Michael Blassie is going home - On Tuesday, June 30th, Secretary of Defense William Cohen announced the identification of Michael J. Blassie as the Vietnam Unknown. To those who have followed this story, this announcement came as no surprise.
In a memorandum, dated June 30th, 1998, Charles l. Cragin, Principle Deputy Under Secretary stated "Secretary Cohen advised Mrs. Blassie that the results of the testing reported a match between the mtDNA sequence obtained from the remains and the family reference sample provided by the Blassie family. He advised her that these results were reported to the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CIL-HI) and represented only one piece of the evidence considered by CILHI in recommending an identification. CILHI also considered anthropological and circumstantial evidence and submitted its recommendation for identification to three outside consultants. Secretary Cohen advised Mrs. Blassie that the department expects the consultants to complete their independent reviews by the end of this week."
Remember, when this story broke, CILHI claimed the anthropological evidence suggested a difference in height and blood type indicating the remains were not Michael Blassie.
Our question -- did the anthropological evidence change in the 14 years Michael Blassie rested in the Tomb of the Unknown?
Answer - No, it did not change. CBS backed CIL-HI into a corner, in front of millions of Americans, forcing CIL-HI to make the correct identification.
While the Blassie family has a solid identification, many families live with uncertainty. The government has declared their loved one's "remains returned." Yet, there were no remains to bury. In a press release dated June 30th and seriously misquoted by Associated Press the National Alliance of Families called for an immediate investigation into practices used to identify missing servicemen from Southeast Asia and a halt to all burials until the investigation is completed.
In 1984, the political climate demanded a Vietnam Unknown and CIL-HI complied. In spite of overwhelming circumstantial evidence pointing to the probable identification of remains as those of Michael Blassie, the Commander of CIL-HI, Johnie Webb on March 21, 1984 declared the remains "unidentifiable." This cleared the way for the entombment of Michael Blassie as the Vietnam Unknown.
Today, the political climate demands the identification of as many servicemen as possible with or without evidence, and with or without remains.
As one example, using CIL-HI's methods and assuming the loss of a tooth is fatal, 32 men are considered "remains identified" based on forensic evidence equaling 4 men.
We can no longer tolerate the practice of naming remains rather than identifying them. The goal of CIL-HI and the U.S. Government is not to resolve POW/MIA cases but to make them disappear. Instead of burying remains, they are burying cases. This current process is a mockery to missing servicemen and their families. It must stop. We can no longer allow the forensic sciences to be manipulated, in order to achieve an accounting of the missing.
For the Record - The National Alliance of Families opposes the interment of any remains as the Vietnam Unknown, until remains of a truly unidentifiable serviceman is located. If unidentifiable remains become available in the future we further state that the "certification" of unidentifiable remains be made by an independent panel of forensic experts, outside the government.
Why does Johnie Webb still have a job? While in Washington D.C. for our annual meeting, a copy of communication traffic was given to us. The communication traffic is dated January 14th, 1998. The author is a Mark Blair (his position is unknown.) It is a Memo for Record and the subject reads "Lt. Blassie - X-26 - Tomb of the Unknown for SEA."
"1514 14 Jan 98, call Johnie Webb at the CILHI (808) 448-8903. I asked Mr. Webb if in fact when the BTB (believed to be) of Lt. Blassie was rescinded did those remains then become X-26 and were they eventually interred in the tomb of the Unknown? He answered yes, he also stated that he feels this will get very complicated and messy before it is resolved. He has some concerns as well since he is the last of those involved with the decision to inter X-26 as the unknown still working for the Govt or even alive."
Also obtained, thanks to the efforts of Wayne Feltenburger and Denny Clarke
is the March 21st, 1984 "Certification" of remains, BTB Michael Blassie, as unknown.
"Remains of TSN 0673-72 (X-26) -- Anthropological processing of the remains designated as TSN 0673-72 (X-26) has failed to support a positive identification with any known casualty of Southeast Asia. All efforts since 4 November 1972 to establish a positive identification have proven negative. The portions of the recovered remains do not include identification criteria that can be matched exclusively to an individual and it is highly improbable that continued identification processing would be successful. The remains are determined to be unidentifiable." The "certification" is signed by Johnie Webb.
What else or who else did Johnie Webb make disappear or create?
Did you know that Johnie Webb has no background in the forensic sciences? He came from the Quartermaster Corp. Did you know that Tadao Furue head of the Lab during the early to mid-1980's was totally unqualified, with a degree equal to a Bachelor of Science and no advanced degree in the forensic sciences?
According to Anthropologist, Dr. Sam Dunlap, every identification made at CIL-HI, by Furue, should be re-examined.
