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Seymour Johnson Air Force Base 2/1/91 [OA 6855]
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Seymour Johnson Air Force Base 2/1/91 [OA 6855]
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George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Speech File Backup Files
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Chron File, 1989-1993
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13745
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13745-002
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Seymour Johnson Air Force Base 2/1/91 [OA 6855]
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26
21
2
5
VISIT WITH TROOP FAMILIES \ SEYMOUR JOHNSON A.F.B.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1991 \ 11:30 A.M.
It's GREAT TO BE HERE AT SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB, HOME
OF THE 4TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING // THE "ROCKETEERS"
AND THE "CHIEFS" // AS WELL AS YOUR REFUELING UNITS,
THE 68TH AND THE 916TH. // AND LET ME SAY WHAT AN
UNBELIEVEABLE JOB COLONEL "JUMBO" WRAY IS DOING HERE ON
BASE // WHILE YOUR WING COMMANDER, COLONEL HORNBURG, IS
DEPLOYED WITH DESERT STORM. I AM ALSO GLAD TO SEE
GOVERNOR MARTIN HERE WITH US TODAY, AS WELL AS
CONGRESSMAN LANCASTER AND MAYOR PLUNK.
- 2 -
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE
WAYNE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR HOSTING THIS FINE
PICNIC.
I AM PROUD TO SHARE THIS STAGE WITH THE SECRETARY
OF THE AIR FORCE, DR. DON RICE AND HIS WIFE; AS WELL AS
THE AIR FORCE CHIEF OF STAFF, GENERAL TONY MCPEAK AND
HIS WIFE. ///
I'VE JUST ARRIVED FROM THE MARINE AIR STATION AT
CHERRY POINT AND WE'RE HEADING TO FORT STEWART NEXT.
- 3 -
I WANT TO TELL YOU HOW PLEASED I AM TO BE ABLE TO SPEND
SOME TIME MEETING AND TALKING WITH YOU -- ESPECIALLY
THE KIDS -- BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TOUGH THESE TIMES CAN
BE. THE WAITING. THE UNCERTAINTY. THE NOT KNOWING.
BUT EACH OF YOU DO KNOW THIS: THE MEN AND WOMEN FROM
SEYMOUR JOHNSON ARE DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB. // THE
TACTICAL FIGHTERS, THE REFUELERS, THE MEDICAL
PERSONNEL, THE CIVIL ENGINEERS, THE SECURITY POLICE. //
- 4 -
I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW GRATEFUL THE NATION IS TO ALL OF
THEM -- AND TO YOU -- AND TO SHARE WITH YOU A FEW
THOUGHTS.
I PROBABLY DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU THAT THE BRAVE
SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN OF THIS BASE ARE PART OF THE MOST
MOTIVATED, BEST EDUCATED, AND BEST EQUIPPED ARMED
FORCES IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY -- BAR NONE. //
BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING THE HARD WORK OF FREEDOM, THE
CAUSE OF FREEDOM WILL PREVAIL. //
- 5 -
WE ARE NOW MORE THAN TWO WEEKS INTO OPERATION
DESERT STORM. AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY, WE ARE ON COURSE
AND ON SCHEDULE. As EACH DAY PASSES, IRAQ'S WAR
MACHINE IS BEING SYSTEMATICALLY DESTROYED BY OUR ALLIED
MILITARY FORCES. OUR INVESTMENT, OUR TRAINING, AND OUR
PLANNING ARE PAYING OFF. SACRIFICES STILL LAY AHEAD,
BUT WE WILL SUCCEED. //
i
- 6 -
AND WHEN WE DO, WE WILL HAVE TAUGHT SADDAM HUSSEIN --
AND ALL OTHERS LIKE HIM -- THAT THERE IS NO PLACE FOR
LAWLESS AGGRESSION IN THE REGION OR IN THE NEW WORLD
ORDER THAT WE ENVISION.
WHILE I'M HERE, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT
SALUTE WHAT U.S. AND COALITION AIRMEN HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED. AIR SUPERIORITY IS AN ESTABLISHED FACT.
THE IRAQI AIR FORCE IS NO LONGER A FACTOR.
- 7 -
AND I KNOW THAT THIS BASE IS VERY PROUD OF THE WAY WE
HAVE USED THAT SUPERIORITY TO GO AFTER SADDAM'S
MISSILES OF TERROR.
OUR MISSION IN THE GULF IS DIFFICULT AND DEMANDING,
BUT I CAN TELL YOU OUR TROOPS WILL NOT BE ASKED TO
ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION WITH ONE HAND TIED BEHIND
THEIR BACK. AND KNOW SOMETHING ELSE -- YOUR HUSBANDS
AND WIVES -- YOUR MOMS AND DADS -- WILL NOT BE IN THE
GULF ONE DAY LONGER THAN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. //
- 8 -
AND FINALLY, I WANT EACH OF YOU AND ALL OUR TROOPS
TO KNOW THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE STAND WITH THEM. I
HOPE YOU HAD A CHANCE To WATCH THE STATE OF THE UNION
ADDRESS, BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN A VERY MOVING
SCENE: THE ENTIRE CONGRESS, CABINET, SUPREME COURT,
JOINT CHIEFS AND DIPLOMATIC CORPS ROSE To THEIR FEET IN
A PROLONGED, HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS. IF ONLY
YOU COULD HAVE FELT THE THUNDER OF THE APPLAUSE, AND
SENSED THE EMOTION THAT FILLED THAT CHAMBER.
- 9 -
AND THE CHEERING WAS FOLLOWED BY TWO MORE STANDING
OVATIONS FOR YOU, THE COURAGEOUS FAMILIES OF OUR
SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN -- IT WAS FOR YOU AND FOR OUR
TROOPS. AND THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN TOUGH HERE AT SEYMOUR JOHNSON. I
KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU HAVE OFFERED THE NATION. I
UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS I HAVE ASKED OF YOU. MEMBERS OF
THIS FIGHTING UNIT HAVE VOLUNTARILY SET ASIDE THEIR
FREEDOM TO WAGE THIS BATTLE.
- 10 -
BUT WHILE TODAY SOME MAY BE PRISONERS OF WAR, A
LIFETIME OF DEMOCRACY KEEPS THEIR SPIRIT FREE. No
FOREIGN DICTATOR CAN IMPRISON THE LOVE OF LIBERTY THAT
BEATS IN THE HEART OF EVERY AMERICAN.
BEFORE I FINISH, I'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING TO ALL
THE KIDS HERE TODAY. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR
PARENTS, OUR TROOPS IN THE GULF, ARE ENDURING THE
HARDSHIPS OF WAR TODAY so THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE
BLESSINGS OF PEACE TOMORROW.
- 11 -
SEEING SUCH STRONG FAMILIES HERE TODAY -- KNOWING
THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM THIS COMMUNITY -- IS
GOOD FOR THE SOUL AND PROVES THE STRENGTH OF AMERICA'S
SPIRIT. I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. I DRAW
COURAGE FROM YOUR FORBEARANCE, AND I ASK GOD'S BLESSING
UPON YOU ALL AND UPON EVERY SOLDIER AND SAILOR, EVERY
MARINE, AIRMAN AND COAST GUARDSMAN -- EVERY MAN AND
WOMAN NOW SERVING IN THE PERSIAN GULF.
- 12 -
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.
# # #
Tron
January 31, 1991
Draft two
Title: Shamie
PROPOSED VIDEO MESSAGE
RAY SHAMIE RETIREMENT DINNER
Good evening to everyone in the beautiful Bay State saying
good-bye to a great friend and leader, Chairman Ray Shamie. Ray,
hearty congratulations on a job well done.
When I think of Ray working the back roads of Massachusetts,
I'm reminded of the story St. Patrick. Standing at Cashel Rock
he convinced thousands of Irish to "see the light." And while he
may not be Irish, Ray has been praying for St. Patrick's talent
at persuading the followers -- but so far it hasn't worked on the
two senators from Massachusetts.
But it's sure worked on every one else. During his four
years as state chairman, Ray has helped Republicans, at every
level win election. From turning the tide in the Boston Harbor,
to exposing the Massachusetts "Mirage", Ray was invaluable in
helping to win the national campaign in 1988.
And, the new Massachusetts Republican Party of today stands
as a tribute to the man we honor tonight. Election Day, 1990
will be long remembered for the many new winning Republican
faces. For the first time since 1972, we can proudly call the
Massachusetts governor and lieutenant governor Republicans, Bill
Weld and Paul Cellucci. And let's not forget that for the first
time in 26 years, the State Treasurer calls the Grand Old Party
home.
But, this year, thanks to Ray's leadership, the Republican
Rebound extended down to the state house and to county offices as
well. And with the addition of eight newly elected state
senators, Governor Weld has veto strength in that body which will
make a big difference in the redistricting battle.
Ray, all of us owe you a lot. And while you may be sailing
off into retirement, I'm sure it won't last too long. There will
be a call for help from a candidate or another worthy cause in
which to get involved. And as always, Ray Shamie will be there
to lend a hand.
Ray, Barbara joins me in wishing you and Edna the very best.
Thank you, congratulations on a great night and God bless you
all.
#
#
#
Grant/Blymire
January 30, 1991
A:FAMILIES
BRIEF REMARKS: VISIT WITH TROOP FAMILIES
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1991
TIME?
It's great to be here at Seymour Johnson AFB, home of the
4th Tactical Fighter Wing // the "Rocketeers" and the "Chiefs" //
as well as the 68th and the 916th Aerial Refueling Wings. // And
let me say what an unbelieveable job Colonel Wray is doing here
on base // while your Wing Commander, Colonel Hornburg, is
deployed with Desert Storm. Colonel Wray was the one who assured
me that at this picnic, security would be tight. // He's given
me the all-clear sign. // No broccoli.
I've just arrived from (base) and we're heading to (base)
next. I'm here to discuss the importance of what you're doing as
members of Desert Storm. Earlier this week, in the State of the
Union address, I said that most Americans understand why humanity
turns to us at times like these. It's because we are Americans
-- we carry the burden of leadership and strength in the world.
America -- and America alone -- has both the moral standing and
the means behind it to assemble the forces of peace. That's what
has made America "the beacon of freedom in a searching world."
Indeed, each of us is part of something larger than
ourselves. Every member of the Seymour Johnson community has
volunteered to do the hard work of freedom. Each has answered
the call to serve in a just and moral war, one that will earn a
2
lasting peace for future generations. And while the future may
seem cloudy in the fog of war, three things remain clear:
Number One: The brave servicemen and women of this unit are
part of the most motivated, most educated, and best equipped
armed forces in the history of this country -- bar none. //
They are doing the hard work of freedom, and the cause of freedom
will prevail. //
Which leads me to Number Two: Because our mission is to
secure peace, our troops will not be asked to accomplish their
mission with one hand tied behind their back. Know that your
husbands and wives -- and in some cases, moms and dads -- will
not be in the Gulf one day longer than absolutely necessary.
And Number Three: The American people are behind you. I
hope you were watching the State of the Union, so that you could
witness the most moving part of the evening. The entire
Congress, Cabinet, Joint Chiefs and diplomatic corps rose to
their feet in a prolonged, roaring tribute to the troops -- only
to be followed by two more standing ovations to you, the
courageous families of our servicemen and women. [examples of
community support to come] You're doing more than just keeping
the home fires burning -- your bravery and steadfastness here at
home is fuelling the spirits of all Americans.
I know it's been tough here at Seymour Johnson. Members of
this fighting unit have given their freedom and even, in some
cases, their lives in this battle. But while the enemy may be
able to capture some members of our fighting force in body, they
3
will never capture them in mind. A lifetime of democracy keeps
the spirit free, and no dictator can imprison in a foreign land
the love of liberty that was born in America.
Before I finish, I'd like to say something to all the kids
here today. I want you to know that your dads and moms, our
troops in the Gulf, and the ones they left behind, are enduring
the hardships of war today so that you may know the blessings of
peace tomorrow.
Seeing such strong families here today is good for the soul
-- and proves the strength of America's spirit. I thank each and
every one of you for your tremendous support, I draw courage from
your forbearance, and ask God's blessing upon you all.
Thank you and God bless the United States of America.
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
6
10TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
The Associated Press
The materials in the AP file were compiled by The Associated Press. These
materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The
Associated Press.
January 25, 1991, Friday, PM cycle
SECTION: Domestic News
LENGTH: 325 words
HEADLINE: Mother Encouraged by Captured Pilot's Appearance on Iraqi TV
BYLINE: By KEN KUSMER, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS
KEYWORD: Gulf-POWs
BODY:
The mother of an Air Force commander listed as missing in action said she
believed her son, identified today on Iraqi broadcasts of prisoners of war, was
alive all along.
Iraqi broadcasts showed men identified as captured airmen, three Americans
and an Italian.
The men identified themselves as Col. David William Eberly, Lt. Lawrence
Randolph Blake, 26, and Maj. Thomas Edward Griffith, 34. The Italian's name was
inaudible, as was much of the broadcast, monitored in Nicosia.
Eberly and Griffith are on the Pentagon's list of Americans missing in
action. Both are in the Air Force and are from Goldsboro, N.C. There is no
Lawrence Randolph Blake listed, but there is a Lt. Lawrence Randolph Slade, 26,
of Virginia Beach, Va., listed among the missing.
Slade's family declined to comment today.
The man said to be Eberly said he was suffering from a neck injury. The
interviewer quoted him as saying "many pilots are expressing their opposition to
this war.
There was no way of telling if the statement was made under duress, but
Eberly's mother, Evelyn Wallace of Brazil, Ind., said the statement was at odds
with her son's feelings.
"He's proud to be an American," she said. "He just felt all along that it was
necessary to go to war."
Eberly, 43, was piloting an F-15-E when he didn't return from a mission
Saturday. Mrs. Wallace said Defense Department officials notified her Sunday
that her son was missing in action. She said neither she nor her son's wife has
received official word that Eberly is a prisoner of war.
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PAGE
7
The Associated Press, January 25, 1991
When she saw the Iraqi footage, she said, "I had the Bible open reassuring
myself that God has a purpose for all of us, and this his (Eberly's) purpose was
not yet over."
"I have been confident all along that he was alive," she said.
Eberly had been stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro,
N.C., where the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing is based. He has a wife, Barbara, and
an 18-year-old son.
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PAGE
8
11TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
The Associated Press
The materials in the AP file were compiled by The Associated Press. These
materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The
Associated Press.
January 21, 1991, Monday, PM cycle
SECTION: Domestic News
LENGTH: 866 words
HEADLINE: Missing Airmen Include Veteran of 29 Years in Marine Corps
BYLINE: By The Associated Press
KEYWORD: Gulf-U.S. Missing
BODY:
Here are sketches of some of the U.S. military men reported missing in action
in the Persian Gulf:
Lt. Col. Clifford Acree, 39 - Stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Acree was
commander of a Marine observation squadron. He was flying a turboprop
observation plane when he was shot down.
He was among three Americans identified as captured by Iraq in interviews
broadcast on Iraqi television. On the broadcast, a man identifying himself as
Acree said: "I would like to tell my wife and family I am alive and well."
Cindy Acree said in a written statement Sunday: "Wherever he is, he knows
that I love him more than anything in the world, and I always will
What has
helped me and continues to give me strength is knowing that Cliff is dedicated
to serving his country and he will persevere."
The Acrees have an 11-year-old girl, Stephany.
-----
Lt. William T. Costen, 27 - The Navy pilot from St. Louis failed to return
from a bombing mission.
"I'm sure he's going to get back into that cockpit and fly again," said his
mother, Barbara Wilkins. "We're very strong on hope," said Ms. Wilkins, of
Shrewsbury, Mo.. "That's the thing that's holding us together. We feel his
chances are very good."
His father, Dr. William Costen, said his son, "saw himself as the arm of the
president, and he was ready to go."
Costen joined the Navy after graduating from the University of the South in
1985. He as based at Whidbey Island, Wash., before his squadron was sent to the
Persian Gulf this month.
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PAGE
9
The Associated Press, January 21, 1991
Col. David W. Eberly, 43 - A native of Brazil, Ind., Eberly is a 1965
graduate of Brazil High School and a 1969 graduate of Indiana University. He was
stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C.
"We just hope that he will be found," said his mother in Indianapolis, who
didn't want her name disclosed. "Missing in action does not give a definite
thing. It just means something along the way went wrong."
Chief Warrant Officer Guy Hunter Jr., 46 - - A native of Moultrie, Ga., is a
29-year Marine veteran who was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was flying
with Acree.
Hunter's wife, Mary, said that when she learned he was missing, "I felt like
somebody stuck a dagger into my heart. I just wish I knew if he was alive or
dead.
I just want him back."
Hunter was identified on Iraqi television as among the allied fighters
captured. In a broadcast interview, a man identifying himself as Hunter said:
"To my wife and children, I miss you very much. I'm in good hands and being
treated well. To the children, please study hard in school."
The Hunters have three children ages 12, 9 and 7.
