application of mt-DNA testing. These concerns are confirmed by a Department of Defense (DoD) study titled "Defense Science Board Task Force on THE USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF ANCIENT REMAINS" dated July, 1995. This study shows that strict scientific guidelines must be followed. Our research shows these guidelines are ignored in order to produce an identification. We know, for a fact:

1) mt-DNA testing is only 100% conclusive in proving a NO MATCH and offers only a statistical probability of a match.

2) the database categorized in racial and ethnic backgrounds does not meet guidelines set

forth by the Department of Defense, i.e.: 500 blood samples or bases in each category

compared to actual bases of 233 or less (example: a base or samples of 90 for Hispanics.)

3) There is no database (blood samples) for Native Americans or Asians.

a) Guidelines set forth by the Department of Defense are very clear regarding the

absolute need for an Asian database.

b) The study does not mention a database for Native Americans.

Also confirmed by the DoD study is the fact that two non-related individuals can match in a mt-DNA test. Granted, the chances are slim. However, when the lack of a complete database is factored in, this fact takes on a new importance.

Used as a primary means of identification, with no evidence other than the statement of the Vietnamese, mt-DNA testing offers only a probability as to the identification. Following the DoD guidelines that probability may be as high as 99%. However, the guidelines as set forth by DoD are totally ignored.

The accuracy of an identification depends on the completeness of the database and quality control in the laboratory. We can't speak for the quality control in the lab, but we can tell you about their database.

During the June 1997 meeting of the National Alliance of families Mr. James Canick, of AFDIL, confirmed that the database does not meet the scientific guidelines. According to the DoD guidelines a complete database with a 500 Blood Sample average, offers an accuracy of 99%.

Logically, the statistical probability of an accurate identification is reduced as the database is reduced.

a) Statistically a database of half, or 250, would offer an accuracy of 48.5%.

b) Half the database again, for a base of 125, would bring the accuracy level down

to 24.75%.

According to the DoD study, and Mr. Canick, AFDIL should have databases (blood samples) on the following ethnic/racial categories: U.S. Caucasian, European Caucasian, African-American, Afro-Caribbean, African, Hispanic and Asian. Within each ethnic/racial category there should be a database (blood samples) of 500 each category. Actual figures are substantially lower as shown in the chart below.

* Actual Figures as of 30 August 1996

Using the above chart, the average recommended database is 500. The average for the actual AFDIL database is 106. The DoD guideline states a database of 500 is needed for a 99% accuracy rating. A database of 106 would give an accuracy rating of roughly 21.2%. This 21.2% figure hardly inspires confidence, especially when attempts are made to identify POW/MIAs whose ethnic racial background are either not represented, i.e. Asia or Native American, or very poorly represented, i.e. African - American and Hispanic.

The following quotes are taken from the DoD study titled "Defense Science Board Task Force on THE USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF ANCIENT REMAINS." The information in this fifty-seven (57) page report, dated July 1995, is extremely important.

"...The Task Force finds that the present probability of coincidental matches between MT-DNA control region sequences is no more than a few percent. Once sequences from 500 members of a population have been determined, precise statements about the chance of a false association of a set of remains with a family will be able to be made. Published data may be of value, but samples will be needed from Southeast Asian populations...."

AFDIL can not determine the "chance of a false association of a set of remains with a family" until 500 databases in each racial/ethnic category is obtained. Tests conducted prior to achieving a 500 database offers results that are highly questionable. The Department of Defense is presenting families with mt-DNA identifications, based on questionable remains and a substandard and incomplete database.

"...Moreover, to allow for the possibility of non-U.S. remains being typed, and to allow for the genetic differences within the U.S. population, sequences should be collected from the major groups, Caucasian, African - American, Hispanic and Asian. As data accumulate, it will become evident if there are substantial mitochondrial differences among different Asian countries, or with the racial groups...."

Our readers are familiar with the case of L/Cpl. Kenneth Plumadore, Mark Judge and William Berry, USMC. The Vietnamese returned a full set of remains, in 1986. According to the Vietnamese the remains were of the Marine captured at Con Thien in September, 1967. That would have been Plumadore, the only acknowledged MIA from the incident. CIL-HI immediately found that the remains were not those of L/Cpl. Plumadore.