National Chairperson
(dolores@nationalalliance.org)
NYS Director (lynn@nationalalliance.org)
July 4, 1998
We repeat our question.... Why does Johnie Webb still have a job?
The Meeting --- The work actually started on Monday morning. Janelle Apodaca Rose was given a mission and exiled to the Archives, press releases had to be written, the media contacted (yes, we do contact the media, they just don't show) and testimony had to be written for a hearing before the Sub Committee on Trade for the House Ways and Means Committee, regarding the Jackson - Vanik Waiver.
There was a meeting at the National Archives, arranged by Roger Hall, regarding
release of additional documentation from the Nixon Library. We stopped counting trips to the copy shop when they hit double digits. The testimony had to be delivered to Capitol Hill, 24 hours prior to the hearing and they needed 200 copies. We still didn't have a schedule (stop laughing, we do have a schedule, we just have problems sticking with it.)
Jackson - Vanik Hearings -- The first panel consisted of Senator John Kerry and Ambassador to Vietnam and former Congressman Pete Peterson. Because of their status the 5 minute rule for testimony was waived. They spoke for a total of two (2) hours extolling the virtues of the Vietnamese government and stating how cooperative they were. Senator Kerry even pointed to the fact that a former ARVN Major had been elected to a post in Hanoi. He cited this as Vietnam's move toward democracy. Flash - In the last session of the U.S. Congress a Communist Party member was elected to the U.S.House of Representatives. Does this mean U.S. Congress is going Communist?
Speaking against the waiver were congressman Christopher Smith and Dana Roharbacker. both made a strong case citing human rights violations in Vietnam.
During the Kerry and Peterson testimony several Congressmen were present and others drifted in and out. When it was the oppositions turn to testify, only the Sub-Committee Chairman remained. Guess he lost the toss!
The next panel consisted of representatives from three (3) refugee organizations, including the Montagnards. Our allies (abandoned as were our POWs) very eloquently stated all the moral reasons why the Jackson - Vanik Amendment should not be waived for Vietnam. Also testifying on that panel were the Executive Director of the National League of Families and Lynn O'Shea, the New York State Director of the National Alliance of Families.
Ms. O'Shea presented the Committee with evidence of Vietnam's failure to cooperate on the POW/MIA issue. Information was introduced to prove site salting (more on this a future edition of Bits 'N' Pieces.) For those watching, check our web site for "Are the Vietnamese Salting Sites?" We thank the family of Navy Lt. Daniel V. Borah, Jr. for providing us with their documentation and photos and allowing us to use them. Ms. O'Shea also named an American alive in a POW camp in mid-late February 1973, who did not come home (more on this in a future edition of Bits 'N' Pieces.) While standard debunking has already started, we remind you of one fact, we were right about the mtDNA!
We could not stay for the entire hearing which consisted of two more panels representing business and veterans groups.
At the conclusion of our testimony, we headed for a meeting with Senator Bob Smith. Due to his heavy schedule, Senator Smith was unable to attend this years meeting. He did make time in his day to meet with Dolores Alfond, Lynn O'Shea and Mark Sauter. We were encouraged by his candor and continuing deep commitment to our POW/MIAs.
We have a true friend in Senator Bob Smith.
Back at the hotel, families and POW/MIA advocates were arriving.
Thursday evening's meeting started with Michael McDaniel saying the opening prayer. Mike was followed by Roger Hall who briefed us on the status of the lawsuit filed against the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA.) Roger's attorney also briefed us on the complexities of such an undertaking.
Our main speaker for Thursday evening was Dr. William Shields, noted expert in the field of mtDNA. Dr. Shields made the complex science understandable to all. He confirmed the Alliance's position that mtDNA should never be used as a primary means of identification. He also provided disturbing information of the frequency of random or unrelated matches of mtDNA.
For example, in the current data base of 100 British Caucasians 4 unrelated individuals have the same mtDNA. In the data base of U.S. Caucasians, 178 unrelated individuals have the same mtDNA. We also learned that mtDNA is not 100% conclusive in proving a no match as previously reported. Scientists have learned that mtDNA mutates much faster than originally believed and are finding cases where mother and child do not match in mtDNA testing.
Through Dr. Shields, we learned of a Russian Commission who like us, are fighting the use of mtDNA as the primary means of identification of the Russian Czar, Nicholas. It seems the Russians are no happier with mtDNA than we are.
Friday Morning opened with a prayer by Mary Hall, wife of T/Sgt Willis R. Hall missing March 11, 1968 from Lima Site 85.
Dr. Samuel Dunlap followed Mary and briefed us on what went on at CIL-HI in 1986 when he was hired along with two other board certified anthropologists, to clean up CIL-HI. Dr. Dunlap is a little known hero of the POW/MIA issue, with the courage of his convictions and a desire to do the best job possible, Dr. Dunlap did not fit in with CIL-HI's method of operation. Forced out after 7 months "due to ethical considerations," Dr. Dunlap said he doesn't "regret a thing and would do it all over again."