Air Force Maj. Donnie R. Holland, 42 - A weapons system officer from Bastrop,
La. On Sunday his hometown dedicated a monument inscribed with the names of 123
residents who died in World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam.
"It's very ironic that this would be taking place at this time," said Mike
Ray, education minister at First Baptist Church in Bastrop, said before the
ceremony.
Air Force Maj. Thomas F. Koritz, 37 - One of only five Air Force surgeons who
are also pilots, Koritz disappeared on a bombing mission.
"We've all been glued to our television sets, fascinated by the technology,
excited by the drama," said the family's pastor, Charles Denison, in Rochelle,
Ill., where Koritz was a high school football hero. "Suddenly our reactions
changed. Suddenly this was a real war that might have cost a brilliant, young
man who has a wife and three sons.
"That touched home 50 hard. As a community, we're in pain."
Navy Lt. Charlie Turner, 29 - A bombardier from Richfield, Minn., Turner was
Costen's navigator when their airplane disappeared over Kuwait.
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PAGE 10
The Associated Press, January 21, 1991
"We are very proud of him and what he stands for. We are praying for him and
his pilot's safety, and we are not giving any more information for fear that
there is a chance that it could harm him in whatever situation he is in," said
his mother, Helene Turner, in Richfield.
Turner is married and has a 6-month-old son.
-----
Lt. Robert Wetzel, 30 - - The Navy pilot from Virginia Beach, Va., was
remembered Sunday at a church service and reception in Vero Beach, Fla., where
his parents, William and Kathleen Wetzel, live.
"We're overwhelmed by all the love, support and prayer everyone has given. We
know it's going to help bring Bob back," William Wetzel said.
Wetzel is a native of Metuchen, N.J. His fiancee, Jaqui Curtin, lives in
Virginia Beach. They were to be married March 2.
Navy Lt. Jeffrey N. Zaun, 28 - A flier with an attack squadron, Zaun, from
Virginia Beach, Va., was deployed on the USS Saratoga.
Identified on Iraqi television as captured, a man who said he was Zaun had
this broadcast message: "I would like to tell my mother and my father and my
sister that I am well and that they should pray for peace."
Marjorie Zaun said the voice was her son's.
"Thank God he's still alive," said Mrs. Zaun in the family's hometown of
Cherry Hill, N.J. "Our prayers are being answered."
-------------------------
Also missing were: Maj. Thomas E. Griffith, 34; Capt. Harry M. Roberts, 30;
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Scott Speicher, 33, Jacksonville, Fla.; Maj. Jeffrey
Scott Tice, 35.
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PAGE
11
12TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
The Associated Press
The materials in the AP file were compiled by The Associated Press. These
materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The
Associated Press.
January 20, 1991, Sunday, AM cycle
SECTION: Domestic News
LENGTH: 891 words
HEADLINE: Missing Airmen Include Vet of 29 Years in Marine Corps
BYLINE: By The Associated Press
KEYWORD: Gulf-U.S. Casualties
BODY:
The U.S. airmen reported missing in the Persian Gulf include a veteran of 29
years in the Marine Corps who served four tours in Vietnam, and he may have been
one of several purported prisoners interviewed on Iraqi television.
Chief Warrant Officer Guy Hunter, 46, had told his wife, Mary, by telephone
earlier that he had received a Navy Commendation Medal in the Persian Gulf, but
he refused to say how he had earned it.
"He was very concerned about the money and my decisions, and the children,
their well-being and where they were going to be raised," she said.
Mrs. Hunter said she was told her husband was missing Friday by three Marine
officers who appeared at her door.
"I felt like somebody stuck a dagger into my heart," she said. "I just wish I
knew if he was alive or dead.
I just want him back."
Hunter and Lt. Col. Clifford Acree, 39, both based at Camp Pendleton in
southern California, were flying a Marine OV-10 Bronco, a turboprop observation
plane that supports other combat aircraft, authorities said Sunday.
Mrs. Hunter said her husband was the observation officer on the OV-10 and
Acree was the pilot. It was Hunter's first combat mission in Operation Desert
Storm, she said.
The Acree home in Oceanside could not be reached by telephone Sunday.
Also missing were Col. David W. Eberly, 43; Maj. Thomas E. Griffith, 34; Air
Force Maj. Donnie R. Holland, 42, Bastrop, La.; Air Force Maj. Thomas F. Koritz,
37, Rochelle, Ill.; Capt. Harry M. Roberts, 30; Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Scott
Speicher, 33, Jacksonville, Fla.; Maj. Jeffrey Scott Tice, 35; Navy Lt. Charlie
Turner, 29; Navy Lt. Robert Wetzel, 30, Virginia Beach, Va.; and Navy Lt.
Jeffrey N. Zaun, 28, Cherry Hill, N.J.
The official Iraqi News Agency said Sunday that Baghdad television had
broadcast interviews with several men it claimed were captured allied pilots,
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PAGE 12
The Associated Press, January 20, 1991
including Americans, an Italian, a Kuwaiti and a British flyer.
Two names released by the INA were Lt. Jeffry Morton Zoon, 27, of Attack
Squadron 30 and Marine pilot K. Hunter, 46. That appeared to correspond to
Hunter and Zaun.
Asked her reaction to that Iraqi report, Mrs. Hunter said Sunday: "I was told
I shouldn't believe everything I hear on the radio or on the television,
although that makes me feel very good. But until I get told by the military I
can't get my hopes up real high, even though I have."
CNN's Peter Arnett, reporting Sunday night from Baghdad, said he had seen the
broadcast interviews, and that one of the men identified himself as Acree.
"The manner of all the men was subdued. One's conversation was barely
audible. One man had a bandaged hand, and two others had bruised faces," Arnett
said.
Arnett said the man who identified as Hunter said he thought = 'the war is
crazy"' and that " I condemn the aggression against peaceful Iraq." He said the
man identified as Zoon told an interviewer: " I think our leaders have wrongly
attacked the peaceful people of Iraq." There was no way of knowing if they were
being forced to make those responses.
Turner's family in Minneapolis was told that he was missing Saturday,
Turner's mother, Helene, said Sunday. Turner was a bombardier-navigator on a
Navy A-6 bomber that was shot down over Kuwait on Friday, WCCO-TV reported.
"We are very proud of him and what he stands for. We are praying for him and
his pilot's safety, and we are not giving any more information for fear that
there is a chance that it could harm him in whatever situation he is in," Mrs.
Turner said.
Turner is married and has a 6-month-old son, his mother said.
The town of Rochelle in northern Illinois, meanwhile, is hoping for good news
after Air Force Maj. Thomas Koritz, a surgeon, pilot and father of three,
disappeared Thursday while piloting a F-15E aircraft in a bombing mission over
Iraq, his family was told.
In Rochelle, Ill., about 65 miles west of Chicago, Koritz was something of a
local legend - a high school football hero who grew up to become one of only
five Air Force surgeons who also are pilots.
"We've all been glued to our television sets, fascinated by the technology,
excited by the drama," said the family pastor, Charles Denison said. "Suddenly
our reactions changed. Suddenly this was a real war that might have cost a
brilliant, young man who has a wife and three sons.
"That touched home so hard. AS a community, we're in pain."
The pilot's parents, Dr. Thomas and Mary Koritz, flew to Seymour Johnson
Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C., where their son's wife and three sons, ages
8, 6 and 4, have been living.
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PAGE 13
The Associated Press, January 20, 1991
Holland was weapon system officer on Koritz's plane. His family in Bastrop,
La., learned Thursday night that he was missing.
On Sunday, city officials and religious leaders in Bastrop dedicated a
monument inscribed with the names of 123 area residents who died in World Wars I
and II, Korea and Vietnam.
"It's very ironic that this would be taking place at this time," Mike Ray,
education minister at First Baptist Church in Bastrop, said before the ceremony.
"This has been planned for some time. They've been working on the monument for
about a year and a half."
Holland's parents, Doug and Christine, stayed close to the phone Sunday, said
Harold Holland, one of the officer's brothers. They sent a note to First
Baptist, thanking fellow church members for their support, he said.
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16
17TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1991 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.,
All rights reserved.
ABC NEWS
SHOW: THE WEEKEND REPORT
JANUARY 19, 1991
LENGTH: 1831 words
BODY:
ANNOUNCER: From ABC News, the Weekend Report. Here's Jack Smith.
JACK SMITH: Good evening. In the Gulf as American planes continue their
around-the-clock bombing, President Bush has dispatched US defensive missiles to
Israel and the Pentagon confirms that the US air campaign has begun to shift
targets to Saddam Hussein's ground troops. But the top priority for US forces
remains Iraq's SCUD missiles and the fear they may be fired again. We begin
tonight's coverage with a report on the progress of the fighting from ABC's Mike
Von Fremd in Saudi Arabia.
MIKE VON FREMD: It is a race to try to stop Saddam before he strikes again.
Ground crews re-equip fighters with thousands of laser-guided bombs, sending the
fighters back into the skies to knock out the missiles that Iraq is successfully
sending across its borders. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney returning from
Camp David today told reporters that the allied forces are doing everything to
find and destroy the SCUD missiles, but concedes it is a problem. While
fighters search for SCUDs, the Marines have turned their Harrier jump jets on
Iraqi ground troops near the Saudi-Kuwaiti border. And the US has stepped up
its bombing attack on Iraq's elite Republican Guard troops.
MAJOR RANDY POWELL: Basically we're hitting, hitting any target that would
impede the progress of the ground troops going forward.
MIKE VON FREMD: The French are helping with their Jaguar fighters. This one
scored a strike on an ammunition dump. Twelve Iraqi soldiers were captured
today from oil platforms in the Persian Gulf near Kuwait. Also in the Gulf, the
battleship Wisconsin launched more Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets inside
iraq and Kuwait. Despite the pounding, many US flight crews say the Iraqis seem
to be showing more resistance.
COLONEL TOM LENNON: We saw some air-to-air and we saw some ground-air and we saw
a lot of triple A and we worked for our money last night.
MIKE VON FREMD: To date the US military reports that six American planes have
been shot down while Iraq has lost ten. And late tonight some good news, two
American F-4 fighter pilots, that were previously reported missing, have been
found. There are now nine airmen missing, a remarkably low number when you
consider more than 4,000 missions have been flown. Mike Von Fremd, ABC News,
Saudi Arabia.
JACK SMITH: A reminder that on tomorrow's This Week with David Brinkley, the
principal guest will be General Norman Schwarzkopf the commander of US forces in
the Gulf. Israel today indicated it would delay retaliation against Iraq for
last night's SCUD missiles attacks in deference to US wishes and because
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Washington in a highly unusual move rushed defensive missile batteries to
Israel. Dean Reynolds has the story from Jerusalem.
DEAN REYNOLDS: One Israeli official called it the biggest air lift here since
the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Several batteries of American made Patriot missile
interceptors were shipped to the Jewish state as a counter to Iraqi missile
attacks. American military crews accompanied the Patriots and will assist
Israeli soldiers in running them. The first time Israel has accepted the help
of foreign troops. In Saudi Arabia this week, the Patriot proved that it can
destroy an incoming SCUD missile. Bu the system is not foolproof. Patriot's
range is short, it can't intercept a missile until it is closing in. Destroying
one with a chemical warhead could risk contamination of an area very near the
intended target. Israeli officials, who long ago promised to retaliate heavily
for any Iraqi attack, have thus far held back. But that could change if the air
raid sirens continue sounding.
YOGGI OMERG: I don't believe that anyone does really expect Israel not to use
its right to self-defense.
DEAN REYNOLDS: Today the Israelis were calculating the losses of a second strike
by Iraq. No one was killed but building damage was extensive. It is early
Sunday morning in Israel and it has been a quiet night, but there is no
lessening of tension here. Iraq still has its missiles and the means to use
them. Dean Reynolds, ABC News, Jerusalem.
JACK SMITH: The US anticipated an anti-American terrorist campaign should war
break out and today a bomb exploded apparently prematurely cratering the
pavement outside the US cultural center in Manila in the Philippines. An Iraqi
student was injured and his companion, who it's thought was carrying the bomb,
was killed.
[Commercial break]
JACK SMITH: Iraq today ordered the few remaining foreign journalists in Baghdad
to leave. Communications in any case were getting bad and satellite
transmissions ceased several days ago. For a glimpse of what Baghdad at war
looks like, here is ABC's Gary Shepard.
GARY SHEPARD: The American bombing raids on Baghdad have turned into a nightly
event and the damage is becoming more and more visible. An American Tomahawk
cruise missile slammed into this building, the Iraqis had no way of stopping it.
There are plenty of antiaircraft batteries still intact, but they've had little
effect on the bombing runs. Some radar is working, but has generally been
ineffective. After this communications tower was hit telephone service in
Baghdad was paralyzed. Electricity is off in much of the city and a great deal
of the plumbing doesn't work. When the war started the bombing was surgical,
aimed at precise targets. Lately on the outskirts of the capital the planes
have been conducting saturation bombing over much wider areas. Radio Baghdad
has been broadcasting urgent appeals, asking Iraqi citizens to capture any
American pilots who might be shot down and turn them in to the Army. The
reward: the equivalent of 30,000 dollars. Gary Shepard, ABC News, Amman,
Jordan.
JACK SMITH: In Washington, Iraq's ranking diplomat was summoned to the State
Department today to discuss prisoners of war. He was assured that all Iraqi
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POWs are being treated under the terms of the Geneva Convention and he was given
a letter saying humane treatment was also expected should Iraq take any
prisoners. This was the first known diplomatic contact between the US and Iraq
since the outbreak of war. The nation's capital was also the site of one of the
country's biggest antiwar demonstrations today. A crowd of about 25,000
gathered across from the White House, there to condemn the President's Gulf
policy. After listening to some fiery speeches the demonstrators marched from
the White House to the capital, blocking traffic and clashing with
counterprotestors who support the war. We'll be back in a moment.
[Commercial break]
JACK SMITH: As American soldiers now engage in combat a half world away. The
families and communities they left behind cannot hide their anxiety or their
pride. Three days into the Gulf war both emotions are running high at Seymour
Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. Al Dale reports.
AL DALE: Visitors to the town of Goldsboro in eastern North Carolina know right
away it's a proud military town. It's a town where flag and family are
paramount. And now, two days after the war began there's pride here that pilots
and crews from the local Air Force base were among the first into action over
Iraq and Kuwait.
WOMAN: Pride is not the issue 50 much as fear and concern for them.
AL DALE: Fear and concern naturally are most profoundly felt by the wives of
those who went to fight in Operation Desert Storm. Especially now that a F-15E
attack fighter from the base here has been lost in combat. Paula Manion's
husband Joe is a weapons officer in an F-15E squadron, flying missions in
Operation Desert Storm.
PAULA MANION: I think I know that if something happened to him that I would know
right away. So as long as I know nothing I believe in my heart that he's safe.
AL DALE: Not just safe, but thinking of her and their 17 month old boy.
PAULA MANION: He always told me when they go, right before they fly they
dedicate flights. So I thought of him doing that maybe to me and the baby.
AL DALE: When wives get together to give each other support, thoughts often turn
to when the ordeal is finally over.
SHERRI CROGHAN: I just know that he has to do his job and whatever he's told to
do he'll do and he'll do it great and when he comes home it'll be wonderful. I
can't wait till he's here.
AL DALE: But here in North Carolina among those waiting for loved ones at war,
genuine optimism that a homecoming could be soon is hard to come by. AL Dale,
ABC News, Goldsboro, North Carolina.
JACK SMITH: When we return, the White House says "play ball".
[Commercial break]
JACK SMITH: The eruption of war in the Gulf should not mean the interruption
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of professional football. The word from the White House is that the games
should go on so that people's lives are not disrupted any more than is
necessary. The NFL is gearing up for the playoff games tomorrow between the New
York Giants and San Francisco and the LA Raiders and the Buffalo Bills. But as
Armen Keteyian reports, concern over the Gulf war has added another dimension of
tension to this championship season.
ARMEN KETEYIAN: This is the type of action a global television audience and the
80,000 fans jamming Rich Stadium tomorrow hope to see. Others however view the
conference championship between the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Raiders
not as a showcase event, but as a potential target for terrorism.
BILL WILLIAM PAYNE: There'll be a command post out there tomorrow we're part of
that
all our agents are on standby our SWAT team's on standby. But we've had
no threats at all, specific threats. It's just all preventative.
ARMEN KETEYIAN: As part of the precautions, the FBI is huddled with the local
sheriff's department and other agencies to tighten security. Those steps will
include a 24 hour guard around the stadium, sealing it off until just 90 minutes
before game time, use of dogs trained to sniff out explosives and FAA
restrictions prohibiting air traffic near the stadium. Fans will also be
subject to searches and a no-nonsense attitude from the police.
BILL WILLIAM PAYNE: And I would caution anybody going to that game do not make
any frivilous statements because we will be duty bound to investigate it very
seriously and we will.
ARMEN KETEYIAN: So while fans focus on the action, wary eyes will be watching,
intent on stopping a problem before it starts. Armen Keteyian, ABC News,
Orchard Park, New York.