No identification of this full set of remains could be made forensically or dentally. In fact, CIL-HI had determined that a "probable dental exclusion" eliminated Mark Judge as the CIL-HI remains. Yet, 1994, representatives of the U.S. Marine Corp. notified the family of Mark Judge that there had been a wartime mis-identification of remains. Mark's mother, Mary Jellison, was told Mark had been captured and died in the Vinh Linh hospital in North Vietnam. Buried in Mark's grave, the Marines said, was L/Cpl. William Berry. Kenneth Plumadore, they said, was in William Berry's grave.

During 1994, there was a ban on the use of mt-DNA as the primary means of identification. This ban was in effect due to prior questionable test results. A one time waiver was obtained and mt-DNA testing was done on the remains once thought to be Kenneth Plumadore.

Samples from four (4) different bones, including the skull were tested. The Judge family

was assured, in 1994, of a perfect match, due to "unique" sequencing found in both mother and son. For many reasons, the family fought the identification.

After several challenges and FOIA requests from the Judge-Jellison family, AFDIL, in March of 1997, re-examined the test results, for this case. As a result of that re-examination, the test results were changed. Of the unique sequence AFDIL wrote on March 21, 1997, "As stated in the 17 Oct 94 report the Jellison family sequence was not found when compared to 271 population samples, and "less than one percent of the general population would be expected to carry this MT-DNA sequence." This statement was made without confidence limits associated with it. In order to place 95% confidence intervals around this estimate (i.e., you would expect your estimate to be correct 95% of the time), we would have to compare the Judge sequence to approximately 500 U.S. Caucasians. Thus, the statement could be considered misleading and we are preparing an addendum report to retract it."

The letter continued "In reviewing the 17 Oct 94 data, we reported that the 02A sequence was unique in the database of 100 unrelated British Caucasians. When doing the current database search on the 741 sequences, 02A matches one British Caucasian. This finding does not have any bearing on the conclusion drawn in this case, but does marginally decrease the significance of the match between sample 02A and the Jellison family references.

In addition, given the position of 16354 in the sequence for sample 01A (Skull) should be designated an "N", a new database search was performed, and 64 of 741 sequences matched. Thus, this significantly decrease the weight of the match between 01A and the Jellison family references..."

The unique sequences of mother and son in 1994 became, in 1997, a match to 64 other individuals in the database or a match to 8.6% of the database. In AFDIL's own words "this significantly decreases the weight of the match between 01A (Skull) and the Jellison family references." Information contained in backup documentation accompanying the letter, show that the match to individuals in the database breaks down as follows:

U.S. Caucasians - 27; European Caucasian - 15; African-American - 2; Afro-Caribbean - 10;

African - 5; and Hispanic - 5 for a total of 64 database matches.

Simply put the skull of the CIL-HI remains once thought to be Mark Judge actually match 63 other POW/MIA families in the AFDIL data base. Who is this serviceman? where is Mark Judge, Kenny Plumadore, and William Berry? Who is the hero exhumed from the California grave?

If you are a family member who has contributed blood for the mt-DNA data base, you may want to contact your Casualty Officer to see if you might be a match to the Skull identified as Mark Judge.

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Note: We wish to thank Patricia Plumadore, sister of L/CPL. Kenneth L. Plumadore POW/MIA September 21, 1967, for her invaluable assistance in putting together this information on mt-DNA testing. She was skeptical of the science; when we were willing to believe it. It was through her efforts that AFDIL reviewed the original test results on the CIL-HI remains once thought to be those of Mark Judge. Thanks to her efforts, we know that identification would not stand in a court of law.

From BITS 'N' PIECES January 31, 1998

Marine Corp., CIL-HI, AFDIL - at the National Alliance of Families mt-DNA briefing June 1997 AFDIL representative James Cannick discussing the use of mt-DNA testing stated -- "We can often use it better as an exclusion than sometimes as an inclusion."

Simple terms - mt-DNA testing is better at telling us who the remain are not, than who the remains are. this shows that mt-DNA testing should only be used as a confirming tool and not as primary means of identification.

We've got more.... How does one set of remains go from "older, shorter" to "younger, taller?" If you think we are bluffing... continue your harassment of Mary Jellison.

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Update - Within hours of last weeks fax we were contacted by another family in the DNA process. They were kind enough to provide us the updated AFDIL data base. With the increase in blood samples our estimated overall accuracy rate is now at roughly 31%. The Asian database previously at zero is now 57 or 11% of the required 500. We will publish the full database in a future "Bits N Pieces."