He spoke of a U.S. Army Criminal Investigation into irregularities and fraud involving identification and procedures by personnel at CIL-HI. He told how the investigation was stopped on orders from then Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh.
This is the same John O. Marsh who was involved with decision to entomb Michael J. Blassie as the Vietnam Unknown. We wonder how things would have been different, if that investigation had been completed in 1986.
Dr. Dunlap told how remains were pieced together that did not match anthropologically. In Dr. Dunlap's opinion every identification made by Tadao Furue, should be reopened.
Pointing out that he has not been at CILHI, since 1986, Dr. Dunlap believes nothing in the basic operation has changed.
During Questions and Answers Dr. Dunlap was joined by Dr. Shields. Both provided invaluable information to the families and POW/MIA advocates in attendance. The feedback was great and as one family member stated, "we need to know about this."
Friday afternoon was devoted to the Korean and Cold War. Our panel consisted of family members Robert Dumas, brother of Roger Dumas, Charlotte Mitnik, sister of Samuel Busch, and noted authors and researchers Mark Sauter, and Larry Jolidon.
Did you know that the Chinese photographed all POWs in their custody and fingerprinted most of them? Our source, the debriefs of returned POWs. Why hasn't China opened these archives and why isn't Bill Clinton asking?
Thanks to Janella Apodaca Rose, sister of POW/MIA Victor Apodaca, who spent 4 days at the Archives locating and copying debriefs of Korean War POWs and intelligence reports, our researchers will have enough reading material to keep themselves very, very, busy.
During the afternoon's presentation, a video titled "Prisoners of war in communist hands" was shown. This video was produced by the U.S. government, in 1954, using captured communist films. several segments of the film showed POWs in captivity. The film was located in the National Archives and had not been viewed for years.
The Punchbowl - Two months after the story on the Vietnam Known aired, a copy of communication traffic came into our possession. In it was a reference to the "Punchbowl National Cemetery - Hawaii." The communication, generated by Tom Perry of the Air Force was addressed to Johnie Webb and Joe Hartsell. It is dated January 12th, 1998 and discusses a conversation he had with the head of a well known POW/MIA family group. According to Perry the head of this group "believes if this story hits the airwaves it will cause a lot of problems over the issue of disinterment, not only regarding the Tomb of the Unknown, but regarding the Punchbowl in Hawaii."
If those involved in the Blassie decision didn't want us asking about the Punchbowl, we knew questions needed to be asked. Unknown to us was the fact that Robert Dumas, brother of Korean War POW Roger Dumas, was already working on this and way ahead of us.
There were 847 servicemen buried at the Punchbowl, Korean War Unknowns. The remains came back to the states as part of "Operation Glory" and recoveries from known sites. One of those unknowns was disinterred and designated the Korean War Unknown and moved to Arlington Cemetery.
According to Bob Dumas, with the recovery locations known, many of these men including the Korean War Unknown might be identifiable.
It is little wonder that on January 12th, 1998, there was concern about the Punchbowl.
Friday evening, Roger Hall once again addressed us on the pending CIA lawsuit. The Alliance supports Roger's actions. We must take a moment to address a rumor circulated during meetings at the other hotel. The Alliance is not financing Roger's lawsuit against the CIA. Nor, have we contributed to the lawsuit fund. We simply don't have the money. We support his actions and wish we had the funds to finance them.
We urge anyone who has dealings with the CIA, and has documentation denied them, to pass their information to Roger. He needs as much ammunition for his court case as he can get.
The evening ended with a panel of experts on the POW/MIA issue. Joining us were former Congressman Billy Hendon (no, JTF-FA still hasn't gotten into the underground prison), former POW and member of the Alliance Board of Directors Mike Benge, researches and authors Mark Sauter (The Men We Left Behind and Soldiers of Misfortune) and Larry Jolidon (Last Seen Alive.)
It was a lively freewheeling debate, with a great exchange of information.
Saturday Morning started with a briefing by Dr. Mitchell Holland of the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL). With Pat Plumadore leading the questioning, we learned that AFDIL would be willing to provide, to the family involved, results of tests on the bones prior to receiving the maternal line blood sample. However, CIL-HI will not let them.
In the past, this denial was based on privacy considerations. Dr. Shields, in his briefing, reminded us that all samples should be going to the lab with a code number not a name. If the results are turned over to the family, and no match is made, they will never know whose test results they have. So much for hiding behind the privacy law.