JACK SMITH: That's tonight's news. We'll continue to give you updates on the
Gulf war every hour on the hour and we'll be here if any major news breaks out.
I'm Jack Smith. Good night.
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18TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
The Associated Press
The materials in the AP file were compiled by The Associated Press. These
materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The
Associated Press.
January 19, 1991, Saturday, AM cycle
SECTION: Domestic News
LENGTH: 271 words
HEADLINE: Five Pilots Among Seven U.S. Servicemen Missing in Action
BYLINE: By The Associated Press
KEYWORD: Gulf-U.S. Casualties
BODY:
Five pilots - including one who planned to be married in five weeks - were
among the first U.S. servicemen reported missing in action after Operation
Desert Storm missions to bomb Iraq.
A total of seven U.S. crewmen from four aircraft are reported missing.
Two Navy fliers based at the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Va.,
were reported missing when their A-6E jet didn't return from a bombing mission,
Vice Adm. John K. Ready, commander of the U.S. Naval Air Force Atlantic, said
Friday.
The Pentagon identified the men as Lt. Robert Wetzel, 30, and Lt. Jeffrey N.
Zaun, 28, from Cherry Hill, N.J. Wetzel and Zaun, both of whom are single, were
flying from the aircraft carrier Saratoga, based in Mayport, Fla.
Wetzel, originally from Metuchen, N.J., planned to be married March 2.
The Air Force fliers were Lt. Col. Donnie R. Holland, 42, of Goldsboro, N.C.,
and Maj. Thomas F. Koritz, 37. No hometown was available for Koritz.
Both were based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C.
Doug and Christine Holland of Bastrop, La., said their daughter-in-law,
Christine Holland, was notified that Holland had not returned with his squadron
after successfully completing his mission. The couple has two children.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Scott Speicher, 33, of Jacksonville, Fla., was the
first American casualty of Operation Desert Storm.
Pentagon officials listed Speicher as missing in action after his plane was
hit by an Iraqi-fired surface-to-air missile on the first night of bombing.
He was flying a F-A-18 Hornet off the Saratoga.
Speicher and his wife, Joanne, have two children.
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The Associated Press, January 19, 1991
GRAPHIC: LaserPhotos AN3, JV2, NR2
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21ST STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1991 Gannett Company Inc.
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
January 19, 1991, Saturday
LENGTH: 510 words
HEADLINE: FATHER, FOOTBALL STAR IS MIA
BYLINE: BETSY BURKHARD; The Rockford Register-StarROCHELLE, Ill.
KEYWORD: IRAQ-MIA
BODY:
The news came just before the Friday night tip-off of the basketball game
between the Rochelle Hubs and the Princeton Tigers.
Tom Koritz, football star, son of a local doctor, the community's homegrown
''Top Gun' ' Air Force pilot, was missing in action in the Persian Gulf War, the
voice over the public address system said.
The asked-for moment of silence followed.
But it lasted much longer than a moment, finally broken by gasps from the
crowd: Not Tom Koritz, not the father of three young boys, not one of the town's
best and brightest.
But it was - the gulf war had hit home.
Reports broadcast on Cable News Network later that evening confirmed the
community's fears - Maj. Thomas F. Koritz did not return from a Thursday bombing
mission over Iraq.
Of the 630,000 allied troops engaged in the gulf war, fewer than a dozen were
listed as dead or missing. Among them was one of their own, the first possible
casualty of the war from Illinois.
''His mother was in church Sunday talking about her fears for her son,''
family pastor Charles Denison said. 'We've all been glued to our television
sets, fascinated by the technology, excited by the drama.
''Suddenly, our reactions changed. Suddenly, this was a real war that might
have cost us a brilliant, young 37-year-old who has a wife and three sons.
''That touched home 50 hard. As a community, we're in pain.''
Koritz is one of nine American airmen from five aircraft reported missing
after bombing missions over Iraq in the five-day-old Operation Desert Storm.
Koritz, a pilot, and Maj. Donnie R. Holland, 42, of Louisiana, Koritz's
weapons system officer, were flying an F-15E Eagle on a bombing mission, said
Staff Sgt. Dan McCarthy, spokesman for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in
Goldsboro, N.C.
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(c) 1991 GANNETT NEWS SERVICE, January 19, 1991
They were listed as missing when they did not return to an undisclosed base
with their squadron after the nighttime mission.
Koritz's wife, Julie, was notified immediately. She notified her in-laws, Dr.
Thomas and Mary Koritz, of Rochelle. They traveled to North Carolina to be with
her.
Denison, who has been in contact with the family, said they are buoyed by
Pentagon reports that the Eagle was not shot down, and by Iraqi claims that at
least two pilots have been captured.
' 'The Pentagon tells them they truly are missing in action, Denison said.
The presumption of the Pentagon is that he's down in enemy territory and alive
- they think he's been captured, or he's hiding and trying to find a way out of
Iraq.
'They say none of the other fliers saw a flash or spotted anyone parachuting
out, and the satellites didn't pick up any wreckage. It's a mystery.'
Family friends say Koritz spent Christmas with his wife and his three sons
ages 4, 6 and 8, at their home in Goldsboro, N.C.
The next day, he left for the Persian Gulf to realize a dream he first had
two decades ago as a ground crew worker for the pilots who crop-dusted
Rochelle's corn and bean fields.
''He just wanted to be an Air Force pilot,' said cousin Gary Koritz. ''It
was a lifelong dream.
SUBJECT: PILOT; MISSING PERSON; ARAB; WAR; FOREIGN COUNTRY; TOM KORITZ:PERSIAN
GULF WAR
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22ND STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1991 The New York Times Company
The New York Times
January 19, 1991, Saturday, Late Edition - Final
SECTION: Section 1; Page 13; Column 1; National Desk
LENGTH: 810 words
HEADLINE: WAR IN THE GULF: Missing in Action;
Friends Recall Downed Pilot's Can-Do Outlook and Love of Flying
BYLINE: By RONALD SMOTHERS, Special to The New York Times
DATELINE: JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 18
BODY:
Friends and neighbors of the Navy flier who became the first American shot
down by Iraq struggled hard today not to talk about him in the past tense.
A neighbor said he was trying to remain "positive," and in fact that was the
word that kept coming up as people described the 33-year-old flier, Lieut.
Comdr. Michael Scott Speicher.
The firm hopefulness seemed to come naturally in this community of small
single-family homes where many residents have relatives serving on the same
aircraft carrier, the Saratoga, from which Commander Speicher flew his mission.
Yellow ribbons adorn almost every lamppost, and American flags fly conspicuously
from countless front porches.
Missile Struck His Plane
Commander Speicher, a pilot of an F/A-18 Hornet fighter-bomber based at
Cecil Field here and assigned to the Saratoga, was reported shot down in the
Wednesday night opening attack on Iraq. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney said
Thursday morning that the pilot of that plane was killed, but officials on
Friday changed the report on his status to missing in action. According to the
Pentagon, Commander Speicher's single-seat plane was hit by a surface-to-air
missile. But without a body or other evidence that he could not have survived,
Pentagon policy requires him to officially be listed as missing.
Three other American aircraft were also lost as of Friday evening, the
Pentagon said. Missing were their six crewmembers, including two Navy fliers on
an A-6 Intruder attack aircraft that had also been based on the Saratoga. They
were Lieut. Robert Wetzel, 30, of Metuchen, N.J., and Lieut. Jefferey Zaun, 28,
a native of Cherry Hill, N.J., and a graduate of the Naval Academy in Annapolis,
Md. The other missing fliers were not identified.
Lieutenant Wetzel, one of nine children of William and Kathleen Wetzel,
graduated from Metuchen High School and attended the New Jersey Institute of
Technology. Lieutenant Wetzel was three weeks away from completing his six-month
tour of duty and planned to get married in March, his aunt, Helen Reager, told
the Associated Press.
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Also listed as missing was Air Force Lieut. Col. Donnie R. Holland, 42. He
failed to return from a mission, his parents told the Associated Press. Colonel
Holland was based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C.
Trying to Remain Optimistic
Many friends and relatives of the missing crewmen strived to remain
optimistic. A neighbor of Commander Speicher, Thomas P. Mills, who is the
godfather to the children of the pilot and his wife, Joanne, said today, "He is
the most positive upbeat person I ever met." Commander Speicher and his wife
have a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.
"He loved flying," said Mr. Mills, in one of the few slips into the past
tense. Mr. Mills recalled days when his neighbor came back from Cecil Field,
angered that bad weather or other developments had kept his squadron grounded.
"When we went to parties at their house, there would be other pilots there and
Scott and the others would get all hyper just talking about flying."
Admired at His Church
At the Lake Shore United Methodist Church, where the Speichers are members
and where Commander Speicher taught a Sunday school class to pre-schoolers,
there was admiration. "Everything he did, he did all the way," said the Rev.
Paul Dickinson, the pastor. "He is just so unpretentious. Just imagine a U.S.
Navy officer getting right down there on the floor with those kids and singing
and praying with them."
Commander Speicher was what the minister termed a "patriot who loved his
country" and in his letters to his minister and others he wrote about the
importance of the job he and other military personnel were doing in the Persian
Gulf.
Born in Iowa, Commander Speicher grew up in Jacksonville, developing a love
of flying and the military from his father, Wallace, who was an Army Air Corps
fighter pilot in World War II. He graduated from Nathan Forrest High School
where he was one-fourth of the school's 1975 swim relay team and helped set
school records that still stand.
He attended Pfeiffer College in Misenhiem, N.C., on a partial swimming
scholarship. But after a year at Pfeiffer, financial problems forced Mr.
Speicher to return to Jacksonville, where he enrolled in Florida State
University and graduated with a degree in management and accounting in 1981.
Then he joined the Navy.
There was a special prayer service this evening at Lake Shore United
Methodist Church.
As he stood in the sanctuary, Mr. Dickinson smiled as he recalled a letter
Commander Speicher sent back to the toddlers in his Sunday school class at
Christmas. "He had gotten leave and spent Christmas eve in Bethlehem and he
wanted to tell the kids about it," recalled the pastor. "He just said to them
that it was the holiest moment in his life."
GRAPHIC: Photo: Lieut. Comdr. Michael Scott Speicher, who was reported shot down
over Iraq on Wednesday. (Associated Press)
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(c) 1991 The New York Times, January 19, 1991
SUBJECT: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION; MILITARY PERSONNEL; UNITED STATES ARMAMENT
AND DEFENSE; MILITARY ACTION; MISSING IN ACTION
NAME: SPEICHER, MICHAEL S (COMDR); ZAUN, JEFFEREY (LIEUT); WETZEL, ROBERT
(LIEUT); SMOTHERS, RONALD
GEOGRAPHIC: MIDDLE EAST; IRAQ
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23RD STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1991 News World Communications Inc.;
The Washington Times
January 19, 1991, Saturday, Final Edition
SECTION: Part A; WAR IN THE GULF; Pg. A11
LENGTH: 577 words
HEADLINE: War over for seven airmen downed on raids
BYLINE: Dawn Weyrich Ceol; THE WASHINGTON TIMES
BODY:
Lt. Cmdr. Michael Scott Speicher, pilot of the first U.S. plane downed
over Iraq, was a Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday school teacher described by one
childhood acquaintance as "happy, pleasant and fun-loving."
Lt. Jeffrey N. Zaun, another casualty in the war to free Kuwait from
Saddam Hussein, was a Cherry Hill, N.J., resident with a sense of humor and an
apparent zeal for burritos.
Two days and 2, 107 sorties into Operation Desert Storm, four planes carrying
seven Americans had been lost in combat, the Pentagon said.
Of those seven, the four who are identified include Cmdr. Speicher, a
33-year-old father of two; Lt. Zaun, a 28-year-old graduate of the U.S. Naval
Academy in Annapolis; Lt. Robert Wetzel, 30; and Air Force Lt. Col. Donnie R.
Holland, 42.
The Navy refused to release further information about Lt. Wetzel,
originally from Metuchen, N.J. But Navy sources told the Associated Press that
the lost A-6E jet carrying Lt. Wetzel and Lt. Zaun had flown from the Mayport,
Fla.-based aircraft carrier USS Saratoga.
The Saratoga's A-6E squadron is Attack Squadron 35 from Oceana Naval Air
Station in Virginia Beach.
Cmdr. Speicher - known to friends as Scott, Scotty or Spike - was listed by
the Pentagon as missing in action because his body has not been found.
But Wallace "Spike" Speicher, a fighter pilot during World War II, believes
that his son bailed out of the F-A-18 Hornet before it was hit by an Iraqi
missile Wednesday night.
"Scotty's coming home," Mr. Speicher insisted.
Cmdr. Speicher also had launched his bomber from the Saratoga and was based
at Jacksonville's Cecil Field Naval Air Station.
Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles ordered the American flag that flies over the
capitol in Tallahassee lowered to half-staff yesterday.
"It comes even more strongly home to us when we realize our first casualty
is a Floridian," Mr. Chiles said. "I know all of our sympathy goes out to
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(c) 1991 The Washington Times, January 19, 1991
his family."
Cmdr. Speicher's wife, Joanne, issued a statement through the Navy asking
that well-wishers refrain from sending flowers to her home and that "she be
allowed to spend this trying time with her friends."
The Speichers, who met at Florida State University, have a 3-year-old
daughter and a 1-year-old son who a family friend said "just think their father
is on a cruise."
"They're too young to tell them about the war," said the friend who asked to
remain anonymous.
Those who knew Cmdr. Speicher described him as a friendly man who was
dedicated to his family and the Navy.
"Scott was just a type of person that had such a bubbling, enthusiastic
spirit. Always smiling, always encouraging," said the Rev. Paul Dickinson,
pastor of the Lake Shore United Methodist Church in Jacksonville where Cmdr.
Speicher taught Sunday school.
Lt. Zaun graduated from the Naval Academy in 1984 with a degree in physics.
His self-written senior Academy yearbook entry is filled with private jokes
about his life at the academy.
One theme runs through the entry: his love of burritos.
"Road trip
red-hot beef & bean burritos
to go," Lt. Zaun wrote.
"Sleep
more burritos
more sleep."
Col. Holland was based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro,
N.C. He and his wife, Christine, have two children.
* This story is based in part on wire service reports.
GRAPHIC: Photos, A) Speicher; B) Zaun; C) Wetzel; D) Holland ; Photo/Chart,
Photo Caption) U.S. soldier wounded in Vietnam.; Chart Caption) AMERICAN WAR
CASUALTIES, Photo) NO CREDIT; Chart) By Henry Christopher/The Washington Times
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40TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1990 Globe Newspaper Company;
The Boston Globe
October 12, 1990, Friday, City Edition
SECTION: METRO/REGION; Pg. 27 P
LENGTH: 141 words
HEADLINE: Fund for children of flier started;
NEW ENGLAND NEWS BRIEFS
BODY:
A fund has been established for the education of the young children of Major
Peter S. Hook, an Air Force fighter pilot killed in a training mission in the
Arabian peninsula on Sept. 30. Hook's widow, Linda, of Goldsboro, N.C., is
originally from Brighton, where her parents, John and Marion Hazell, and a
sister, Lori Hazell, live. Besides his wife, Maj. Hook leaves three children,
Gregory, 6, David, 3, and Aimie, 1 year old the day her father died in Oman.
Maj. Hook, 35, was an F-15E pilot with the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He
and a fellow flyer were the first Air Force personnel killed in a plane crash
since Operation Desert Shield began in August. The family has requested that
donations for the children's education may be made to: Peter S. Hook Memorial
Fund, Wachovia Bank, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., 27531.
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8TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1991 Chicago Tribune Company;
Chicago Tribune
January 26, 1991, Saturday, NORTH SPORTS FINAL EDITION
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 5; ZONE: C
LENGTH: 374 words
HEADLINE: Hometown, old school honor flier held as POW
BYLINE: By John O'Brien
BODY:
Air Force Col. David W. Eberly, the highest-ranking American missing in the
Persian Gulf, is a career pilot whose ambition as a youngster in Indiana was to
fly and "be ready for challenges."
On Friday, the day after Eberly was listed by Iraq as a prisoner of war,
students and teachers in his hometown of Brazil, Ind., honored the 43-year-old
pilot in ceremonies attended by his mother, Evelyn Wallace, at North Clay Junior
High School.
Eberly, at the controls of an F-15E jet, disappeared on a mission over Iraq
or Kuwait last weekend, according to the Pentagon. He was serving as director of
operations for F-15 fighter aircraft assigned to the gulf from Seymour Johnson
Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C.
The Iraqis also said the weapons officer in Eberly's downed plane, Maj.
Thomas E. Griffith, 34, of Goldsboro, N.C., is in their hands.
"David always liked to fly and be ready for challenges," his mother said. "He
was very qualified in F-15s. He enjoyed being in the cockpit."
Evelyn Wallace spoke after meeting with the junior high school students, from
whom she accepted an American flag along with a cardboard ledger signed by them
and bearing written expressions of good cheer to Col. Eberly's wife, Barbara,
and 18-year-old son, Timm, in North Carolina.