It should be noted that this increase in the database does not change the findings in the case of CIL-HI remains once thought to be Mark Judge.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES FEBRUARY 28, 1998

Our January 24th edition of Bits 'N' Pieces dealing with the inadequacies of mt-DNA testing as a primary means of identification generated quite of few e-mails. We would like to clarify several points. mt-DNA testing is different from the type of DNA testing used in courtrooms across the nation. mt-DNA testing is not used in tissue typing for organ transplants. A database, as described by the Defense Science Board Task Force is absolutely necessary to get an test result with an accuracy of 99%. Finally, and most importantly mt-DNA is not 100% accurate. Several e-mails received made statements such as "mother to son, it either matches or it doesn't..." "it's a yes or no, that simple" are not correct.

If the above statements were correct, the skull once believed to be Mark Judge would either match his mother or not. Instead the skull matches Mary Judge Jellison and 63 other members of the database. The arm bone once believed to be Mark Judge would either match his mother or not. Instead the arm bone matches Mary Judge Jellison and 1 other member of the database. Based on this, the entire CIL-HI skeletal remains matches at least one other family in the database. So much for uniqueness!

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Family members - IF you have already contributed blood for mt-DNA testing, you are part of the database. You could match the CIL-HI remains. Make inquiries!

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Speaking of mt-DNA we promised you the updated data base. Here it is:

We remind everyone, the 1994 database was used to identify the remains once thought to be Mark Judge. It was from that database that Mary Judge Jellison, Mark's mother, was told of the "unique" match to the remains. The case review in 1997 used the August 1996 database. Using that database the skull matched 64 members of the database. Does that mean if another review were conducted using the January 1998 database, more matches would be found?

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Did you know the "Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on the use of DNA Technology for Identification of Ancient Remains" recommends blood samples from two family members (mother and sibling or 2 siblings when mother is unavailable) to insure accuracy of testing. So why when two samples are available are they only taking one?

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From Bits 'N' Pieces March 28, 1998

Update - What is DOD telling Senators about mt-DNA testing? -- According to a letter from Senator Patty Murray "...While the tests could not say without doubt the remains are Lt. Blassie, they could conclusively say if they are not."

We've been saying that all along.... mt-DNA testing is only 100% conclusive in proving a no match.

That is why mt-DNA testing should NEVER be used as the sole means of identification.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES MAY 30, 1998

Speaking of mt-DNA - From the New Scientist February 28th, 1998 - "Bearing False Witness Chance Matches Are Much More Likely with mt-DNA Tests" - "A type of genetic fingerprinting with a high chance of producing a false match has helped convict six people in the US. The increasing use of this type of DNA evidence, based on DNA from the mitochondria (mt) of a cell, has sparked heated debate about whether it should be admissible in courts at all...."

Discussing the limitations of mt-DNA testing the article concludes by stating "Because of these limitations, Britian's Forensic Science Service in Birmingham uses mt DNA only to eliminate suspects or to back up other pieces of evidence, Dave Werrett, director of research and DNA services at the FSS says it is vital that expert witnesses explain to the jury that a random match is far more likely with mt DNA. "What we do is put all the caveats up front."

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What is Britian's Forensic Science Service - It is AFDIL's British counterpart and they will not use mt-DNA testing as a primary or sole means of identification.

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How unique is an mt-DNA sequence? Not as unique as CIL-HI, AFDIL and the Marine Corp would like us to believe! Stay tuned.

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From Bits 'N' Pieces July 17, 1998

Rumor Department -- Was that Pat Plumadore visiting Air Force Casualty during the recent meetings in D.C.? Rumor has it, that Army is next on her list. It would have been so much easier if the Marines and CIL-HI, had done the right thing in the Plumadore/Judge/Berry/?/ case. Quite frankly, what Pat is finding is beginning to scare us.

To the Marines and CIL-HI. in the words of Yoda "afraid you will be."

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They wouldn't lie, would they -- During all the media attention to the story of Michael Blassie, one point was made very clear by both the Pentagon and AFDIL. That point was confirmed at our meeting by Dr. Mitchell Holland -- mtDNA testing is not used as a primary or sole means of identification.

This was said in spite of the fact that mtDNA testing was used as the primary or sole means of identification for CIL-HI remains 0048-86 in an attempt to pass those remains off as L/Cpl. Mark Judge. Regular readers of Bits 'n' Pieces are very familiar with this case and know that mtDNA test results can be highly questionable, even when the guidelines are followed. When the guidelines are not followed, the test is a disaster.

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From Bits 'N' Pieces September 12, 1998

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A Man of His Word - We may not always agree with him, in fact, we will probably never agree with him, but we believe Bob Jones, the new head of DPMO is a man of his word. That is why we were thrilled to receive his letter dated August 7th, 1998.