With the confidence level in CIL-HI and mtDNA testing, dropping like a rock, maybe it is time for CIL-HI to reconsider turning over test results, prior to receiving blood samples.
Speaking of blood samples, the leading literature including the DOD's own "Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on The Use of DNA Technology for Identification of Ancient Remains" recommend two (2) blood samples, for the best test results. Yet, in the majority of cases, AFDIL is getting only one sample per family.
We realize that in some cases only one maternal relative may be available but what about the cases where two or more are available. Why aren't two (2) blood samples used for testing?
Recently, one family was asked to provide a blood sample for testing. Only one sample was requested, even though other maternal line relatives were available to provide the second sample. The family, after learning that a second sample was recommended, contacted the appropriate agency asking why only one sample was requested. It was admitted to them that two samples are recommended and a second sample was taken.
We know of many cases where only one sample was requested when others were available for the second sample. Why?
Family Members - when you get the call asking for blood, make sure they ask for two samples. Press for the test results on the bone, before you provide your samples. If those charged with the identification process are not going to follow the guidelines, it will be up to the families to hold them accountable. Remember, in the absence of forensic evidence, they can't make an identification without blood samples. Use your leverage!
Dr. Holland also stated the mtDNA is not used as the primary or sole means of identification. Many newspapers are reporting this as fact, in connection with the Blassie case. Our question, what about the identification of CIL-HI 0046-86 as Mark Judge? When Pat Plumadore mentioned the case to Dr. Holland, he indicated that he hoped Pat would not be using that case as an example of their work.
The fact is mtDNA was used as the sole means of identification in the Judge - Plumadore - Berry - ??? case. It is our guess that mtDNA was used as sole means of identification in other cases, between 1995 and 1997.
Following, AFDIL we heard from the new Director of DPMO, Mr. Bob Jones. Mr. Jones briefed us on his vision for DPMO. We can honestly say Mr. Jones elicited more comments from family members than any other Director of DPMO, in their first meeting with our group.
Accompanying Mr. Jones was Mr. Al Graham of the Joint Commission Support Directorate, who gave a detailed report on the U.S. Russian Commission.
The meeting ended with the mixed feelings of... glad it's over and sorry to see it end.... and the hope and prayers that next year will be the Welcome Home.
Even when they do the right thing... they do it wrong -- From the St. Louis Post Dispatch, July 1st, By: Philip Dine - "DNA from six bone fragments from the Vietnam War remains at Arlington National Cemetery was compared with DNA from two Blassie maternal blood samples. A total of 610 examinations or "bases" were run, and the "same DNA sequence was observed" each time, military DNA analyst Edwin Huffine said.
"According to our database, that was a sequence that has never been seen before," said Huffine, chief DNA analyst at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Maryland. He termed the level of the match "unique."
When your database is roughly 1/3 of what it should be, it is easy to say a new sequence is "unique" to the database.
"Unique" is the word that gets them in trouble and will keep them in trouble. They misrepresent the science to the families and the press. There is no such thing as "unique" when dealing with mtDNA. It has already been proven that unrelated individuals can have the same mtDNA. Because AFDIL hasn't found them yet, does not mean they don't exist or that any one match is "unique."
Once again, mtDNA offers the probability of a match. When used with forensic and circumstantial evidence it can be an excellent tool in confirming an identification.
Servicemen Accounted for - Capt. Harold Hellbach, USMC, of New Orleans, lost May 19, 1967, an initial search of the crash site in 1997 turned up only wreckage. Later that year, a team excavated the site and uncovered human remains plus more wreckage and pilot-related items.
Capt. John B. Sherman, USMC, of Darien, Conn., lost March 25th, 1966 in Quang Nam - Da Nang Province. The joint team surveyed the crash and burial sites indicated by the local informants and found aircraft wreckage as well as pilot-related items. The remains and other items were returned to the U. S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, where laboratory analysis confirmed the identification.
Staff Sgt. Robert F. Preiss Jr., USA, of Cornwall, N.Y. lost May 12th, 1970, in Laos. Preiss was fatally wounded but could not be recovered due to heavy enemy action. Four investigations, the last in early 1998, resulted in the recovery of remains and according to DOD "anthropological analysis of the remains and other evidence by CILHI confirmed the identification of Preiss."
DOD made no mention of mtDNA testing in these cases. We can tell you that mtDNA was used in the Preiss case.
More on Jackson Vanik - On june 23rd the Associated Press reported ""The panel, by a voice vote, decided to report Rohrabacher's bill "adversely" to the full committee, meaning it opposes its enactment...."
"...Crane said information on POW cases and progress on emigration have run parallel to steps to normalize diplomatic and trade relations, and ongoing bilateral commercial talks would be "derailed" if the waiver was overturned."
Once again profit triumphs over morality.
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