She said she told them to study hard and be aware of the world and its
problems, as her son was at their age.
"You too someday may have to stand up and defend what you believe is
important," she told them.
The ceremonies were arranged by teachers who formerly taught at Eberly's alma
mater, the old Brazil High School, from which he graduated in 1965.
They recalled him as a student who displayed a keen interest in military and
world affairs.
Eberly joined the Air Force after graduation from Indiana University in 1969
as a second lieutenant in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
LEXIS® NEXIS® ® LEXIS® NEXIS® ®
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5
(c) 1991 Chicago Tribune, January 26, 1991
He was promoted to full colonel in 1989 after five years of service at the
Pentagon. Upon promotion he was assigned to F-15 training in Arizona, his mother
said.
Wallace said she last spoke with her son Jan. 13. Technical difficulties
ended the conversation, the mother said, but not before she reminded him of his
unclaimed Christmas gift - a full set of golf clubs.
UNITED STATES; AVIATION; MILITARY; IRAQ; KUWAIT; DEFENSE; MISSING; ILLINOIS;
BIOGRAPHY; AGE
LEXIS® NEXIS® ® LEXIS® NEXIS ®
Services of Mead Data Central
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2
1ST STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1991 Newsday, Inc.;
Newsday
January 27, 1991, Sunday, NASSAU AND SUFFOLK EDITION
SECTION: NEWS; THE WAR IN THE GULF; Pg. 49
Other Edition: City Pg. 7
LENGTH: 430 words
HEADLINE: Pro-War Rallies Held Across Nation
BYLINE: By Ford Fessenden. STAFF WRITER. This story was based on wire service
reports.
KEYWORD: WASHINGTON DC; DEMONSTRATIONS; PEACE; PERSIAN GULF WAR; UNITED STATES
BODY:
While thousands marched in Washington to protest U.S. involvement in Persian
Gulf hostilities, supporters of the war staged smaller rallies and
demonstrations in cities across the country.
"The silent majority is no longer silent," said Mike Scott of Cambridge,
Mass., a founder of Support Our Soldiers, a group that organized a demonstration
of 400 people who wore yellow armbands and sang the National Anthem yesterday on
the steps of the Massachusetts state house.
In Goldsboro, N.C., home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, more than 8, 000
people took part in a similar demonstration of support for government policy.
About 3,000 people turned out in Winston-Salem for a rally sponsored by the
Triad Vietnam Veterans Association.
"The only thing worse than waging war is to wage war ineffectively," said
Martha Wood, Winston-Salem's mayor. "We don't want there to be any doubt in
their minds about our support."
As Americans divided up over the war and took to the streets, there were
scattered reports of friction between the opposing sides. In Albany an antiwar
activist was tackled and his "Stop-the-Bombing" sign torn up after a
demonstration of support for the war. No one was arrested.
Still, a Cable News Network-Gallup poll found some tolerance for peace
demonstrators among Americans, who continue to support the war by substantial
margins. Sixty-four percent of respondents said there should be no ban on peace
demonstrations, even though 65 percent said they disapprove of antiwar protests
while soldiers are fighting.
While yesterday's big rally against the war was conducted on one side of the
Capitol, a handful of people rallied on the other side in support. "Nobody wants
war, but I think we're doing what we have to do," said Brian Minnich, a Senate
staffer who helped organize the demonstration.
Supporters also gathered in Atlanta, where some demonstrators carried a
life-sized figure of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein with a sign on his back that
read "Kick me." Two thousand people rallied in Tulsa, Okla., and 125
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS®
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(c) 1991 Newsday, January 27, 1991
tractor-trailers decorated with yellow ribbons and banners stretched out along
the Massachusetts Turnpike in support of Operation Desert Storm.
Spectators interrupted speeches with chants of "U.S.A., U.S.A.," and fire
sirens wailed during a rally attended by 2,000 war-effort supporters in
Harrisburg, Pa.
"We have asked so much of them," Maj. Gen. Alexander Macdonald, commander of
the North Dakota National Guard, told 300 people at a rally in Bismarck. "They,
in turn, ask so little of us 1 just our support of their mission."
GRAPHIC: AP Photo-Syracuse residents show their colors as they parade in support
of U.S. troops and President Bush's war policy yesterday. (7C).
LEXIS® NEXIS® ® LEXIS® NEXIS ®
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 29, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR SIG ROGICH
FROM:
JOHN G. KELLER, JR.
JGK
SUBJECT:
TRAVEL ON FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 1991
Below are the tentative scenarios that Judd Swift and Spence
Geissinger have come up with for the events on Friday.
Cherry Point, North Carolina - Marine Corps Air Station
The President will visit the Marine Corps Air Station located at
Cherry Point, North Carolina. Part of the Marine Air Wing,
including fixed wing fighter aircraft and helicopter elements,
have been deployed from Cherry Point. The Marine Corps Air
Station is is in close proximity to Camp LeJeune, which is the
home of the 2nd Marine Division.
The President will give Remarks in a hangar within the complex
for an audience of 8,000 - 10,000, consisting of families from
Cherry Point and Camp LeJeune, and base personnel. Remarks will
be followed by a Ropeline.
Goldsboro, North Carolina - Seymore Johnson AFB
The primary wing at Seymore Johnson Air Force Base is the 4th
Tactical Fighter Wing. Airmen stationed at Seymore Johnson fly
the F-15E "Strike Eagle" planes, performing bombing missions over
Iraq (deep strike interdiction sorties). Also based at Seymore
Johnson is the 68th Air Refueling Wing (from the Strategic Air
Command), a tenant unit. This unit is equipped with KC-135
Strato Tankers. Portions of that wing are currently deployed to
the Persian Gulf as well.
Two airmen deployed from Seymore Johnson have been killed in
action and two are currently prisoners of war.
The President will attend an outdoor family picnic with 1,500
family members of deployed personnel; 500 - 800 base personnel;
and 100+ supportive townspeople (volunteer groups, etc.)
During his visit to the family picnic, the President will proceed
through a food line, eat, mingle with guests (table to table),
and give remarks to the group gathered.
Savannah, Georgia - Ft. Stewart
The President will land at Hunter Army Airfield, which is the
headquarters for a battalion of the 75th Regiment Army Rangers,
one of the earliest deployers in support of Desert Shield. From
here, the President will fly via helicopter to Ft. Stewart,
Georgia. Ft. Stewart, the home of the 24th Infantry Division
(mechanized), was also one of the earliest divisions deployed to
the Persian Gulf region.
The agenda for the President has not yet been determined since
the pre-advance will conduct walk-throughs Wednesday.
West Palm Beach, Florida
The President will arrive at Palm Beach International Airport and
travel via motorcade to his mother's home in Hobe Sound,
approximately 40 minutes north of Palm Beach. Following a
private visit, the President returns via motorcade to the airport
and departs West Palm Beach en route Andrews Air Force Base.
Schedule
A tentative timeline has not been produced yet but our
preliminary estimate is that the South Lawn departure will be no
later than 7:00 am and arrival back at Camp David will be as late
as 10:00 pm.
Services of Mead Data Central
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31
50TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Proprietary to the United Press International 1990
August 19, 1990, Sunday, BC cycle
SECTION: Regional News
DISTRIBUTION: North Carolina
LENGTH: 621 words
HEADLINE: Military towns feeling pinch of troop pullout
BYLINE: BY United Press International
KEYWORD: IRAQ-NC
BODY:
Sale of beer, food and stereos are down in North Carolina's military
communities with the deployment of troops to the Persian Gulf, but the demand
for life insurance, new wills and marriage licenses is up sharply.
Church pastors also report a heavy increase in requests for prayers for the
warriors as they go off to an uncertain future, leaving wives, family and
friends behind to wait and hope.
Cities such as Jacksonville, Fayetteville, Goldsboro and Havelock -- they're
where major Army, Air Force and Marine bases are - are being hit hard
economically by the pullout of thousands of troops to head off a possible
intrusion by Iraq into Saudi Arabia.
The Leatherneck Tavern in Jacksonville usually draws a big crowd of Marines
from nearby Camp Lejeune with its 75-cent beer special, but last week it was
almost like a ghost town.
It was the same at Josef McDonald's tattoo shop, where a few days earlier
swarms of grim-faced Marines headed for Saudi Arabia bought extra sets of dog
tags that they wear around their necks for identification and to give critical
medical information such as blood type.
Bars, fast-food restaurants and clubs with girlie shows were among
businesses hit hardest by the dearth of military and freely spent dollars.
With military spouses overseas, the families the warriors left behind are
curbing spending and putting off large purchases such as cars and furniture,
merchants report.
Walter Phillips, manager at Furniture Fair in Jacksonville, said the store's
stereo and electronics salesmen were killing idle time by ''pitching coins
against the wall.
''I haven't looked at our sales figures, Phillips said wearily. ''I don't
want to. You can look around the store. You don't see any of those skinheads
with baby faces.
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS® ®
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PAGE 32
Proprietary to the United Press International, August 19, 1990
But other aspects of life go on, and sometimes at a stepped-up pace.
A local magistrate, for example, used to perform one or two marriage
ceremonies a week. He is now does that many a day.
''It's young couples in love, and they want to get married now in case he
doesn't come back,' said D. Wayne Brown of the Havelock Chamber of Commerce.
Brown, an insurance agent, said he gets three or four calls a day inquiring
about life insurance. Before the crisis, he would get that many calls in a
month.
Banks also have been flooded with requests by service personnel to transfer
powers of attorney to their spouses so they will be able to cash checks and
trade cars while they are gone.
There are more personal concerns beyond car payments and furniture purchases
delayed.
' ' The situation is so explosive,' said the Rev. Thomas Loftis, pastor of
St. Paul United Methodist Church in Goldsboro, home of Seymour Johnson Air
Force Base. ''We had special prayers on Sunday.
At Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, Chaplain Matthew Quinlan said he heard a
number of confessions from departing soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division.
''As they prepare to go, soldiers start looking inside themselves and think
maybe this is the time to straighten out some things,' the Roman Catholic
priest said. ''That is a positive thing.'
In Jacksonville, the Rev. James Sides of First Baptist Church said there
were numerous prayer requests for absent Marines. About a third of the church's
1,000 members are in the military.
Elizabeth Bunce, wife of Command Chaplain Bobby Bunce, volunteered to give
younger wives of Marines a shoulder to cry on in Jacksonville.
''Some of the younger wives get hysterical,' Bunce said. 'They listen to
all the news. This is my husband's fourth deployment so I am an old hand. But I
have stood on that dock many times and thought I could not stand the next six
months.
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS® ®
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PAGE 29
39TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Proprietary to the United Press International 1990
October 15, 1990, Monday, BC cycle
SECTION: Regional News
LENGTH: 363 words
HEADLINE: Children of soldiers upset over deployment
DATELINE: GOLDSBORO, N.C.
KEYWORD: IRAQ-CHILDREN
BODY:
Children of soldiers sent to Saudi Arabia are feeling the impact and stress
of the Persian Gulf crisis, teachers in North Carolina classrooms in the state's
military towns say. School officials and teachers in or near the state's four
major military installations say their students are holding up well so far, but
as the deployment of the troops enters its 10th week, some children are showing
stress. Many students have become withdrawn or inattentive while others are
uncooperative or even rowdy, teachers said. Most of the children of the deployed
troops are having trouble concentrating on school work. At Meadow Lane
Elementary School, attended by one child whose father, Maj. Peter Hook, died in
a recent air crash in the gulf, teachers say some children weep in class. The
school, which adjoins Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, has yellow ribbons on
all its classroom doors. 'Children just break out crying,' John Turnage,
principal of Meadow Lane, told The News and Observer of Raleigh's Monday
editions. 'There's a whole difference in the ambience because of the threat of
danger. Seymour Johnson is extending its family counseling services to the
public schools and training teachers to handle children's stress. But school
officials expect times to get worse for children as the holidays approach. Myra
Copenhaver, a counselor at Meadow Lane, said teaching students about the crisis
is important to stabilize their fears even if war breaks out. ''We're prepared
to deal with it,'' she said. ''But to what extent I don't know. These children
anticipate that it can happen. That's part of their everyday life. But one
fourth grader said she is saddened by the absence of her father, a weapons
system officer on an F-15. She dreams of him flying home and wakes up in tears.
''I hate it,'' said Christy McIntyre. ''They're making a lot of families real
sad. The girl said she sometimes cannot think in class because of her concern
for her father. ''I get sidetracked thinking about him,'' she said. ' 'The
teacher will ask me a question and I don't know the answer because I've been
worrying about him.''
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS®
JAN-31-1991 17:41 FROM SEYMOUR JOHNSON
TO
456218
P.01
OFFICE OF
PRESIDENTIAL ADVANCE
COVER PAGE
BOB SIMON
TO:
FROM:
MEL LUKENS
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES:
2
(including cover page)
DATE:
TIME:
MESSAGE:
INFO ON MILITARY
AFGAIRS COMMITTEE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION PLEASE CALL.
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
JAN-31-1991 17:42 FROM SEYMOUR JOHNSON
TO
456218 P.02
PICNIC SPONSOR
Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Wayne County
Mr Troy W. Pate Jr, Chairman
Chairman of the Board and
CEO- East Coast Federal Savings Bank
Goldsboro
Mr Vassie G. Balkcum- Vice Chairman
Consultant, WGBR-WKTC Radio
Goldsboro
Mr M. Wendell Thornton, Vice Chairman
President, Security Storage
Goldsboro
Mr Hal H. Tanner Jr, Vice Chairman
Publisher
Goldsboro News-Argus
Mr Allan B. Harvin, Vice Chairman
Physician,
Goldsboro
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
7036937553
p.001
FAX Message
Executive Services Division
Office of the Chief of Staff
THE OF AIR AIR FORCE DEPARTM FORC
Headquarters
United States Air Force
Date: 1/30/91
To: Bob Simon (456-7750)
Company:
Fax Phone Number: 92024566218
CC:
From: SAF/OSX, Pentagon, Wash DC 20330 Ellen Piazza 703-695-1323
Subject: Seymour Johnson Visit
# of Pages (including this cover sheet): 19
Message:
Seymour package attached. Please call with questions.
Ellen
Mike
Hayden
If you do not receive all pages, please call back immediately.
FAX: Commercial 703-693-7553 Autovon 223-7553 VOICE: 703-695-1126
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
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p.002
Seymour Johnson Visit
Ranking people in audience (location: picnic area on base)
Don Rice, Secretary of the Air Force
Gen Tony McPeak, Air Force Chief of Staff
Military leaders: Col "Jumbo" Wray, Vice Commander, 4th Tac
Fighter Wing; Col Norm Rathje, Commander, 68th Air Refueling
Wing; Col John Batbie, Commander, 916th Air Refueling Group
Family support leader: Cynthia Hornburg, wife of Col Hal Hornburg,
deployed with his 4th Tac Fighter Wing
Civic leaders: Goldsboro Mayor Hal Plonk; Troy Pate, Chairman of
the Military Affairs Committee
Congressmen or senators unknown as of Jan 30
Deployed people and assets: F-15E Strike Eagles (from the 4th
Tactical Fighter Wing, under the command of Colonel Hal Hornburg);
KC-10s from the 68th Air Refueling Wing and 916th Air Refueling
Group; a base medical team, civil engineers, security police, food
services, maintenance, supply...every agency on the base has been
affected, active and reserve. This is a total force effort.
Seymour Johnson crews and planes have been there since the
first days of Desert Shield. Those here at home, holding down the
fort, are also critical players.
Two POWs and MIAs from Seymour Johnson: Extreme stress
and trauma at base. Not a happy time. Four very talented crew
members, family men, Air Force heroes, are POWs and MIAs. (all of
4th TFW)
- Col Dave Eberly
- Maj Tom Griffith
- Maj Tom Koritz
- Maj Donnie Holland
The families: Cynthia Hornburg and the other spouses involved in
the family support network on base are unsung heroes. They've met a
range of needs: helping wives for whom English is a second
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
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p.003
language, who've had to mow the lawn for the first time, or who've
just needed a friendly ear.
Community contributions: The local community has sponsored
free babysitting for children of deployed, picnics, roller-skating
parties for the kids, and a support rally over on Berkeley Boulevard
last Saturday (Jan 23rd). 2000 people were expected but about 8000
showed up. Local people chipped in for a TV satellite dish receiver
for deployed forces. (Local area has Army, Navy, Marine, and
National Guard people deployed as well as Air Force.)
About the F-15E: Targeting and killing Scud launchers and
airfields is a priority for the Col Hornburg and his troops.
The F-15 E Strike Eagle is our newest fighter, advanced deep-
interdiction plane. Long range, day/night operations, all-weather.
Dual-role: air-to-ground and air-to-air.
About the KC-10s: History of responding in crises. 68th Air
Refueling Wing participated in Operation Just Cause (Panama) and
Grenada. Tankers are the lifeline of U.S. as well as allied air power.