In that letter Mr. Jones stated: "Scientists count on the power of mtDNA typing to provide the necessary supporting evidence to make an identification in conjunction with many other factors. MtDNA is not used as the primary or sole means of identification."

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So Folks - Don't expect to see an identification of Kenny Plumadore or Victor Apodaca, anytime soon. As for the identification of CIL-HI 0048-86 as Mark Judge, forget about it.

Ignoring the fact that Kenny Plumadore had all his wisdom teeth removed before he entered the Marines, there are no "other factors" to indicate the small piece of jaw bone with wisdom teeth, in the Yreka grave is Kenny Plumadore.

As for the small piece of bone CIL-HI tested in an attempt to identify Victor Apodaca, there are no "other factors" to indicate the remains are those of Victor Apodaca. This is confirmed by a "Memo for the Record" dated 19 Oct. 1994. Referencing "Telecon between Mather and Helgesen, CILHI, this date" Paul Mather writes "Mr. Helgesen could not shed light on the SRV rationale for alleging these to be Apodaca's remains. He shared my opinion that apparently someone, perhaps the "smuggler," had come up with the Apodaca name."

As for CIL-HI 0048-86, (Mark Judge) there is simply no way to identify these remains, at this time. According to a "Close Hold" memorandum dated 24 June 1994, "This case can only be resolved through the use of mtDNA as a primary means of identification."

We've proven that mtDNA is useless as a primary means of identification. Remember, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) in a March 1997 letter totally backtracked on the mtDNA identification, of CilHI 0048-86 as mark judge. The unique match to the Judge-Jellison family became a one of 64 matches from a database of 742.

A piece of jaw bone, a piece of hip bone, and at this point a truly Unknown Vietnam Serviceman can not possibly be identified as Kenny Plumadore, Victor Apodaca, and Mark Judge, as there are no "other factors" to point to their identification.

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Speaking Of That 1 of 64 Matches - We need to correct an error. We previously suggested that all family members who supplied blood for mtDNA testing contact their casualty officer to see if they are one of the 64 matches. We have since learned that the database of 742 used for that test was not made up solely of POW/MIA family members. The database of 742 included samples from POW/MIA families, criminals from the FBI, and contribution from the British database made up of British Nationals.

While it is possible that the 64 matches came from within the POW/MIA family samples, it is also possible that CIL-HI 0048-86 could have matched one or more of the nations 10 most wanted.

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From Bits 'N' Pieces September 26, 1998

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.

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From Bits N Pieces Nov. 7th, 1998

One of those Last Known Alive Cases - considered accounted for is Marine L/Cpl Kenneth Plumadore. The fact is no one, with the exception of the Vietnamese, knows where Kenny is. He is not the remains repatriated from Vietnam, in 1986. He was not in the grave in Indiana. Nor, was he in the California grave.

From what we can gather, nothing has been done to identify the remains exhumed from the California grave. Government officials continue to insist the portion of jaw bone commingled with the full remains, is Kenny Plumadore. This in spite of the FACT that the jaw bone contains wisdom teeth, and all of L/Cpl Plumadore's wisdom teeth were removed prior to his joining the Marines.

CIL-HI needs the jaw bone to be Kenny. So, the jaw bone will be Kenny, in spite of the facts. When CIL-HI needed an unknown, they stripped Michael Blassie of his identity and made him Unknown. They don't identify remains, they name them. They don't even need remains to bury someone.

CIL-HI and the Marines - if you think the California remains are "the last set of remains,"

think again.

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From BITS 'N' PIECES November 20, 1999

"In War The First Casualty Is Truth"

Plumadore/Judge/Berry/???/??? Update - mt-DNA tests were conducted on remains identified in 1967, as PFC Mark Judge. According to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab, test results conclude that the remains are actually William Berry. Regular readers of "Bits 'N Pieces" know the inaccuracies of mt-DNA testing. Regular readers also know how mt-DNA testing was manipulated to conclude that remains returned by the Vietnamese, in 1986, were Mark Judge. (For more on this subject visit our website at http://www.nationalalliance.org/kenny.htm)

"In War The First Casualty Is Truth"

On Saturday November 20th, family and friends will gather at Concorde Gardens Cemetery, in Fort Wayne Indiana to bury remains CIL-HI 0048-86, designated by the United States Government as Marine PFC Mark Warren Judge.