Tankers and fighters on one base here at Seymour is a super
combination: neither can do the job without the other.
Special mention for achievers on base:
- Mr. W.W. Watson, civil servant in the transportation
squadron: personally responsible for shipping 1287 jeeps,
panel trucks and others to the theater.
- Master Sergeant Stanley Massey and Technical Sergeant Jim
Claggett: responsible for loading 100 aircraft with 1,997
people and 3035 short tons of cargo destined for the Gulf.
- Staff Sergeant Eugene Noble: trained 1,057 people in
chemical defense, including news media and civilian personnel.
- And Capt Hugh Chatman, processed many hundreds of people
who deployed from Seymour to the Gulf.
POC: at Pentagon: Ellen Piazza (703) 695-1323
at Seymour: Maj Jones or Maj Overmeyer (919) 736-6481
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
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p.004
POW/MIA Insert
Col Dave Eberly and Maj Tom Griffith are
Prisoners of War. Maj Tom Koritz and Maj Donnie
Holland are Missing In Action. We can take comfort
In the fact that all are superstars trained and ready
for combat.
Tom Koritz Is one of five pllots In the Air Force
who is also a flight surgeon. It's tough to be a
fighter pilot and a physician, but Tom's love of
flying Is rivaled by his love of healing. He excels at
both.
Donnie Holland and Tom Griffith rank among the
few Weapon System Officers to fly the F-15E. Only
the very best from a selection of highly qualified
officers are chosen for this job.
Dave Eberly, as Director of Operations for the
4th. He was out in front as always when his people
flew into combat. He is a born leader and warrior.
These four of Seymour's finest rank among
American's bravest, strongest, most talented
combat pliots. That doesn't keep us from hurting
for them and for Julie Koritz, Cindy Holland, Liz
Griffith, Barb Eberly, and all the children. But It
offers us confidence and hope for their futures.
Transition into section on how Saddam will be
accountable.
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
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p.005
POINT PAPER
ON
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, NORTH CAROLINA
BACKGROUND
- Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is located in the city of
Goldsboro, North Carolina.
-- It is a Tactical Air Command base and has the 4th Tactical
Fighter Wing as its primary unit, flying the F-15E "Strike
Eagle" dual role fighter aircraft.
-- The base is named for Navy Lt. Seymour A. Johnson, a
billed
in
aircraft
in
Marylond
in March, 1941. The base has a population of 4,500 military
members and 950 civilians.
-- The Commander of the Wing is Colonel Hal M. Hornburg, who is
deployed to Saudi Arabia. The Wing Vice Commander, Colonel
James C. Wray, is currently the senior commander at the
base.
Air
-- The base also hosts the 68th Aerial Refueling, Wing (Strategic
sei
Air Command) and the 916th Aerial Refueling Wing (Air Force
Reserve), both of which fly the KC-10 "Extender" refueling
aircraft. (Ref Tankers")
DISCUSSION
- The 4th Tactical Fighter Wing has deployed two squadrons
of F-15Es (approximately 48 aircraft) to Saudi Arabia - the
336th Squadron ("Rocketeers") in August and the 335th Squadron
("Chief") in December.
-- The F-15E is the Air Force's newest fighter aircraft, and
is a two-seat, dual role fighter aircraft designed for all-
weather air to air and deep interdiction missions. It has
an additional capability of low-altitude high speed
penetration and precision attack on targets at night.
-- The two deployed squadrons are the only operational
squadrons of F-15E aircraft in the Air Force inventory.
The third squadron, (the 334th Fighting Eagle), is now in
upgrade training at Seymour Johnson which should be
completed later this year.
The Motto of the Wing is "4th But 1st" based on its
heritage which traces back to the British Eagle Squadrons
of World War II. They were one of the top fighter wings
in World War II, flying Spitfires, P-47's, and P-51s. In
Korea, the Wing was responsible for 52% of all the MIG
aircraft destroyed. The Wing has the distinction of being
one of the Air Force's most decorated units - with a
outstanding combat record.
Lt Col Gannon/OSAF PATT/55766/30 January 91
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
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- Both refueling units at the base have been extensively involved
in supporting the deployment of units to the theater of
operations and in flying refueling missions in the area.
- In addition, a large contingent of medical personnel from the
4th Medical Group at the base deployed to Saudi Arabia in
August.
- The Family Support Center is now serving as the focal point for
all matters relating to the families of the deployed personnel
and has remained very busy.
- Support from the local community has been excellent - both to
the deployed forces and the remaining families. More than
8,000 residents were involved in a large "Pro" demonstration
in Goldsboro last Saturday.
(Dave)
Tom
Colonel David Fberly and Major Thomas Griffith of the 4th TFW
have been declared Prisoners of War, and hajors include KORILZ
and Donnie Holland, also of the 4th Wing, are listed as Missing
in Action. NOTE; While the names of the Prisoners and those
missing in action have been released, their units have NOT been
publicly announced.
RECOMMENDATION
- None. Provided for information only.
Thousands turn out for rally in 1 Wayne
to show support for troops in the Gulf
AF/CTAE 19:21 01/30/91
By LYNN WOOTEN
Mayor Hal Plook estimated the crowd
cheering crowd the purpose was to of
sixe Gulf "to welcome them back when
and EUGENE PRICE
at more than 8,000.
military personnel in the Persian ( if
they come home, to cheer them, to love
Thousands of fleg-waving, placard-
The pro-military demonstrators
know they are "loved and supporte by
them and thank them
carrying Wayne Countians turned out
gathered in front of K mart in Ashley
the people in Wayne County."
Plaza and marched to the main en-
"And we'll do it again for them "
BE
Saturday morning for a rally to show
During the rally following the parade
support for troops serving in the Per-
trance of Seymour Johnson AFE - the
they come home. It won't be like It
as
many participants held up pictures of
sinn Gulf.
line of marchers, six to eight abreast,
when I came back from Vietnam. he
loved ones overseas and called out
They ranged from senior citizens and
extending the entire distance.
shouled.
their names on the public address
disabled veterans in wheel chairs to
Goldsbore businessman Frank
The Rev. William Painter, norther
system
bables in strollers. Almost all carried
Drohan, & Marine veteran of Vietnam
Virtam veteran, asked the Crow d to
American flags or posters. Goldsbore
and organizer of the rally, told the
make a piedge to the troops in the Per-
(Continued on Page SA)
7036937553
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Sunday, January 27, 1991
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Thousands turn out
(Continued from page 1A)
for our troops," urged one home
Many said they had come to
made sign.
counteract "peace demonstrations"
Many, such as one saying, "Scud
in some parts of the country.
Saddam," denounced Iraqi's ag.
Most placards were homemade
gression in the Persian Gulf.
originals. One proclaimed that
Most participants said they. felt
Seymour Johnson AFB was "Giving
the demonstration was not only
Saddam the Bird," On the placerd
good for military personnel, but for
was a picture of the F-15E Strike
the community as well
Eagle fighter-bomber.
"I think it's important for
Marchers chanted "U.S.A.,
morale," sald Alice Spence of
U.S.A." and "Bomb Hussein" and
Goldsboro. "I think It shows you
sang patriotic songs as they parad-
not ashamed of what we're doing
ad down Berkeley Blvd. which leads
Mrs. Spence said the aspect of the
to the air base,
war that upset her most Is Iraq
Among the crowd was the wife of
treatment of military prisoners. NEW
Maj. Thomas E. Griffith, 34, a
Asked why he took part in the rati
weapons system officer in the 336th
by, Tech. Sgt. Glenn Clinton replied
Tactical Fighter Squadron who has
"It's my buddies who are there
been captured by the Iraqis. She
He said he "couldn't begin to
said she was "very moved" by the
guess" how many of his friends are:
crowd's support.
on duty in the desert.
"It's awssome," said Mrs. Grif-
Clinton said people from the base
fith. "I think It's real important that
would remember the rally "tor.
America rally like this."
years." He pointed out the impor-
Mrs. Griffith said she fears and-
tance of the community having con-
war pretesters - none of whom
corn for base personnel and their:
were visible at Saturday's rally -
families - and for the base
might turn this war "into (another)
recognizing and appreciating that
Vietna m and mire it down."
outpouring of support.
"He's going to come home." she
"Several groups turned out for the
said of her husband. "With this kind
rally, including the Goldsboro:
of support he'll be coming home."
Jaycees and the marching band of
"I'm here to show my support for
Eastern Wayne High School. Band
this whole effort," said Chuck Im.
director Angelo Holman said about
mler of Goldsboro, summing up the
45 of his class members par
feelings of many. With him was a
ticipated in the event. Others taking:
dog with two American Flags flut-
the Scholastic Aptitude Test were:
tering from staffs mounted on its
unable to attend, he added.
collar.
"I'm proud to be an, American,
Residents began Cocking to the
and I'm proud to carry this flag,
parking lot of Kmart on Berkeley
shouted Mayor Plonk from $ fist
Boulevard long before the rally was
bed truck speakers' platform
scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
"Let's continue this patriotism
The throng soon moved out onto
and support everyone who's in this
the bouley and began a
cause.".
pilgrimage to the gate of the base,
where the route made a U turn and
"Anything preclous is worth
headed back to the starting point.
fighting for," said newly-elected
Many residents broke out singing
N.C. Rep. Carolyn Russell. "Lets
such songstas the National Anthem
hear it for America. Hip, hip:
and "God Bless the USA.' Vehicles
hooray!" The crowd joined in the
passing the marchers joined in by
cheer.
blowing their horns, the drivers and
Wayne Commissioner Howard
passengers waving support.
"Buddy" Shaw also spoke to the
Prayers, patriotic songs - in-
crowd.
cluding solos by Ray Smeltzer -
and brief, sometimes impromptu,
Within an hour after the rally,
speeches were a part of the day's
phone calls began pouring into
events.
Goldsboro's community television
There was at least one Injection of
station, cable channel 10, with peo.
politics. A marcher carried a sign
ple wanting to see rally coverage,
demanding: "Terry Sanford Resign
The station will broadcast the rally
Now!" Senator Terry Sanford was
at 5p.m. Sunday, a spokesman said:
the first to call for a pull-out of
American forces and voted against
giving the president authority to use
force.
And religion played a part.
"There's power in prayer - pray
01/30/91
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004
Wives of POWs have no
misgivings about Gulf role
By EUGENE PRICE
oners of war. I hope the Red Cross
Courage," she said. "This was
Editer, The News-Argus
will be allowed to see each of
something be knew he had to do.
them,' said Mrs. Eberly.
Both of us knew that."
Two U.S. Air Force wives whose
prisoner of war husbands have been
Mrs. Eberly said that throughout
Mrs. Griffith shares Mrs. Eber
shown on Iraqi television say they
her husband's deployment, In-
ly's concern for humane treatment
have "absolutely no misgivings"
cluding when ahe learned he had
But she also expressed hope that the
about the multinational role in the
failed to return from bis last mis-
leadership of the multinational of
Persian Gulf.
sion, she had absolutely no misgiv.
fort will not weaken its resolve and
One of the wives expressed hope
logo about our role" in the Persian
lessen pressure on Saddam.
that President George Bush, would
Guil.
not lessen military pressure on
"We can't lose our courage and
Iraq. And both feel parading POWs
She quoted from a recent letter
stall with 'peace initiatives that
before the world on television em
from her husband in which be
will leave the prisoners stranded for
phasises Saddam Hussein's per.
foresaw the inevitability of war.
years and years like we did in Viet
sonal accountability for their
"His last sentence was, "The most
nam," she said.
humane treatment.
important aspect of leadership:
(Continued on Pare SA)
Both wives also appealed to
friends, family and the media to be
sensitive to the release of informa
tion that could create problems for
captured personnel and their fami-
lies.
The views were expressed by the
Swives of Col. David W. Eberly: and
Maj. Thomas E. Griffith -In ex.
clusive Interviews with the editor of
the Goldsboro News-Argus.
"My chief concern now, of course,
La the humane treatment of all pris-
Goldsboro News-Argus
Sunday, January 27, 1991
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005
Wives
It was 10 p.m. when the officers
of POWs
and their wives, the chaplain and
the flight surgeon came to her home
on base. "They don't have to tell
have no
you. You know. They stay as long as
you need them - in my case they
were there until 2:30 in the morn-
ing. Then in the morning, the other
wives come. They do everything,
misgivings
the cleaning, the laundry, the shop-
ping...'
"I never asked, "Why did it have
(Continued from page 1A)
to be my husband?' How could I do
that wher
ch close
feit were exhaustive efforts by
friends? ky first feeling was: Why
President George Bush to liberate
does there have to be & war? Then:
Kuwait through international
almost immediately, the answer
diplomacy. "But diplomacy failed.
came: Because It would have been
We have to put that behind us," she
much worse later if we hadn't done
said.
It."
"With our strength. we could have
Mrs. Griffith said her initial reac-
done anything at any time rather
the upon learning her husband was
than letting Saddam get stronger
a prisoner was relief that he was
while we gave peace a chance. We
alive. That reaction quickly was
could have started earlier or ended
followed by concern for his well-
with nuclear bombs and perhaps
being.
my husband wouldn't be & prisoner.
"As I understand, the Geneva
But I am proud we didn't do that.
Conventions ask only that prisoners
The American way is not to shove
give name, rank and serial number.
our weight around. We are a moral
have no doubt that the information
people, I'm proud of my country.
be gave was coerced," she said.
I'm proud of my husband," she
Both wives say they are sustained
declared.
not only by support of other Air
While Mrs. Griffith supported the
Force families but support from the
president's refusal to link discus-
civilian community.
sions of the Palestinian issue with
Mrs. Eberly feels her husband
the liberation of Kuwait, she hopes
survived because of their religious
5.
that after the war is over there will
faith and prayers of friends
be successful peaceful Initiatives
throughout the country. After learn-
"to defuse the powder keg in the
ing that Col. Eberly was missing,
Middle East.
she asked the chaplain to open the
bold a jointly prepared statement
base chapel and she Invited friends
released by the Air Force Friday,
to Join her there in prayer. Many
the two wives said: "We stress now
came.
more than ever that our friends and
While the POW wives appreciate
relatives not release any informa-
support of the civilian community,
tion about our husbands or family
there was no expressed resentment
members to the media, to include
of war protesters.
photographs." Mrs. Griffith said
Commented Mrs. Griffith:
release of information and pictures
"My husband went over there and
of family members also should be
now he's a prisoner of war to pro.
avoided.
tect the rights of people. And this
The wives fear that some infor-
includes the right of those who want
mation, innocently given and seem.
to protest."
ingly harmless, might be used by
i But she hopes the exercise of that
POW interrogators for intimidation
right to protest doesn't sway her
or other purposes.
country's leadership to change
The military is particularly con-
course in a way that might lengthen
cerned about release of photographs
the war and delay her husband's
missing personnel who might be
repatriation.
trying to slude capture.
Both Mrs. Eberly and Mrs. Grif.
fith are confident their busbands'
strength and faith will bring them
Grough the orden! of captivity.
Mrs. Griffith reflected on her first
learning of her husband's being
missing.
p.011
Goldsboro people cling
Goldsboro people cling
to hope airmen alive
to hope airmen alive
Robert Henson, director of the base
(Continued from page 1A)
can use any information about these
By MICHAEL HOBES
did not return to base after a bomb.
pilots," said Painter, who served
amily Support Center.
ing rull The jet was also carrying
one year in the Vietnam War as a
Associated Prace Writer
Seymour Johnson is the home of
People in the military town of
the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. the
weapons system officer Maj.
Marine Corps scout.
Although none of the missing
Goldsbore are elinging to hope
only unit fully equipped with the F.
Thomas E. Griffith.
despite the news that four of the
Earlier, pilot Maj. Thomas Koritz
airmen belongs to the church, it lost
ISE. a fighter jet that has been to-
and weapons officer Maj. Donnie
its nursery school director. when
U.S. airmen missing in the Middle
strumental in the air strikes in Iraq
East are from Seymour Johnson
and Kuwait. On Sunday, officials
Holland were declared missing in
Maj. Peter Hook. was killed in the
crash of an F-15E in Saudi Arabia in
AFB and aren't among those esp-
announced that the F-15E piloted by
action after their jet failed to return
tured by Iraq.
Col. David W. Eberly, deputy com-
from a bombing run on Thursday.
September.
"We're hanging on to the hope
blander of operations for the wing,
In all, 14 U.S. airmen are missing.
Painter said there is no easy way
to deal with the news that a loved
7036937553
that our people are OK, that they'
Henson said he pinned his hopes
somewhere in the desert," said
Continued on Page SA)
one has been lost in battle. He said a
OFF the reliability of the emergency
ejection systems of the F-1SE:
strong faith in God.and in the pur-
"Ubtil we see that the are on the
pose of the military's mission 11 im-
list of prisoners, we have hope that
portant
they are walking across the desert,
"They have to develop a strong
that they are dug in or have taken
faith in God, with the continued
refuge with the Kuwaiii
assurance of his abiding love. And
resistance," be said.
they have to trust in something
Cynthia Hornburg, the wife of Col.
greater than themselves and even
Hal Hernburg. commander of 4th
the equipment the pilots are
Tactical Fighter Wing. heads up the
operating,' ke said.
wives' support group. She said base
Meanwhile, R.J. Allen, a clerk at
families are holding up well
the General Nutrition Centers store
"They're all very hopeful," she
in the Berkeley Mall spoke out of
said. "R's a difficult time for all of
frustration. The mall. which is just
us."
blocks from the entrance to the air
Base officials are protective of
base, had been. the target of two
Goldsboro News-Argus
Tuesday, January 22, 1991
the families, restricting the media
bomb threats over the weekend and
from intrusive interviews.
each time the building was
Those restrictions have been put
evacuated.
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
in place for good reason, said Rev.
Allen was upset that officials had
Halph Painter, pastor of the First
employees go back in to check their
Assembly of God. The charch is the
stores for anything suspicious. He
religious home for some of the F.
was also angered by Iraq's missile
15E pilots in Saudi Arabia.
attacks.
"It's extremely. important that
"I think we should just go abead
the community and the nation real-
and bomb Baghdad. Just level
ise that there are ways the enemy
be said.
p.012
Raleigh News and Observer
Friday, 18 gan 91
Page 1B
7036937553
Wives proud of Seymour Johnson pilots' role in raids
brought the Goldsboro base into
"You have a choice," said Cyn-
we began to talk among ourselves.
constant watch on the news while
By JULIE POWERS RIVES
the national spotlight. The telitale
this S. Horsburg. "You can be
Then we went to talk to our
going about their routines, while
Staff writer
initials SJ on the planes'. tails
upset. Or you can try to keep
children," said one. pilot's wife,
others said they rationed their
could be seen on televised news
enjoying life." Her husbaid, Col.
Belty Jane.
updates or avoided television and
GOLDSBORO - The pilots of
reports as they took off for Bagh-
Hal Hornburg, commands Sey-
She was among several wives of
radio as much as possible.
Seymour Johnson's Strike Eagles
dad.
mour Johnson's 4th Tactical
pilots of fighter jets and tanker
"We hope and we pray, and WI
got at new job this week- instead
Despite the near certainty that
Fighter Wing and is in Saudi
planes based at Seymour Johnson
don't worry until we get fina
of training in the skies of Eastern
their spouses were in combat,
Arabia.
who appeared at a news confer-
word," said a woman who gaw
North Carolina, they were fight-
several pilots' wives said Thurs-
Many of the wives of airmen
ence Thursday afternoon. Base
her name only as Barb. She sais
ing a war a half a world away.
day that they slept well the night
gathered for E: support group
officials asked that, for security.
she had no way of knowing for
The two squadrons of F-15Es
of the attack, sent their children
meeting on Wednesday night just
reasons, reporters me only the
certain whether her busband, ar
48 aircraft- from Seymour John-
to school as usual the next day and
as they heard of the first allied air
first names of the other pilots"
F-15 pilot, had participated in the
son Air Force Base, the mainstay
remained- faithful- to household
strike.
wives.
of the air strikes against Iraq,
routines.
"It got quiet for awhile. Then
Some said they had kept a
See N.C.-BASED, page 28
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012
Raleigh News and Observer
Friday, 18 Jan 91
Pages B+ 2B
N.C.-based
'We train hard here at
pilots lead
Seymour, and we
believe they have the
best aircraft In the
attacks
world In the F-1 5E.'
Continued from page 10
- Col. James C. Wray,
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
air strikes.
"I know he would want to," she
shadowed by military. installa-
said.
tions at Fort Bragg and Camp
Another woman, Pam, said her
Lejeune, began converting to F-
two children, 7 and 8, had gone to
15s in December 1968. The first of
school and were calm in the hours
the planes and pilots became
after the attack.
operational in October of 1989.
"They know their Daddy's a
The 4th Tactical Fighter Wing's
good pilot. He'll. do what he's
motto is "Fourth but First,'
supposed to do. They have a.
referring to Its. World War II
feeling he'll come back," she said.
military feats.
Though years of military life
The base has also sent several
has taught the women to cultivate
KC-10 refusling tankers and crews
& calm demeanor, many of them
to the Middle East. They are
admitted they have had anxious
capable of refueling in mid-air the
moments. Looking out for each
F-15E's, all other Air Force air-
other and keeping touch relieves
craft and most Navy, Marine and
the stress, they said
allied aircraft being used in the
"EveryHody's doing the same
attacks.
thing, whether their husband is
Col. Wray said he was surprised
over there or not," Pam said.
but relieved that no Seymour
The base, with half its personnel
Johnson planes had been reported
and most of its fighter planes and
lost as of Thursday "because of
tankers gone to the Middle East,
the nature of the beast.
was subdued Thursday. Security
He said he did not know for
checks at the gate created R long
certain how many of the planes
traffic Jam
had been or would be involved
Speaking at the news confer-
because officers at the base had
ence, Col. James C. Wray. vice
not been informed of the battle
commander of the wing, bragged
plans.
about the war planes and the men
"I can only tell you what's on
who fly them.
television," he said. "It was a
"We train hard here at Sey-
combined attack."
mour, and we believe they have
CoL. Wray said the F-15E pllots.
the best aircraft in the world in
werez guided. by video, display
the F-15E," be said.
screens in the cockpits of the
The two squadrons from Sey-
sleek, sophisticated, computer-
moir Johnson, the 335th and
ized planes designed for battle at
336th, are the only two operating
night and in bad weather.
squadrons of F-15Es In the Air
All they probably hear is each
Force A third squadron is being
other breathing, and the equip-
trained at the base now.
ment they have working for
The Goldsboro base, often over-
them," he said.
The Doldsboro News-Argus
Thursday, 17 Jan 91
Front Page
013
The talk in W ayne County
AT / CVAE 01/30/91 19:21
NO. 005
today is of war
By DENNIS HILL,
immediately after the strike was
"good men with good families,
LYNN WOOTEN,
assounced. A friend's fiance is part
"What they've done they've done
STEFFANIE RIVERS
of the American military force and
professionally and conscientionsly,"
Willers
the new upset her.
Painter said.
"I was kind of shocked," Clark
He said support at home is vital to
From the coffee klatches on Ash
said.
the morale of troops. He urged peo-
Street to the classrooms at Wayne
Thomas Battle, 2, also & student
ple in the area to continue to show
Community College, the talk today
at WCC, said he his several friends
support for members of the military
in Wayne County wased war.
in Operation Desert Storm.
when they return home.
"Showtime," said Fred Overman,
"I thought it would never really
Jack Kannan also served in Viet-
22, of RL 2, Fremont, at he ate
happen," he said.
MAIR. He said be is pleased the U.S.
breakfast in Michelle's restaurant.
Despite the suddenness of the
government is giving the military
"We just didn't have any choice."
news, both students said the
more: free rein than it had in
said his father, Fred Overman Sr.
massive attack in the best method
Southeast Asia 20 years ago.
7036937553
"Tm just glad they're in there so
for ending the crisis;
"He (Bush) is letting them use all
they can go aboad and get it over
"The guy (Saddam Hussein) just
their modern technology and that's
with," said Michelle Dreyfus, part-
wanted to be hard headed, Clark
going to save lives in the long run,
owner of the restaurant where
said
Kannan said
Many local people gather.
Paster Ralph Fainter of the First
Ray Rouse Jr. flew bombing mis
Johnj. Herring. a 24-year-old vet
Assembly of God is a Vietnam vet-
sions in World War IL He agrees
eran, sald be supports the American
eran. About 50 members of his com-
with Bush's assertion that Opera-
13:47
attack. As an inactive reserve he
gregation are' members of the
tion Desert Shield could asher in a
could be returned to uniform if
Seymour Johnson AFB contingent
new worldorder
needed.
in the desert. Some were part of the
"They're always talking about the
The elder Overman said people
initial air strikes.
"war to end all wars'," Rouse said.
will have more time to reassess
"I've really got a gut feeling that
President Bush's decision to sttack
There are seasons for war.
this will come close to that. With
01.30.91
after touight, if there's anything
There are seasons for peace,"
this many superpowers saying, We
left.'
Painter said. "Our American expe-
mean business this time", if you're
Danny. Clark, 20; is a student at
rience has been that if good men
going to jump m another. country
Wayne Community College Al-
don't de something, evil men will
you better think about It first.
though be knows no one h the Per-
triumph.
sin Gulf region be received a call
Be called the pilots and crews
(Continued on page 12A)
p.014
01/30/91
19:21
AF/CVAE
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p.015
Doldsboro argus, Monday,
14 Jan 91, Front page
Wives hope
Wives hope and worry
and worry,
(Contuned from page 1A)
"But It's not just our guys," she
added. "The ground troops will bear
trying to keep busy.
the brunt of any fighting.
"I've cleaned out a lot of closets
Mrs. Garrett agreed. "I hope It's
and done a lot of mundane tasks,"
over soon with the least amount of
keep busy
she said. "We're just trying to stay
lives lost."
on 1 daily routine."
But she worries about Army and
Phyllis Garrett, whose husband
Marine personnel, and even those
By KARINNE YOUNG
Capt. Randall Garrett is a lighter
Iraqia who have been drawn into R
pilot with the $26th Tactical Fighter
News-Arges Staff Writer
war they do not want. "They're be.
Squadron, said their three children
ing forced by a dictator who is not
Seymour Johnson AFB wives cay
are doing wall because her husband
concerned about their Interests and
they are trying to keep busy. and
prepared them before he left.
well-being."
maintain a daily routine as the
"They did a lot of talking and he
tried to answer all their questions."
She said she felt all along that the
deadline for war in the Middle East
drawsnear.
said Mrs. Carrett. "They think their
situation would develop into war,
Mrs. Garrett wished that the U.S.
While several of their husbands
daddy is great, is the best, because
had attacked immediately but said
have faced serious situations in the
be told them he was."
she understood the political sen-
last few years, "this 13 certainly the
Tacse reassurances WELV more
siderations.
most dangerous one," according to
believable coming directly from
While many wives went home to
one wife.
him, she said.
their. parents for the duration; Mis.
"I still try to keep & positive at-
One of the Hornburg children"
Decuir said she could not ask for a
titude and hope for peace," said
watches the news and one doesn't,
better place to be.
Cynthia Hornburg, wife of 4th Tac.
said Unde mother. "They are deal-
ing with it in their own way.'
"We all gather around anyone
tical Fighter Wing commander Col.
who needs help because we know
Hal Hornburg. But in the event of
Mrs. Hernburg said she finds it
war, "our guys are well trained and
hard to believe that Saddam Hus.
the next minute it could be us," she
said. "We can cry on each others'
will do a great job.
sein would "put his country through
what's going to happen,
shoulders and share our worries,
Paula Decuir, whose husband Lt.
"No one wants war, but if it
because we all know what We're g'v.
Col. Mike Decuir is A pilot in the
ing through."
333th Tactical Fighter Squadron, is
comes in that, I hope it will De over
quickly," she said.
The women underscored the sup-
(Continded on Page SA)
While Mrs. Decuir is worried and
port of the Coldsbare community
both in keeping morale up here and
admits there is an element of risk.
she is confident in the ability of
recomuring those
Seymour Johnson personnel to do
"Our people know the community
the job. "And the airplane (the F-
is taking care of the people back
15E Strike Bagle) will serve them
here," said Mrs. Hernburg They
well.
don't have to worry about us," she
said.
The Doldsboro News -Brgui.
Thursday, 17 Jan 91
01/30/91
19:21
Talk in Wayne today is of war
(Continued from page 1A)
strikes. "9" pray this would be
targets that need to be hit again, be
schoo studen
said Gerald
taken. "We had a dictator w)
Retired Air Force Cot. James
wrapped ID a matter of days."
pointed out.
Whitlew, princi
of Goldsboro
would not listen to reason," Boyk
Hiteshew, former six-year prisoner
Kerr added that the U.S. suc-
Vick said be is surprised that no
High S-hool
said, addle the president "reacts
of war in Virtuam, said he is
cesses achieved without involving
ground troops were needed during
Students are laking their final
responsively.
AF/CVAE
"pleased with the no holds barred"
Israel is "agrest comp."
the initial stages of Operation Des-
and if semester exams, Whitley
"Our charches have been prayin
force the military has shown
He warned however that "how WE
ert Storm. He attributed the lack of
sald, and could be distracted by
for peace Jrd continue to do 20,"}
against Saddam and his Iraqui
gelont of this thing L important."
Iraq defense to the "complete sur-
events on the other side of the
said. "We need to bring this confile
troops. Yel, be said be is curines
The defeat of Iraq could create a
prise" achieved in the nightime at-
vorid.
to an and."
about Hussein's insetion against the
vacuum is the MiddLe East the:
tack.
Students are al concerned with
The association, he pointed ou
aggrension.
would be filled by another op-
"I think te's going to stick it out
what's going or Whitley said.
has supported prayer services to
"I'm still curious. I'm still a little
pressive force, he said.
for another week at least," Vick
"Thing kind of arted getting a lit-
severalmonths.
bit concerned because the guy is
"It's a c-licate balance over
said of Saddam "Let's just hope be
Re quiener."
Wayne County officials said th
dangerous. He's fanatical.
there," Kerrwaid. "A lot depends or
sees the light
He mid exat would not! be
local emergency management of
Hiteshew, anAir Force pilot when
what kind of traq WE leave. We have
"I just believe that old, crazy boy
postpored. 'I th I we'll go shead
fice is preparing for possible ter
his plane was shot down over
to have some pelitical, perhaps mll-
needs to be removed and Presi-
with a normal By and have ex-
rorist attacks at the base. Wayo
Hanoy, was a POW from 1906 until
Hary, stability. I just hope there
dent Bush is doing the right thing,"
ms," Whitley BB
County Commissioner Chairma:
1973.
aren't any marprises."
Leos Smeal & Disabled American
A moment of $ ence was observ-
John Westen said BY announcemen
Despite reports that U.S. forces
Many are-u residents expressed
Veteran who retired from the Air
al at tile school Tuesday, the first
regarding stepped-up precaution
were not ready for the Middle East
pride at the ne played by the men
Force in 1972, sald of Saddam.
day following the United Nations'
should be made today.
confrontation Hiteshew said the mil-
and women of Seymour Johnson
He urged military strategists "not
deadlin- for Saddam to withdraw
Mary seemed to well trained and
AF3 in the stirck.
to rush in too fast on the ground.
from Kewait.
93
very professional in their actions.
Former area military servicement
I'm seared dthat.
Rev. Bill Boy 'n, head of the
"I just hope the president will let
said they believe the United States
"I hope we don't get overanxious
Vayne County Y 'sterial Associa-
the military experts run it and not
is doing theri ght thing and carrying
and try to squash them. (on the
ton, caled the ( ( war "unfortu-
the politicians.
out the operation magnificently.
ground) because he's dug in,
nate,
"His (Hussein) force is going to
"I'm beling you, I'm thrilled,
Smeal said, noting the Iraqi
But Boykin said be personally
crumble once he looses control, he
thrilled. thrilled," said retired Col.
prediliction for sewing mine fields
5 apport= Bush and the action be has
added.
Roy Vick of Goldsboro, I former B-
Although the timing of the attack
Though be expressed his pride in
52 crewman
was good for military strategists, it
the service perminel from Seymour
Air face practice, he said, has
could net have been ware for high
Johnson AFB where be was once
"paid off. Vick said he was
stationed, Hiteshew said "My heart
"amazed" by the lack d complica-
goes out to the families."
tions in the operation - such as
"It was something that had to be
midiair collisions and the small
done," said Rep. John Kerr. "Clear-
worker of e asmalties.
(y we were ready. We should be real
"R's been R fantastle study of
prone of our military, particularly
largeting," Vick said. "Tonight I
the fact that the Air Force has
think you're going to see:a replay of
taken the lead.
last night."
"I just don't see how Saddam
After flying AWAC missions, U.S.
Hosseln can stay in power without
military leaders can better assess
my air protection." Kerr said, re-
damage to leag and con-entrate on
ierring to the success of U.S. air
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
7036937553
p.017
PAGE
2
1ST STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1991 Chicago Tribune Company;
Chicago Tribune
January 26, 1991, Saturday, NORTH SPORTS FINAL EDITION
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 5; ZONE: C
LENGTH: 374 words
HEADLINE: Hometown, old school honor flier held as POW
BYLINE: By John O'Brien
BODY:
Air Force Col. David W. Eberly, the highest-ranking American missing in the
Persian Gulf, is a career pilot whose ambition as a youngster in Indiana was to
fly and "be ready for challenges."
On Friday, the day after Eberly was listed by Iraq as a prisoner of war,
students and teachers in his hometown of Brazil, Ind., honored the 43-year-old
pilot in ceremonies attended by his mother, Evelyn Wallace, at North Clay Junior
High School.
Eberly, at the controls of an F-15E jet, disappeared on a mission over Iraq
or Kuwait last weekend, according to the Pentagon. He was serving as director of
operations for F-15 fighter aircraft assigned to the gulf from Seymour Johnson
Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C.