Long time readers of "Bits 'N' Pieces," know the story of misidentification, and exhumations and of the battles fought over the last 5 years, by Mary Judge Jellison, Mark's Mother, and Patricia Plumadore, sister of POW/MIA L/Cpl. Kenneth Plumadore.

In the last two years, Mrs. Jellison has been continually harassed by the Marine Corp, and threatened with lawsuits. No lawyer would take her case. The so called "independent" DNA labs refused to conduct tests involving this case, citing "conflict of interests." The media, after initial interest in the first exhumation, refused to become involved in this case. The only exposure this case received was through periodic reports in "Bits 'N' Pieces." Sadly, our efforts to generate public support for the Judge-Jellison and Plumadore families were unsuccessful. Mrs. Jellison was able to get one scientist to conduct a photo super-imposition, on the remains she belevies are her son's. While the results would not stand up in court, the doctors conclusion that the skull was "more Mark than Berry."

With all options exhausted, Mrs. Jellison allowed mt-DNA testing on the remains she believe to be her son. The government, however, never met any of the three requests made by Mrs. Jellison. Her request were simple. She wanted all records on CIL-HI 0048-86 generated from the time of their return in 1986. Records provided by the government start in 1989. She also requested independent mt-DNA testing on both CIL-HI 0048-86 and the remains she believes are her son's.

When this battle started Mary said, that if a time came when all avenues had been exhausted and there was no alternative, she would, in her words "give the CIL-HI remains a home." It should be remembered that CIL-HI 0048-86, whoever he is, died as a Prisoner of War, unacknowledged by the United States government

So, on Saturday November 20th, 1999, CIL-HI 0048-86, a still unidentified American Serviceman, with a 1 in 64 chance of actually being Mark Judge, gets a home and a Mom. The government has offered no conclusive evidence to prove CIL-HI 0048-86 is Mark Judge. No forensic evidence exists to support the identification.

We spoke, at length with Mary Jellison in the evening of November 17th. She told us, "I'd like to believe the CIL-HI remains are Mark's, but in my heart I don't. I still think I had Mark all along and I gave him up. This will never be over for me because I'll never know."

There will be a full Military funeral, complete with Marine Corp. Band, and dignitaries from Washington De Ceit. Mary agreed to this, because in her words; " this poor boy never had a funeral. He deserves the honor."

She ended by saying; "There is no closure for me... The Marine Corp has closure but I don't."

We are sure that CIL-HI, AFDIL and Marine Corp. Command, representatives are congratulating themselves on their "victory." Quite simply, they beat a sick, elderly woman into submission. It must be a real proud day for them.

It should be noted that remains, originally identified as Mark Judge in 1967, now rest in a California grave as William Berry. In the casket, is a single rose and an American flag, from the woman who believes in her heart that she is his mother.

"In War The First Casualty Is Truth"

In mid - 1992, Pat Plumadore posed a series of questions to the Marine Corp. one of those questions regarded the possible wartime mis-identification of remains. The response came in the form of memo the from Central Identification Laboratory - Hawaii. The memo stated "Nothing was detected during the examination of the available files to suggest a mistake was made in the identification process. When additional records are received we will carefully review them from this aspect." This memo was dated 29 October 1992 and signed by Johnie "why does this man still have a job" Webb.

In Sept. 1994, the families were summoned to Washington De Ceit and told of a possible wartime mis-identification. This conclusion was based on the exact same records, used to reassure Pat Plumadore, in 1992, that "Nothing was detected during the examination of the available files to suggest a mistake was made in the identification process."

Why does Johnie Webb still have a job?

To the CIL-HI, AFDIL and Marine Corp. representative involved in the webb of lies, our wish to you is that when you leave this world, to meet your maker, you find St. Peter waiting for you at the Pearly Gates. And, if they are dead as you say, may you find Kenny Plumadore at St. Pete's left and Mark Judge at his right. It is our most sincere wish that St. Peter allows Kenny and Mark to tell you where to go.

In conversation with Pat Plumadore, she stated "I am disgusted with the Marine Corp and how they treated Mary and her family. I have come to love them, as I love my own family. The hardest part is knowing after all the pain and heartache Mary went through, she still does not have the resolution and closure that we were praying she would reach. She will always wonder about her son, as I wonder about my brother. Nothing has changed. I still don't know where my brother is and Mary doesn't know where Mark is."

Here are a few of the reasons Why we can't be sure CIL-HI 0048-86 is Mark Judge.