The Iraqis also said the weapons officer in Eberly's downed plane, Maj.
Thomas E. Griffith, 34, of Goldsboro, N.C., is in their hands.
"David always liked to fly and be ready for challenges," his mother said. "He
was very qualified in F-15s. He enjoyed being in the cockpit.'
Evelyn Wallace spoke after meeting with the junior high school students, from
whom she accepted an American flag along with a cardboard ledger signed by them
and bearing written expressions of good cheer to Col. Eberly's wife, Barbara,
and 18-year-old son, Timm, in North Carolina.
She said she told them to study hard and be aware of the world and its
problems, as her son was at their age.
"You too someday may have to stand up and defend what you believe is
important," she told them.
The ceremonies were arranged by teachers who formerly taught at Eberly's alma
mater, the old Brazil High School, from which he graduated in 1965.
They recalled him as a student who displayed a keen interest in military and
world affairs.
Eberly joined the Air Force after graduation from Indiana University in 1969
as a second lieutenant in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
01/30/91 19:21 AF/CVAE
7036937553
p.018
PAGE 3
(c) 1991 Chicago Tribune, January 26, 1991
He was promoted to full colonel in 1989 after five years of service at the
Pentagon. Upon promotion he was assigned to F-15 training in Arizona, his mother
said.
Wallace said she last spoke with her son Jan. 13. Technical difficulties
ended the conversation, the mother said, but not before she reminded him of his
unclaimed Christmas gift - a full set of golf clubs.
UNITED STATES; AVIATION; MILITARY; IRAQ; KUWAIT; DEFENSE; MISSING; ILLINOIS;
BIOGRAPHY; AGE
The Doldsboro News - argus
Thursday, 17 Jan 91
Front Page
013
The talk in Wayne County
NO. 005
today is of war
By DENNIS HILL,
immediately after the strike was
"good men with good families.
LYNN WOOTEN,
announced. A friend's fiance is part
What they ve done they've done
STEFFANIE RIVERS
of the American military force and
professionally and conscientiously,"
News-Arges Staff Writers
the new upset her.
Painter said.
"I was kind of shocked," Clark
He said support at home is vital to
From the coffee klatches on Ash
said.
the morale of troops. He urged peo-
Street to the classrooms at Wayne
Thomas Battle, 23, also a student
ple in the area to continue to show
Community College, the talk. today
at WCC, said he has several friends
support for members of the military
in Wayne County was of war.
in Operation Desert Storm.
when they return home.
"Showthme," said Fred Overman,
"I thought it would never really
Jack Kannan also served in Viet-
22, of Rt. 2, Fremont, as he ate
happen," he said.
nam. He said he is pleased the U.S.
breakfast in Michelle's restaurant.
Despite the suddenness of the
government is giving the military
"We just didn't have any choice,"
news, both students said the
more free rein than it had in
said his father, Fred Overman Sr.
massive attack is the best method
Southeast Asia 20 years ago.
"Pm just glad they're in there 50
for ending the crisis;
"He (Bush) is letting them use all
they can go ahead and get it over
"The guy (Saddam Hussein) just
their modern technology and that's
with," said Michelle Dreyfus, part-
wanted to be hard headed, Clark
going to save lives in the long run,
owner of the restaurant where
said
Kannan said.
many local people gather.
Pastor Ralph Painter of the First
Ray Rouse Jr. flew bombing mis-
John, Herring, a 24-year-old vet-
Assembly of God is a Vietnam vet-
sions in World War II. He agrees
eran, said be supports the American
eran. About 50 members of his con-
with Bush's assertion that Opera-
13:47
attack. As an inactive reserve he
gregation are members of the
tion Desert Shield could usher in a
could be returned to uniform if
Seymour Johnson AFB contingent
new world order.
needed.
in the desert. Some were part of the
"They' re always talking about the
The elder Overman said people
initial air strikes.
'war to end all wars'," Rouse said.
will have more time to reassess
"I've really got a got feeling that
President Bush's decision to attack
"There are seasons for war.
this will come close to that With
There are seasons for peace,"
01/30/91
after toolght, if there's anything
this many superpowers saying, We
left."
Painter said. "Our American expe-
mean business this time", if you're
Danny, Clark, 20; is a student at
rience has been that if good men
going to jump on another country
Wayne Community College Al-
don't do something, evil men will
you'd better think about it first.
though be knows no one in the Per-
triumph.
He called the pilots and crews
(Continued on page 12A)
stan Gulf region he received a call
The Doldsboro News Orgus
Thursday, 17 Jan 91
Talk in Wayne today is of war
(Continued from page 1A)
strikes. '9'-1 pray this would be
targets that need to be hit again, he
schoo students, sald Gerald
taken. "We had 2 dictator wh
Retired Air Force Col. James
wrapped WI a matter of days."
pointed out.
Whitlew, principal of Goldsboro
would not listen to reason," Boyki
Hiteshew, former six-year prisoner
Kerr added that the U.S. suc-
Vick said be is surprised that no
High S-hool
said, adding the president "reacte
of war in Vietnam, said he is
cesses aclieved without involving
ground troops were needed during
Students are taking their final
responsively.
"pleased with the no holds barred"
Israel is great comp.'
the initial stages of Operation Des-
round if semester exams, Whitley
"Our charches have been praying
force the military has shown
He warned bowever that "how we
ert, Storm. He attributed the lack of
said, and could be distracted by
for peace and continue to do so," h
against Saddam and his Iraqui
out of this thing L important."
Iraq defense to the "complete sur-
events on the other side of the
said. "We need to bring this conflic
troops. Yet, be said be is curious
The defeat of Iraq could create a
prise" achieved in the nightime at-
world.
to an end."
about Hussein's inaction against the
vacuum is the MiddLe East tha:
tack.
"Stuments are real concerned with
The asseciation, he pointed out,
aggression.
would be filled by another op-
"I think te's going to stick it out
what's going on," Whitley said.
has supported prayer services for
"I'm still curious. I'm still a little
pressive force, he said.
for another week at least," Vick
"Thing kind of started getting a lit-
several months.
bit concerned because the guy is
"It's a c-licate balance over
said of Saddam. "Let's just hope be
fle quie=er."
Wayne County officials said the
dangerous. He's fanatical.
there," Kerr said. "A lot depends or
sees the light.
He said exams would not be
local emergency management of.
Hiteshew, an Air Force pilot when
what kind of Iraq WE leave. We have
"I just believe that old, crazy boy
postpored "I think we'll go abead
fice is preparing for possible ter-
his plane was shot down over
to have some political, perhaps mil-
needs to be removed and Presi-
with a normal day and have ex-
rorist attacks at the base. Wayne
Hanoy, was a POW from 1966 until
itary, stability. I just hope there
dent Bush is doing the right thing,"
ams," Whitley said.
County Commissioner Chairman
1973.
aren't any surprises."
Leon Smeal a Disabled American
A moment of silence was observ-
John Wooten said an announcement
Despite reports that U.S. forces
Many area residents expressed
Veteran who retired from the Air
ed at the school Tuesday, the first
regarding stepped-up precautions
were not ready for the Middle East
pride at the -ole played by the men
Force in 1972, said of Saddam.
Cay following the United Nations'
should be made today.
confrontation Hitesbew said the mil-
and women of Seymcur Johnson
He urged nilitary strategists "not
deadlin- for Saddam to withdraw
itary seemed to well trained and
AF3 in the uttack.
to rush in too fast on the ground.
from Kewait.
very professional in their actions.
Former area military servicement
I'm scared of that.
Rev. Bill Boykin, head of the
"I just hope :he president will let
said they believe the United States
"I hope we don't get overanxions
Wayne County Ministerial Associa-
the military experts run it and not
is doing theri ght thing and carrying
and try to squash them. (on the
ton, CA led the Gulf war "unfortu-
the politicians.
out the operation magnificently.
ground) because he's dug in,'
nate."
"His (Hussein) force is going to
"Tm teling you. I'm thrilled,
Sm salc, noting the Iraqi
But Boykin said; he personally
crumble once he looses control," he
thrilled, thriMed," said retired Col.
prediliction for sewing mine fields.
5 apport= Bush and the action be has
added.
Hop Vick of Goldsboro, & former B.
Although the timing of the attack
Though be expressed his pride in
52 crewman
was good for military strategists, it
the service personnel from Seymour
At force practice, be said, has
could not have been worse for high
IT
Johnson AFB where he was once
"paid off.' Vick said be was
stationed, Hitesbew said "My heart
"amazed" by the lack d complica-
goes out to the families."
tions in the operation - such as
"It was something that had to be
midair colisions and the small
done," said Rep. John Kerr. "Clear-
number of c usualties.
by we were ready. We should be real
"R's been 2 fantastic study of
prond of our military, particularly
targeting," Vick said. "Tonight I
the fact that the Air Force has
thin's you're going to seea replay of
taken the lead.
last night."
"I just don't see how Saddam
After flying AWAC missions, U.S.
Hussein can stay in power without
military leaders can better assess
my air protection," Kerr said, re-
damage to kaq and con-entrate on
erring to the success of U.S. air
Seymour Johnson Visit
Ranking people in audience (location: picnic area on base)
Don Rice, Secretary of the Air Force
Gen Tony McPeak, Air Force Chief of Staff
Military leaders: Col "Jumbo" Wray, Vice Commander, 4th Tac
Fighter Wing; Col Norm Rathje, Commander, 68th Air Refueling
Wing; Col John Batbie, Commander, 916th Air Refueling Group
Family support leader: Cynthia Hornburg, wife of Col Hal Hornburg,
deployed with his 4th Tac Fighter Wing
Civic leaders: Goldsboro Mayor Hal Plonk; Troy Pate, Chairman of
the Military Affairs Committee
Congressmen or senators unknown as of Jan 30
Deployed people and assets: F-15E Strike Eagles (from the 4th
Tactical Fighter Wing, under the command of Colonel Hal Hornburg);
KC-10s from the 68th Air Refueling Wing and 916th Air Refueling
Group; a base medical team, civil engineers, security police, food
services, maintenance, supply every agency on the base has been
affected, active and reserve. This is a total force effort.
Seymour Johnson crews and planes have been there since the
first days of Desert Shield. Those here at home, holding down the
fort, are also critical players.
Two POWs and MIAs from Seymour Johnson: Extreme stress
and trauma at base. Not a happy time. Four very talented crew
members, family men, Air Force heroes, are POWs and MIAs. (all of
4th TFW)
- Col Dave Eberly
- Maj Tom Griffith
- Maj Tom Koritz
- Maj Donnie Holland
The families: Cynthia Hornburg and the other spouses involved in
the family support network on base are unsung heroes. They've met a
range of needs: wives for whom English is a second language, who've
had to mow the lawn for the first time, or who've just needed a
friendly ear.
Community contributions: The local community has sponsored
free babysitting for children of deployed, picnics, roller-skating
parties for the kids, and a support rally over on Berkeley Boulevard
last Saturday (Jan 23rd). 2000 people were expected but about 8000
showed up. Local people chipped in for a TV satellite dish receiver
for deployed forces. (Local area has Army, Navy, Marine, and
National Guard people deployed as well as Air Force.)
About the F-15E: Targeting and killing Scud launchers and
airfields is a priority for the Col Hornburg and his troops.
The F-15 E Strike Eagle is our newest fighter, advanced deep-
interdiction plane. Long range, day/night operations, all-weather.
Dual-role: air-to-ground and air-to-air.
About the KC-10s: History of responding in crises. 68th Air
Refueling Wing participated in Operation Just Cause (Panama) and
Grenada. Tankers are the lifeline of U.S. as well as allied air power.
Tankers and fighters on one base here at Seymour is a super
combination: neither can do the job without the other.
Special mention for achievers on base:
- Mr. W.W. Watson, civil servant in the transportation
squadron: personally responsible for shipping 1287 jeeps,
panel trucks and others to the theater.
- Master Sergeant Stanley Massey and Technical Sergeant Jim
Claggett: responsible for loading 100 aircraft with 1,997
people and 3035 short tons of cargo destined for the Gulf.
- Staff Sergeant Eugene Noble: trained 1,057 people in
chemical defense, including news media and civilian personnel.
- And Capt Hugh Chatman, processed many hundreds of people
who deployed from Seymour to the Gulf.
POC: at Pentagon: Ellen Piazza (703) 695-1323
at Seymour: Maj Jones or Maj Overmeyer (919) 736-6481
POINT PAPER
ON
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, NORTH CAROLINA
BACKGROUND
- Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is located in the city of
Goldsboro, North Carolina.
-- It is a Tactical Air Command base and has the 4th Tactical
Fighter Wing as its primary unit, flying the F-15E "Strike
Eagle" dual role fighter aircraft.
The base is named for Navy Lt. Seymour A. Johnson, a
Goldsboro native, killed in an aircraft crash in Maryland
in March, 1941. The base has a population of 4,500 military
members and 950 civilians.
-- The Commander of the Wing is Colonel Hal M. Hornburg, who is
deployed to Saudi Arabia. The Wing Vice Commander, Colonel
James C. Wray, is currently the senior commander at the
base.
Air
-- The base also hosts the 68th Aerial Refueling, Wing (Strategic
SRS
Air Command) and the 916th Aerial Refueling Wing (Air Force
Reserve), both of which fly the KC-10 "Extender" refueling
aircraft. (Ref Tankers")
DISCUSSION
- The 4th Tactical Fighter Wing has deployed two squadrons
of F-15Es (approximately 48 aircraft) to Saudi Arabia - the
336th Squadron ("Rocketeers") in August and the 335th Squadron
("Chief") in December.
-- The F-15E is the Air Force's newest fighter aircraft, and
is a two-seat, dual role fighter aircraft designed for all-
weather air to air and deep interdiction missions. It has
an additional capability of low-altitude high speed
penetration and precision attack on targets at night.
-- The two deployed squadrons are the only operational
squadrons of F-15E aircraft in the Air Force inventory.
The third squadron, (the 334th Fighting Eagle), is now in
upgrade training at Seymour Johnson which should be
completed later this year.
The Motto of the Wing is "4th But 1st" based on its
heritage which traces back to the British Eagle Squadrons
of World War II. They were one of the top fighter wings
in World War II, flying Spitfires, P-47's, and P-51s. In
Korea, the Wing was responsible for 52% of all the MIG
aircraft destroyed. The Wing has the distinction of being
one of the Air Force's most decorated units - with a
outstanding combat record.
Lt Col Gannon/OSAF PATT/55766/30 January 91
- Both refueling units at the base have been extensively involved
in supporting the deployment of units to the theater of
operations and in flying refueling missions in the area.
- In addition, a large contingent of medical personnel from the
4th Medical Group at the base deployed to Saudi Arabia in
August.
- The Family Support Center is now serving as the focal point for
all matters relating to the families of the deployed personnel
and has remained very busy.
- Support from the local community has been excellent - both to
the deployed forces and the remaining families. More than
8,000 residents were involved in a large "Pro" demonstration
in Goldsboro last Saturday.
- Colonel David (Dave) Eberly and Major Thomas Griffith of the 4th TFW
Tom
have been declared Prisoners of War, and Majors Thomas Koritz
and Donnie Holland, also of the 4th Wing, are listed as Missing
in Action. NOTE; While the names of the Prisoners and those
missing in action have been released, their units have NOT been
publicly announced.
RECOMMENDATION
- None. Provided for information only.
Doldsboro Argue, Monday,
14 Jan 91, Front page
Wives hope
Wives hope and worry
and worry,
(Coultaned from page 1A)
"But it's not just our guys," she
added. "The ground troops will-bear
trying to keep busy.
the brunt of any fighting.'
"I've cleaned out a lot of closets
Mrs. Garrett agreed. "I hope It's
and done a lot of mundane tasks,"
over soon with the least amount of
keep busy
she said. "We're just trying to stay
lives lost."
on a daily routine.'
But she worries about Army and
Phyllis Garrett, whose husband
Marine personnel, and even those
By KARINNE YOUNG
Capt. Randall Garrett is a fighter
Iraqia who have been drawn into a
pilot with the 336th Tactical Fighter
News-Argus Staff Writer
war they do not want. "They're be.
Squadron, said their three children
ing forced by & dictator who is not
Seymour Johnson AFB wives say
are doing wall because her husband
concerned about their Interests and
they are trying to keep busy and
prepared them before he left.
well-being."
maintain & daily routine as the
"They did a lot of talking and he
She said she felt all along that the
deadline for war in the Middle East
tried to answer all their questions,"
situation would develop into war,
drawsnear.
said Mrs. Carrett. "They think their
Mrs. Garrett wished that the U.S.
While several of their husbands
daddy is great, is the best, because
had attacked immediately but faid
have faced serious situations in the
he told them he was."
she understood the political con-
last few years, "this is certainly the
These reassurances were more
siderations.
most dangerous one," according to
believable coming directly from
While many wives went home't to
one wife.
him, she said.
their parents for the duration; Mrs.
"I still try to keep a positive at-
One of the Hornburg children
Decuir said she could not ask for a
titude and hope for peace," said
watches the news and one doesn't,
better place to be.
Cynthia Hornburg, wife of 4th Tac-
said their mother. "They are deal-
"We all gather around anyone
tical Fighter Wing commander Col.
ing with it in their own way."
who needs help because we know
Hal Hornburg. But in the event of
Mrs. Hornburg said she finds it
the next minute it could be us," she
war, "our guys are well trained and
hard to believe that Saddam Hus-
said. "We can cry on each others'
will do a great job.'
sein would "put his country through
shoulders and share our worries,
Paula Decuir, whose husband Lt.
what's going to happen.
because we all know what We're XV.
Col. Mike Decuir is & pilot in the
"No one wants war, but if it
ing through."
335th, Tactical Fighter Squadron, is
comes to that, I hope It will be over
The women underscored the sup-
quickly," she said.
port of the Coldobere community
(Continded on Page 8A)
While Mrs. Decuir is worried and
both in keeping morale up here and
admits there is an element of risk.
reasouring those overacus.
she is confident in the ability of
"Our people know the community
Seymour Johnson personnel to do
is taking care of the people back
the job. "And the airplane (the F-
here," said Mrs. Hornburg "They
15E Strike Eagle) will serve them
well.
don't have to worry about us," she
said.
Goldsboro people cling
Goldsboro people cling
to hope airmen alive
to hope airmen alive
(Continued from page 1A)
can use any information about these
Robert Henson, director of the base
By MICHAEL HOBBS
Family Support Center.
did not return to base after a bomb-
pilots," said Painter, who served
Associated Press Writer
ing run. The jet was also carrying
one year in the Vietnam War as a
Seymour Johnson is the home of
People in the military town of
the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. the
weapons system officer Maj.
Marine Corps scout.
Goldsboro are elinging to hope
only unit fully equipped with the F.
Thomas E. Griffith.
Although none of the missing
despite the news that four of the
Earlier, pilot Maj. Thomas Koritz
airmen belongs to the church, it lost
15E, a fighter jet that has been in-
U.S. airmen missing in the Middle
and weapons officer Maj. Donnie
its nursery school director. when
strumental in the air strikes in Iraq
East are from Seymour Johnson
and Enwait. On Sunday, officials
Holland were declared missing in
Maj. Peter Hook was killed in the
AFB and aren't among those cap-
announced that the F-15E piloted by
action after their jet failed to return
crash of an F-15E in Saudi Arabia in
Col. David W. Eberly, deputy com-
from a bombing run on Thursday.
September.
tured by Iraq.
"We're hanging on to the hope
mander of operations for the wing,
In all, U.S. airmen are missing.
Painter said there is no easy way
Henson said he pinned his hopes
to deal with the news that a loved
that our people are OK, that they're
somewhere in the desert," said
Continued on Page 8A)
one has been lost in battle. He said a
on the reliability of the emergency
ejection systems of the F-15E.
strong faith in God and in the pur-
"Ubtil we see that the are on the
pose of the military's mission is im-
list of prisoners, we have hope that
portant
they are walking across the desert,
"They have to develop a strong
that they are dug in or have taken
faith in God, with the continued
refuge with the Kuwaiti
assurance of his abiding love. And
resistance," he said.
they have to trust in something
Cynthia Hornburg, the wife of Col.
greater than themselves and even
Hal Hornburg, commander of 4th
the equipment the pilots are
Tactical Fighter Wing, heads up the
operating," he said.
wives' support group. She said base
Meanwhile, R.J. Allen, a clerk at
families are holding up well.
the General Nutrition Centers store
"They're all very hopeful," she
in the Berkeley Mall spoke out of
said. "It's a difficult time for all of
frustration. The mall, which is just
us."
blocks from the entrance to the air
Base officials are protective of
base, had been the target of two
Tuesday, January 22, 1991
the families, restricting the media
bomb threats over the weekend and
Goldsboro News-Argus
from Intrusive interviews.
each time the building was
Those restrictions have been put
evacuated.
in place for good reason, said Rev.
Allen was upset that officials had
Ralph Painter, pastor of the First
employees go back in to check their
Assembly of God. The church is the
stores for anything suspicious. He
religious bome for some of the F.
was also angered by Iraq's missile
15E pilots in Saudi Arabia.
attacks.
"It's extremely. important that
"I think we should just go abead
the community and the nation real-
and bomb Baghdad. Just level it,
ize that there are ways the enemy
be said.
Raleigh News and Observer
Friday, 18 Jan 91
Page 1B
Wives proud of Seymour Johnson pilots' role in raids
brought the Goldsboro base into
"You have a choice," said Cyn-
we began to talk among ourselves:
constant watch on the news while
By JULIE POWERS RIVES
the national spotlight. The telitale
thia S. Hornburg. "You can be
Then we went to talk to our
going about their routines, while
Staff writer
initials SJ on the planes' tails
upset. Or you can try to keep
children," said one. pilot's wife,
others said they rationed their.
could be seen on televised news
enjoying life." Her husband, Col.
Betty Jane.
updates or avoided television and
GOLDSBORO . The pilots of
reports as they took off for Bagh-
Hal Hornburg, commands Sey-
She was among several wives of
radio as much as possible.
Seymour Johnson's Strike Eagles
dad.
mour Johnson's 4th Tactical
pilots of fighter jets and tanker
"We hope and we pray, and we
got a new job this week - instead
Despite the near certainty that
Fighter Wing and is in Saudi
planes based at Seymour Johnson
don't worry until we get final
of training in the skies of Eastern
their spouses were in combat,
Arabia.
who appeared at a news confer-
word," said a woman who gave
North Carolina, they were fight-
several pilots' wives said Thurs-
Many of the wives of airmen
ence Thursday afternoon. Base
her name only as Barb. She said
ing a war a half a world away.
day that they slept well the night
gathered for a. support group
officials asked that, for security.
she had no way of knowing for
The two squadrons of F-15Es -
of the attack, sent their children
meeting on Wednesday night just
reasons, reporters. use only the,
certain whether her husband, an
48 aircraft- from Seymour John-
to school as usual the next day and
as they heard of the first allied air
first names of the other pilots"
F-15 pilot, had participated in the
son Air Force Base, the mainstay
remained-faithúul to household
strike.
wives.
of the air strikes against Iraq,
routines.
"It got quiet for awhile. Then
Some said they had kept a
See N.C.-BASED, page 2B
01/30/91
13:46
488(C0M736)-5627
NO. 005
012
Raleigh News and Observer
Friday, 18 Jan 91
Pages BY 2B
N.C.-based
'We train hard here at
pilots lead
Seymour, and we
believe they have the
best aircraft in the
attacks
world In the F-15E.'
Continued from page 16
- Col. James C. Wray,
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
air strikes.
"I know he would want to," she
shadowed by military installa-
said.
tions at Fort Bragg and Camp
Another woman, Pam, said her
Lejeune, began converting to F-
two children, 7 and 8, had gone to
15s in December 1988. The first of
school and were calm in the hours
the planes and pilots became
after the attack.
operational in October of 1989.
"They know their Daddy's a
The 4th Tactical Fighter Wing's
good pilot. He'll do what he's
motto is "Fourth but First,"
supposed to do. They. have a
referring to its World War II
feeling he'll come back," she said.
military feats.
Though years of military life
The base has also sent several
has taught the women to cultivate
KC-10 refueling tankers and crews
& calm demeanor, many of them
to the Middle East. They are
admitted they have had anxious
capable of refueling in mid-air the
moments. Looking out for each
F-15E's, all other Air Force air-
other and keeping touch relieves
craft and most Navy, Marine and
the stress, they said.
allied aircraft being used in the
"Everybody's doing the same
attacks.
thing, whether their husband is
Col. Wray said he was surprised
over there or not," Pam said.
but relieved that no Seymour
The base, with half its personnel
Johnson planes had been reported
and most of its fighter planes and
lost as of Thursday "because of
tankers gone to the Middle East,
the nature of the beast."
was subdued Thursday. Security
He said he did not know for
checks at the gate created a long
certain how many of the planes
traffic jam.
had been or would be involved
Speaking at the news confer-
because officers at the base had
ence, Col. James C. Wray, vice
not been informed of the battle
commander of the wing, bragged
plans.
about the war planes and the men
"I can only tell you what's on
who fly them.
television," he said. "It was a
"Wë train hard here at Sey-
combined attack."
mour, and we believe they have
Col. Wray said the F-15E pilots.
the best aircraft in the world in
were, guided by video display
the F-15E," he said.
screens in the cockpits of the
The two squadrons from Sey-
sleek, sophisticated, computer-
mour Johnson, the 335th and
ized planes designed for battle at
336th, are the only two operating
night and in bad weather.
squadrons of F-15Es in the Air
"All they probably hear is each
Force. A third squadron is being
other breathing, and the equip-
trained at the base now.
ment they have working for
The Goldsboro base, often over-
them," he said.
Thousands turn out for rally in Wayne
to show support for troops in the Gulf
By LYNN WOOTEN
Mayor Hal Plook estimated the crowd
cheering crowd the purpose was to let
sian Gulf "to welcome them back when
and EUGENE PRICE
at more than 8,000.
military personnel in the Persian Gulf
they come home, to cheer them, to love
Thousands of flag-waving, placard-
The pro-military demonstrators
know they are "loved and supported by
them and thank them!
carrying Wayne Countians turned out
gathered in front of K mart in Ashley
the people in Wayne County."
Saturday morning for a rally to show
Plaza and marched to the main en-
"And we'll do it again for them when
During the rally following the parade
support for troops serving in the Per-
trance of Seymour Johnson AFB - the
they come home. It won't be like it was
many participants held up pictures of
sian Gulf.
line of marchers, six to eight abreast,
when I came back from Vietnam," he
loved ones overseas and called out
They ranged from senior citizens and
extending the entire distance
shouted.
their names 00 the public address
disabled veterans in wheel chairs to
Goldsboro businessman Frank
The Rev. William Painter, another
system.
bables in strollers. Almost all carried
Drohan, a Marine veteran of Vietnam
Vietnam veteran, asked the crowd to
American flags or posters. Goldsboro
and organizer of the rally, told the
make a pledge to the troops in the Per.
(Conthined on Page SA)
-Goldsboro News-Argus
Sunday, January 27, 1991
01/30/91
13:39
488 3(COM736)-5627
NO. 005
003
Thousands turn out
(Continued from page 1A)
for our troops," urged one home
Many said they had come to
made sign.
counteract "peace demonstrations"
Many, such as one saying, "Scud
in some parts of the country.
Saddam," denounced Iraqi's 88.
Most placards were homemade
gression in the Persian Gulf.
originals. One proclaimed that
Most participants said they felt
Seymour Johnson AFB was "Giving
the demonstration was not only
Saddam the Bird." On the placard
good for military personnel, but for
was a picture of the F-15E Strike
the community as well.
Eagle fighter-bomber.
"I think it's important for
Marchers chanted "U.S.A.
morale," said Alice Spence of
U.S.A." and "Bomb Hussein" and
Goldsboro. "I think it shows you re
sang patriotic songs as they parad-
not ashamed of what we're doing
ed down Berkeley Blvd. which leads
Mrs. Spence said the aspect of the
to the air base.
war that upset her most is Iraq!
Among the crowd was the wife of
treatment of military prisoners.
Maj. Thomas E. Griffith, 34, a
Asked why he took part in the rate
weapons system officer in the 336th
ly, Tech. Sgt. Glenn Clinton replied
Tactical Fighter Squadron who has
"It's my buddies who are there.
been captured by the Iraqis. She
He said he "couldn't begin to
said she was "very moved" by the
guess" how many of his friends are.
crowd's support.
on duty in the desert.
"It's awesome," said Mrs. Grif-
Clinton said people from the base
fith. "I think it's real important that
would remember the rally "for"
America rally like this."
years." He pointed out the impor-
Mrs. Griffith said she fears anti-
tance of the community having con-
war protesters - none of whom
cern for base personnel and their
were visible at Saturday's rally -
families - and for the base
might turn this war "into (another)
recognizing and appreciating that
Vietnam and mire it down."
outpouring of support.
"He's going to come home," she
-Several groups turned out for the
said of her husband. "With this kind
rally, including the Goldsboro:
of support he'll be coming home."
Jaycees and the marching band of
"I'm here to show my support for
Eastern Wayne High School. Band
this whole effort," said Chuck Im-
director Angelo Holman said about
mler of Goldsboro, summing up the
45 of his class members par-
feelings of many. With him was a
ticipated in the event. Others taking:
dog with two American Flags flut-
the Scholastic Aptitude Test were:
tering from staffs mounted on its
unable to attend, he added.
collar. diskie'
"I'm proud to be an, American,
Residents began flocking to the
and I'm proud to carry this flag,'
parking lot of Kmart on Berkeley
shouted Mayor Plonk from & flat
Boulevard long before the rally was
bed truck speakers' platform
scheduled to begin at 10a.m.
"Let's continue this patriotism
The throng soon moved out onto
and support everyone who's in this
the bouley ard and began a
cause."
pilgrimage to the gate of the base,
where the route made 2 U turn and
"Anything precious is worth
headed back to the starting point.
fighting for," said newly-elected
Many residents broke out singing
N.C. Rep. Carolyn Russell. "Lets
such songs:as the National Anthem
hear it. for America: Hip, hip.
and "God Bless the USA." Vehicles
hooray!" The crowd joined in the
passing the marchers joined in by
cheer.
blowing their horns, the drivers and
Wayne Commissioner Howard
passengers waving support.
Prayers, patriotic songs - in-
"Buddy" Shaw also spoke to the
crowd.
cluding solos by Ray Smeltzer -
and brief, sometimes impromptu,
Within an hour after the rally,
speeches were a part of the day's
phone calls began pouring into
events.
Goldsboro's community television:
There was at least one injection of
station, cable channel 10, with peo-
politics. A marcher carried a sign
ple wanting to see rally coverage,
demanding: "Terry Sanford Resign
The station will broadcast the rally
Now!" Senator Terry Sanford was
at5p.m. Sunday, a spokesman said."
the first to call for a pull-out of
American forces and voted against
giving the president authority to use
force.
And religion played a part.
There's power in prayer - pray
Goldsboro News-Argus
Sunday, January 27, 1991
01/30/91
13:43
488(COM736)-5627
NO. 005
008
Enthusiasm
I
(Continued from page 1A)
Enthusiasm
tions are chipping in, including 12
Wal-Mart with a donation of 50
American flags. Drohan has pur
chased several more.
growing
Members of city and county gov.
ernment have been asked to attend;
along with state and federal
legislators and members of the
Wayne County Veterans Associa-
for rally
tion.
The parade will begin at 10 R.m.
on Berkeley Boulevard in front of
By KARINNE YOUNG
the Ashley Plaxa parking lot. It will
News-Argus Staff Writer
proceed up Berkeley to Elm Street
in front of the main Seymour
Enthusiasm is growing for a
Johnson gate, then back up
Saturday morning rally in support
Berkeley to the starting point.
of deployed military personnel.
Participants are being asked to
The demonstration is the brain.
child of Frank Drohan, a Goldsboro
said Drohan.
"BYOF," Bring Your Own Flag, A:
businessman, who: decided it was
Lu patriotic and religious songs,
time the community came to
prayer and testimony, residents of
together. to show support for
the Sleepy Creek community lifted
neighbors serving overseas in
their voices Tuesday night in sup.
Operation Desert Storm.
port of U.S. personnel in the Persian
Meanwhile, 1 service in support
Gulf.
of deployed personnel was held at
They gathered at the Sleepy
Sleepy Creek
Creek Chapel for a program led by
Hundreds of phone calls have
the Rev. Wayne Jones, pastor at
been received by both the Family
Church. May's Chapel Free Will Baptist
Support Center and Public Affairs
office eat, Seymour Johnson AFB
"Our purpose," Rev. Jones said
after news of the rally was an-
"is to support of people in the Per
"nounced Tuesday:
sian Gulf. Some of us may not have
While military personnel can par-
relatives there, but our nation
ticipate, they are not allowed to
there."
wear any part of their uniform, said
He noted that President George
spokesman.
Bush had exhausted every effort for
Requests for wheelchairs have
a peaceful solution. "I'd like to be a
been! made by those who cannot
person of peace, but there are times
walk the parade route; said Drohan.
when we must stand up for what is
Wayne Pharmacy has donated one
right," said Jones.
chair for the event.
Assisting in the musical program
Other businesses and organiza.
were Faye Reardon and Tammy
Turnage.
(Continued on page 10A)
The program began with the sing.
ing of A Church in the Wildlife and
concluded with God Bless America
followed by a prayer circle in which
all those attending participated
7
Harry Ward, one of the organizers
of the project, said it was undertak
en "by some of us who felt It was
something we needed to do."
Goldsboro News-Argus
Wednesday, January 23, 1991
State P.A. 647- 9793
OF
Maj. lamy Overmeyer
919-736-6481
Seymour Johnson AFB