The Teeth -

14 September 1992 - "Dental Summary: CIL-HI 0048-86 Forensic Odontology Section U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii - "...The dental record of LCpl. Plumadore was compared to the remains and could be excluded. The mortuary files and available antemortem dental records of the remaining fourteen other Marines involved in this incident (listed killed, body recovered) were examined and compared to the remains of CILHI 0048-86. No records of any of the Marines in this incident matched the dental remains of CILHI 0048-86."

8 September 1994 - Forensic Odontology Report: CILHI 0048-86 U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory - signed by LTC William K Mayher "...In my opinion, the dental remains designated CILHI 0048-86 are those of: Judge, Mark Warren."

The Teeth - did they match or didn't they - "In War The First Casualty Is Truth"

The mt-DNA Testing -

13 July 1994 - Memo from Patricia P Hickerson Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Adjutant General "Due to unique circumstances, it is requested that CIL-HI be granted a one-time exception to the use of mtDNA analysis as the primary means of identification in the case of CILHI 0048-86."

7 August 1998 - Letter from Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Affairs, Robert L. Jones - "Scientists count on the power of mtDNA typing to provide the necessary supporting evidence to make an identification in conjunction with many other factors. MtDNA is not used as the primary or sole means of identification."

Mt-DNA testing the primary or sole means of identification for CIL-HI 0048-86 - Yes.. No... "In War The First Casualty Is Truth"

mT-DNA Testing - The Results

17 October 1994 - Department of Defense Armed Forces Institute of Pathology - "The mtDNA sequence information obtained from AFDIL Specimens 01A (Skull,) 02A (R. Ulna,) 03A (R. Humerus) and 04A (R. Femur) and AFDIL Reference Specimens 05A (Mrs. Jellison) and 06A (Mrs. Jellison's daughter) is identical in the overlapping regions...."

"Mitochondrial DNA sequence information obtained from AFDIL Specimens 03A and 04A is identical to AfDIL Reference Specimens 05A (Mrs. Jellison) and 06A (daughter) in the overlapping regions. This information supports the identification of the questioned remains as maternal relating to Mary R. Jellsion..."

21 March 1997 - Department of Defense Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Office of Legal Counsel - "...In addition, given the position of 16354 in the sequence for sample 01A (Skull) should be designated an "N", a new database search was performed, and 64 of 741 sequences matched. Thus, this significantly decrease the weight of the match between 01A and the Jellison family references..."

The unique sequences of mother and son in 1994 became, in 1997, a match to 64 other individuals in the database. In AFDIL's own words "this significantly decreases the weight of the match between 01A (Skull) and the Jellison family references." Yet, CIL-HI and the Marine Corp continued to maintain that the identification of CIL-HI 0048-86 as Mark Judge was a positive identification. The database used by AFDIL was made up of reference samples from POW/MIA families and from the FBI's criminal database.

21 January 1998 - From the POW/MIA Weekly Update, - "The Department of Defense is reviewing information relating to the interment of remains of a Vietnam War unknown at the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery."

"The review will determine if there is sufficient credible evidence to make a recommendation on two key questions: 1) does current science enable us, with confidence to take steps that could help identify the remains in the Tomb; and 2) do the circumstances surrounding the loss incident of the individual possibly believed to be interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns warrant mitochondrial DNA testing? DPMO officials have stated that this review will be done in a measured, methodical manner, to ensure the decisions carefully weigh the competing interests of our commitment to the families of the missing, and the sanctity of the Tomb as hallowed ground, and the ability of DNA testing to identify remains once considered unidentifiable."

With that statement DPMO called into question the ability of mt-DNa testing to make a positive identification. Over the last several years, we would estimate 80% to 90% of the identifications made were based on mt-DNA testing. Many of those identifications were on remains previously considered unidentifiable. Yet, the ability to identify the "Unknown" was questioned."

CIL-HI 0048-86 - Unique mt-DNA match to Mary Judge Jellison... Matches 64 samples in the database.... "In War The First Casualty Is Truth"

What Happened To The Remains Exhumed From The California Grave Originally Identified As William Berry - To our knowledge, they remain at CIL-HI as unidentified. Are they the remains of another of the Marines from "Operation Kingfisher?" Or, are they, as Pat Plumadore suspects, the remain of one of the 25 + servicemen lost in two airplane incidents, on Oct. 3rd and Oct. 8th, 1967. evidence exists to support this theory.

The identification of CIL-HI 0048-86 as Mark Judge is highly questionable. We've given you the truth. We supported that truth with documentation. CIL-HI, the Marine Corp., and AFDIL presented one misrepresentation after another, along with several outright lies.